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Developer: Math Nook
Publisher: Math Nook
Format: PC ((Browser/Flash) reviewed ), Android, IOS
Project Alnilam is a simple puzzle game that really caught my interest. Puzzle games are a unique genre in gaming due to how diverse the styles of play can be. In some games you control a character, and in other you control pieces of the puzzle. This game is part of the latter category, and is where you are controlling an array of different pieces simultaneously.
The whole goal of the game is this: get all of the green pieces to the green square. The first part in solving each puzzle is assessing all the available pieces you have to move to the goal and how they work. These green pieces can be any number of cubes, spheres, or cylinders, which all work in their own unique ways.The second part to solving the puzzle is to assess what orange pieces you have. They are of the same shapes as the green pieces, but will destroy either the green or white shapes when rolled into them. The third step to assessing the situation is to check the surrounding areas for simple obstructions or other random things that'll affect where you can move.
I'm going to go ahead and warn you and say that this game is hard. A major factor of play is the fact you have a limited amount of moves that varies level to level. This forces you to think about what you're going to do, as you can't just spam directions and move stuff around until it works out. Despite this, you can utilize the trial and error tactic over and over until you finally think up of the right directions to push. Thankfully, there is a walkthrough, so if you get too frustrated by a level you can look up how to get past it and move on to one fresh and new to you.
Aesthetics are minimalistic. The art direction is simple, 3D, geometric shapes. Everything has solid colors and are distinctly different from each other. The main board is usually somewhat small, and uses an array of pale colors. The only reasons you can really tell the difference between the ground and raised blocks has both to do with the checkerboard pattern on the ground as well as the neat way of shading the game utilizes. Everything looks simple and appealing, and is easy to look at for the long periods of time that'll be spent on each level due each one's confusing puzzle.
The music and overall sound design is a weird case. The sound design is good. The pieces that can only travel once per move make a very fitting and satisfying clop sound, and the pieces that roll around sound good as well. The levels only have this ambience track playing, which is nice and calming and great for thinking to, it isn't exactly memorable and feels somewhat bland. The title screen actually sounds pretty fun and catchy, so I might go over it in a VGMC.
So for those of you looking for a simple and elegant puzzle game, or maybe just one with a good challenge up it's sleeve, this might be the game you're looking for. It is also for IOS and Android devices, so you can even bring it on the go!
Play Project Alnilam HERE
