Strimko Game Review by Ashley Raybourn
Game Rating = 3/5
This puzzle game, brought to you by Braintonik, combines the theory of Sudoku with more challenging rules. In addition to the basic columns-and-rows play of Sudoku, Strimko adds a third element: streams. The goal is to place each number once in each row, column and stream, a connected sequence. Puzzles vary from 4×4 to 7×7 blocks and shapes.
*Logic puzzles like Sudoku help maintain brain function.
*The puzzles are mesmerizing and addictive.
*Increasingly difficult puzzles keep your attention, but are not so difficult that you will become easily frustrated.
Why you should pass:
*There are cheaper options than this game, like a Sudoku puzzle book.
*We’ve heard this story before and it is just a placeholder to advance from puzzle to puzzle.
*Solving the puzzles is fun, but in the end it is anticlimactic.
Gameplay:
In story mode the player helps Luana, an otherworldly being, collect Amulets to save her dying planet. Solving a puzzle provides a key to unlock a chest containing an Amulet needed to sustain life on the planet, such as running water.
Classic mode allows the player to choose the type of puzzle he or she wants to play. Each type of puzzle builds on one basic puzzle called Zen. A Zen puzzle is a basic square with rows, columns and streams. Pave puzzles are similar to a jigsaw puzzle and require the proper placement of stream connections into the Zen square. Fit puzzles combine elements of Zen and Pave puzzles but the streams are already connected and must be rotated to fit the Zen square. In story mode, all of these puzzle types are used and matching puzzles are interspersed to break up the intense concentration.
Graphics:
Strimko uses very little animation and is simply a point-and-click game. The colors are vibrant neon blues, greens, pinks and purples that evoke an image of fantasy and surrealism.
Sound:
The sound is of good quality but is not the focal point of the game. Strimko music is a looped, mystical and ethereal soundtrack reminiscent of spa ambiance. The music does not distract the player from the task at hand and actually helps in keeping the player focused.
Though the story is unoriginal and adds little to the point of completing the puzzles, Strimko does offer a new take on classic Sudoku for those looking for more of a challenge.
Strimko is available for PC, iPhone and as a web-based version. The full PC download costs $14.95 but is not worth the price. Too much emphasis is placed on a gimmicky story that does not enhance the game. It seems that at least half of all puzzle game stories, and lately a lot of movies, involve saving a dying planet. While the graphics are visually appealing, the price is too high for a simple point-and-click game.
Bloobles Game Review by Josh Komon
Game Rating =3/5
Many moons ago, fans of puzzle games were treated to a game called, “Lemmings.” Now, players can enjoy a similar experience with a new title, “Bloobles.” It is not the same exact game, but the similarities are unmistakable.
Do you enjoy logical puzzle games? Is so, you will love L!ght Deluxe. The object of the game is to use as few moves as you can to direct the source of light to the receiver to win a particular round. There is a tutorial and several levels as you battle through each game.
Three reasons to buy L!ght Deluxe
- You enjoy logical puzzles that allow you to play for long or short periods of time
- You are looking for a family game with different skill levels.
- You want an empire building game which involves buying and selling assets. (more…)
VVVVVV is an interesting name for a downloadable game. Likely, it was chosen to represent the spike strips that litter each stage of this classic style puzzle adventure. The creators of this game took many chances in design, relying more on game play than spiffy graphics. It might have been a worthwhile gamble.
In recent times, the Internet has become awash with puzzle games designed to captivate their audience for short periods of intoxicating fun. Mole Control, designed by Remode Studios, is a perfect example of a generic, yet very fun, addition to the PC puzzle game family.
Paprikari released the third game in the Mortimer Beckett series. This time the game player finds Mortimer searching for the Lost king by executing a series of tasks and solving puzzles which leads to clues uncovering the location of the Lost King. So far the game has challenged us but then again we get lost in the shower so take that for what its worth. We will publish a full review in a few weeks.
Remode and Blitz 1UP released Mole Control, a logic based Minesweeper like puzzle game. You are the driver of a buggy tasked to find and dig up moles in the lawns of a town called Molar Creek. So far Mole Control looks interesting enough but we will post a full review in a week or so.
Yard Sale Junkie Game Review by MJ Suttor
Game Rating = 3/5
Ever been in search of a lantern, skateboard or a stuffed bear? Then you may have been at a yard sale. In the game Yard Sale Junkie you can search for these treasures as well as many more.
The premise of the game is to begin with a Yard Sale in Malibu and work your way through all of the various stops and cities along the way until your arrival in Hollywood.
The way the yard sale is conducted is that several yard sale items are placed in a yard scene that makes the items disappear into the background and less visible to the eye.
At the same time a shopper will pop up in the corner. The player then must match the shopper’s request with the correct item. If an incorrect item is chosen it will simply fall to the bottom of the scene.
The player is racing the clock to see how much money can be raised before the time runs out. If all the items are sold before the time is up, the player earns bonus bucks.
As the player increases in levels the number of items to find becomes more complex. There are boards with small jewelry items that the player will need to zoom in on in order to see the items for sale. This is done by holding the left click.
The graphics are fairly simple, but it fits the complexity of the game. The graphics are used primarily to disguise items. Some items can be difficult to determine what exactly they are at a quick glance. For example see-saw comes up. Instead of expecting an actual teeter totter it is a statue with people on a see saw. This is just part of the disguise. The item pictures aren’t always what you immediately think of with the item.
Sound is also very simple, but if it had much more to it, it would probably be a distraction. When a bonus is granted a sound is given. Otherwise the music is low key with very few other sounds.
The game probably isn’t the most creative or original, but it was enjoyable in a small dose. It was fun to see how much money could be earned and it did motivate the player to want to continue around the track of sales.
This game is not for those that are looking for adventure and action. It is a good memory game that would be good for kids. Because it is very good at reinforcing memory skills with no violence or sexual content. This would be an excellent game for kids. It would appear to be suited for children age 8 and up. The shopping aspect of the game may make it more appealing to girls as well.
The instructions and tutorials make the game extremely easy to jump into and learn how to play. This is one of the strengths of the program.
Overall it is a good family game that is good for memory and matching skills. For this reason I would rate it 3/5. I lowered it for simplicity and lack of a real original concept.
City Rain Game Review by Tim Peters
Game Rating = 2/5
What do you get when you cross SimCity with Tetris? Mother Gaia Studio provides an intriguing answer in City Rain. With a disappointingly limited demo, it’s difficult to tell exactly what to expect out of the full version. What you can expect, however, is an unusual mix of city planning and split-second decision-making that makes the demo at least worth a look.
Harvest Massive encounter Game Review by Shenni Bubb
Game Rating = 9/10
We won’t share the solar system, and the aliens are not impressed!
Harvest: Massive Encounter by Oxey Game Studio is a unique real-time strategy game which incorporates 2D fantasy. You are the base commander of a space colony deep within the galaxy, your job is to expand the colony while bravely defending it in every manner you can.
