Valkara's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:2.5
- Helpful Votes:109
- Reviews Submitted:30
- First Review:July 12, 2018
- Most Recent Review:December 29, 2023
- Featured reviews0
Take an inspiring trip through history!
Overall rating
1
/
5
Not at all appealing.
PostedDecember 29, 2023
Valkara
fromCanada
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I'm willing to try a faith-based game (whether monotheistic or polytheistic) if it has an interesting storyline, artwork, music, or some combination thereof. This game has none of those, and after 7 minutes I was sufficiently bored and decided to delete it.
No sale, and I do not recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Join Santa and friends in this instant holiday classic!
Overall rating
4
/
5
There are a few issues, but adequate overall.
PostedDecember 14, 2023
Valkara
fromCanada
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
I love Casual Arts' Vacation Adventures/Christmas Wonderland games. I usually give them 5 stars.
I can't do that this time, for a couple of reasons:
1. Music. There were some scenes when it abruptly stopped. What was left to listen to consisted of annoying childish giggling that sounded like a toddler, not the kids in the game (who are about 12-15 at my guesstimate), and a panting dog.
2. Again, music. While I'm relieved that "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" has been retired, I'm not wild about the songs that replaced it.
3. Characters. I saw Chris and Lisa, but where are their parents, Dion and Alexis? This couple has been part of these games for many years, with a loose storyline connecting them to Bob, Mary, and their kids, Mike and Emma in all three games. I hope Dion and Alexis show up next year.
That all said, I liked the Snowman hunt. That added a challenge, not only to find it, but to remember to look.
I also had a TIL (today I learned) moment. I hadn't known that saxophones are actually woodwinds despite not being made of wood.
The black and white cat got a name! So now Bob and Mary's pets are Molly (dog) and Felix (cat). That's cool to know for those of us who follow the characters' storyline.
My bemused observation: The family have been working on the same box of Valentine's Day chocolate for *years*. When are they going to get a new box that hasn't been around for ages? No wonder nobody eats it!
Overall, even with the music glitches, I enjoyed the game and would recommend it.
I recommend this game!
Stroll through gorgeous garden landscapes while finding hidden objects!
Overall rating
1
/
5
Depressingly bad garden
PostedDecember 1, 2023
Valkara
fromCanada
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This game is just a picture of plants with miscellaneous other pictures of things thrown at it. The music was depressing , some of the objects were impossible to find, the magnifier was useless, and it was a very frustrating experience.
No sale, and I'm not even going to bother with the rest of the demo.
I do not recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Complete incredible works of art, and let your creativity shine!
Overall rating
5
/
5
1 of 1 found this review helpful
Beautiful!
PostedJuly 25, 2023
Valkara
fromCanada
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
I don't usually care for the non-pixel art games, but this one had some intriguing pictures in the demo.
The music is the same as in some of this company's mosaic games, which was one of the major reasons for purchasing it. I like to relax and listen to the music as much as finish the pictures.
My only serious criticism is that there are only 64 puzzles in this game. Pixel Art has 80/game. It would be nice to have more.
I recommend this game!
Take a hidden-object adventure through the great outdoors!
Overall rating
2
/
5
Too many recycled scenes, not enough characters
PostedNovember 29, 2022
Valkara
fromCanada
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
4
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
I really wanted to like this game. But I can't. Normally I love Park Ranger. But there are too many scenes recycled from earlier games, and even from games that aren't Park Ranger!
The Pueblo scenes are from Park Ranger 9 (CE). The San Juan pier and submarine are from one of the Cruise Director games (just swap out the CD characters for the PR characters and keep the rest the same).
Worst of all, WHERE ARE THE CAMPERS? Not only do we not see the new Rangers introduced in #13, but where are Bob and Mary, with their kids, and where are Dion and Alexis and their kids? We saw them in the latest Christmas Wonderland, but did they skip Pinecreek this time?
Some of us are fond of these characters, and it's just not as much fun without them.
Sorry, but I can't give this game a positive review.
I don't recommend this game.
Painting has never been easier! Indulge the artist in you without spending tons on expensive art supplies – just relax and enjoy!
Overall rating
3
/
5
8 of 11 found this review helpful
Adequate
PostedApril 29, 2022
Valkara
fromCanada
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Strategy, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
2
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
I actually do buy these games and find them (mostly) relaxing. It depends to some extent on the music (some is good, some is awful) and how much clip art has been used (hate clip art; I prefer nature and landscapes). I'm not anxiously racing against a clock and there are no annoying morphing things.
I have a system for solving these, and it involves using the feature that lets you zoom in so the number you want stands out in stark contrast to all the rest. It also helps to make the background black so there isn't so much glare and the numbers you're looking for are easier to find.
The later games do have a counter so you know how many pixels are left of each color. It's a feature I wish had been present much sooner.
I recommend this game!
