ShopMania: Shopping Dash  

How many tycoon games are there on the web? I guess the correct answer would be: there are as many of them, as the areas of business. While the whole world is stuck on the level 10 of Diner Dash 2, Iwin decided to persuade people change their profession and get a job at a large-scale trading center.

That was the beginning of Shop Mania -an action game with the gameplay as well-tuned as the work of the first-class shopping center could be. At some web resources the game has unofficially been acknowledged the best casual game of 2006. 

Enchanted by a silly TV commercial, Lewis applies for the job at $pendmoore - a huge megamarket, aiming not only to get the last penny out of a customer's pocket, but also to think for its customers and fill their shopping carts for them. 

...This cruel story is actually pretty touchy in the beginning.

Shopmania uncovers a story of a poor unlucky fellow Lewis, whose gerbil pet is badly sick and needs some expensive drug to recover.

While playing you will have to face and serve true customer types, in fact much funnier and less aggressive than in real life. 

By mixing the elements of high-paced action(reminiscent of  Diner Dash), puzzle and strategy, developers from GameLab were lucky to get an original and addictive mix in the end.   

On one hand, a player is to fit the goods into the shopping chart split into several sections and has to think over it. On the other hand, while you start thinking, you are losing your time and customers.

Shopmania tips:

•    Just like in a huge trade center, you'd better rush with your job, and in case you try your best, you will soon be promoted to a different department.

•    Each time you complete a level and win, you'll get some helpful tips from your boss. Though, he's a nasty guy, you'd better stick to his advice and use his "thumbs-up" to advance in your career.

•    Soothe your impatient customers with a candy.

•    Place your gerbil to a customer's basket instead of goods  - he'll fit into any space. 

Graphics, sounds, level structure and general message of Shopmania are made with a good sense of humor that is immediately communicated to a player. The only thing that disappointed me about the game is that the trial period is over.