Home > Reviews
|
Multiplayer Game Reviews
February 13, 2011
 These are your opponents. Say that someone asked you, “Would you want to sit down for some poker at a very exclusive club with Max from Sam & Max, Strong Bad from Homestar Runner, The Heavy Weapons Guy from Team Fortress 2, and Tycho Brahe from the Penny Arcade webcomic?” If your response was an enthusiastic “Yes!” then I have some good news for you.
Poker Night at the Inventory is a game that allows you to do just that. It begins with you buying into a high-stakes game of Texas Hold ‘Em, and doesn’t end until you either bust out or manage to win the whole shebang.
The characters’ poker playing styles tend to match their personalities. Max and Strong Bad are erratic, and commonly make huge bets for no apparent reason. Tycho often plays too conservatively, with a tendency to fold instead of placing risky bets. The Heavy Weapons Guy, or “the Heavy,” is much harder to read. Sometimes he’ll play aggressively, going all in with only a royal high card, yet other times he’ll fold when he has a fairly decent hand. I can’t tell if he doesn’t know what he’s doing, or if it’s some elaborate card shark fake-out. Looking at the guy, I would say the former, but considering the fact that he so often wins, I think he’s actually onto something.
 Let's just say that Max is the wild card. I’ve played plenty of poker games in my life, both real and video game versions, and I’ve noticed that on medium, I tend to wind up with an unrealistic amount of good hands. I’ve played straights and flushes more times than I can count, and full houses tend to pop up pretty regularly. In the early rounds of the game, I tend to win a lot. But hard difficulty is an entirely different experience. Hard feels a lot more like your opponents are actually thinking about what they’re doing, and you won’t be blessed with such “golden hands” all the time.
But playing poker isn’t really what this game is about. It’s really more of an excuse to hang out with all of these guys in one place. They constantly chatter back and forth and make comments on the way the game is progressing. In fact, it’s easy to get caught up in conversation and completely forget about the poker.
As an additional incentive to download this inexpensive title, you can play for bonuses that actually transfer to exclusive in-game items in Team Fortress 2.
Poker Night at the Inventory doesn’t really offer anything new other than the chance to hang out with some oddball video game (and comic strip) characters for a while, but it still manages to be a pretty enjoyable experience. It’s well worth the small price tag, especially if you own Team Fortress 2.
 I can't tell if the Heavy is terrible at poker, or incredibly good at it. Game: Poker Night at the Inventory | Developer: Telltale Games
February 7, 2011
 Those are zombie magnets. No, I'm not kidding. Flaming Zombooka 2 is a game that has you shoot zombies with a bazooka and solve puzzles.
The goal is to kill every zombie in each level without killing any humans. There are obstacles in your way, so in order to get all of them you’ll have to do some clever shooting. There are also things to help you, like saw-blades, barrels of explosive radioactive waste, and land mines. While normally these items merely allow you to slay zombies with a little bit of style, there are super zombies that are immune to bazooka shells so you’ll need to kill them by other means.
There are also several types of ammo to use. There is the slider, a golden projectile that slide across the ground; the bouncy, a pink shell that bounces like a super ball; and the dropper, a missile that drops parachuting bombs as it flies.
 Why yes, that is a chunk of zombie flying over my head. Thank you for noticing. Quite frankly, pretty much everything about Flaming Zombooka 2 is counter-intuitive. First of all, the bazooka does almost no damage. You can shoot a zombie in the chest and it will merely fall over. And worse, the humans will take a bazooka shell in the face without flinching. I’m not really sure what the point of giving you a bazooka is if you can’t blow stuff up. (You can explode a zombie if you get a headshot, though.) And magnets that only attract zombies, yet the steel saw-blades are unaffected? Oh, and you activate land mines by shooting them with a bazooka! Come on!
Worse than the questionable physics is that fact that there is a button to reset the level in case you screw up, but if you kill a human or yourself, you are no longer able to use that button. And that’s when you need it most. Otherwise you have to go back to a screen that tells you that you failed before you can try again. And there is no option to quit to level select. If you want to switch levels once a level has started, you need to go back to the start menu, select a character and then finally select a new level. Sure these aren’t game-breaking, but it gets annoying pretty quickly.
