Amazing World
Game by Binoteq
Software, $14.95
Reviewed March 2004 by Eric Falk
The Amazing World game is one of those
rare games that break the mold of what our idea of a PDA
game is or should be. It's a bit of an abstract idea, but
imagine a game that tests your problem solving skills, encourages
your creativity, and is extremely addictive. The Amazing
World accomplishes all of these things plus more.
Maybe the best way to describe this game
is as a "Rube Goldberg" type device, where the
object is to complete the action or purpose of each new puzzle.
The Amazing World begins with an intro screen where you will
be presented with several different menu options. There is
a tutorial within the game and a reference or "help" page
that you can refer to for the various objects' properties.
You begin each new puzzle with a brief description of the
object of that level. You will be presented with a variety
of various objects to choose from for each new level. These
objects when placed correctly in relation to each other will
help you solve the puzzle. The Amazing World contains over
seventy unique puzzles, and over 50 objects each with their
own properties. Most of the puzzles do not have just one
solution, but rather many solutions. It will be up to you
to use your creativity and knowledge of how physical objects
interact and react to each other to solve each puzzle. In
addition to "play" mode, you can also create your
own puzzles for others to try, or download other users puzzles
from the developer's site.
What are essential for a game like this
to work are both good art as well as excellent programming.
The Amazing World has both. The physics of all of the various
objects work beautifully, and the animated graphics are very
nice to look at. The user interface and game controls are
very easy to learn and use as well. Amazing World supports
both Palm and Pocket PC devices.
Playing Hints and
Tips
Many of the puzzles have multiple solutions.
If you get stuck on a level, try approaching it from a completely
different angle than you were currently using. For example,
maybe start with a different object or begin on a different
part of the canvas. |
