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Multiplayer Game Reviews
September 17, 2010
 Miner Dig Deep was probably the best game I’ve played all week. It’s also one of the highest rated games I’ve seen altogether while looking at the Indie games on the Xbox marketplace. I don’t usually put much faith in ratings because I happen to believe that it’s fairly easy to convince a bunch of stupid people that something is good when it’s not. That’s not the case here. This game is genuinely amazing, a breath of fresh air in an over crowded cookie cutter market.
Alright, I don’t really have any complaints for this game (really, it’s just spectacular), so let’s just get started with all the best parts about it. Pulling a topic from the hat, I’m going to begin with the music. The score for this game is refreshing and light. It matches the gameplay completely and it puts you in a really relaxing mood.
The artwork in this game is cute and fun. The colors are eye catching and charming. I don’t know about the rest of you but it’s really important for me to be able to deal with the colors and visual flow of every game that I play. If I’m not comfortable with the colors, be them too light or too dark, I won’t be able to stick with it for very long. This isn’t a problem here.
I haven’t actually told you guys what the game is about yet, have I? This is an exploration game. You’re basically a mole mining through an underground world. Here you can gather many different resources to bring back to the top world to sell for upgrades. The more upgrades you purchase and unlock, the more mining and discovering you get to do!
 You might not expect it, but this game isn’t just wandering around. There is a great deal of strategy involved in being a mole. The first concern you have to be able to keep up with is the fact that you have a kerosene lantern to light your way. If you know anything about lanterns you know that kerosene runs out. You only have so much time (before upgrades) to gather. In addition, you don’t want to mine yourself into a hole you can’t get out of!
I loved Miner Dig Deep. It’s a great game for people of all ages as it is cute as well as challenging. You can get lost in the beautiful world that is presented to you and spend a few hours doing nothing but enjoying yourself. Doesn’t that sound nice?
Game: Miner Dig Deep | Developer: Robir
August 25, 2010
 Now, based on the title of this review you might have a little bit of difficulty finding this game. That’s why I added the cover picture as well, hoping that would help. The title of what I am calling Kohei Gallery is actually in Japanese. Of course, that only made me want to play it that much more, so I went ahead and downloaded it, just for the slim possibility that it would be in English somewhere.
Thank goodness for my ability to hope against hope. Kohei Gallery does indeed provide the option to play in English. It won’t translate all of the text but it gives you enough so that you get the point of the game. Ultimately all you’re doing is flipping tiles in order to get them all on the side that is see-through. The tiles have different properties, depending on their color and when you push one in you flip a certain pattern surrounding them. This makes the puzzles that you play in order to reveal the pictures behind them somewhat challenging. You can control how difficult the puzzles themselves are when you purchase the full game.
The game itself is cute and upbeat. The music is cheerful and the color pallet is really bright. The fact that the goal in the game is to look at pictures of pretty anime girls doesn’t hurt either. I went into this game knowing little to nothing about what I would be doing, other than the fact that anime girls would be smiling at me. If that kind of thing makes you happy then you’ll love this game. There are lots of different poses and outfits to look at, which is something that’s always a plus in my book.
My only concern about this game is that it doesn’t have much by way of depth. Once you’ve mastered the puzzles and looked your fill at the pictures there’s not much else to do. Still, at the price it stands at it’s a good way to spend a few hours feeling good. You may even find yourself pleasantly challenged by the game play, as some of the time the puzzles can get pretty tricky. Still, if you don’t mind a little bit of skin flashing (there’s nothing worse than girls in bikinis but some parents still may object), then this is a game for all ages. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I believe you may too!
Game: Kohei Gallery | Developer: kohei
August 21, 2010
 Let’s Learn Japanese: Beginner isn’t a complex game. For starters the premise is presented clear as day in the title. No gimmicks, no confusing double meanings. This is a game that knows exactly what it is and tells you so straight up. If you play it you will most assuredly learn Japanese well enough to move on to your next step in the language. Keep in mind that this game is for beginners. It does a wonderful job at getting you started but you won’t necessarily be ready to tackle a conversation with the natives after you’ve mastered it.