I know this sounds like a good idea on paper – I mean, who doesn’t want to ’splosify some zombies? – but it’s an idea that was poorly implemented. Sadly, Flaming Zombooka 2 is just another forgettable zombie game.
 You can tell which ones are zombies by their green skin and their enthusiasm for 1970s fashion. Game: Flaming Zombooka 2| Developer: TurboNuke, robotJAM, and Long Animals
February 5, 2011
 As much as I loved all of the games I have reviewed this week I have to say that Blue Toad Murder Files: The Mysteries of Little Riddle was my absolute favorite. In case the title did not give it away, it is a mystery game. Basically, you come to this “normal” little town in England, looking for a little rest and relaxation, and are immediately thrust into a murder investigation. At first, you think that it is a single incident but you quickly come to find that the murder of the prestigious Mayor is only the icing on the cake. This seemingly simple city is nothing of the sort and it is up to you to clean it up!
Now, if you liked Phoenix Wright, or even better, if you liked Professor Layton, this is the game for you. It takes all of the good things from those games and builds on it in an interesting way. There is the wit; the charming art, the clever characters, and the genuine care the game makes you feel towards solving each case.
The game is broken up into chapters but if at all possible, you should try to play them all in order and within a relatively quick amount of time. The story carries over through each and you will miss out on some of the hilarious banter if you don’t do that. The jokes and familiarities are much better when you do.
Of course, the highlight of the game is the puzzles. They come in all shapes and sizes here and can be a walk in the park as well as “Ohmigosh, I will kill myself if someone doesn’t give me a hint.” Yeah, I get like that. Puzzles are serious business. You have the option to leave a puzzle and come back to it later, just as if you do with Professor Layton, but that will affect your overall score at the end.
One thing that this game has over it, though, is the multiplayer. You can grab some friends and tackle this witty game together. You take turns beating puzzles, even. Hopefully, if your friends are not jerks (like mine are!), they will even help you if you are stuck. The game is an all around good time if you actually like puzzles. If not, it is still a good time among friends. Again, if they aren’t jerks.
|
|
| Gameplay: |  | | Technical: |  | | Multiplayer: | | |
Game: Blue Toad Murder Files: The Mysteries of Little Riddle | Developer: Relentless
February 4, 2011
 We thought this guy was a creeper. Now we know for sure. The Dream Machine – Chapter 2 allows players to continue the mysterious adventure of Victor Neff. (Read the Chapter 1 review here.)To recap: he and his wife have just moved into a new apartment, but they both start noticing there might be something a little off about this place. Besides the fact that the landlord is starting to seem kind of creepy, there are some remnants of a note left in an ashtray warning the new inhabitants that strange things seem to be happening. To not spoil any of the details, let’s just say that Victor finds out things are a lot more complex than he imagined. Chapter 1 ends brilliantly, with Victor walking through a doorway.
Chapter 2 picks up directly where Chapter 1 ends: at the other side of that door. While Victor continues to explore, things get weirder and weirder. Chapter 1 showed us a tiny dream sequence of Victor on an island, but Chapter 2 brings us deeper into the dreamworld and even explains a little bit about how things work here.
 It's a dream journal. And boy is it old. The best thing about The Dream Machine (and probably the first thing you’ll notice) is the hand-made claymation look. Chapter 2 continues that tradition, but while Chapter 1 stayed fairly grounded with a more realistic look, Chapter 2 brings players fully into the dreamworld. The visuals are very imaginative, and the fact that the creators put a lot of care into every detail is obvious.
This installment brings a more challenging round of puzzles. While most of Chapter 1 is pretty straightforward, Chapter 2 will force you to pay attention to the details. These puzzles may take you a while to figure out, but they all follow a sort of logic that leads to very satisfying solutions. Solving puzzles is rewarding because it allows the story to continue, but it’s even more rewarding because the hints and solutions to these puzzles are so clever.
The Dream Machine is an incredible point-and-click adventure. The pacing of the story seems just right, so you won’t find yourself skimming through a lot of dialogue that you don’t care about. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of dialogue in this game, but it’s well-written and integral to the plot. Every line takes you further into this wonderfully imaginative tale. Yes, Chapter 2 requires a small payment, but in all honesty, it’s worth the price.
