by Kaeli Trakkel

Created on: September 27, 2008   Last Updated: September 29, 2008

I have tried Pop a Tronic, and found it annoying at best, and frustrating at worst. The game's start screen is similar to most, in that there are several game versions available, although all but one have to be unlocked by meeting in-game goals. There are also the common options of full/windowed screen, volume control, and the like.

One thing I find missing from the start screen is a story. The screen is interesting, and reminds me of a submarine or a ship. I'd like to know why, and why I'm popping these bubble things. No back story was given at all.

The game's graphics were somewhat less than one would expect. They weren't sharp enough. The bubbles looked like blobs, and this sort of game usually does much better. The colors were clear and looked fine. There was no bleeding of color, or any blank pixels.

I had no problem with the sounds or ambiance. The music seemed a bit cartoony, but it seemed to fit the game well. Both sounds and music were clear, and could be heard easily.

The gameplay is very poor. The instructions aren't detailed enough, and I had a hard time figuring out just what I was supposed to be doing. The idea is a variation on the standard "match three of the same" games, with a Tetris feel. The colored bubbles fall from the top, and one must click on a set of three or more to make them disappear, at which time the higher levels fall down, like when a row is cleared in Tetris.

There are several "twists" to the gameplay. The one I found most interesting, and hardest to use, was the combo bottle. For each group of four or more bubbles removed, liquid would be added to the combo bottle. When the bottle is full, one may use it to help clear an entire row. The warning is given (once) that if this power-up isn't used right away, it will be lost. The game didn't make clear how one uses the power-up, and I was subsequently unable to do so.

The other main feature was a vacuum skill, in which one could vacuum up a bubble and switch it with another bubble. I was able to get it to work some of the time. It didn't work as I expected, and the mechanism seemed clunky.

During my trial period, I was unable to unlock any of the game variations. I was very frustrated with this game, as I was looking forward to the new features that never quite worked. I was unable to get into the game play, and did not enjoy this game.

I give the game a 2 out of 5, as the new features would have been nice, if they had been clearer and easier to use.

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