Volauvent's Profile
Stat Summary
- Average Rating:4.3
- Helpful Votes:3,336
- Reviews Submitted:177
- First Review:February 19, 2012
- Most Recent Review:December 2, 2024
- Featured reviews0
Status:
Art By Numbers transports us to a new world of wonderful paintings! Let your creative side shine as you complete these colorful paint-by-numbers puzzles.
Overall rating
5
/
5
23 of 25 found this review helpful
THE LITTLE ROBOT AND THE JAR :D
PostedJuly 28, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Art by Numbers has set a tradition. Each edition starts off with a little robot having fun. Then there's the jar - you never know what's going to be in it from month to month. Sometimes it's a seasonal theme, and sometimes just a goofy theme.
THE GOOD
1. The graphics are just awesome, especially when the studio gives us the super-stuffed satin quilts.
2. The colors, hues, shades, tints, and color combinations are a delight to behold. Frankly, I just grin the whole time I'm filling in the colors.
3. Moving up and down from palette to palette is an easy scroll.
2. The colors, hues, shades, tints, and color combinations are a delight to behold. Frankly, I just grin the whole time I'm filling in the colors.
3. Moving up and down from palette to palette is an easy scroll.
THE BAD
1. Upon completing a color located in a palette you scroll down to reach, you are snapped back to the first palette. This can be extremely annoying, especially if you are working in an area where all the colors you need are in that lower display.
2. The background music is a medley of compositions with a break for nature sounds. I love nature sounds. However, they are set on a different volume than the music and can't be heard without turning up the volume. No need to tell you what happens when the music COMES BA-A-ACK!
2. The background music is a medley of compositions with a break for nature sounds. I love nature sounds. However, they are set on a different volume than the music and can't be heard without turning up the volume. No need to tell you what happens when the music COMES BA-A-ACK!
NO UGLY, NO MEH. This series is the bomb. It's my absolute favorite of the paint by numbers series. Or wait. I thought Modern Art was my favorite...?
I recommend this game!
Join the pirates and help build an incredible amusement park in their latest match-3 adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
37 of 43 found this review helpful
MY "CASUAL" REVIEW
PostedJuly 25, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Based on demo, casual play. Bought the game 'cause it's lots and lots of fun.
I always read what Penmom33 and Sunnyglow (who hasn't chimed in yet as I'm writing this) have to allow. Most of the time, I agree with their take, and this is no exception.
BUT...
It seems the tile colors depend on your computer. Penmom had problems differentiating between certain shades, while on my laptop everything is crystal clear. That's normal. Hers probably outshines mine in other areas because computers are not created equally.
I no longer do well under timed pressure, ergo my M3's are always played in Casual Mode. The cool thing about this game is that you aren't penalized for playing in cazh mode. Most M3's take away stars, points, whatever, as if one is unworthy for not playing Timed. Lord have mercy!
There is no option to skip the tutorial, but for once the little pop ups are far from annoying. A forced tutorial is usually a deal-killer for me, but not this time. The whole presentation is just adorable, but then I have a weak spot for red-headed kids and old hippies. :b
The objective is to delay finishing each level until you've matched as many tiles with tiny coins as possible. On level completion, you can immediately return and gather up more gelt before heading to the scoreboard. And blow up more stuff. Heh heh heh.
The cost of building is just right - no need to play for 20 minutes to earn enough coins to build the next amusement.
All in all, this is a bright, cheerful game, just right to play in casual mode by yourself or with the grandkids.
I recommend this game!
Join Morgan and Jack to solve unusual cases around London that lead them to a dark conspiracy in this match-3 mystery!
Overall rating
5
/
5
17 of 18 found this review helpful
I LIKE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS GAME
PostedJuly 14, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
I agree with other reviewers that this game seems a little boring at first, but once I got into it, I had a jolly good time and was surprised when the demo time was up - I thought I already owned it! :D I love it when that happens.