 This seems like a really bad way to start a conversation. Game: The Dream Machine | Developer: Cockroach Inc.
February 2, 2011
 Get Your Girlfriend Into Games is not really much of a game, really. It is a collection of mini games, supposedly picked for the sole purpose of getting your girlfriend interested in playing games. Obvious, huh? Yes, the title says it all, almost to an annoying degree.
Now, ignoring the obvious problems, I, as a girl, would have with a game designed to rope me into a game for that sole purpose…yeah, that was pretty redundant, but so is the game. Still, I could have ignored the annoying factor is the game has just been a little less disappointing.
For one thing, as much as I hate to stereotype that females only play games because they are pretty…this one was not. It is almost as if the developers just picked a bunch of games you need two people to play and stuck them into an umbrella of unhelpful helpfulness. It is as if they did not even try. I mean, the games they picked are not necessarily bad. Its things like mahjong, the memory game, and crosswords. These games are not terribly by themselves but with a painfully blue background and horrible yellow smiley faces, they are mush more brutal to play in this instance.
Besides the harsh color choices, the games are not set up with any kind of care or difficulty options, so after you and your beau have finished that game of mahjong? There is nothing more to it. I played the games with my husband but they were a little boring. We actually ended up playing UNO for an hour instead. The game is only a dollar and if you are looking for a couple of cheap, easy games, it is a good price. They are not anything special and they could have been presented in a much more attractive way but I suppose it was not awful.
I am not going to be playing it with my husband again but I did find that my friends little girls enjoyed some of the more obvious games, which was nice. I suppose it goes to show that for every game, there is someone out there who is willing and ready to play them, but for the most part, I would suggest you pass on this little nugget.
|
|
| Gameplay: | | | Technical: | | | Multiplayer: | | |
Game: Get your Girlfriend Into Games | Developer: AwesomeGamesStudio
February 1, 2011
 How did a map get inside a fish? The Dream Machine is a current work in progress by Cockroach Inc., the same guys who brought you Gateway and Gateway II. (Click the links to see reviews.) Similar to the Gateway games, this is a point-and-click adventure that has you solve puzzles to progress though a story. And just like Gateway II (not the first Gateway so much), The Dream Machine has a very intriguing storyline with eerie undertones. It begins on a desert island in the middle of absolute nowhere. After finding a map inside of a fish which leads to a buried alarm clock, Victor (the main character) awakes in the apartment he has just moved into. He blames the weird dream on a painting above the bed, but he can’t seem to shake it. On top of this dream-induced haze he finds himself in, he also discovers the remains of a mysterious note from the previous tenant, offering a bit of a warning about this place.
You must guide Victor as he searches for clues in his new apartment building while doing chores for his wife and trying to get the place settled. Along the way you’ll meet an interesting cast of characters, each with a unique personality and usually a mysterious back story. However, this is only the first chapter in much larger game, and you won’t get all of these characters figured out this early in the story.
 It's the first morning in a new apartment. Cockroach Inc. decided on quite an interesting distribution method for The Dream Machine. The first chapter is free, but following chapters will require a small fee. Chapters will also be available for pre-order for a discounted price. It seems like a great idea, since this first chapter is so intriguing, players will find themselves dying to know what happens next.
The look of the game is absolutely brilliant. All of the settings were made out of “clay and cardboard” (in the words of the developers) and have a dark, ugly-in-a-beautiful-way, artsy sort of vibe to them. The background music has an ominous tone to it (besides Mr. Morton’s jazz music) and will keep you in the right frame of mind for enjoying this piece of work.
The Dream Machine is a wonderful piece of art that needs to be experienced by all point-and-click enthusiasts. Hop on over to the Dream Machine website to begin your adventure!
Oh yes, and you can follow the progress of The Dream Machine on the official Facebook page here, which has news updates, concept art, and even sneak peeks at what the developers are putting into the next chapter of the game.
 Mr. Morton. I'm pretty sure this guy is creepy. Game: The Dream Machine | Developer: Cockroach Inc.
