Tag / Puzzle Game

by lawrenceofcanadia

Blockout – Review

Tetris (1988) is one of the most popular puzzle games of all time. The learning curve is steep, and the game is highly addictive. Although Sega owned arcade cabinets of Tetris (1988), licensing issues meant their Mega Drive release in 1989 had to be abandoned. This may account for the development of Blockout as a potential rival. The question soon became: would it be just as successful?

Title screen (screenshot taken by author)

Blockout is a 3D puzzle game developed by P.Z. Karen Co. Development Group and published by American Technos for the arcade in 1989. That same year, it was also released for Amiga, Apple IIGS, Commodore 64, Mac OS, MS-DOS, PC-98 (California Dreams). It was later released for Atari ST (California Dreams) and NES (Technos Japan Corp.) in 1990, Atari Lynx (Atari Corporation) and Sega Mega Drive (Electronic Arts) in 1991, and Virtual Boy (as 3D Tetris) in 1996. For this review, I played the Sega Mega Drive version.

Plot

There is no plot other than to earn the maximum points you can.

Gameplay

Played in single or two-player mode, you play by looking down a 3D “well” where blocks of varying shapes and sizes slowly descend. The slow descent rate gives you time to rotate the block around three coordinate axes and place it into your desired position. When a facet of the block touches the floor (or the lowest point of the well where a previous block has been placed), it will fill with colour, meaning you can no longer move or rotate that block. Every block you place earns you points. Once you have filled an entire layer (known as a “face”) and there are no gaps in that layer, it will disappear, earning you a bonus, and the rest of the cubes drop down as far as they can go. If you are able to empty the well, you will receive a “Block Out Bonus”. 

Like Tetris, as the game progresses and the levels increase, the speed with which the blocks fall gradually increases. The game continues until you fail, and the blocks fill the well.

It’s tetris but in 3D! (screenshot taken by author)

How Does It Handle?

The 3D element and three coordinate axes rotation format adds an extra degree of difficulty that you wouldn’t find in Tetris. It definitely takes a lot of practice. Being able to change the dimensions of the well is a nice feature too adding an extra challenge to the game.

Graphics

The graphics are basic, but they don’t need to be complicated for this game. Having different colours to differentiate each layer is sufficient for the game.

Music and SFX

The intro music is quite aggressive for a puzzle game. It remined me of the fuzzy musical notes of Road Rash (1991). There is no in-game music and minimal SFX when you place a block or complete a Face. I think some light music would not have gone amiss here.

Replay Value

For fans of Tetris and the like, I imagine this would be an addictive game, especially with a two-player mode.

Did I Complete The Game?

I’m not sure that you can complete this game but I didn’t spend too much time trying to find out. I don’t enjoy these sorts of games so don’t put in the time to become a good player. My highest score so far is a pitiful 18242.

Different colours help differentiate the layer (screenshot taken by author)

What The Critics Said:

MegaTech: “This sort of 3D Tetris is surely the finest Megadrive puzzle game available, packed with tons of options (including a simultaneous two-player mode) and featuring highly addictive gameplay, this is a must for your collection. Overall 91%”.[1]

Mean Machines: “This sort of 3D Tetris is surely the finest Megadrive puzzle game available. Packed with tons of options (including simultaneous two-player mode) and featuring highly addictive gameplay, this is a must for your collection. Overall 91%”.[2]

My Verdict:

“It’s Tetris in 3D. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of these sorts of games and but can appreciate their appeal and the skill and practice that goes into being able to achieve high scores. Ardent fans will play for hours and return time and time again.”

Rating:

What are your memories of Blockout? I would love to hear your thoughts, and don’t forget to follow and subscribe so that you don’t miss my latest reviews! You can also find me on Instagram: @nicklovestogame.

[1] ‘Game Index – Block Out’. MegaTech. (May 1992). Issue 6:76.

[2]’Review: Mega Drive – Block Out’. Mean Machines. (October 1992). Issue 1:137.

by lawrenceofcanadia

Myst – Review

Adventure game creators have always sought to immerse gamers into their imaginary worlds but have sometimes been limited by technology. For example, I remember some early Spectrum games that were simply text based. Although they were fun, I never felt immersed in the game. Myst was the first game I played where I felt that the immersion experience was successful on me. Other people’s opinions may differ, of course, but I can only tell you how I felt about it. I should also warn you that there is a spoiler near the end of the review.