The dialogue is just right - I thoroughly enjoy the detective's attitude and wit. Were I his partner, I would spend a lot of time grinning.
The storyline does keep you in suspense as you can never be sure about what or who our hero is going to run into next, or what on earth is going on in this cursed (is it really cursed, or...?) little town.
Though I feel bad for those who need the timer to enjoy M3's, relaxed mode is my favorite way to play this genre. That being said, I do agree that there should be a choice, and I'm a bit confused as to why the dev studio didn't add the extra bit of programming.
All in all, I picked up Gaslamp 2 and will demo the first in the series, Gaslamp Cases: The Deadly Machine. It's linked at the end of the synopsis.
I recommend this game!
Find objects hidden across scenes set in China, Japan, Greece, and many other incredible places!
Overall rating
5
/
5
96 of 99 found this review helpful
IF YOU CAN FIND THE EGGPLANT... :D
PostedJuly 10, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
... you should seriously consider becoming a ranger.
I've played Lord only knows how many HO games and I must say, this one is not only beautiful and educational, it requires creative focus. You'll need all your zoom tricks to find those last couple of items.
I chose to play in Casual mode, which was an excellent choice for me 'cause I looked and searched and peered and squinted and tried to mentally moved the foliage around to find the listed goodies, and STILL had to use the cotton pickin' hint button. A total blast. Absolutely give it a try.
So. Don't forget to pick up the collectibles or to open the 2 little side scenes like I did, which nearly left me with permanent eye-roll.
I recommend this game!
Can you find an elusive shop to save your long-lost partner?
Overall rating
5
/
5
54 of 67 found this review helpful
THIS GAME HAD ME AT HELLO
PostedJuly 8, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Well done, Elephant Games!
Okay, we have the creepy estate, a really good mystery that meshes with an old case, the gang's all here (if they ever show up... heh heh heh), and Rick Rogers is the center of attention since he's been missing for 13 years!
The intro section is one of the best I've seen since the truly great one in Haunted Hotel: Charles Dexter Ward.
I knew I was going to buy this episode within the first few minutes of the demo.
Of course, the graphics are superb as always, and the timing is well done. Not too fast, not too slow, no giveaways.
So far continuity, the bane of Big Fish Studios, is point on with no weird segues or actions that don't make any sense given what took place just a moment ago. That means your head isn't bounced out of the game because you have to shake it to get past the befuddlement.
I'm saying "so far" because I'm only a little way into the game after the demo.
Okay, back to the game instead of calling it a night. Yeah, it's that good.
I recommend this game!
Bring your match-making skills to this bright and colorful puzzle game filled with fun challenges!
Overall rating
5
/
5
32 of 36 found this review helpful
WHAT FUN :D COULDN'T WAIT TO BUY IT
PostedJuly 7, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
If you enjoy Dig, you'll love this game.
A delight to the eyes, love the background music, and I really need to talk to the shaman to find out how he came to be involved in the life of a princess in Europe. Where DO they come up with this stuff?
Create bombs to blow up a limited area, create boxes to zap up and down across the field. (Amazing how much we get a kick out of blowing up crates and walls and such. Woohoo!)
And like Dig, there are those pesky embedded boxes that require certain actions and matches to make things happen.
Planning for your next move can be tricky as inadvertant matches are made that create those bombs and boxes and BOOM! There goes the strategy. Or not -- if a same-colored box, bomb, and image come together [insert mushroom cloud]. Problem solved.
Would love to tell you more, but the game calls...
I recommend this game!
Can you keep your first solo detective case from becoming your last?
Overall rating
5
/
5
44 of 55 found this review helpful
OH MY!
PostedJuly 3, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Review based on demo
How I wish I could still play Time Management games, because this one looks wonderful.
I was so intrigued that I started the demo without realizing it's not an adventure/HO game, but was drawn in anyway.
First off, I love comic book style graphics. Bright, colorful, easy to see, reminds me of when I was a kid.