January 31, 2011
 I loved, loved, loved Jolly Rover. It is unbelievably adorable, funny, and actually interesting. This was not one of the games I got in a packet. My husband bought it on accident and I ended up playing it out of boredom. Now, I want to tell you guys how I feel about games and movies with animated animals. They freak me out. I will usually try them but I never really enjoy myself, just because of the creepy factor. The last book I enjoyed about animals that moved was Charlottes Web. The last movie? Rock-a-doodle (those of you who know that cartoon are awesome. Those of you who do not need to get on eBay). Anyway, that should tell how much this game had to wow me for it to give it a good rating.
First of all, the opening music for Jolly Rover was stirring. I was all but falling asleep and it woke me up. The starting scene was clever and funny, which always equates to another few minutes before I chuck it into my “I’ll finish this later…but probably not” pile. Jolly Rover did a fantastic thing after that: it held my interest.
You guys know I love? Item games. I gave them a witty name before but it has been so long since I have found one that was worth reviewing that I have forgotten what it was. These are the games where you have to find one item in room A, walk to room C and find a completely different item, combine those two items, and go to room B in order to let the parrot out of the cage. Jolly Rover is one of those games.
This game does that and does it well. It is not only a point and click adventure, though that is what I would label it as. It is also a charming little kind of…sim-esque game. What I mean is you run into bits of dialogue where you can respond to a particular problem. I have only been playing off and on for a few hours but I do not think they actually affect the score in the game. Still, they are funny and only add to the glory of the game.
This is a great game. I do not think I can make that any clearer. It is absolutely stunning in every way and I am really glad I ended up buying it. Try it, just try it, and see if you do not fall in love.
Game: Jolly Rover| Developer: Brawesome
January 28, 2011
 I loved Diamond Dan. It is a cute game with charming artwork, colorful scenes, and crisp lines. It sets the adventure theme with heart pumping music and a charming opening mini-movie. I was pretty much hooked after ninety seconds, which never really happens with me, but I was. After those first two minutes, I was still charmed by Diamond Dan. The story here is that you are a junior adventurer out to discover jewels and shiny gold coins with your mentor. The only problem with that is, of course, you do not want to wait for your mentor to go exploring!
You run off to pull your own impersonation of Indiana Jones and get into just as much trouble as poor Harrison Ford.
Diamond Dan is essentially a huge revolving 3D puzzle. It is always shifting, always changing, and you are caught in the middle of it, trying to navigate.  Your goal is to gather not only lovely shiny things, but maps that will lead you to other lovely shiny things. Are you seeing the beautiful pattern here? I am. Shinies! There are many different traps and triggers you have to pull in order to collect your goals. This can make it quite difficult.
The idea here is that you are stuck in what I can only describe as an evil Rubix cube. The huge blocks can (and more than likely will) squish you if you stand still for too long or stand in the wrong place. At the same time, you can push them to the side if space allows. Even so, the problem with pushing them is that you may just push some of your shinies over the edge and lose them forever.
 The game was cute and surprisingly hard. I had nightmares about evil temples after I finished playing. It was all very disturbing. Still, it was a lot of fun and even though the game is a puzzle game, it rather felt more like a platform adventure while I was playing. It is not really about outsmarting the temple as much as it’s about not getting dead before you can get to your shinies.
In addition to the general game play, the game allows you to replay temples. Now, this might not seem like a big thing, but you can go back and challenge yourself to get a better medal or to make sure you got absolutely everything. It really offers you the chance to play the game completely through.
Game: Diamond Dan | Developer: Grendel Games
January 22, 2011
 In the beginning, you can't even see. If I had to describe K.O.L.M. in one word, I would say “poignant.” It’s the story of a robot who awakens helpless in a dangerous world. He cannot jump, can barely walk, and can hardly even see. And as much as he tries to please his mother, she only has harsh words for him. I can honestly say this game made me a little sad.
One of the first messages you see in this game tells you to put on headphones. I’m glad I heeded this advice, because the soundwork in the game is brilliant. The music is soft, melodic, and surreal. It’s a perfect fit for what you are experiencing as you push the little robot through puzzle after puzzle.
