Pixel Art requires you to find the pixels and does show you literally every move like the Paint By Number games.
However, the last two series, #17 and #18 have contained a lot of really simple pictures. In this latest series, #18, there are 28, or 35% of the total pictures that are the simple pictures that are outlined in black. This was also true of #17. In fact, there were so many of them in #17, I was able to complete the series twice between when it was released and #18 was released.
Some of the earlier versions had more complex pictures, some of them being reproductions of famous works of art, like pieces by Van Gogh and Munch, which were fun to see come to life in a Pixel version.
I have also mentioned in past reviews that I think it would add some fun if they presented an image that consisted of a plain white background with just numbered pixels so that we didn't know what the picture was until it was completed. No outline of the picture behind the pixels.
I have, however, enjoyed the Pixel Art series and have purchased several of them. If they keep me interested, I will continue to purchase them.
I was able to complete the first level with 5 minutes left in the trial. I did this without ever enlarging or using a hint.
True that the images are more realistic and brighter than pervious versions, however the game play has not changed. One must simply hold down the mouse button and swipe around the image until all the colors are filled in. If this isn't easy enough for you, there is even a "hint" button to use, as well as the ability to enlarge any section and move the image around with it enlarged until you find all the numbers you are looking for.
In the Pixel Art series, if you click on a pixel that is not the color you selected, it changes the background for that pixel, making it more difficult to locate when you are working on the color for that number. Not the same with these Paint By Number series. Clicking on the wrong number does not change the background color of the incorrect number or affect the game play at all.
As I have said before for these series, if you find it relaxing or challenging to sit and swipe your mouse around until an image is complete, then you might enjoy this game. The images are more realistic than previous versions of similar games and the colors are bright. So if this is your cup of tea, enjoy!!
Up until level 15, I had nothing but good things to say about these games. Then they started going down hill with each subsequent edition.
On level 15, there were many images that catered to a very young audience, including an exact replica of the same piggy bank used on three different levels.
On level 16, there were several (and I mean a lot) of images of food, specifically desserts, such as cakes and ice cream. There were also several baskets of various fruits/flowers.
Also, several of the images did not have nearly enough pixels and were very blurry. In fact, there was one where I have yet to decide what it is. There was also a basket of something, which if it didn't have a handle, I would not have recognized it as a basket. All in all, I would only consider about half of the 80 images in this #16 as worthy of being in a game this far out in the series. I expect each game to get better, not go backwards.
Now, on to #17. In the past, I have rated these games prior to opening the subsequent levels, which was a mistake. This time I purchased the game and viewed the other levels prior to submitting this review.
Again, another step backwards. 34 of the 80 images are a format that caters to a young audience. They are simplistic and have a lot of black outlines. Also, most of the image is comprised of large sections of the same color pixel, which does not present much of a challenge.
I am (was) a fan of this series, because it was more of a challenge than the Paint by Number series, as they did not tell you exactly where each number was and made the user employ some strategy and thought into completing each image.
Now they have gone beyond the simplicity of the Paint by Number series and have made the images way to simple for an adult who is looking for a little challenge to complete the images.
Also, I expected that the images would become more realistic as the series progressed. Instead, they have gone backwards. There were many more realistic images in earlier games than in these most recent ones.
Unless I can trust reviews when a new version is released on Big Fish, stating that there is a lot of improvement over these latest games, I will not be purchasing another of this series.
This isn't so much a review of Pixel Art 16, as it is Pixel Art 15. After I purchased the game, I found that my positive comments were not what I would have said if I had waited to review after I purchased and opened the other levels.
Here is what I regret saying - I defended the need to see the other levels as I "have never been disappointed". That is not the case with #15. Upon completing level 1 and reviewing the remaining levels, I found that there were several images that catered more to a juvenile audience. In fact, one image of a Piggy Bank was used on three different levels!!! It was also one of the most juvenile of the images in the game!! Not nice Mr. Developer.
Also, enough with the wild cats. So far nearly every series I have purchased has at least two images of felines, both wild and domestic.
After searching the internet, I also found that there are several new games above what we are seeing on BFG already out for distribution on other sites. This may explain why none of our comments are taken into consideration. If a few new games have already been produced, they won't be able to address any of our comments/requests until those games already on the market are purchased. Of course that doesn't mean that once they start producing new games they will take our comments/requests into consideration.
I will probably purchase this game, but if the unopened levels are as disappointing as Pixel Art 15, it will be the last one I purchase.
Love these games, and each new version does not disappoint. Sure, some of the images are childish and not very clear, but after completing an image with10K or more pixels, it is kind of fun to work through one of these simpler puzzles. I like the fact that the newer versions have several images that have more pixels, making completing them more of a challenge. I also like the challenge of finding that one last pixel of a certain color, I like to refer to as a "nuance pixel". You know that one beige pixel in the middle of a section of brown pixels just to give some extra realism, and also adds a little extra challenge to find it.
When working on one of the more complex images, it is nice to know that you can exit the game and your progress will be saved.
I think it would be interesting if they could throw in a new challenge for a couple of the images and have them just be numbered pixels on a white background so we didn't know what the picture is until we completed the puzzle. It would be fun to see the picture come to life as it is being completed. As of now, we know what each image is before it is done. I'm not saying that all images should be that way, but it would be a different challenge for a couple (or a few).
I am currently working on my second round of Pixel Art 14, and will certainly purchase #15. I don't know what is in store for the images I can't access until level one is completed, but I have not been disappointed in any of the versions purchased and am sure I will not be with #15.
I was hopeful after seeing some of the pictures. They looked more realistic than the more graphic ones in previous versions. However, after trying it out, it is the same old hold the mouse down and sweep over the screen to reveal the colors. Where is the challenge here? Even on the more complex pictures, all you have to do is enlarge a section of the pic and sweep the mouse until all the colors are filled in and then move on. This game requires absolutely no skill.
That being said, the textured colors do give the pictures a more realistic beauty, and I suppose if you just want to hold down the button on your mouse and sweep it across your screen and find it relaxing, then this game is definitely for you. I personally prefer more of a challenge.
I haven't purchased any 12 Labours games since volume VIII, so I can't comment on how this compares to the volumes between then and now. However, I like this game and the new challenges. I am a Time Management fan, and this meets most of my expectations. The only negative for me is the dots you have to collect before you can move on, even though you may want to save them for later. Also, I mute the sound on every game I play, so no comment on that.
All in all, I like this well enough so that I purchased it. Some who have played the levels between VIII and this one may have other opinions, but for me, so far it is worth the purchase!!
My rating for Visual/Sound is based solely on the Visual, as I do not listen to any of the sounds. Also, I do not follow the story lines and rarely play the bonus games. So other than than, I agree with EveOfLove2.
I like this new game! Each edition seems to be more complex and challenging. That's why I don't understand why some want the numbers to be highlighted and easier to find. Where is the challenge in that? Also, this is pixel art, not paint by numbers. The pictures are not going to be clear like paint by number. Again, it is pixels. The larger the pixels, the less clear the picture. So unless they change the amount of pixels to several thousand more, the pictures are going to appear blurry. My only negative is that I would like to be able to see all of the pictures available before I commit to a purchase. I will, however, probably purchase this game after I complete Pixel 13, which I am currently working on. Fun way to pass the time!!
I purchased several of this series, and I buy them for the game play, not the music, not the story, not the characters, so any changes to any of that does not affect my rating. Each of the games I have purchased has the same game play, so now if I want something different I go to one of the games I purchased several years ago, and I get the same "new" experience all over again. No need to purchase another of the same old, same old!