As life will get more and more extra hectic, and because the darkish days of January appear to stretch off into the space, there ought to all the time be room for a pleasant, mild puzzle sport. And if that puzzle sport includes cute penguins, what might be higher?
Properly, using to the rescue are Grey Boss and QUByte Interactive with SokoWinter. As with the perfect of those video games, the promise is straightforward, however the execution might be something however. So include me to the South Pole (as everyone knows, there are not any penguins on the North Pole!) and get slippy with it.
The arrange of SokoWinter is nearly embarrassingly easy. It has been found that penguins like to slip ice blocks round of their spare time. I’m unsure when a penguin will get spare time, as you’d think about they might be on the lookout for fish or one thing, however nonetheless, it seems once they have the prospect, they sit back by sliding large blocks of ice into the water. And thus is the premise of the sport laid naked – we’ve to regulate a gang of cute penguins and transfer some blocks. Thus far, really easy, proper?
The simplicity of the story can be mirrored within the presentation of the sport. The screens are seen from an isometric, prime three quarter kind of view, the digicam mounted and unable to be rotated. The degrees are all totally different, with various sizes and layouts, steadily growing in complexity as we get additional into the sport. Our little penguins, of which there are 4 to select from, are suitably cute with hats and scarves on, and the way in which they transfer can be fairly lovable. The blocks of ice we have to shift are taller than our feathery heroes with plans specializing in easy blue targets. To assist support, there may be additionally a grid sample laid out over the scene.
Thus far, so easy, proper? Properly, sure and that every one extends to the sound as nicely. There are some jolly good tunes in place in SokoWinter while the sound of sliding ice cubes is there to be heard. Now, I’ve been to sufficient zoos to know that penguins are noisy little buggers once they get going, so this clearly isn’t an awfully correct sport. Regardless that every totally different penguin has its personal Latin anime listed within the achievements!
Onto the precise gameplay and the theme of non complexity carries on. As we start, we’ve one block, one goal to dunk it in, and solely good, crisp snow to stroll upon. As the degrees get increased, and the issue rises, there are new parts added in. These might be so simple as merely an additional block or two, which should be despatched to the suitable locations, or, as you’ll quickly come to dread, the introduction of ice into the snow. You’d assume this wouldn’t be a problem for a penguin, accustomed as they’re to strolling on ice, however there’s a catch with this ice. When you step on it, you’ll proceed to slip till the ice ends, both by stepping onto snow, being stopped by a block or working as much as the sting of a gap. Sure, fortunately, penguins seem to not be capable of fall down holes, so there are not any nasty dying scenes right here.
Principally, in SokoWinter you’re left to easily slide the ice till it falls into the opening, after which rinse and repeat. I’m going to wrestle right here to succeed in the required phrase depend for a evaluation, I fancy! What’s good is that totally different penguins unlock as you undergo the degrees, unlocking after each twenty ranges or so. There may be some longevity to the sport as nicely, as in a transfer that’s pleasing to me, the achievements for SokoWinter are tied to development by the degrees. To 100% it you have to to finish the entire ranges, and this can be a lot simpler stated than achieved. There are a bunch of levels in SokoWinter to attempt your hand at, and as they get tougher, they do require some pondering.
The management system is my solely actual niggle, largely as it’s arrange in a bizarre form of diagonal style; up will slide you proper a bit, while left goes up the display screen, and so forth. This does take a little bit of getting used to and within the early levels it’s all too simple to ship a block up in opposition to an edge the place you may’t recuperate it from (the penguins can solely push the blocks, not pull them, sadly). Ought to this occur, a swift press of the B button will see the extent reset again to the start, permitting you to attempt once more. Fortunately it’s solely a minor niggle, and one you’ll quickly get used to.
All in all, it signifies that SokoWinter is an efficient puzzle sport with an honest diploma of depth. Count on the issue to rise, together with the quantity of mind energy required to resolve what SokoWinter can throw at you. However in the end, if you need a pleasant enjoyable expertise, SokoWinter is the sport for you.