Many of us have tried to learn a different language at one point or another. Either we were forced to as an elective in school, our parents pressured us to, we had to learn for a job, or my personal excuse: we wanted to be able to watch more anime. Whatever the case may be we all know its not as easy as it looks. Especially not with Japanese.
You don’t really expect to learn much with video games unless you’re rocking the Leap Frog. I’ve personally tried just about every coach I could find for my DS but to no avail. It just doesn’t stick for some reason. I will, however, tell you that I ended up purchasing the entire game for Let’s Learn Japanese: Beginner. I think it’s a fantastic tool that tackles a difficult problem just by offering the answer in a different, more understandable form.
 Let’s Learn Japanese: Beginner is a little different by way of set up for this language. Instead of teaching you words first, it starts with the alphabet. A lot of times these things do that reversed because the Japanese alphabet can be so daunting for Americans. We tend to “learn” better with active implications than with memorization. If you haven’t been learning thus far this may be your problem. Most language aids teach you to memorize information rather than to incorporate it into your thought processes. This game is different.
Ultimately I would recommend this game to anyone who wants to do as the title says. You won’t be able to speak it fluently with this one tool alone and really that’s how it should be. Instead you’ll get the building blocks you will need to be able to understand enough of the basics to build a solid and long lasting understanding of this complex language.
Game: Let’s Learn Japanese: Beginner | Developer: GZ Storm Games
July 31, 2010
 I got really lucky this time around, I picked a really good batch of games to play and review for you all. Mole Control is another favorite of the week, it’s simple, fun, and challenging without being annoying. It’s also extremely cute and it’s made, once again, by the same people as Fluttabyes and KrissX. Now, I don’t usually speak much on Publishers, but so far, this one (one I’ve never heard of, actually, but maybe I haven’t been paying enough attention) really knows what it’s doing.
Mole Control is cute, but unlike the other two games I’m lumping in with this publisher you won’t hear me telling you stories about how my niece and I rolled up our sleeves to pitch a battle over this one. The game starts out almost like a fairytale book.  It’s funny little rhyming lines and still art as if you’re turning a page. The game, however, stops being for children-children once you’re actually playing. Mole Control may look like a cartoon for children but in all actuality it’s sort of a new twist on an old game that we’ve all dabbled in at least a little: mine sweeper.
Now maybe it’s just me and my family but mine sweeper is a fairly difficult game and the frustrations of said game play are transferred over to Mole Control. In Mole Control you have this little hovercraft with a mole grabbing arm attached to it. The hovercraft can tell you when a mole is close and even how many are close and then drops convenient little numbers in the grass to remind you of what it said a little while ago. Your job is to find the moles where they hide in the ground, and this can be easier said than done.
 Don’t get me wrong, as much as I stink at mine sweeper (though at least I tried, my niece played two rounds and tapped out…wuss), the game IS fun. It’s more than just finding the moles; it’s also a silly little story and neighbors who need you for particular things. I’m not even sure how I want to categorize this game because there is really a great deal to it. It’s a very well rounded, fun, beautiful game that I am putting on my list of “good buys” for you guys. I mean…because I bought it and don’t regret it. If you’re willing to exert a little time and patience Mole Control is well worth it!
Game: Mole Control | Developer: Remode
July 30, 2010
 This game was published by the same company as Fluttabyes and presents the exact same problem as before: it’s cute, seemingly simple, and though I’m fairly sure that it is a game that was made with children in mind, it’s frighteningly challenging.
In KrissX (pronounced crisscross — isn’t that cute?!) you are charged with correcting a sort of jumbled crossword puzzle. You do this by switching around letters along a single line, be it horizontal or vertical, until they line up in their proper places and thus form words.
The game itself is quick paced and fun, an easy thing to do even when you’re as stressed out and worried as I was before I decided to sit down and try to play. There’s really nothing you can do to mess up along this game, even though your scores can reflect on slow performance, it doesn’t hurt to take your time and think.
