I've dabbled in a lot of merge games and usually bounce off them because the writing is so irritating. So many of these games abandon their plot premises or pad for time by making characters almost pathologically non-confrontational. I knew Just Desserts would be special when the protagonist learned key information about a suspect and *immediately* called to question them about it.Even when dessert business events take focus, the plot and characters of Just Desserts never forget that their main concern is the mystery of the fire. Rather than drag things out, characters act on information quickly, and setbacks emerge in the form of new twists or even actual physical threats from the antagonists. A cozy mobile game mystery with real tension! Amazing!!!The writers have even made the ex both remorseful and helpful enough to be a viable contender as a love interest. Unlike in other games, it's easy to understand why Ella keeps getting pulled back into his orbit, even if you're rooting for her to get with someone else (PS please give me more time with my boy Hank thank you).I haven't felt this way about a mobile game's writing since Stella Sacco wrote for Lily's Garden. It's such a breath of fresh air in this space, and I sincerely hope this company appreciates their writers as much as I do.

I have really enjoyed this merge game, but have a bit of feedback:Most of the merge games I’ve played all refill your energy/gives you a set amount when you level up. This one doesn’t, and it’s a bit maddening … I don’t mind paying for occasional packs or event perks, but I’m probably going to stop playing this one soon as I’m level 22 and just blow through energy way too fast compared to getting energy items or via quests. It’s not fun when you have to buy multiple add-ons a day just to keep playing. Also, it would be SO great if you were able to zoom in/out of the background, or could delay a decor choice instead of being forced into it with a limited visual range. It makes it hard to decide how an option looks among other choices in the space. That’s been a frustration with most decor choices. I’d also love a less … froofy set of decor options? I don’t really love the froofy stuff, or most of the green or orange stuff. And I really don’t like all the angel statues that you have no choice about adding to your space. That said, I find the story proceeds at a better pace than other popular merge games. Or you are at least given enough info to come to some conclusions and maintain interest. Overall it’s solid, but I hope some energy gifts or level refills are incorporated soon. The minor gripes are easier to overlook if you can just keep playing longer. Oh, and I’d kill for an alternative or “goth” set of options! Ella is an alternative lady, she should have a bit more decor to match the vibe. 😉

This game is s lot of fun, the storyline is engaging, animations are fun, and most characters are likable. I do not like the kid, that character is all over my nerves. I understand that character is necessary for the story but I sure don’t miss her when she’s gone. Game play is a lot of fun but, of course there’s an inverse relationship between how challenging meeting goals are and how much loot they give you to keep wanting to play; they ultimately manipulate you into spending money because some of the items take forever to get. They gradually reduce rewards so you don’t really notice until you have no gems with an extremely expensive item bubble bouncing around and you NEED that item!! They’re not about to give out gems like they did when they were hooking you in. Progressing the storyline more takes a couple hundred coins as the story progresses but energy is also hard to come by now. I play for a while then close it and come back later. I like it enough to keep playing but know it’s not a long play time for me.

Mostly just because I wish we had different options like other than two adopt another dog and also like tell other stories Like mini stories and not just the amazing digital circus mini stories that would be cool because then they would have to have your address for that one just so you can actually get like plushy’s or have them like in the store in this game as well just to make it extra cute other than more other options like what I was going for with my shop but more of like one of those things or you get to have different options if that makes more sense