There is no forced tutorial, and one has the option of viewing a load of hints plastered on the scenes, or hide hints to use as needed. Gotta say, even the graphic style of the hints is fun.
Olivia has a dry sense of humor, which is great. The townie she volunteers to help her is one odd duck. Don't know if he's been drugged, hypnotized, over-"cultified", or is one of the bad guys in disguise. On the first day he's sort of stuck on one sentence that's an obvious clue and on day 2... well, you'll see.
While digging around for info and cleaning up the messes all over town, Olivia runs into Vivian Wright, a delightful reporter. She's the one pictured on the preview video pane. I'd love to go on a shopping trip with her because her attitude is just right for a lark at the mall. Fun lady.
You know what? I may just go ahead and buy this game and let it sit in my Game Manager to play only every now and then, though walking away from it may prove to be difficult. :D
I recommend this game!
Enter the abandoned hotel and find your missing twin!
Overall rating
5
/
5
5 of 5 found this review helpful
ONE OF THE BEST HAUNTED HOTELS! Retro review June 2021
PostedJune 28, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Of course, it's really hard to find a bad Haunted Hotel, but if you are a Lovecraft fan, oh my, will you have a good time.
You'll find a chronological list of all 20 games in the series at the bottom of this review
Charles Dexter Ward is the 4th in the series and the first from Elephant Games who took over from the original devs. While the original studio was heavy into HO, Elephant Games is heavy into the adventure of the thing. Man oh man, so glad they obtained the franchise.
I've played all the Haunted Hotels, all 20 of them over the years, and as I was making a chronological list for my review of the 20th, A Past Redeemed, I realized that it was time to start over from the beginning.
Playing the journey from the first developers through the franchise transfer to Elephant Games to what Elephant did with it from episode to episode is amazing. SO glad I started over.
Here's your list:
1. Haunted Hotel << SE only
2. Haunted Hotel II: Believe the Lies << SE only
3. Haunted Hotel: Lonely Dream << SE only
4. Haunted Hotel: Charles Dexter Ward << CE's start here, game taken over by Elephant Games 6/2012 release
5. Haunted Hotel: Eclipse
6. Haunted Hotel: Ancient Bane
7. Haunted Hotel: Death Sentence
8. Haunted Hotel: Eternity
9. Haunted Hotel: Phoenix
10. Haunted Hotel: The X
11. Haunted Hotel: The Axiom Butcher
12. Haunted Hotel: Silent Waters
13. Haunted Hotel: The Thirteenth
14. Haunted Hotel: Personal Nightmare
15. Haunted Hotel XV: The Evil Inside
16. Haunted Hotel: Lost Dreams
17. Haunted Hotel: Beyond the Page
18. Haunted Hotel: Room 18
19. Haunted Hotel: Lost Time
20. Haunted Hotel: A Past Redeemed (The last one in the series, at least for now).
1. Haunted Hotel << SE only
2. Haunted Hotel II: Believe the Lies << SE only
3. Haunted Hotel: Lonely Dream << SE only
4. Haunted Hotel: Charles Dexter Ward << CE's start here, game taken over by Elephant Games 6/2012 release
5. Haunted Hotel: Eclipse
6. Haunted Hotel: Ancient Bane
7. Haunted Hotel: Death Sentence
8. Haunted Hotel: Eternity
9. Haunted Hotel: Phoenix
10. Haunted Hotel: The X
11. Haunted Hotel: The Axiom Butcher
12. Haunted Hotel: Silent Waters
13. Haunted Hotel: The Thirteenth
14. Haunted Hotel: Personal Nightmare
15. Haunted Hotel XV: The Evil Inside
16. Haunted Hotel: Lost Dreams
17. Haunted Hotel: Beyond the Page
18. Haunted Hotel: Room 18
19. Haunted Hotel: Lost Time
20. Haunted Hotel: A Past Redeemed (The last one in the series, at least for now).
I recommend this game!
