Super Miners by Infinite
Dreams Price: $10
Reviewed May 2005 by Attila Katona
It is well known fact amongst software developers
that choosing to recreate a hugely successful classic game
is an easy way to create a recognizable title. But unfortunately
they often seem to forget the fact that it is also a big responsibility
to match the expectations generated by the original game. Luckily
the Polish developer team Infinite Dreams is doing their work
to keep classic games still jazzed for today's PDA gamers.
Their latest title is based on one of the 80's most remembered
games, Boulder Dash.
The task in the game has not changed in the last twenty or
so years: you have to collect all the gems in every level and
reach the exit within the time limit while avoiding any monsters
or unfortunate accidents of gems or rocks falling on your head.
You get to choose between two highly qualified miners to finish
the 95 levels of the single player modes. I say modes because
there are two of them. In Free game mode you will finish the
levels in a linear fashion in preparation for the tougher Challenge
mode where you have to complete the same 95 levels but in 6
stages. You get your scores saved only after finishing a stage
of at least 13 levels. To make the adventure a bit more challenging,
you can upload your scores to Infinite Dreams' online high
score table and see if you are the miner king not only of the
shafts of your living room but the whole wide world.
The first stage with its 13 levels
is the tutorial which tells you how to use the numerous pickups
you can collect during the game. This is one of the areas
where Infinite Dreams' personal touches put Boulder Dash
back into the eighties and make Super Miners one of the best
mobile games of its genre today. Besides the usual speed
and direction manipulating bonuses you will come across several
types of shields, balls and a trusty drill. Some of the most
challenging levels include a bonus which switches your miner's
ability to fly on or off. The complexity of levels is gradually
increasing from "you can't be serious" to "you
can't be serious" with a totally different meaning. Puzzle
games tend to get a bit repetitive especially with huge number
of levels, but Super Miners is the kind of puzzle game which
keeps you asking for more.
A great game is not just a great idea. It also needs to be
user friendly. Super Miners with its straightforward menu system
and highly responsive game controls certainly make the game
easy to play. Apart from the four direction buttons you need
to use only one action button so the purists can't complain
either. The graphics are far better than the average mobile
game but it's not a real surprise from Infinite Dreams. The
use of dynamic lighting, huge transparent explosions and advanced
particle system makes this game a visually stunning wonder
you hardly get to see on mobile phones. The sounds are spot
on also with the catchy main theme. You have options to switch
the sound effects on or off.
Being able to play this game with your friends in either cooperative
or competitive modes is another great feature. There are several
more levels made especially for these multiplayer modes to
keep the game exciting even after finishing the single player
levels or all the 6 stages.
Super Miners is one of the best mobile/PDA
games up to date and certainly the most stunning puzzle/arcade
for series 60 devices, it puts its creators in the very top
of mobile game development industry.
Playing Hints and Tips
Giving hints and tips in a puzzle game is pretty much about
ruining the pleasure of figuring out the solutions yourself
which is the very essence of this game genre, although there
are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that you can
get to the next level without damaging yourself or your phone.
- picking up gems with the action button will not only save
you time but pretty often is the only way to avoid a long lasting
concussion.
- don't be afraid of the ghosts, they are scarier than dangerous.
Just keep your distance and there won't be trouble.
- The monsters with red eyes will turn into a heap of nine
gems if you kill them. Don't forget about it when the minimum
number seems too high.
- Mining is a hard but rewarding work. All the levels can be
solved, with little or more frustration caused during this
process - but hey! That's what puzzle games are about!
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