Game update: 10/09/14

It's been a Summer of culture, with trips to Egypt and Italy, and we're now headed for France!

Notification for French update

This French inspired update includes a number of new items, all of which are unlocked at level 74. Here's the details:

Tables:

• French Table - 2 gems

Chairs:

• French Stool - 25,000 coins

Wall decorations:

• Red Booth Door - 14 gems
• Fleur de Lis - 20,500 coins

Floor decorations:

• Eiffel Tower - 28 gems
• Royal Masterpiece - 75,000 coins

Wallpapers:

• French Swirl - 29,500 coins

Floor tiles:

• French Tile - 8,000 coins

Counters:

• French Countertop - 61,500 coins

First and foremost, I have to comment on the absence of Autumn content. Now into September, many players (including myself) had hoped that today would be the day we'd get some of those rich oranges, reds and browns that are associated with the Fall. But instead we're taking a late trip (in my case) across the Channel.

It's a situation that immediately shines this update in a negative light before we even start the analysis, but we shouldn't be too disheartened. The two Autumn updates in 2013 were the latter two in September, so next week might be primed for some Autumn stuff. Heck, we didn't get any Autumn updates until November in 2012, so this is nothing!

So let's give this update a chance by taking a look at what's new. A teaser over on the TeamLava Blog shows some of the added content in all its glory:

Items from French update as shown on TeamLava Blog

The headliner is obviously the Eiffel Tower. This one seems to have been forged with pure gold (the real one isn't!) and is 2x2 in size. For 28 gems it's a decent proposition, and would really cement a French themed restaurant. I imagine it would look really good with some pretty flowers surrounding it and lots greenery in the scene. However with Black Friday and the seasonal themes now on my radar, the Eiffel Tower isn't quite enough to persuade me to part with a lot of gems.

It's interesting to note that this is at least the second Eiffel Tower which TeamLava have released in their many games. There is an Eiffel Tower in Bakery Story, yet it is the first prize in a box! So perhaps 28 gems is actually a bargain! It's also worth pointing out that the two Eiffel Towers are different designs - a case where there isn't any recycling of items between games!

If you don't want to spend so big, there's always the other new floor decoration. The Royal Masterpiece is 3x3 and consists of an artist painting a cat in clothes. No, really! The painter is an excellent concept, but the choice of a cat as the subject is outright bonkers in my opinion. Particularly one adorning a cap...

Moving away from the randomness of the Royal Masterpiece, the only addition other than the Eiffel Tower that costs gems is the Red Booth Door. Following on from the Summer Dreams Door in the last non-goals and non-box update, it looks like the game's developers are planning to give us new door designs on a regular basis now. This is very much welcomed by me, and is especially satisfactory when we see that this door is only 14 gems. It still requires a leap to purchase, but is cheaper than the last new door and only 4 gems more costly than the plain grey door.

As for the design itself, it's with regret that I'm shaking my head. First of all, a close inspection reveals that this door has the word 'TELEPHONE' in tiny letters at the top. So it's actually the door to a telephone box, not the majestic entrance to my luxurious and elaborate restaurant. And to add salt to the wounds, the door is red. The problem? It's in the UK that telephone boxes are traditionally red, not France!

Let's quickly move on, because the rest of the new stuff does emit a whiff of grandeur. The French Table and French Stool are rather fancy, and I do like the way the gamemakers have applied a rough finish to the tops to convey a marble material. And the swirling legs really help get across the graceful feel.

Those swirls are continued with the French Swirl wallpaper. Not for the first time, it's a relatively simple piece which catches my eye. The light blue patterns on the white background give a clean aura, and the simplicity make this wallpaper useful for lots of different themes.

The new floor tile is not met with such reverence. The wood of the French Tile is nice on its own, but the black outlines ruin it for me. I'm not sure what effect TeamLava are trying to achieve here, but it isn't working in my book. Meanwhile the Fleur de Lis doesn't evoke much reaction - it's bright yellow colour doesn't really fit with the rest of the new stuff.

All that's left to discuss is the French Countertop. Unusually, it doesn't follow the style of the table and counter, instead going down the road of tradition. It looks alright, without really creating much of a buzz. I'd have preferred a counter in the same format as the table and chair if I'm honest.

Now Autumn isn't the only thing notable in its absence from this update. Because once again there are no new recipes gleaning on the appliances. Perhaps my brutal recipe ratings have scared them off?! My previous anxiety at the drying up of recipes is beginning to look well-founded. This is something that needs addressing as new recipes on a regular basis is probably the major factor in keeping veteran players hooked. Having now 'mastered' all the Basic appliance dishes I place myself in this class, and could do with some fresh food to work on once the current goal recipes are done with.

In summary then, an update with some good and bad points, and the lasting feeling being split two ways: where are the new recipes? And where are the Autumn updates?