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:
Follow Iselin on an adventure like no other, explore a magical land to stop the witch Aradia, find hidden objects, and solve challenging puzzles.
Overall rating
5
/
5
14 of 16 found this review helpful
WHAT A BONUS FOR US FROG FANS!
PostedJune 12, 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
4
/
5
Storyline
3
/
5
Based on full game, all reviews read.
1. Nothing at all wrong with the graphics except maybe for newbies accustomed to big studio wowzer graphics or those who need a new graphics card.
2. Sound? While I gave Visual 5 stars, sound was meh... the speech volume differs between characters. Fiddling with the volume on my 'puter was not rewarding because I would raise the vol. to hear one character and have to rush for the lower button so my curlers weren't blown out of my hair while listening to the next. The loudest is Peach, the precious little fairy companion.
3. Admittedly, the game is short; however, I loooove FROG searches (FRagmented Object Games) and am hoping that this was just a BF tryout for Seven Sails.
With any luck they will fully develop their genre offering and bring us many more FROG's. I mean, look what happened with the Paint by Number guy - ups and downs and experiments, but we all stuck with them and now we have 2 5-star games to totally enjoy every few weeks (Modern Art and Art by Number).
Plus, at this point I've bought every single Dark Parables for the FROG's because there is nowhere else to go. :(
So yeah - more please.
PS. I'm all into retro right now, replaying my fav oldies. Recommended: One of the best game series from a while back - The Drawn Tower and its 2 sequels.
I recommend this game!
The oracle’s strange vision portends cataclysmic destruction!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 17 found this review helpful
ADVENTURE GAME, NOT HO HEAVY, AND WHAT A TRIP!
PostedMay 30, 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
Based on full game including Bonus Chapter.
-----------------------------------------
Gosh BN, you sure know how to weave a good tale! Hope you are working on the next installment 'cause my wallet is all fidgety waiting to be opened.
----------------------------------------
I saw that there were some 1 star complaints directly after the BF release and read that they were based on the belief that this was going to be a Hidden Object heavy game.
-----------------------------------------
Gosh BN, you sure know how to weave a good tale! Hope you are working on the next installment 'cause my wallet is all fidgety waiting to be opened.
----------------------------------------
I saw that there were some 1 star complaints directly after the BF release and read that they were based on the belief that this was going to be a Hidden Object heavy game.
Yeah, there are a few HO scenes scattered hither and thither, and a decent share of puzzles - not too many - but mostly this is a great adventure story and I loved every minute. I played the first episode, so it was cool to catch up with the main characters and see where they are now.
If you haven't played the first adventure you'll find it here: https://www.bigfishgames.com/games/15385/legendary-tales-stolen-life-ce/?pc
I recommend this game!
Get sucked into this match-3 paranormal mystery and see if your puzzle skills can help you solve the case!
Overall rating
5
/
5
16 of 17 found this review helpful
HAVING A BLAST! A Good, Bad, & Meh review.
PostedMay 17, 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
I don't normally play a game twice unless several years have gone by, but "Call of The Wolf" mystery (girl trying to find missing boyfriend) in this Murder by Moonlight series was the one game replayed a brief 2 weeks later. I loved it and highly recommend it. And the ending? :D Not what you will think.
So I jumped on this episode, "Crimson Night", and have not been disappointed - have not had to subtracted any stars.
So here's my Good, Bad, and Meh based on Demo and Casual play. (I can no longer use timers, but no big)
THE GOOD
1. This is a mystery game, which I really enjoy.
2. The game layout during the location changes is very cool. I like being able to pick and choose the locations to investigate.
3. The M3 side of the game is used to gather stars so that you can do interviews or scope out a specific area.
4. The background music must be good 'cause I never really listened to it; in other words, it doesn't distract but does provide a nice little tune to keep your spirits happy.
5. Graphics are well done, crisp and clear.
6. The dynamics are also crisp and well done, no lag between click choices, and no wobbly mouse.
7. The callouts in the HO scenes are accurate. Bless you devs for knowing the difference between a pair of pliers and a wire cutter, broccoli and cabbage, knife and cleaver.
1. This is a mystery game, which I really enjoy.
2. The game layout during the location changes is very cool. I like being able to pick and choose the locations to investigate.
3. The M3 side of the game is used to gather stars so that you can do interviews or scope out a specific area.
4. The background music must be good 'cause I never really listened to it; in other words, it doesn't distract but does provide a nice little tune to keep your spirits happy.
