Platform: PC, Wii
Imagine you are trapped. You are being controlled by a compulsive corporation. You long adventure and you seek freedom. What do you do about it? You escape through the pipe system of course. World Of goo is a 2D puzzle game that involves building a large variety of wacky structures in order to reach the pipes.
The story is simple but adds a great deal of meaning to the game. It compliments the gameplay and sends out a message to the player. There are four main chapters in the game, each featuring a different theme in both gameplay and story. This adds a great deal of variety in appearance and gameplay mechanics as well as enhancing the progression of the games narrative. Though the story is not a vital part to the game, it does give a nice optional extra that adds to the overall experience of the player.
World Of Goo boasts a strong 2D world made up of smooth surreal landscapes. The smoothness of the world and presence of impossible structures creates a colourful fantasy environment. The pastel hues and deep darks make for a pleasing aesthetic which works incredibly well with the games theme. It compliments the dark humour that is present as well as giving out a Tim Burton-esque feel.
The level design is certainly the strongest aspect of this game. Each level follows the same objective but each requires a different thought process to be able to complete the task successfully. As you progress through the game you are introduced to a number of new species of goo balls, each of which have a distinct new mechanic unique to them. As you get introduced to these new mechanics the levels get trickier and new methods of completion are required. Don’t panic, there is help! Throughout each level you will come across a number of hints, metaphors and taunts from the notorious sign painter. The sign painter adds a large amount of humour to the game, if you can crack his codes you will know what to do next.
Despite its complex level design it boasts a simple single button control system, perfect for the genre of game it coincides with- casual games. With the use of the left mouse button you are given control over the goo balls and are able to build the gooey structures needed to complete each level.
Being a puzzle based game, it is important to be able to undo your most recent actions in order to try a different method. Instead of having a static ‘Undo’ button as part of the menu system or HUD, there are a number of time bugs hovering around on your screen. Click on one of these bugs and they will send you back in time. This is a subtle and clever way of integrating an undo feature without cluttering up the HUD. However, based on my experience they do sometimes get in the way. A number of times I have gone to click on a goo ball and a time bug hovers past my mouse as I click, sending me back a step rather then progressing like I wanted to.
The sound design for World Of Goo helps to tie everything together. The game features a range of different music, each adding a large amount of atmosphere to each of the levels. Each level comes with a carefully composed piece of music that greatly compliments the overall appearance and mood of the game, as well as adding a sense of urgency and emotion. If the dynamic sound tracks weren’t enough, a large portion of personality is added to the goo balls by the cute sounds that they make as you drag them around.
World Of Goo is a simple but fantastic puzzle game that caters for all moods and is ideally suited for all types of gamers- from the casual to the completionists. If you don’t feel like completing a level, you can pay a visit to the World Of Goo Corporation and just through some goo balls around. The humour will definitely brighten up your day as will the stylised animated cut scenes. Simple and unique, this game ticks all my boxes and is definitely worth a play.
Can you save the goo?
- The Sign Painter
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Not exactly a review, but not really an article. But it works as some preperation for an essay I have to write soon. Stay tuned 
What do you get when you put a professor and an insanely responsible child in a small town full of strange characters? Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a point and click puzzle adventure game set in the small fictional village of St. Mystere. It comes with a humorous yet slightly bizarre storyline and is packed with unique characters wanting to solve puzzles at the strangest of times.
The soundtrack that is present throughout most of the game sends out a cheerful French vibe that dramatically helps add a peaceful village based atmosphere. The audio is well designed, especially during the puzzle scenes, not distracting you as you work out the answer. This is vital for a successful puzzle solving game.
Hopefully the first of many. Any comments and feedback are welcome, I need to try and improve my writing skills 
