Publisher: Piatnik (Austria), published 2017 (currently in print) Title: Brewery” by Francois Ruyer, 1000 pieces Finished size: 26.5" x 17.4" OUR RATING: 8.5/10 LAST FEW DAYS FOR PIATNIK SALE! The Piatnik buy-2-get-1-free sale ends on June 6th. This week I'm featuring a Piatnik cartoon puzzle by artist Francois Ruyer. View all current Ruyer puzzles in stock at Puzzle Warehouse... Continue Reading →
RUYER WEEK: This week I'm featuring cartoon puzzle artist Francois Ruyer. He has done puzzles with a few brands, but primarily with Austrian manufacturer Piatnik. I reviewed two Ruyer puzzles this week (Christmas Chaos and Story of Wine) and here's the promised interview. View all current Ruyer puzzles in stock at Puzzle Warehouse See my previous Ruyer reviews here. FRANCOIS RUYER INTERVIEW: Thank... Continue Reading →
If you've up for a challenge, "Story of Wine" by Francois Ruyer is a ton of fun. The image is super cute with lots of crazy characters and vibrant color. There are plenty of jokes and mini-stories to reveal as you assemble the pieces. The Piatnik quality is very good with thick, sturdy pieces, a grid cut, a fairly tight fit, and a nice matte finish. However, there are lots of similar two-knob, two-hole pieces which make a few areas, like the random red tiles on the roofs, challenging because pieces can appear to fit where they don't go. There're also lots of repeating elements such as the big red noses. This isn't a fast and easy puzzle, but it is rewarding and very satisfying to complete. Recommended if you like busy cartoon puzzles or are looking for something to keep you occupied for a good while!
"Christmas Chaos" by Francois Ruyer is a fun but moderately challenging Christmas cartoon puzzle. The artwork is beautifully executed with tons of color and detail. The repeating elements of similar-looking elves and gift boxes scattered throughout the image are tricky, but there are some anchoring elements such as the windows, fireplace, toys, and Christmas tree, which help fill in much of the design. I found myself referring to the box lid often to figure out which piece of elf went where. The Piatnik quality is very good with thick, sturdy pieces, a grid cut, a fairly tight fit, and a nice matte finish. If you like a little more challenge, Christmas puzzles, or cartoon puzzles, this is highly recommended.
NEW PUZZLE ANNOUNCEMENTS: MAY 2016 Buffalo Games continues to release plentiful new puzzles throughout the year! Here are their latest. CHARLES WYSOCKI - AMERICANA Four new Wysocki releases provide something for everyone. There are two new 1000 piece puzzles, a new 300, and a new cat puzzle at 750! JOSEPHINE WALLS -... Continue Reading →
Manufacturer: Heye Artist: Francois Ruyer Year: 2014 1000 Pieces, Triangular box Purchase in the US (Puzzlewarehouse); in UK (Amazon) I'm a big fan of Heye cartoon puzzles. Francois Ruyer has done a few puzzles for Heye, and I hope he does many more. I really enjoyed... Continue Reading →
Company: Heye (Germany) Release Date: 2013 Artist: Francois Ruyer Verdict: 10/10 This was a very fun puzzle to put together. Heye's pieces are standard shaped and a bit smaller in size than some brands, so not for those with difficulty with eyesight or who like large-sized pieces. But... Continue Reading →
