Cake Mania 3 by Sandlot Games is the newest addition to the Cake Mania series. It is a sequel that has enough new features to justify a purchase even for fans that have already played through the first two.

An interesting storyline splits the game into five unique areas, each in a different time period and different place. Players can select which time period to visit in any order, but once the selection has been made they’re committed to playing through all levels in that location.

Customer types in Cake Mania 3 have a more direct affect on gameplay than before.

Customers will eventually order double-decker and even triple-decker cakes, and coffee. Chaining commands together doesn’t earn you any bonus cash, but it will eventually activate a Sugar Rush mode that causes machines to spit out cakes with no delay.

There are 3 types of mini-games that Jill will need help with, earning a bit of extra cash. Jill’s earnings can be used to buy upgrades for the bakery and for herself.

The graphics in this game are vibrant and creative. The cartoons at the beginning of the game and at the start of each area are entertaining, and do well to explain the story line, but can be easily skipped for those just wanting to get right to playing.

Cake Mania 3 is different from its predecessors in many ways, but the changes are all for the better and make it a fun, interesting, and often zany experience.

1, February 2009