World of Goo

World of Goo

Ipad / Iphone

World of Goo is a brilliant puzzle/construction game that was originally made for the iPad.  It is now available for the iPhone. The iPad was my personal preference to review this game because the larger screen made it so easy to play.  All you need to do is use your finger to drag the little goo balls around the screen to create several different bridges, strings, or other various escape routes. It's a game that's not really a touchy control game but I feel like it somehow creates an amazing connection between the player and the action.

World of Goo is an in-direct, clever puzzler. You're instantly a newcomer to the new world *you guessed it* 'World of Goo'.  It's a world of mystery and discovery. Hints not just about the gameplay, but also the potential troubles going-on throughout the circular World of Goo. In the World of Goo lucky for us they have left behind "Sign Painters". What they are there to do is tell you if there is a certain new goo or even tips on how to get to your final objective on the other side of the stage. World of Goo doesn't go crazy with written narrative. 2D Boy knows that you can create a story without the need of further instruction, or place. World of Goo is a fascinating and possibly strange place if you ever find your self wanting to explore more. Of course, if you ever want to explore it, you must complete a couple of missions that normally consist of getting the goo balls from one side to the other and help them "escape". To do this, one must drag good balls to the edge of the other goo balls to start linking them together and soon enough you will need to add more and more. The con side of this is once you use one goo ball that ball is removed from play so you must maintain a decent amount of goo particles left to complete the mission. If you are completely stumped and are about to throw your iPad/iPhone against the wall stop right there. Fortunately they give you three free "skips" per day if the same level is getting very repetitive so you can bounce around levels.

There are several different types of goo balls, each with special abilities, and every one more important than the last for planning escapes. The main black goo ball is just used for basic towers. While the white goo balls can create stringy, rope-like constructions. Green goos *my favorite* allow you to climb up stages and re-use previously placed orbs. The game gives you so many different obstacles. Nothing ever gets boring. The game producers went even as far as to have balloons to carry your goo over structures and over pits and spikes. Stages can range from windmills to the boules of monsters.  Everything has its own element and it fits perfectly. The ability to actually reach in and move goo with your fingers, and on an iPad none the less, makes you feel like a engineer more than a gamer. This is one of the few games I have never gotten frustrated with when I have failed because it's the amazing feeling of achievement you get when you accomplish the task. It keeps you playing for hours and hours.

Though there is not an online feature, what could be just as good in my book is you can go to what is called the "Corporation's Headquarters". There you will find players that you can complete with to erect the tallest tower of Goo, but be careful not to stack to many on one side or it will tip over. It's a very cool thing to do once the game is all finished. My current best is 1,987 ft. and I would welcome you to try to beat my tower. 

The video above shows a little bit of the basics of the game and it starts from the very beginning so you can have a good understanding of the game if you decide to get it for yourself.

The main screen doesn't really represent World of Goo at all because this is one of the most interactive, not to mention the most attractive game of it's style on the iPad and iPhone yet. I don't want to overdo the comparisons but World of Goo is just like Kingdom Rush. Both of these games are amazing and nothing else in the app store is just like it. The art is the main thing that stands out for me in this game, it's kinda like a dark 300 look because of the goo industry with the fun and creativeness of Dr. Seuss. The music is top notch.

CLOSING COMMENTS

World of Goo is a perfect app for the iPad. Using your fingers to create works of art has never been so rewarding. There is nothing mechanical about it, you are a caretaker and an architect interacting with the goo, not some passive gamer like Pocket League Story. The art and sound are incredible. At a current price of $4.99 for the iPad and $2.99 for the iPhone, some might be a little stunned by the price being a bit high but take my word for it you're getting what you pay for - and in this case, you get a very neat and fun puzzle game that will shine for a couple of years to come.

Still not sure if you want to spend your hard earned cash on this great game? On the website below you can try it for yourself by pressing "try free" on the right side of your screen. The game will give you a complete experience of the game and hopefully sway you into buying this game for your portable device.

http://www.wildtangent.com/Games/world-of-goo

GameSTATION REVIEW

RATINGS FOR 

WORLD OF GOO (IPAD/IPHONE)

Rating	Description
out of 10	Click here for ratings guide
9.5	Presentation The way they present you with the game is that they need help cleansing the land and they will provide you with short mini clips and "sign painters" if something is new.  It's very nice.
9.0	Graphics The childish look strikes again.  I'm in love with the graphics. It's like Dr. Seuss meets the 300's darkness. A very neat game with very well drawn backgrounds.
9.5	Sound The sound of tinkering is always in the air. It's by far one of the best soundtracks to try to solve problems with that's for sure.
9.5	Gameplay Great variety on the puzzles, they offer different challenges and 4 different worlds each having their own path if you choose to pick another mission. World of Goo will keep you busy for a long time.
9.0	Lasting Appeal The game is very fun, while it lasts. The game itself lives up to the price tag but once you're done all you can really do it replay missions you've skipped or just build an extremely large tower.
9.3 OVERALL	SPECTACULAR  (out of 10)