CoolTech.org [12/06/01]  The Alchemist was reviewed by Magneto on CoolTech.org. Since you'd better read the complete review, small quote this time:

"Alchemist is an excellent shareware puzzle game by CS-Odessa. "
"This game is very different - it's not another Tetris or Dr. Mario knockoff. You have to give CS-Odessa kudos for coming up with a fresh, original contender in an already crowded market."

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TheMacMind.Com [05/09/00]  The review of the Alchemist appeared on TheMacMind.Com. Since you'd better read the complete review by Jake Sargent, small quote this time:

" Alchemy: A medieval chemical philosophy having as its asserted aims the transmutation of base metals into gold, the discovery of the panacea, and the preparation of the elixir of longevity. (American Heritage Dictionary)

The Alchemist is the new game from Odessa. It brings a new idea to puzzle games, and makes a major breakthrough in the way that they are made to be played. With a combination of a spooky and Medieval interface (although some what confusing), eerie music, and realistic and beautifully rendered game pieces, The Alchemist sets the scene as the best puzzle game of 2000.

Ever since the first puzzle games evolved from the the earliest Macs, the majority of them have been based on time. Games like Tetris, Skittles, and others, all required quick-thinking brains and fast impulses. The Alchemist breaks the glass by combining a smooth atmosphere, and no time limit. The object of the game is to place the vials filled with potion on the board, creating patterns and groups. Once you have grouped together a similar type of vial, they vanish, clearing your board space and rewarding your cleverness with points.

At first, it takes some time to get used to. But after playing for a while, the game increases in difficulty and really starts to grow on you. Not only does it qualify for the best puzzle game of 2000, but it also qualifies for the most addictive.

With great graphics, a neat idea, and wonderful sound and gameplay, The Alchemist is worth the download time for all, and the registration fee of $20 for most puzzle lovers. Odessa has captured the true essence of a Mac puzzle game, and we hope to see more puzzle games similar to The Alchemist in quality and originality coming from them soon...."
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TUKIDS [05/07/00]  Cool Review for the week of the Alchemist appeared on TUKIDS. Since you'd better read the complete article, small quote this time:

"You're sick of arcade games that give you a quick win after some lucky clicking. You want a game that makes you plan, think and decide what to do; a strategy game that will keep you playing for hours? Well, I'd like to introduce you to that game: Alchemist! Alchemist! is more than just an arcade game and will definitely keep you entertained. TUKIDS is proud to present Alchemist! this weeks Cool Review For the week of: May 7th, 2000. In the bottom right corner, you'll see a crystal with some colored vials inside.
Click these vials to grab a hold of them and set them on the game board. Your goal is to recreate the pattern shown using the vials. If you manage to recreate the pattern, you'll get points as well as make room on the board for other patterns. Run out of room? The game is over for you. If your score gets high enough, you can even submit it! That's right, a listing of the World's High scores is available on the game's homepage with scores from players all over the world. It's easy to submit your score, just click the button on the game. If for some reason the button don't work, there's information on how to manually submit your scores.
Tons of options are available for you to setup the game however you'd like. Turn sound effects on or off along with animation. You can make the figure elevate over the board, if you wish. Choose between different layouts for the board. While you're playing the game, listen to some great music. However, you can always turn the music off or change the volume. It's in MIDI format so you can even change the music to anything you'd like! Alchemist! is a great program that's both challenging and fun. If you enjoy thinking or strategy games, you won't want to pass up an opportunity to download and try this game!
Download Alchemist now and see why we considered it a Cool Review!..."
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MacCentral [03/21/00]  The review of the Alchemist appeared on MacCentral. Since you'd better read the complete article by Jay Swartzfeger, small quote this time:

"Where The Alchemist differs and stands above other puzzle games is in its use of time and board layouts. Instead of the computer flinging pieces at the player with an ever-increasing intensity, the player actually places the vials on the board at their own pace. This lends The Alchemist an almost leisurely feel, allowing the player time to think through the various possible placements on the board. The game comes with 13 board layouts, each requiring a different pattern to replicate. Each board is vastly different than the next, and this forces the player to approach with a different strategy depending on the layout -- a small board will quickly box a player in whereas a larger board gives the player wide latitude in vial placement. And if 13 boards aren't enough variety, Computer Systems Odessa offers a board editor to create your own layouts. Graphically, The Alchemist is beautiful -- visuals range from the soft neon glow of the vials to the sparkle and shimmer that fill the air when vials are eliminated from the board. The music is top notch; the pseudo-medieval instruments and melodies immerse the player in the role of an alchemist conjuring geometric patterns..."
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Glide Underground [01/23/00]  Glide Underground posted preview of the Alchemist. Since you'd better read the complete article , small quote this time:

"The Alchemist. Not - as the name may suggest - a game involving wacky people trying to turn door-knobs into gold, but rather a puzzle game which has the player arranging assorted colors of vials in the hope of scoring a few valuable points.
The game concept is simple; each level has a set pattern, which you must attempt to recreate on the play-field using colored game pieces that are presented in numerous different arrangements (sort of in the style of Tetris). When the player successfully recreates the given pattern using objects of the same color, the pattern and every similar object around it will be zapped in to thin air. All that is left behind are a few points for effort and an empty space on the play-field for the player to once again fill with assorted containers in the hope of securing some more points..."
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CSOdessa team recommends all Alchemist! Game Players to use its new mind map software ConceptDraw MINDMAP. This is software for mind-mapping, creative thinking, critical thinking, problem solving, visual thinking and brainstorming. This mindmapping and brainstorm tool is based on Mind Mapping technique by Tony Buzan. Macintosh and Windows versions are available for download.

ConceptDraw Reporter is a digital photo album software for craate image-based documents, photo reports and visual learning. You can use ConcepDraw Reporter to update training data to hand out with reporting software for report writing with pre-ready business report templates. In our site we explain how to write a report with ConceptDraw Reporter - progressive reporting tool.
Read more about ConceptDraw Reporter