The gameplay is Metroid-ish. As you progress through the game, you find yourself unable to get to certain areas. Later on, you will acquire new abilities that will grant you the ability to reach some of these areas, so you will find yourself going back to explore passages and rooms you couldn’t quite figure out how to get to. Some of the skills you will learn are jump, double-jump, dash, duck, and photon cannon.
While at first it’s the atmosphere that draws you in, eventually you will come to realize that the plot is extremely intriguing as well. The robot is constantly trying to make his mother happy, yet she grows more and more distant as he gets more powerful. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but this tension actually brings the story to a mind-blowing conclusion. Let me just say that the end of this game gets pretty intense.
 And he's jumping... K.O.L.M. has a very interesting look. It is seen entirely through security camera footage. The cameras are constantly distorting the image and getting static interference. Every time you move from one screen to the next, a digital marker pops up letting you know which camera you are viewing. This draws you even deeper into the world, as you can never be quite sure whose perspective you are viewing this strange world through.
K.O.L.M. is a great little Flash game with a very well-put-together atmosphere and a clever storyline. If you like puzzle-platformers at all, give this one a spin.
 This room has a yellow Matrixy thing going on... Game: K.O.L.M. | Developer: Armor Games
January 21, 2011
 There were not any obvious instructions for Puzzle Dimension but that was not really a bad thing. The game is not very complicated. It starts out with music that encourages you to move in your seat. The art style only furthers the game play; it is comprised of flowers and paths made of dimensional blocks. Since the game is essentially a series of interactive 3D puzzles that you “solve” by using a ball this seems perfect.
If you are wondering what I meant by the ball…well, I mean exactly that. This game offers a unique chance to solve a straightforward kind of puzzle through the eyes of a ball. The idea here is to use the ball smartly and grab a set number of keys. These keys come in the shape of my favorite flower, the sunflower. Once you have all of them on one level, the door opens up and you can complete the puzzle in question.
Now, I did not have too much trouble while playing the game. It is a truly motion based game, though. This means that in order to pass each level your ball if going to flip over and defy gravity while it rolls. This will kind of tilt your visuals along with it and can lead to a bit of dizziness but even for me -with my weak stomach- it was mild.
Overall, I liked this game. It was extremely simple, which can be a negative depending on how it is set up. Here it was not. Thanks to fun music, a colorful background, and a fun overview the game really speaks to me. It is enjoyable and easy to play which makes it fun for all ages. If you are not looking for a family friendly game this should still tickle your fancy, though.
It’s cute but thanks to some crumbling panels, a ticking clock, and doors that don’t open without gathering every prerequisite, it’s challenging enough to stimulate someone who likes games a little grittier too. Grab a stopwatch and it could be a fantastic party game with a few repeats of the same level. This game is a great example of a little bit of effort going a long way. A simple game design done with high-end finishes really makes a bit of entertainment more of an adventure that does not require you to leave the comfort of your home. This is just what you want when you think of Indie games that really thrill.
Game: Puzzle Dimension | Developer: Doctor Entertainment
January 16, 2011
 Every Christmas Steam has this awesome sale and I end up blowing my game budget. It is usually not a bad deal. I get like four games for the price of one thanks to their spiffy bundles but in addition to that, I end up with a number of games that I would not have considered otherwise. Many of those games end up being fantastic. So, when I ended up with Rush, thanks to a Steam event I was beyond excited. Good thing, too, I do not like to be disappointed.
My first impression of this game was it looks like it was put together lovingly. The backgrounds are colorful and glossy. They put you in a good mood immediately. The pallet is stunning. The music is nice too.
Atmosphere aside, Rush is a 3D puzzle game. You have blocks that are set to move in one set direction over a floating mass of planes. You use a certain amount of special tiles to direct the rolling blocks to marked goals. Once these blocks finish their rotation, another puzzle is unlocked. It is a straightforward game. You know your goals right from the beginning and there is little way you can get lost.