5. Graphics are well done, crisp and clear.
6. The dynamics are also crisp and well done, no lag between click choices, and no wobbly mouse.
7. The callouts in the HO scenes are accurate. Bless you devs for knowing the difference between a pair of pliers and a wire cutter, broccoli and cabbage, knife and cleaver.
THE BAD
Zero, zip, nada.
Zero, zip, nada.
THE MEH
The HO scenes are a bit dark. While the devs were kind enough not to place black items in deep shadow or blending items into an identical color, I believe this game is best played at night.
The HO scenes are a bit dark. While the devs were kind enough not to place black items in deep shadow or blending items into an identical color, I believe this game is best played at night.
Oh yeah, though the items are not teensy weensy, as always I would really appreciate a magnifying glass. How come devs aren't picking up on that? Enough of us have complained about no-see-em objects.
So that's my roundup, go play the game and check out Call of The Wolf. You will be pleasantly surprised.
I recommend this game!
Springtime Mahjongg 2 brings the lovely sights and sounds of this incredible season to your PC!
Overall rating
3
/
5
10 of 11 found this review helpful
MEH
PostedMay 11, 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
3
/
5
Based on demo.
I went straight to the Classic game mode.
1. I had to play 3 boring baby games to before anything challenging unlocked. I skipped immediately to game 6.
2. Completed game 6, 7, and 8 each in under a minute, then realized I wasn't getting 3 stars - only 2. I went back to find out why, and saw that I was exceeding some sort of time limit. Even 31 seconds was too long. Say what?
That kind of did it for me. For more, see penmom's review.
I don't recommend this game.
Paint by Numbers is back with a colorful new set of puzzles! With this series, painting has never been easier!
Overall rating
3
/
5
19 of 24 found this review helpful
DID THE STUDIO SUBMIT THE WRONG GAME?
PostedMay 5, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
2
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
2
/
5
I am a total T1 Games fanatic. But I have no clue what's going on with the Paint by Numbers games, which started out being great, beautiful, and captivating.
While Art by Numbers and Modern Art are becoming 5 star games, Paint by Numbers is devolving at a maddening rate.
Number 8 flooded us with orange. Every single painting contained orange and brown.
In Number 9, except for maybe one or two, the paintings can be completed in less than a minute, and for some, that's without dragging colors. Hardly any detail at all, nothing truly complex or interesting.
The drawings of people are terrible, plus the skin tone applied is desanguinated white. Toilet paper has more color. One painting of a young boy is downright creepy.
Come on guys, we know the level of quality you're capable of, so please don't throw Paint by Numbers at us like throwing a dog a boiled, pre-gnawed bone.
I don't recommend this game.
See if you can climb the Tower of Wishes in this family-friendly match-3 adventure!
Overall rating
3
/
5
9 of 11 found this review helpful
COMBINES ELEMENTS OF SOME OF OUR FAV M3'S
PostedMay 2, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Skill Level:Expert
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
4
/
5
Okay, here we go: The good, the bad and the meh, based on the demo played in Casual, Timeless.
THE GOOD
* If you've played any of the Jewel Matches (the Match 3's), Cursed House or Laruaville games, you'll recognize some of the challenges. Well done!
* The demo was neither too hard nor too easy - matches are not handed out on a silver platter.
* There is no forced tutorial. I'd give it 5 stars for that alone.
* Tile images are bright and cheery
* The elimination tiles are dark purple, but still easily seen
*There are multiple panels to access in each level
* Items must be collected to open panels beyond the first one
* In some levels, you have to make matches next to a head to shoot darts at burning bricks or another head
* Bombs are great and not too hard to create
* Gem balls can be used to make the 3rd match
* Challenges become more convoluted as the levels progress
* Mini games can be skipped
* If you've played any of the Jewel Matches (the Match 3's), Cursed House or Laruaville games, you'll recognize some of the challenges. Well done!
* The demo was neither too hard nor too easy - matches are not handed out on a silver platter.
* There is no forced tutorial. I'd give it 5 stars for that alone.
* Tile images are bright and cheery
* The elimination tiles are dark purple, but still easily seen
*There are multiple panels to access in each level
* Items must be collected to open panels beyond the first one
* In some levels, you have to make matches next to a head to shoot darts at burning bricks or another head
* Bombs are great and not too hard to create
* Gem balls can be used to make the 3rd match
* Challenges become more convoluted as the levels progress
* Mini games can be skipped
THE BAD
* The score continue button doesn't work until a bunch of stars have streamed into a tower door. Since I am only interested in the game, not the score, I like to move quickly to the next panel. The game lost a star right there.