A plain and mysterious title screen, giving little away. Much like the game itself. (screenshot taken by the author)

Myst is a graphics adventure puzzle game developed by Cyan Inc. and published by Brøderbund Software. It was released for the Macintosh in 1993, Windows in 1994, 3DO in 1995, and PlayStation in 1996. A remake was released for Windows in 2000 and Macintosh in 2002, and the realMyst: Masterpiece Edition was released on Steam in 2014. The game was ported to many other platforms including Sega Saturn, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Android, iPhone, Nintendo 3DS, Jaguar CD, Amiga OS, CD-I, For this review, I replayed the original Windows version.

Your view as you explore this mysterious world

Plot

You play as an unnamed protagonist who has fallen into a fissure and appeared on a mysterious island. Where are you and how the hell do you leave?

As you explore the island you learn more about its history and the worlds you will soon visit. Some notes also offer hints to help you progress through the game. You soon learn that you need to gather blue and red pages and restore them to two books found in the observatory. Two brothers, Sirrus and Achenar, have been trapped inside these books. As each one speaks to you through garbled transmissions, they explain that the other brother is mad and has imprisoned them in their respective books. They both try to convince you to free them instead of the other brother, both claiming that the other brother murdered their father. To find the pages you must explore several other worlds and solve various puzzles.

One of several notes found on the island to assist you in working out what you are supposed to do. (screenshot taken by the author)

Gameplay

Based on the point and click format, you move your cursor, a pointing hand, which only seeks to change when indicating you an turn left or right. Other than that, it is trial and error to see what objects you can interact with.

Both brothers are trapped in separate books…but which on whould you free? (screenshot taken by the author)

How Does It Handle?

You are able to move and turn by using a cursor to click the route you wish to take or the direction you wish to turn. You can also interact with objects by clicking and dragging them.

One of the more interesting aspects of this game is that you are simply thrust into this game with virtually no back story and no idea what you have to do, and oddly, you cannot die! At first you are simply wandering around, searching for buildings to enter and objects to interact with. This can be quite off putting to some as it can take a while to understand what the hell is going on. Some of the puzzles are fun and challenging. Others are less obvious to solve. One annoying aspect of the game is having to return to the same worlds to collect the other page you didn’t collect on your first visit, as you can only pick up one at a time. For me, this is a cheap way of extending the life of the game.

One of the other worlds you visit to find the blue and red pages is Channelwood. (screenshot taken by the author)

Graphics

The animations are not as smooth as modern games, and the 3D design of the worlds look dated now, but at the time of release were amazing. I think the game has held up pretty well. The graphics really draw you in.

Music & SFX

The music over the title screen and intro has a creepy/dramatic feel which fits the game well. As I recall, there is no music in the game itself, but I think this is a good thing, as it adds to the feeling of isolation,

I loved the narration over the intro. The minimalistic SFX consist of ambient sounds of the wind blowing, running water, and waves of the sea breaking. Apart from the noises of actions being performed like machinery being switched on, the lack of SFX gives an eerie atmosphere to the game adding to the feeling of being truly alone.

The static videos of the brothers talking to you are great and quite creepy. A great idea for the game.

Personal Memories

I remember when this game was released, and I played it with a school friend. However, we never got that far as it was a bit too difficult for our teenage brains. When I came back to it years later, I fared better having gained much experience with these sorts of games. Back then, I thought the graphics were out of this world.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

There are four possible endings, with one of them being the true ending. However, the true ending is frustratingly and unsatisfyingly none existent and I found myself wandering Myst for some time before searching online to see if I had missed something. Nope, sure enough there is no ending. I guess I will have to play the sequel Myst: Riven, to see what happens next.

Did I Complete The Game?

Yes, but definitely needed help from the walkthrough on this on!

What The Critics Said:

Gamespot.com: “Myst is an immersive experience that draws you in and won’t let you go. Overall 8.9/10”[1]

My Verdict:

“This is a tough game and seems to be aimed towards more experience adventure gamers. However, I loved the concept of the game, and the intro music and SFX immerses you into the game. I just feel it could have been so much better if more story was included. I also felt the way you can only carry one coloured page at a time, meaning you have to go through each world twice, was a cheap way to prolong the game. I mean, who can’t carry two pages!”

Rating:

What are your memories of Myst? I would love to hear your thoughts, and don’t for get to follow and subscribe so that you don’t miss my latest reviews! You can also find me on Instagram: @nicklovestogame.