This is a game that not only promotes the ability to think and problem solve but it’s also cheerful and fun while it forces you to wrack your brain for simple enough answers. If I were a teacher I would look into getting this game used in the classroom. It’s not only fun but beautifully done and…and I know that this is a silly thing to fawn over as an adult, but it’s got a cute little cartoon character as the basis for your actions. It’s all for the sake of this owl who kind of sounds like Yogi Bear.
Now, just like I did with the last game I ended up buying this one for my niece. Well, that’s kind of a lie; I bought it for myself as well. She and I played it for quite a while and I’m happy to report that unlike in Fluttabyes I totally won some of these games! Yes! Power to the adult.
All in all, I really couldn’t recommend this game any higher. It’s good for the family, challenging for everyone, and in times where I feel like I don’t work my brain out enough it lets me know that the ol’ noggin still works. Mental exercise is good for you, do not fear it.
Game: KrissX | Developer: Regolith Games
July 25, 2010
 Fluttabyes (pronounced “butterflies” but with a “Fl”) is one of those games you unwind with. Family casual, it’s cute, brightly colored, and couples with the kind of music you expect to hear at the end of a Noggin show. It’s a pairing game which allows you to “free” butterflies by basically making families of more than four. Now, with bejeweled and the various bubble copies of bejeweled you either play with a sliding action in which you are given a block of items and forced to pair them up by switching pairs about or clicking on pairs as they appear. In fluttabyes you replace one butterfly with another (and the occasional ladybug) in order to make these sets; which, in my opinion, makes the game much, much easier but also takes out some of the challenge. The game doesn’t have a win, lose, or draw feeling to it, instead it’s more…you always win; it’s just how much you win that is the question.
Now, I’m never going to label games “kid games.” The reason being is that I frequently run across games that are marketed towards children that are actually interesting and challenging enough to hold the attention of an adult. Goddess knows how long I spent on that darn Hello Kitty Adventure game trying to find all the strawberries for my stupid shortcake. This game sort of falls into that category. I’m not entirely sure who they made the game for, but it’s found this wonderful niche that I feel is neglected: games for adult children. As it is, I did end up buying this game from my niece. She’s all of eleven and while I like to pretend that as an adult I am far superior in my gaming capabilities, saying so would be a lie. She and I paired up and each did a set and for whatever reason, be it because she’s an evil genius, or she somehow cheated (I’m going with evil genius), she kicked my butt here. So, yes, it’s a little bit dinky for adults but there’s still a certain amount of strategy and quickness that is required to beat and continue to beat your personal bests repeatedly.
All in all, I would definitely put this game on the list of things you should try if you’re just looking to relax and have a good time. It’s not very challenging but you can sit down, play a few rounds, and feel as if you accomplished something, albeit somewhat minor. It’s still time well spent. Fun for the whole family.
Game: Flutterbyes | Developer: Red Chain
June 29, 2010
At this point there are more than likely millions of chat rooms and chat sites out in the world of the internet. There are also millions of websites that are for casual gamers who just want to spend a few hours having fun. Maybe there are even thousands of websites that do both and try to cater to both of these audiences, but in all my years of lazily surfing the internet I have yet to find one that does it quite as well as Spogg.com.
Spogg.com hits the nail on the head, mostly in a seemingly effortless fashion. I’m not sure how they managed to create an atmosphere that is at once relaxing and entertaining but they have done just that. Spogg.com is filled with people who like to have fun, who are, for lack of a better word…nice. I know niceness over the net can be kind of a challenge to find. Too often you see people who get into a state of anonymous rudeness that spreads like a dark cloud over a chat room or game room. It’s so easy to be a jerk when you feel you won’t suffer any consequences from doing so. Still, here, in a tiny corner of the internet, there seems to be something in the virtual air surrounding Spogg.com that promotes a general sense of well being and respect.
Now, for the most part, Spogg.com is a game website. That’s what you see when you log on, and that’s how you spend most of your time, but that’s not all it is. There are easy to set up, in depth character profiles available for those individuals who want to communicate with other players. These profiles allow you not only to connect with people who like the same types of games and pastimes as you, it also lets you get to know your opponents.
