by Adrienne Brunner

Created on: August 28, 2008   Last Updated: August 30, 2008

Obulis
IonFX
5/5

Obulis, by Ion FX, is a different twist on a puzzle game, with beautiful graphics, pleasant sounds and a fun use of physics and the laws of motion. The game begins with simple instructions that carry through for the entire game, such as how to select a rope or chain, how to cut the chain and the information that all colored spheres must be dropped into like-colored pots. As difficulty increases, more instructions appear on the screen.

It seems as though it might be simple, as the player begins with a super easy puzzle, but the trial version includes puzzles from the very simple to medium difficulty levels. The lower difficulty includes a solution button. However, once the solution is viewed, the player can still play the level and it does not guarantee that the player will immediately complete the level successfully, as this game is also about timing and coordination. This allows levels to remain challenging even after viewing the solution.

The levels can be replayed until the solution is reached, or the player can select the button to restart the level at any time. The map allows the player to see where he or she is heading and how many levels are left. The trial version includes 19 levels of varying difficulties, and also allows the player to choose which level to play at certain junctures. Special medallions are awarded for completing various tasks.

Although the game is slow-moving, it is a great mind teaser, and wonderful for someone who has very little time or a lot of time to kill. Players can choose to complete only one or two levels at a time and then return when they have more time, or a player can allow themselves to be sucked into hours of continuous game play, solving increasingly difficult puzzles with more and more spheres, such as how to get a ball to go up into a flower or pot instead of following gravity.

The levels range in difficulty from a star to four stars, and each level contains beautiful graphics, some of which are animated. There may be a peaceful scene of a gorgeous tree with pale pink leaves gently swaying or falling, or a vibrant scene with a waterfall rushing along in the background. The graphics are quite amazing, and the sounds are very pleasant. The music fits the look and feel of the game, and the sound effects as you release chains and drop spheres are quite realistic and make you feel as though you actually dropped the ball into the pot.

This is an innovative twist on the usual puzzle game, complete with beautiful graphics, pleasant sounds and creative levels which continuously challenge the player by going from easy, to hard to ridiculously simple and back to almost impossible over and over again. The trial is fun, and this game receives a well-deserved 5/5. It is a must-have for the puzzle fanatic.

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