[1] Sengstack, J., (May 1, 1996). ‘Myst Review’. www.gamespot.com. (https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/myst-review/1900-2542724/ Accessed on 17th February 2020).

by lawrenceofcanadia

Columns – Review

In 1989, Nintendo released Tetris on the Game Boy, and it proved to be an instant hit. By its 25-year anniversary Tetris had sold over 70 million copies worldwide.[1] Sega, eager to compete, needed a puzzle game of their own. Blockout (1989) has failed to be a success like Tetris (1989) so Sega tried a different tack with Columns. Similar enough not to deter Tetris fans, but different enough to try and attract a new audience. Sadly, Columns couldn’t imitate Tetris’ success.

Title screen (screenshot taken by the author)

Columns is a puzzle game created by Jay Geertsen for the arcade in 1989 and was originally developed and published by Sega in 1990. Its success led to it being ported to many other platforms. The version I chose to review was from the Sonic’s Ultimate Sega Collection (2009) on the PlayStation 3.

Gameplay

The game consists of three coloured jewels being dropped to the bottom of a rectangular screen, similar to Tetris. However, instead of aiming to complete horizontal lines, you must match three or more of the same coloured jewels in either a vertical, horizontal or diagonal line. Once lined up, the jewels will disappear allowing any jewels above to fall down to the lowest point possible. You will also be awarded points. You are able to cycle the order of the jewels to aid in your organisation of landed jewels. If a multi-coloured, flashing set of jewels appears, you can land any colour of jewel that you wish and all of that type of jewel will disappear. The higher your score, the faster the jewels will fall.

The jewels are all unique and easily discernible from the others (screenshot taken by the author)

How Does It Handle?

The controls are very straight forward and easy to just pick up and play. By the time the game becomes harder, you will have a full understanding of how to play the game.

Graphics

I have a real soft spot for this game and prefer it to Tetris, possibly because of the beautifully coloured jewels. The overall graphics in general have a classical Greek/Roman feel to them, and each jewel is brightly coloured and easily distinguishable from the others.

Music & SFX

The music is rather basic. There are three themes to choose from: Clotho, Lathesis, and Atropos. Clotho is my favourite and does have a tendency to get stuck in your head, but mostly you will find that you’ll turn the sound down and listen to your own music, podcast or an audiobook.

The SFX mainly consist of a thud when block of jewels are placed and a sort of sparkly sound when you get a set of three or more and they disappear. It can become a bit jarring after a while.

Replay Value

Columns can be played in one-player and multiplayer modes, flash-modes and a time trial mode which add to the replay value of such a seemingly simple but highly addictive game. There are also three difficulty settings.

Personal Memories

I used to play this game a lot and got pretty damn good at it. As you can see from the photograph below, the highest score I achieved was 5408848 at level 121. I would have continued but I had been playing for a while and was due to go out for the evening. I could have paused and come back to it but I feel that I had proved my aptitude for the game.

A photograph of my highest ever score (photo taken by the author)

Did I Complete The Game?

No one seems to know how high the score or levels go, and I don’t know of anyone who has “completed” this game, so I’m going to assume this is a game that cannot be completed.

What The Critics Said:

Mean Machines Index: “Sega’s answer to Tetris, this puzzle game is excellent. There’s a huge variety of options, including arcade-style time trials, three different difficulty settings, nine different starting levels, and a two-plater head-to-head made which adds to the game’s lasting appeal. Overall 88%”.[2]

Sega Power: “A Tetris clone with a superb challenge mode. Simple and addictive. Overall 4/5”.[3]

Sega Power: “A Tetris clone with superb one-on-one challenge mode. More of an end-of-blast relaxer than a main game. Simple, addictive , but expensive for what it is. Overall 4/5”.[4]

Wizard: “Good puzzle game, drop jewels, like Tetris but a bit better. Overall B+”.[5]

My Verdict:

“It’s like Tetris, but better in my opinion. Colourful, challenging and surprisingly addictive.”

Ratings:

What are your memories of Columns? I would love to hear your thoughts, and don’t for get to follow and subscribe so that you don’t miss my latest reviews! You can also find me on Instagram: @nicklovestogame.

[1] Johnson, Bobbie, (June 2009) ‘How Tetris Conquered the World, Block by Block’. The Guardian. (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2009/jun/02/tetris-25anniversary-alexey-pajitnov Accessed on 10th February 2020).

[2] ‘Review Index: Mega Drive – Columns’. Mean Machines. (October 1992). Issue 1:138.

[3] ‘The Hard Line – Review: Mega Drive – Columns’. Sega Power. (September 1993). Issue 46:96.

[4] Jarrett, S., ‘The Hard Line – Columns’. Sega Power. (April 1991). Issue 23:53.

[5] ‘Game Reviews – Columns’. Wizard. (January 1993). Issue 17:24.