Kevin Remhof
04-14-2004, 05:00 PM
<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-mar04-amazing-0.gif" /><br /><br /><b>Product Category:</b> Games<br /><b>Manufacturer:</b> <a href="http://amazingworldgame.com/">Binoteq Software</a><br /><b>Where to Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=112060">Handango (affiliate link)</a><br /><b>Price:</b> $14.95 USD<br /><b>System Requirements:</b> Pocket PC 2002/2003, requires 4Mb RAM (1573K for installation).<br /><br /><b>Pros:</b><li>Addictive gameplay;<br /><li>Old school fun;<br /><li>71 pre-fab and 10 custom levels.<b>Cons:</b><li>Occasional control problems;<br /><li>OS Integration lacking;<br /><li>Some levels unintuitive.<br /><b>Summary:</b><br />Amazing World is a fun, challenging, and addictive game. It's easy to learn and will keep you coming back for more. If you're like me, you'll have have a tough time putting this game down. <br /><br />Read on for the full review!<!><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Background</b></span><br />For those of you who weren't playing games back in the early '90s, it's time for a quick history lesson. First-person-shooters hadn't been invented yet; puzzle and adventure games ruled the world... at least in my <a href="http://www.udayton.edu">college</a> dorm. We were all hooked on Lemmings and the Leisure Suit Larry series for MS-DOS. Then, in 1993, Sierra released <a href="http://www.mobygames.com/game/sheet/rate/gameId,2473/"><i>The Incredible Machine</i></a> (which was developed by Dynamix). I missed more than my share of classes due to that game. Sierra continued to come up with new versions until 2001 when they released <i>The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions</i>. Overall, it was a fairly successful franchise.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-mar04-amazing-1.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 1: A typical level of Amazing World. Time to launch some balloons.</i><br /><br />When I saw a screenshot of Amazing World, my jaw dropped. The Pocket PC seemed to be a great platform for this style of game. But would it live up to my expectations? Thankfully, Amazing World is a well-made translation of <i>The Incredible Machine</i>. All of the charm of the original game has survived.<br /><br /><span><b>Gameplay</b></span><br />Amazing World lets you unleash your inner <a href="http://www.rube-goldberg.com/">Rube Goldberg</a>. You are given an objective such as "make the ball go into the basket". When you start the level, both the ball and the basket flash to emphasize your task. Some of the descriptions have some typos but they are still pretty easy to figure out. You then place new objects onto the gameboard where you think they help you achieve your goal. The laws of physics and gravity apply so you'll have to be careful where you place objects. Before starting your first level, you should check out the <a href="http://www.amazingworldgame.com/tutorial1/">online tutorial</a>. It gives you a quick overview of how to play.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-mar04-amazing-2.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 2: The game menu. From here you pick which objects to add to the board.</i><br /><br />After adding a new object to the board, you can move it around wherever you want by simply dragging it. If you double-tap a blank space on the board, you'll get the game menu. You can then add objects to the board, view the objective, or exit the level. If you double-tap an object, you get the object menu. The object menu lets you rotate and delete objects. Some objects, such as belts and ropes, connect objects together. With those, you place the object on the board and then tap and drag to the objects you want to connect. This works well but is occasionally frustrating. There is an on-screen pointer that moves with your stylus but I'm not sure why it's necessary. Control is good but I found it difficult to select items, particularly when the board was full. Another minor gripe is that you can "cheat" a bit in the game. Objects can be moved into invalid positions (indicated by an X on the object). This does, however, help complete some levels without finding a better solution so I won't really complain. ;)<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-mar04-amazing-3.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 2: The object menu. You can rotate or delete objects.</i><br /><br />Once you have your pieces set up, you click "Start puzzle". This tests your apparatus out and tells you if you get to move on to the next level. If you fail, simply rearrange some objects and try again. Trial and error is what this game is all about. Most puzzles have more than one solution which really adds to the replay value of the game. I've solved each level once and am working my way back through them again. I still get stuck on some levels. <br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Levels</b></span><br />Amazing World comes with 71 pre-fab levels. They are mostly organized by difficulty. I did find myself struggling with some levels along the way though. But those might be mental blocks on my part. Don't expect to rush through every level. Some may take a few minutes, others 10-15 minutes. The most frustrating levels for me are those that don't have logical solutions. My assumption is that you should use all of the objects you are given. You should also not have to set up your board like a pinball table. I found some levels where a single well-placed object would solve an otherwise very complex puzzle.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-mar04-amazing-4.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 4: Level 41, I don't like you... wait... I have an idea...</i><br /><br />These 71 levels should keep you busy for a while. It took me about a week to get through all of them on my lunch hours. The first night I had the game, I thought that the game was really draining my battery quickly. I then looked at the clock and realized I'd been playing for two hours straight. I haven't been this hooked on a game for a while.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-mar04-amazing-5.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 5: The level editor. I feel like I'm in a Tom & Jerry cartoon.</i><br /><br />If the 71 pre-fab levels aren't enough for you, you can create up to 10 of your own. The game comes with a level editor where you can place objects on the screen in any way you want. You then pick the objectives to solve the level. Very nice! The interface is almost identical to the game itself, which makes it very approachable. Plus, after playing through a few levels, you'll have a good feel for what makes a challenging level.<br /><br /><span><b>OS Integration</b></span><br />This game does not integrate well with Windows Mobile 2003. If I turn off my Pocket PC in the middle of a level, the game exits. Also, alarms do not go off during gameplay. You won't see them until you exit the game. I have seen some other games which handle power and alarms superbly. These issues do not affect the gameplay of Amazing World. For me, my Pocket PC is a business and pleasure tool. I'm much happier when games don't interfere with my work and vice versa.<br /><br />Amazing World does have sound effects and music. There is only one song which gets very repetitive. The sound effects are decent, but not very exciting. There are no sound effects while you're placing things, only when you test your solution. I found myself startled by them more than once..<br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />Amazing World is exactly what I was looking for. It is a good clone of <i>The Incredible Machine</i>. With over 70 levels, it offers enough to keep the puzzle gamer challenged. If the levels aren't hard enough for you, you can build your own. There are some control and OS interoperability issues, but nothing that should stop you from at least trying the demo. If you're like me, you'll be hooked.