* The hammer and shuffle buttons: click and be extremely patient because they do not kick in right away. Fortunately, the hint button (in the form of a question mark) works instantly. The game lost another star for this very strange behavior.
* The score continue button doesn't work until a bunch of stars have streamed into a tower door. Since I am only interested in the game, not the score, I like to move quickly to the next panel. The game lost a star right there.
* The hammer and shuffle buttons: click and be extremely patient because they do not kick in right away. Fortunately, the hint button (in the form of a question mark) works instantly. The game lost another star for this very strange behavior.
THE MEH
The storyline is okay, not terribly exciting or intriguing, and I'm not particularly fond of the avatar that is supposed to represent me. Since my game name is a unisex one, I'm not sure how they decided that I'm female. I'd sure be annoyed if I was a guy.
The storyline is okay, not terribly exciting or intriguing, and I'm not particularly fond of the avatar that is supposed to represent me. Since my game name is a unisex one, I'm not sure how they decided that I'm female. I'd sure be annoyed if I was a guy.
I'd say that overall, for me anyway, this is a rainy day game. I'll leave it in my Game Manager to buy on sale.
A frantic distress signal uncovers a mysterious disappearance at Misthill!
Overall rating
5
/
5
8 of 10 found this review helpful
A BIT CONFUSING TO START, BUT THOROUGHLY ENJOYED MYSELF
PostedApril 17, 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
At the start of the game, I wondered what was going on, but it didn't last. A little segue would have been nice, like a visit to our 3 students at the academy. Perhaps a mini lecture from a pro about what landed them in hot water?
Past that, I played the whole game through in one sitting, something I hardly ever do, so yeah - it's shorter than other games - but I still had a wonderful time.
As for thrown together in haste, nah, I don't see it; but then I have Beta'd some of the games in the pipeline recently that really have been thrown together by other big name casual studios and there is no comparison. *BTW, a Beta or Survey game is more or less the demo with a survey and available commentary* No worries, there has been no sign of any releases yet, so a re-think is most likely in the works for the 2 I'm talking about.
THE GOOD
That being said, the 3 newbies in detention called "riding the desk in the control room" are a fun trio, each with his or her own attributes and set of challenges.
That being said, the 3 newbies in detention called "riding the desk in the control room" are a fun trio, each with his or her own attributes and set of challenges.
THE BAD
Meh, nothing I can get riled about. As for Elf, he's cute but certainly not a deal breaker.
Meh, nothing I can get riled about. As for Elf, he's cute but certainly not a deal breaker.
THE UGLY
Um... what about the creepy headmaster? How'd he fall between the cracks? I thought he would be sorted out in the Bonus game but nope. He simply became a page lost to history.
Um... what about the creepy headmaster? How'd he fall between the cracks? I thought he would be sorted out in the Bonus game but nope. He simply became a page lost to history.
I recommend the game, and do hope that we see more of these young people, with maybe some throwbacks to when "we" were in training. (Except for this one, as far as I remember the detective in each story is the game player)
AND, I can see that it's time I go retro and comb through my old MT editions to find ones I don't remember playing. Yeah, it happens.
I recommend this game!
Help Dennis and his friends fight against the forces of The Great Dark Wizard in this incredible match-3 quest!
Overall rating
5
/
5
10 of 14 found this review helpful
WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZ... WAIT! HE DID WHAT? TO WHOM?!
PostedApril 6, 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
I had no idea E-FUN was going to come out with another episode in the adventures of Elera and her small band of fellow heroes.
I am so delighted that they did and I just bought the game.
Thing is, in this episode we have a major disaster to overcome: Elera isn't exactly Elera anymore. Sigh. Heroes really need to learn to get rid of the bad guy's right hand man before going off to celebrate.
Bright, cheerful, not too hard and not too easy, Dark Possession is a lot of fun to play. The dev team spent their energies in coming up with a great sequel, more devilish matches, and a great narrator. I'd give you the actress' name but alas, Academy of Magic does not come with credits.
Hoping the adventure continues!
I recommend this game!
Join Mia Faircroft as she seeks the true heir of the MacDougal castle.