Maybe it’s just me but for some reason I manage to be a lot calmer when I know who I’m playing against. There is also the added bonus of recognizing the different levels of skill between the players. Whatever their secret is, Spogg.com has a great bunch of people playing their games and the community is only growing. So, if you’re a laidback individual who likes to chat, play games, and make new friends I would strongly suggest making a profile and mingling a little. You’d be surprised how worth your time it can be.
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Game: Spogg | Developer: Spogg
June 28, 2010
 While lots of games you find that are like this are more of the speed and luck variety, Pop Out is a strategy game on a timer. Which is, surprisingly, not at all the same thing.
In the game you are given a screen filled with little creatures trapped in bubbles. These creatures are called spogglings. The entire point of the game is to set the spogglings free by matching up three or more spogglings of the same color. You can only do this horizontally or vertically and you do so by clicking a single bubble, which moves according to the direction most likely to get you a match up. The only thing is, you can only move those bubbles one space up, down, or right and left, and if the move isn’t going to free at least three spogglings it is invalid and thus doesn’t happen.
Now, Pop Out is on a timer, which is to be expected, otherwise the game would never end. That being said the fact that you have only a certain amount of time pushes you to make better decisions on what to move and how quickly you do so. Your score is accumulated not only by freeing spogglings but also but doing so in a timely manner. The faster and more spogglings you free within a certain amount of time, the higher your score will be.
 Now, I liked Pop Out. It was a simple, thought invoking game that was basically played by your lonesome. The multiplayer bit comes at the end of the time limit and it’s a simple comparing of scores, which I’m fine with. You don’t have to rely on anyone else to play and in fact it’s fairly easy to find a room by yourself and play solo, which is what I did because we all know I’m sad and antisocial.
Mostly, this game is one of the more laid back ones on Spogg.com. There is competition but no real drive or push to play any better than you normally would do on your own, unless you’re into that. At the end of all my games I would look at the other players scores, see where I ranked and go “Huh.” I never felt bad for failing to reach as many points as they did but neither was I bored. I just played against my own scores and always shot for something a little higher.
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Game: Pop Out | Developer: Spogg
May 30, 2010
I will be the first one to tell you that I am not good at Charades. My hypothesis on how one person could stink so badly at nonverbal communication is simple: I love words (or the sound of my own voice, if my mother is to be believed) too much to willingly give up the gift of words. Now, I should be offended by this realization but it’s more than likely true. Words are fun and I like them. The only thing I do worse than not talking is drawing, and so when I decided to play Sketchorama I was pretty sure from the get go that it wouldn’t be my new game. Still, I have this shiny little pen tablet as opposed to a mouse and thought “Why not, let’s give it a try.”
Now, if you’ve never played Sketchorama (or Pictionary) before it’s fairly simple. It’s basically Charades on paper. Instead of acting out and using hand motions and gestures to get your party goers to guess your secret word you “simply” draw pictures that would lead to the proper answer. For example, if your secret word is “screwball” you may be inclined to doodle a screw followed quickly by a ball. Easy peasy, right? Wrong! In Sketchorama you get the chance to decide what level of difficulty as well as some basic categories you want to play with. So, you can play “Easy” and “Foods” and get things like pizza, ice cream, and corn on the cob or you can play “Hard” and “Foods” and get things like tiramisu and Danish filled crepes. Which sounds interesting but drawing people in clogs and then trying to draw tiny pancakes doesn’t always get the appropriate response.
Still, if you’re creative and good with a mouse (or pen) the drawing isn’t impossible. The guessing is all about your ability to put two and two together, so you’re on your own with that. The best part about playing Sketchorama on Spogg, though, is that eventually you develop friendships and an understanding of your fellow players. You may not play the same people in every game but the community is tightly knit and after a while you start to understand the styles and wavelengths of the people you interact with, making the games easier and a lot more fun. I spent just as much time laughing about poor drawing while hanging out on the site as I did celebrating good ones. There’s an even, gradual learning curve that is offset by exciting, understanding players.
