Gallery: Coloring Book and Decor | The relaxing side of the Casual Market.

Gallery: Coloring Book and Decor is a paint-by-number and Home decor game developed by Beresnev Games and published on both Android and IOS.

Before I get into the depth of my review I would like to spend some time discussing the history of the point-based home decor genre. To the best of my knowledge the originator of the genre began with Playrix 2009 Gardenscapes, a hidden object game that allowed you to restore the garden of your newly inherited manor. The sequel Gardenscapes: Mansion Makeover(2012) and a spinoff Farmscapes(2011) both built on the mechanic of playing levels to allow for customisable improvements to a rundown overworld. In 2016 Playrix retooled Gardenscapes for Mobile/Social Media gaming providing a star system instead of the original currency based mechanic and incorporating Match-3 as the primary Game play element. After the introduction of the new Gardenscapes and its spinoff Homescapes other similar games began appearing often with Match 3 Mechanics and the character inheriting a estate of some kind reminiscent of the original Gardenscapes. A few examples of this genre include the excellent Matchington Manor as well as Lily's Garden, Hell's Kitchen Match and Design. Word Villas and of course Gallery.

One of the the things that caught my interest with Gallery was the use of a paint-by-numbers as the level mechanic instead of the generic candy crush clone match 3 mechanic that bog down the genre, (that's not to say that there aren't great M3 games in the genre just that the genre is lousy with them). Instead of the standard of Hearts that break after you fail a ridiculously hard level Gallery utilises a energy system that allows you to play the level. First starting out a level is around 20 energy but eventually increases to 40-50 energy per level which will allow you to play 2 levels in one sitting. Some are critical of this system but I actually enjoy the limitation as it allows for a good exit point and giving the length of later levels, (as the paintings become more complex) it becomes reasonable. I often play the game before bed or while watching Netflix and I will often be 'painting' for around half an hour a game session. The point buys for events are also fairly reasonable allowing for some progress during a day of gameplay as the casualness of the gameplay doesn't prevent progress. The game is well balanced and controls the pacing of the game which is important especially in a casual game that doesn't have a lose condition.

The story is a spin on the classical inherit estate storyline. Mia and her husband Leo are newlyweds moving in to the first home which of course is huge and terrible rundown. Mia is a painter by trade and uses this to renovate her house. I love the idea of the levels being part of the narrative instead of the more abstract idea of match 3 tokens giving you the power to fix a broken fence. Gallery has very few characters unlike the more diverse casts of other games such as Matchington of Lily's Garden but makes up for it with the dynamic between the couple. Mia and Leo dialogue is light, humorous, and generally has a very amicable tone which gel well with the themes of relaxation and renewal which are prominent in the genre.

The overworld consists of well polished 3d models in a fairly realistic style. The decor of the house is chic and modern but still provides more classical elements allowing the player to mix and match their own style. The paintings themselves are also absolutely beautiful starting out very simplistic in the earlier level quickly become intricate landscapes and surrealistic portraiture. There's something incredibly satisfying at uncovering the subject of the painting in each level and while I often get lost in the details once I complete the level I can enjoy the painting in its entirety as I have enjoyed it in its details. Overall Gallery is a beautiful and well polished game aesthetically and trades well between its different art styles.

Gallery is what one might term as Iyashikei, a game that sole idea is one of relaxation and enjoyment. Its a game that trades difficulty for enjoyment and proves the inherent value of the casual spectrum of games. Between the balancing of its mechanics and the enjoyment of painting Gallery provides a pleasurable gaming experience that allows for both relaxation and enjoyment. If your a fan of wholesome relaxing games like Stardew Valley or enjoy the concept of Paint-By-Number you owe it to yourself to try this game.
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For a bit of fun I included my house design.