Overall rating
4
/
5
57 of 74 found this review helpful
SO FAR... SORT'A GOOD
PostedMarch 18, 2021
Volauvent
fromHigh Desert, CA
Favorite Genre(s):Adventure, Brain Teaser, Hidden Object, Large File, Match 3, Puzzle
Fun Factor
4
/
5
Visual/Sound Quality
5
/
5
Level of Challenge
5
/
5
Storyline
5
/
5
Based on Demo
I'm a fan of the Faircroft Antiques series, so despite a few annoyances I will be buying the game.
I've divided this review into Good Dev, Bad Dev, and Odd Dev.
Good Dev:
As always, the scenes are beautifully rendered and interesting. Lots of things to look at and wonder about.
The mini games in the demo played well, no glitches yet (penmom reported some, but they may come later - or not. Sometimes it just depends on how your computer/browser is configured.) I really enjoyed the one with the stamps, which offer some insights into the history of the countries of origin.
It was nice to see a familiar character from past episodes, one whom I especially like.
And as always, I'm enjoying the storyline and conversation.
Bad Dev:
It has somehow escaped the notice of those responsible for assembling the HO scenes that one cannot see a black item on a black background. Oh, wait! They couldn't see it either! So they repeated the combination they couldn't see. Yoiks!
Though I love the quiz / guessing game HO scenes, the clues for the one in the demo are a bit far out unless one is very well-traveled or has a flair for the international. Don't be afraid to use the Hint button, something that HO fans in general only use as a last resort or for the last item. I had to use it 3 times, and I've been around the planet a bit. But then, one item was black on black.
Odd Dev:
According to the plot, we are in a tiny little town in the hinterlands of Scotland. Or so the locals keep telling us. Sooo, this little town must have the highest per capita income in all of Europe. I mean, the public buildings are huge, incredibly expensive, and beautifully maintained, so local taxes and donations must be impressive. Either that or Elon Musk adopted the township.
Just a head scratcher.
I recommend this game!
The original Clutter series is back with its most amazing and challenging set of puzzles yet!
Overall rating
5
/
5
60 of 78 found this review helpful
10 AWESOME REASONS I BUY JOE'S CLUTTERS
PostedMarch 8, 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
No. 11 in the Clutter series, Ki11er Clutter is one of the best. I never miss a single one, though there are 2 I still need to add to my collection. And here are 10 reasons why I collect them:
1. Joe is directly connected to his fan base. He listens to us, "talks" to us between puzzles, makes adjustments, varies the puzzles, reads reviews, and generally feels free to stay up at night thinking of new ways to torture us. What a guy.
2. The Sliders!! I love Slider puzzles - could do 'em all day.
3. The quotes. The quotes are wonderful and well-imaged. My favorite is the one by Carl Sagan - so, so true. But of course, it doesn't apply to me.
4. You can click on matches as fast as you want. No need to double click to make a match work, no waiting before you can nail the next match.
5. These games are great as housework boosters and way less distrubing than watching Hoarders.
6. The number of options is... well, seeing is believing. Slow, fast, timed, not, music, cursors, conveyor belt (or not), skip around if it pleaseth thee, commentary or not, and more.
7. The graphics. I don't know where Joe gets 'em, but they are always crisp and clear, interesting and unexpected, old favorites and new, stand alone and glommed together, clever and bright. I especially enjoy what he does with the heart smileys. WORD OF CAUTION: Do not play any Clutter on an empty stomach. And don't make me say I told you so.
8. In some puzzles, especially the deep-layered ones, you can move the pieces around. I enjoy grouping like items around the edges, usually by color. Others, like Joe, just have at it, peering around and through items and jiggling them to see what's underneath. That's nice, dear.
9. If you click on the wrong item, to make it stop jiggling you can either re-click on it or click on the next item. Instant reward, no waiting, no double clicking, no being forced to make a matching wrong choice to undo move.
10. Never a forced tutorial. I mean, wow. You have no idea how important that is to an old hand like me. What to do, opinions, stories, comments, direction, what to expect, and of course the quotes, are all part of the game play and interaction with Joe (or you can turn those off). So cool. Plus there are 1500 more puzzles to choose from at any time in various categories (as I recall; it's been a while since I've headed for a Clutter extras).
I recommend any and all of Joe's Clutters. To paraphrase one of Joe's favorite fans, they are all familar but different, and they are ALL a lot of fun. And I'm enjoying the heck out of this Ki11er Clutter.
I recommend this game!