I had a great time with this game. The tiles can change the directions of the blocks. They come in lots of different forms but all of them can make your goals. Beyond that, the game is beautifully done. When you are playing, you set up the movement tiles all at once, press play and watch your set-up come to life. It reminded me of synchronized swimming. Everything in this puzzle game is well done.  It was challenging but not frustrating. It was also aesthetically pleasing, which is always a plus.
This is the kind of game you want to play when you are looking for a relaxing sort of headache. Does that make sense? There is no denying that the game is built on the back of strong, interesting puzzles. They range in ease, meaning you could let children play the first few lines without getting bored. On the other hand, someone who is deeply into puzzles (like me!) can plow through the first dozen and find themselves really enjoying themselves. I would say this is a game for anyone who likes a good puzzle. It is beautiful, easy to understand, has a nice learning curve, and is a joy to play. This one is well worth the price as well as the time and effort. Get the family together for Rush.
Game: Rush | Developer: Two Tribes
January 15, 2011
 You are helped by the incredibly encouraging messages written across each level. Hanna in a Choppa is a unique flier game, made almost completely of two colors, in which you take control of a helicopter piloted by a girl named Hanna. use the directional keys to move around and spacebar to deploy the winch. If you are especially talented, you can even do flips. Just don’t bump too many walls or you will crash, and you’ll have to start the level over again.
The beauty of the whole thing is the amount of creativity packed into each and every level. You will end up dodging fans, herding sheep, rescuing drowning sailors, and even baking a cake. And if the levels aren’t hard enough for you, you can earn a “Fast Flight” bonus for finishing a level within a specific time limit and a “Perfect Flight” bonus for finishing a level without bumping into anything. There is even a list of achievements you can occupy yourself with while flying around. However, after completing the game, I felt that it only scratched the surface of its true potential. And that’s not because it wasn’t good; it’s actually because it’s too creative. Almost every level has such a bizarre concept behind it that I felt like the developers must have had dozens more ideas for this game that we never got to see.
 This is one convoluted level map! Of course, that’s not saying there is anything wrong with this game. I started playing it at around 2:30 AM, and I wouldn’t let myself go to sleep until I had finished it. I couldn’t leave it alone.
The visual style is so incredibly simple that it’s hard not to marvel at it. It mainly uses two colors: black and orange, with a splash of white thrown in here and there. I am astounded by how much was able to be done with this minimalistic look. And the music fits perfectly. It’s this sort of soothing, yet somehow chaotic ditty that seems to match the spastic nature of the game. And it will probably get stuck in your head.
Hanna in a Choppa is a game that won me over with its unique look, and then kept me hooked through 21 insanely creative levels. I just wish that it were longer. In fact, I hope they either make a sequel, add a level pack, or introduce a level editor so we creative gamers can take a crack at building obstacles for the lovely Hanna.
 Believe me, this level is not easy! Game: Hanna in a Choppa | Developer: deeperbeige
January 13, 2011
 Big Tidy Up is an awesome game for parties. You play as little Sim-ish robots bent on making the world a cleaner place. They start out by picking up trash and then wonder what to do with it. Of course, they come up with the most perfect answer for this day and age. They decide that the only responsible thing to do with trash is to recycle it!
The opening scene for this game is absolutely charming and it makes sense for what the developers were trying to say. We see this cute, fun little robot put a can in the recycling bin meant for plastics and watch the bin make him feel sorry for his poor choice. It is funny, lighthearted, and sweet, just like everything else in this game.
 The opening menu is brightly colored and cheerful while the actual game play is fun and cute. There are clear cut, understandable instructions for each of the different mini games, which was wonderful because there are so many. In addition, every mini-game as a clever little skit that goes with it and tells you why you are picking up piles of steaming dog poop or wondering what color some random car was.
The music for this game is exactly what it is supposed to be. Chipper, fun, and exciting it gets you in the mood to recycle with our quirky little friends.
Honestly, I can’t think of a single negative that I ran into while playing this game. The only thing that I can even remotely think to mention is that the computer AI cheats. Yes, everyone says that but jeez, there is no way anyone with actual fingers could move that quickly. Besides that, this really was a perfect game.
You know, I hate the word “perfect,” but it really was. The game was beautifully rendered, it ran smoothly, and it was a lot of run. I would not be surprised if it was sponsored for a second installment. The story makes this a heartwarming story while the games make it entertaining and challenging.
