Astraware has a history of making games that are not only addictive, but that include levels of charm that other developers often forget in the design process. Titles like Bookworm, Bubble Babble and Platypus spring to mind when I consider charming Astraware titles, but Text Twist, Bejeweled 2 and Boardgames show that intelligence is also required to make games that will keep you coming back for more. OddBlob manages to bring the two together and provide intelligence and charm (and clay) in the one package.
The ‘Odd’ is quite apt in the title because the game sure feels odd at first play. I must admit that I struggled a lot with the concept for the first few minutes and discovered that this is a game that requires some time to get used to. Of course, being a man I just jumped straight in with no clue what to do and this may have had something to do with my initial impressions. What I found was that by playing it long enough the whole idea comes together and it is now one of only a few iPhone games I play when I have a spare moment.
The concept is to try to get as far along the maze as you can which entails navigating bouncing tiles, grabbing bonuses and also trying not to guide OddBlob up a blind alley. I did this lots in the first few plays until I realised that I needed to put some thought into the game play and then I started to really have fun. The strategy mode is good for getting used to the game and level after level will disappear as you get better at the game. It is slow paced, but in a way that gives you time to stop and think as the maze gets more difficult. There are also bonus levels which pop up from time to time and these add variety where you may not expect it.
The most fun is had in panic mode though because the tiles will just disappear behind you and you have to keep ahead of them at all costs. It’s sort of like a bizarre Tetris variant that doesn’t feel like Tetris at all- that really makes sense doesn’t it… There are four levels of difficulty, not that I have got above easy yet, and I can see this one being a keeper. My son in particular loves it and my daughter, who is six, doesn’t have a clue what is going on, but loves the look of the game because the little clay man is designed to perfection. Cries of “Can I play with Mr Blob again?” often ring out in our house.
To sum up, OddBlob is an unusual game that has design elements that will appeal to adults and children alike. If you take the time to get into the game play you will be playing for a long time to come. It is easily worth £0.59 of anyone’s money.
Available from the App Store now.
