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Obulis is one of those puzzle games that will sucker-punch you, kick you while you're down, and steal your wallet - and still make you want more. The goal is deceptively simple: Get the colored spheres in each puzzle to their pots. But to do that, you need to master timing, planning, and physics. Obulis has a few flaws - including a steep learning curve - but it's still one of the most innovative and addicting puzzle games out there.

On each level you're presented with a big map containing lots of squares, some of which have icons representing artifacts you need to collect. Each square represents a puzzle that must be solved to get to it. Nothing fancy there, but it works. Each puzzle has at least one ball tethered by at least one chain. To get the ball rolling (figuratively and literally) you need to select a chain and cut it. Everything is subject to the laws of gravity and physics, only slower than in the real world. When you get to the more difficult puzzles, however, you'll be thankful for the slow-motion action of Obulis.

Each puzzle in Obulis has a difficulty rating from one-half to four stars, but even one-star puzzles marked "Easy" will present a challenge to most gamers. Two-star puzzles are diabolically tough. Rating these puzzles from "Medium" to "No Freakin' Way" would've been more accurate. Later levels include cannons, slingshots, and moving platforms. You have no control over the spheres except when to cut the cords connected to them, so any moving target virtually guarantees you'll need to start over at least once unless you're incredibly accurate. You get an unlimited number of tries to complete each level, which is good because you'll often be frustrated whenever a mistimed cord cuts sends a sphere helplessly careening off-course. Your only option then is to restart the level and get ready to be frustrated all over again.

Obulis looks and sounds very good. The level designs in the demo range from waterfalls to Chinese Buddhist temples, with atmospheric music to match. The spheres themselves are also nicely drawn, but since they aren't animated at all even when moving, they look a bit unrealistic. Many of the backgrounds could benefit from animation as well. Even with the garden levels, all the stationary objects gives the game a static feel that doesn't really work for a game about motion.

Even with its design flaws, Obulis is still a lot of fun to play. Once you finally figure out what you need to do for each puzzle, watching all its the Rube Goldberg-like parts move as you planned is satisfying indeed. With tough but entertaining puzzles, Obulis gets a 4 out of 5.

Learn more about this author, Tim Peters.
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