The game is not only fun and cheerful it has a good message. It shows a lot of consideration, not only for the run we all have while playing it, but also for things we should do in our day-to-day lives. I am putting this on my “must have” list.
|
|
| Gameplay: | | | Technical: | | | Multiplayer: | | |
Game: Big Tidy Up | Developer: Ton3s
January 9, 2011
 Kaleidoscope Reef is home to some weird-looking creatures. Kaleidoscope Reef is a little Flash game with an interesting premise: you must help rebuild a coral reef that was destroyed in an oil spill. You plant coral, then try to feed it plankton so it grows big, strong, and pretty. However, you must bat away the predatory fish that want to eat your plankton and destroy your coral. You will see little bubble-like objects floating gently from above. Use your mouse to move these around and stick them to a rock so they can begin growing. Of course, some of the rocks are covered in oil and you must clean them off before any polyps will attach themselves.
Some polyps are very picky about what they’ll eat, so you’ll have to watch which color the plankton is. Some colors will be poisonous to certain polyps, while others will be full of plankton-nutrient goodness. But if you happen to be colorblind, there is no need to fret. There is an option that gives you shape-based hints to help you match the food with its proper consumer.
 If this game teaches you one lesson, it's that floaty red skulls are bad. You progress through a series of levels, each one increasing in difficulty. The final level has you battle a giant oil blob of a boss who will definitely be a problem for reef enthusiasts. And once you finish the story mode, you unlock aquarium mode, which is basically an endless battle against predatory fish and octopi while you try to see how far you can expand your own personal reef. If the regular game isn’t challenging enough for you, aquarium mode is probably more up your alley.
Kaleidoscope Reef was made by the same people who brought you Anika’s Odyssey, and there are a few similarities. The biggest one is the colorful and detailed artwork. While not quite as fantastical as Anika’s Odyssey, Kaleidoscope Reef still manages to maintain that signature look that made Anika’s Odyssey so much fun to look at.
Kaleidoscope Reef is a creative, coral-reef-saving piece of entertainment. While it may not challenge hardcore gamers, it’s definitely a fun way to kill an hour or two. And the aquarium mode may even keep you coming back. Let’s hope Trickysheep never stops making games!
 This guy spews oil and belches poison. He's pretty much the wort possible thing for a coral reef. Game: Kaleidoscope Reef | Developer: Trickysheep
January 6, 2011
 Puzzle Bots was another one of the light hearted games I wanted to give a whirl this week. It’s about a bunch of little robots who sneak out of their cages while their creators are away and get into a lot of trouble. I wasn’t expecting much when I decided to buy it. After all, the game is only five dollars and it looks mostly sugary sweet with strange attempts at humor.
What I got was so much better.
I’m genuinely impressed by Puzzle Bots. It was an adventure puzzle game, but I feel like even though the overall feel of the game was a little childish it had a lot of adult lessons and experiences to it. The robots, having only just been created, kind of look at everything the way you would expect a toddler to see it. They’re tiny little things in a huge, grown up world, and frequently run into things and mistake them for something much less mundane than the truth. It reminds me of when I used to watch Rugrats and Tommy and Chucky would find, oh, a smudged footprint in the backyard and decide that it was aliens coming to abduct them. That sort of thing. Where something simple is made into something magical just by misunderstanding and innocence.
One of the most interesting things about this game is that you don’t play as just one person (or in this case, robot). Instead you play as a group of five little creatures who all have a different specialty. Basically, they all have to work together if you want to get any of the puzzles completed and off to the next level. Not only that but everything you do as a robot affects the humans that are working on you. The robots manage to get the humans into a lot of trouble with their innocent antics, but at the same time they help them out without even knowing it.
I loved this game. I think it’s a breath of fresh air to a cluttered room of cookie cutter games. It’s great for the entire family. Fun, sunny, sweet, and charming, this is the kind of game I dream about. if you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a super ant in the world of humans, here’s your chance.
Game: Puzzle Bots | Developer: Lively Ivy
« Newer Posts — Older Posts »
 |
