by Stephen Campbell

Created on: February 12, 2009   Last Updated: February 17, 2009

Mystic Mine is a simple, quirky, puzzler/reflex combination game. The goal of the game is to guide your mining cart around the level snatching up as many gold coins as possible in a set amount of time. After playing the limited demo of the game I rated it a 4/5 based on six areas.

Game Play:

The best way to describe the game play in Mystic Mine is simple and fun. The use of a single key to control the game adds a level of enjoyable simplicity that most modern games lack. While the levels do get progressively more difficult, they won't have you frantically stabbing at your keyboard and sweating bullets. Mystic Mine's game play takes a more relaxed approach to playability.

Sound:

The soundtrack to the game was easily one of my favorite aspects. The soundtrack to the game is filled to the brim with bouncy, down home, country twang. The music in each of the levels is upbeat and adds nicely to the overall feel of the game. It's a nice break from the usual digitized soundtracks of most computer games. Rather than frantically searching for the mute button as per usual, there were several times that I found myself dancing along in my chair. The sound effects were also extremely well done. The coin collection sounds were a nice touch and the clock noises were unique. While the country themed sound track and sound effects might not appeal to everyone, I thoroughly enjoyed them.

Creativity:

Overall Mystic Mine is a fairly creative game. The Wild West theme is very uniquely done. All of the background images are fun to look at and add a nice cartoony touch to the game. It was nice to see that the creative details weren't lost in the game's overall simplistic nature. The levels themselves were well designed though there was nothing exceptionally eye catching about them. The creative team did an excellent job in designing Mystic Mine.

Innovation:

Mystic Mine's simplistic approach to game play was both fun and innovative. While I've already mentioned that the theme of the game was very creative, it bears mentioning again. The unique trip through the old west added a nice touch to the feel. The innovation for this game mainly was found in it's throwback characteristics to a simpler video game time. The single button control in adventure mode was a unique approach that has gotten lost in most of the recent computer game releases.

Fun Factor:

Mystic Mine was relatively fun overall. Even though the level requirements became increasingly more difficult as the game progressed it never became too challenging. This is a feature that will be loved by some and hated by others. Those who are looking for a simple game will have a blast with Mystic Mine. More serious gamers may become bored with the lack of high intensity action.

Addictiveness:

From simply playing the demo version of the game I can say that Mystic Mine wasn't extremely addictive. Aspects of the game made me want to keep playing, but the lack of a challenge didn't hold my attention for very long. As an online game I could see coming back to play it fairly frequently, but I couldn't see myself purchasing the game and playing it consistently on my home computer.

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