Help Trito, son of Poseidon, save the entire underwater kingdom in this match 3 adventure!
Overall rating
1
/
5
Maximum frustration
PostedFebruary 28, 2022
Valkara
fromCanada
Skill Level:Intermediate
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
3
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
This game started out fun. But in higher levels... no. There is no way to replay past levels to get more gems to buy the boosters needed to complete the higher levels. And what kind of game only allows for ONE PROFILE? There isn't any way to start over with a different profile!
I regret buying this game, and do not recommend it.
I don't recommend this game.
Visit 28 cities across Europe on an unforgettable trip!
Overall rating
1
/
5
3 of 4 found this review helpful
Meh.
PostedJanuary 19, 2022
Valkara
fromCanada
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
1
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
What a cheap rip-off of the Vacation Adventures games. Even at their worst, VA at least has interesting characters and a storyline and good replayability. I can't imagine ever replaying this game.
The characters in this game have nothing going for them - no personality at all, let along anything interesting, and there's no storyline. I had to mute the music as it grates on my ears, and I hope there's at least a point to collecting the jigsaw puzzle pieces.
I do not recommend this game.
I don't recommend this game.
Help run Pinecreek Hills and the park ranger 25th reunion!
Overall rating
4
/
5
1 of 2 found this review helpful
Exactly what I needed!
PostedAugust 20, 2021
Valkara
fromCanada
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
3
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Both my city and country are going through elections now, so this game came along at exactly the right time to distract me from the news, election ads, and all the rest of it.
Normally I give Park Ranger games 5 stars but can't this time. It's a little buggy in a couple of places - the music stops abruptly, and in one of the closing scenes (where you take a picture), there were two camera icons. One of them, prominently positioned, did not work. The other, which was harder to find, did work.
And speaking of music: Casual Arts, please stop using vocals. They really grate on my ears, to the point where I had to mute the music. And that's a shame, since I enjoy most of the other tracks.
While it's interesting to see how Pinecreek Hills is expanding (and looking a little less like part of it was lifted from Jasper National Park in Canada), I see that some of the regular vacationers seem to be missing. Mike and Emma (the children) appear to be staying in two places at once, and the older Dion seems to be missing his wife, Alexis, and their children. I've been imagining a soap opera storyline weaving its way among the Park Ranger, Cruise Director, and Christmas Wonderland stories, so I do notice when characters aren't there, or are presented in a different way than they usually are.
Without giving away spoilers, there's a situation that Dion Jr. (the Ranger who works Security, with his dog, Max) has to deal with. Depending on which of the regular vacation couples is staying there (Bob and Mary and their kids) or Dion Sr. and his family, there could be a very interesting conversation happening later, offscreen!
Overall, I enjoyed this game, and am happy to recommend it. But it would have benefitted from a final check-and-fix of some things, like the music issue and the malfunctioning camera icon. The scenes involving the mammoth skeleton were referred to as archaeology, which is incorrect. Archaeology involves digging up human-created artifacts. When you are digging up fossils, it's paleontology.
Some of the hidden animals were very well hidden, and since I'm a perfectionist, I ended up replaying some scenes multiple times. I definitely got my money's worth, as it took well over 5 hours (I never seem to get that "finish the game in under 5 hours" achievement.
Fun virtual activities, engaging storyline, definite buy.
I recommend this game!
In the debut release of Big Adventure: Trip to Europe, tour 10 amazing countries while you find hidden objects and complete challenging minigames!
Overall rating
2
/
5
3 of 6 found this review helpful
Poor substitute for Vacation Adventures
PostedAugust 15, 2021
Valkara
fromCanada
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Card & Board, Hidden Object, Mahjong, Match 3, Puzzle, Time Management, Word
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
1
/
5
Level of Challenge
1
/
5
Storyline
1
/
5
I usually love travel games, but not when they are inferior copies of much better games. The characters speak as though they're parroting travel brochures, and don't appear to even notice one another, let alone have a conversation. Do any of them even have a name? If so, I've forgotten them already.
This "find a lost-and-found" object and "pick up the trash" is something the Vacation adventures games already do. Even the sound effects when a character is given an ice cream cone is the same as in the Casual Arts games.
Why give us the same as other games, when there's an opportunity here to be different?
At least try to be accurate. This Highclere looks NOTHING like the Highclere on TV, whether in Downton Abbey or in the many documentaries about that place.
The only reason I gave 2 stars to this game was because of the one scene that made me laugh. Someone on the game's creative staff is a Sesame Street fan!
The game's ending was like slamming into a brick wall. One scene is done and suddenly "That's it, see you next game."
It's a really HUGE assumption that there will be a next game or that I will be there.
Call me unimpressed, and I can't recommend this game, certainly not for anyone seeking their next game of Park Ranger or Cruise Director. This is a poor substitute.
I don't recommend this game.