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Game: http://www.spogg.com/| Developer: Spogg — http://www.spogg.com/pages/about.php
May 28, 2010
Now it might come as a shock to you guys but I’ve actually never played Crazy Eights. Me, who has four siblings, had only even heard of the game from stupid cartoons I don’t really remember (I was much more a reader than a television watcher). I played jacks, I played Uno, I even learned mahjong, but I’ve never played Crazy Eights.
Now maybe it’s just me, because I do tend to be a little bit on the competitive side, but I just have to say…I have never in my life been more geared up to win a card game. Now, I know that what I’m supposed to be doing here is telling you why you should play Crazy Eights on the Spogg website, and I’m getting to that but first I want you to know that Crazy Eights is a game that anyone can play, be you ten or thirty. It’s good, clean fun with a dose of competitiveness that will get your blood pumping and won’t leave you bored.
Now, as I mentioned, until this morning I had never played Crazy Eights. If you’ve been living under a rock (or a book) as I have, you may not know how to play it anyway. If that’s the case you are as in luck as I was. The Spogg website not only explains the way the game functions but it manages to do so while you play. This may not seem all that extravagant at first but even a game as simple as Crazy Eights can be confusing if you’ve never played and you get into a room with a bunch of hardcore players (which there are!). In addition to having clear, easy to follow instructions as to how to play, the Spogg network is also filled with chill, understanding people.
Now, if you’ve ever played a mainstream multiplayer game you know that some people can be a little less than helpful when it comes to newbies and or individuals who are young. That’s actually the reason I don’t play a certain game which I won’t mention (here’s a hint, thus: WOW, I’m so bored) and why I tend to steer clear of multiplayer games in general, but the players of Spogg Crazy Eights aren’t like that. I chatted with a few and was even given tips about how to play from some people who had been polishing their skills for years –yes, years.
More than anything, I found the atmosphere of the game relaxing and entertaining even when I was on the edge of my seat praying for someone to play a spade. Highly recommended.
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Game: http://www.spogg.com/| Developer: Spogg — http://www.spogg.com/pages/about.php
May 8, 2010
 Now this next game I wanted to play, just for the fact that it has such horrible reviews scattered through the web. I mean, really, I’d seen screenshots of the game and it looked like a blast and a half but the more interested I became the more I found people just ragging on the poor thing. I’ve never been one to care about the criticism of others, instead wanting to come up with my own conclusions, but it just seemed like the entire gaming community took this game and stamped it in big, red, bloody letters “Close but no cigar”.
So I decided to give it a run on my own.
If I had to describe Eternity’s Child in one word it would be “cute.” The characters are cute, the levels are cute, even most of the monsters are pretty darn cute. I don’t know how but the game is just so darn cute and not in the hippity-hoppity bunnies type way either. It’s gritty in a way that meshes quirky and beautiful. And standing as the big, fat cherry on top is the music. The music score matches up with this theme, exciting you as well as sort of sucking you in with an awe-inspiring vacuum.
Now, the wonderful artwork and kick butt music aside the game isn’t perfect. I’ve seen it written as a “work in progress,” though it is for sale. At first I wasn’t sure how to take this. Why put out a game if you’re not absolutely sure that it’s perfect? I mean, I wouldn’t buy a book that hadn’t been edited completely or a cake that was only half baked but after actually playing and considering the pros and cons I’ve decided that it’s not as bad as all of that. In fact I would say that it’s even kind of…interesting. You get the feeling after playing for a while that the world is truly interactive. It’s growing and expanding with its playe rs, getting better as we get used to the way it works.
So all of that considered I only have one real complaint for Eternity’s Child. Unfortunately, for me, it’s a pretty big one. There’s a distinct lack of storyline for this game. I don’t know the characters and that being such I can’t really force myself to care about them besides the initial wanting to prevail, not wanting to die instinct. That’s really not enough for me. I can take a glitchy or buggy game with great story but I don’t think I’d ever really be able to love a game (perfect or not) with no story.
That’s just something to think about. The game has a lot of potential but it’s very hard to overcome a first impression, no matter how dressed up you are for the second.
