by Harper Gallagher

Created on: August 27, 2008   Last Updated: August 30, 2008

In the years since Tetris made that first huge splash almost every gaming company has made its own attempt at puzzling addiction. The latest attempt to repeat the nirvana that was Tetris is Orbulis by IonFX and they very nearly succeed.

The aim of the game is to progress across the map by completing the puzzles which consist of attempting to get the right coloured ball into the right urn. Sounds simple but it really isn't. Some of the balls drop straight down, some are set up to swing, there are cannon to fire balls on set trajectories and a lot more besides to make this simple premise a truly entertaining way to pass some time. And if you get this game you will find time vanishing while you plug away at its seemingly endless array of levels.

The controls are extremely simple continuing what is a very welcome trend in the newer games by smaller developers. The player uses the left click to select a chain or rope to cut and the space key to cut it. The key to success in this game is figuring out how the physics in the game will affect the ball you release, where it will fly, what it will hit and this is made far more enjoyable by not having multiple controls to worry about.

The graphics are nothing spectacular, simple, colourful and cheerful. They do precisely what is needed while being just attractive enough not to lose the players interest. The sound is acceptable with more of the standard dramatic music, pops, clicks and clinks you would expect.

This game which is probably best described as an executive stress toy on smart drugs and packaged for the PC is a truly welcome ray of sunlight in the puzzle genre. The simple concept behind it is brilliantly fleshed out and given a truly addictive form. It even manages to achieve the near impossible in this type of game, it holds onto the players attention the whole way through.

While most puzzle games have an overly sharp learning curve attached to playing them but Orbulis manages to be challenging without becoming frustrating, a very difficult needle to thread for any developer. IonFX however have succeeded impressively, helped in no small part by the addition of a button to see the solution if you really do get stuck.
How often have you found yourself wishing for that playing other such games?

Ok Orbulis doesn't tick every box, the graphics could have been a little nicer, the sounds a bit more engaging but in every other way it knocks all the competition clear out of sight. Get it and play it, you seriously won't regret it.

4/5

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