Everyone’s favorite ghosts are back, and this time they’ll have to help a very unusual guest in their latest match-3 adventure!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 8 found this review helpful
ALWAYS A WINNER :D
PostedJune 26, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
5
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Great story - poor Viking without his Valhalla.
Some new moves - Woohoo!
Our usual 2 ghosties - wouldn't be the same without them.
Some new moves - Woohoo!
Our usual 2 ghosties - wouldn't be the same without them.
Yep, 5 stars all around.
Can you solve a sinister mystery in time to save your nuptials?
Overall rating
3
/
5
6 of 7 found this review helpful
OH DEAR... (Review) + ALL EPISODES IN ORDER OF RELEASE
PostedJune 14, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
3
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
4
/
5
Storyline
2
/
5
DO NOT JUDGE the series by this one episode. All episodes listed at bottom. Hmmm, looks like it's time for some replay.
The Haunted Hotel series is an auto-buy for me. Love 'em, am always excited when I see a new one. So naturally, I rushed over to buy this one the second I logged on to BF.
Then I saw the few meager stars. Stopped me in my tracks, but I had to see what was up for myself.
Oh dear. Normally, I try to ignore the ridiculous situations, the actions so illogical that even a magic kingdom would reject them, but when they popped up over and over again in the demo, I was appalled.
Plus, the storyline sort of jumps around. F'rinstance, nothing particularly spectacular occurs in the opening scenes other than a wee tiny bit of a long series of predicted omens, yet we are suddenly in catastrophe mode.
Now I am conflicted.
Do I want to spend the money on this short (according to reviewers) messed up episode or not?
I had to click on one of the recommendation buttons to submit this review, but the only recommendation I can give you is to try it for yourself. And if you've never played the series before, please start at the beginning, shown in order by release date:
1. Haunted Hotel << SE only
2. Haunted Hotel II: Believe the Lies << SE only
3. Haunted Hotel: Lonely Dream << SE only
4. Haunted Hotel: Charles Dexter Ward << CE's start here, game taken over by Elephant Games 6/2012 release
5. Haunted Hotel: Eclipse
6. Haunted Hotel: Ancient Bane
7. Haunted Hotel: Death Sentence
8. Haunted Hotel: Eternity
9. Haunted Hotel: Phoenix
10. Haunted Hotel: The X
11. Haunted Hotel: The Axiom Butcher
12. Haunted Hotel: Silent Waters
13. Haunted Hotel: The Thirteenth
14. Haunted Hotel: Personal Nightmare
15. Haunted Hotel XV: The Evil Inside
16. Haunted Hotel: Lost Dreams
17. Haunted Hotel: Beyond the Page
18. Haunted Hotel: Room 18
19. Haunted Hotel: Lost Time
20. Haunted Hotel: A Past Redeemed (The last one in the series, at least for now).
2. Haunted Hotel II: Believe the Lies << SE only
3. Haunted Hotel: Lonely Dream << SE only
4. Haunted Hotel: Charles Dexter Ward << CE's start here, game taken over by Elephant Games 6/2012 release
5. Haunted Hotel: Eclipse
6. Haunted Hotel: Ancient Bane
7. Haunted Hotel: Death Sentence
8. Haunted Hotel: Eternity
9. Haunted Hotel: Phoenix
10. Haunted Hotel: The X
11. Haunted Hotel: The Axiom Butcher
12. Haunted Hotel: Silent Waters
13. Haunted Hotel: The Thirteenth
14. Haunted Hotel: Personal Nightmare
15. Haunted Hotel XV: The Evil Inside
16. Haunted Hotel: Lost Dreams
17. Haunted Hotel: Beyond the Page
18. Haunted Hotel: Room 18
19. Haunted Hotel: Lost Time
20. Haunted Hotel: A Past Redeemed (The last one in the series, at least for now).
I recommend this game!