Game:
Eternity’s Child –http://wiiware.nintendolife.com/news/2008/08/eternitys_child_now_available_for_steam
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Luc Bernard — http://www.lucbernard.net/
April 30, 2010
If Mario Cart and Twisted Metal had a baby I think it would come out something like Zero Gear. This is a cart game that incorporates racing, battle, mini games, and speed until your mind is filled with images of tornados, neon green carts racing by you, and of course the always fun mindless rage that comes with getting hit with the wrong thing and going from first to last in thirty stomach bottoming seconds.
This may be kind of a stupid thing to particularly like but my favorite thing about Zero Gear has got to be the fact that you can pretty much do absolutely anything you want to your cart and character. If you can think it up there is a customization option that fits pretty darn close to your mental vision. That option really was a bit of the cherry on top, the last bit of wow that I needed to go from liking this game to loving it. Maybe it’s a little unnecessary but pfft, it doesn’t take much to please me, really.
Anyway, the music and art style in Zero Gear was just as nice as everything else about it. The music was upbeat and heart pumping while the artwork was amusing and fun. I don’t know why but the fact that it was only slightly more cartoonish than I’m used to really made me giggle. I suppose it’s because I watched too much Popeye the Sailor Man when  I was a kid. I loved watching Bruno get the paste pounded out of him (which probably attributed to the bloodlust I now suffer from, but no matter).
The only thing that I didn’t like about Zero Gear is that it’s a multiplayer game. If there’s a way to play it solo I must have missed it because you guys know I like to play by myself. Still, it wasn’t so bad having to wait for people to play too and I think that maybe some of them were bots (I can never tell unless they’re named something awfully obvious) so all in all it worked out for the best.
I don’t know who I would specifically recommend this game to. It seems like kind of a cop out to say I would recommend it to “anyone” but really I would. I had a great time and I feel like it’s the kind of game that anyone can play and enjoy. So get out there and have some fun!
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Game: Zero Gear — http://myzerogear.com/ | Developer: Nimblebit — http://www.nimblebit.com/
April 28, 2010
 Playfish has a new game! Playfish has a new game! Playfish has a new gaaaaame!
Did I mention that Playfish has a new game?!
I hope I have conveyed at least ten percent of my unnatural amount of happiness. It’s a sick, sticky mess of joy and fear that propels me to jump around my room like an idiot and I hate to be disappointed. No, you don’t understand, I hate to be disappointed. It’s like my least favorite emotion. I’d rather be depressed than disappointed.
Anywho, onto the game! Hotel City (aptly named) is a game that’s kind of a mix between Restaurant City and Pet Society. You run this little hotel that starts out with three rooms with nothing but beds in them and slowly gain enough money to fill out these rooms with furniture, nifty wall paper, and nice flooring. You also have to balance a number of other various types of room including gyms, restaurants, and maybe even a pool!
The game is played in real time, meaning it’s a waiting game, which can get annoying. You basically set your workers to uphold the hotel for so many hours, come back, and see how you’ve progressed. So far there’s not much by way of interaction so the game can be slow if you want instant entertainment and great if you just want to start something and leave it.
 As much of a Playfish fangirl as I am I would be lying if I said the game was perfect. Unlike when they released Gangster City, Hotel City is in Beta right now so a lot of the features aren’t available yet. It’s being updated and I doubt it will be just the necessity’s for much longer (Playfish is fantastic about updating and reworking issues –that’s one of the reasons I love them so much) but if you’re not interested in that I would suggest holding off until the game is more filled out.
The only thing about Hotel City that I can say I honestly do not care for would be the music. It’s a minor detail because I usually don’t play my games with sound on anyway but it would be nice if it weren’t so blah. It quite literally reminds me of elevator music, which is probably appropriate for hotels but not for games.
That being said Hotel City has good bones. It’s something I am enjoying and I doubt I’ll get bored anytime soon. When it’s out of Beta I would be shocked if this game wasn’t a 5/5!
Game: Hotel City –http://www.playfish.com/?page=game_hotel_city | Developer: Playfish –http://www.playfish.com/
April 6, 2010
 I finished six games today and wrote reviews for all of them. I’ve been playing games like these for a while now and I’ve fallen in love with each and every one of them for their own unique draws and charms. Even with all of that under my belt and all the sugar I have gushed at the previous games this one is without a doubt my favorite.
Crayon Physics Deluxe is a game whose title speaks infinite volumes. It is exactly what it sounds like. A sort of…puzzle slash creation game. Here is an indie game that is beautiful, simple, fun, and leaves you feeling good after you’ve finished playing it. The learning curve for this game is wonderfully gradual. You are introduced to new methods of working out the puzzles (for which you literally use gravity and your own imagination to complete) and the chance to learn them are there but if you’re feeling cheeky (which I frequently was) you can also ignore suggestions altogether and come up with your own way of getting your apple (a nod at Sir Isaac Newton, if I’m not mistaken) to the stars.
The art of Crayon Physics Deluxe is, again, exactly what you would expect. It’s drawn as if it were put together with crayons with a background like looks a lot like construction paper. The music is mellow and inviting, never rushed or hurried. This is definitely a casual game that you can allow yourself to get addicted to by slow amounts.
 Crayon Physics Deluxe also provides the option for players to create their own puzzles and worlds. This kind of thing usually doesn’t do it for me but it was worth the time and effort. Putting together puzzles of my own was a joy and not a chore, as I frequently find it to be. The building blocks are straight forward and easy to use and understand. A basic knowledge of gravity is really all you need to enjoy Crayon Physics Deluxe.
I’ve been all about the children tonight but I have to say this really is a good one for the kids. I don’t have any, but it seems like it would be pretty and familiar enough to catch and grab their attention while still teaching them something. I really enjoyed playing this and I’m pretty sure that gamers of all categories will too.
Game: Crayon Physics Deluxe – http://www.crayonphysics.com/ | Developer: Kloonigames — http://www.kloonigames.com/blog/
February 20, 2010
 When I first began Eufloria I must say that I wasn’t expecting much. Reading the synopsis you could be put off. I mean…you’re basically a bunch of pollen particles, trying to save plants in order to help the “growers.” Still, it was a visually pleasing game and it seemed simple enough so I decided to give it a try.
Boy, am I glad I did. Eufloria has so many great, appealing attributes I don’t know where to start. First off, the music is wonderful. It’s soothing but invigorating and I found myself starting up the game, minimizing it, and just listening to that slow strum and drum mixture. Eulforia seems like something you can start up, bang out, and be glad you played it. Fortunately it wasn’t as simple as I thought it would be. Your easy pollen-filled days aren’t as straight forward as you would think and after a few levels of expansion you find yourself with an adversary who can be deceptively cunning. Even if you don’t want to take the game seriously you’ll quickly find yourself doing so anyway. When those bad guys rush one of the colonies you worked so hard to build you’ll be hissing bullets at your computer screen while you work to get it back.
 I mentioned before that it was a visually stimulating game and I meant it. It’s simple, straight forward, and it’s not too jammed pack with pointless clutter. I have a problem with graphics, I’m very sensitive and I get headaches and nauseous really quickly. This can be a bummer when I’m really into a game but just can’t handle it for more than fifteen minutes at a time. If you’re like me, never fret. Eufloria is one of those games that give us motion-sickies hope. It doesn’t force us to endure great amounts of dizzying information but at the same time doesn’t take away from the purely aesthetic.
Not only was the game a challenge but I found myself actually connecting with my little pollen pals. I was saddened when one of my colonies was overtaken and filled with the hot, sticky bloodlust that demands retribution. I started Eufloria with just the demo and was sucked in so completely and quickly that I had to buy the full version. I’ve never been happier. I would definitely recommend this to any one who played and enjoyed civilization. It’s something that can mellow you out as well as get you pumped up and I don’t get to claim that too often.
Game: Eufloria http://www.eufloria-game.com/news.php | Developer: Rudolf Kremers and Alex May
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