Technology for Mortals

This week, I came across another one of those little gems of a video game. The current find is the “Peggles” games from Pop Cap. I had played a game from them before (“Bookworm” on my cell phone) and it packed a great bang for my buck. When Steam offered me a free play of “Peggles Extreme”, I was happy to give it a try. And I am glad I did! From here on out, when I say “Peggles”, take that to mean any of the games in the series.

Peggles is a simple game, and reminds me a bit of an old-school brick-bouncer. Instead of being played from the bottom, Peggles is played from the top. You aim a cannon and fire a ball, which bounces between pegs and bricks. Once the ball is fired, you have no control over the action. The turn is ended when the ball goes down the bottom of the screen. And peg or brick that the ball hits lights up. In general, lit objects do not clear away until the end of the turn, although one special power (the “Fireball”) immediately clears objects, and if the ball is stuck, lit objects clear out. You start with 10 balls to fire, and the object of the standard boards is clear 25 orange pegs/bricks. Each turn will make a random blue (normal) object be a purple bonus object, and each board contains two randomly placed green objects which activate your character’s special power. You can earn more balls by scoring highly in a turn. Additionally, there is a “free ball bucket” moving across the bottom of the screen; if your ball lands in it instead of falling off of the bottom of the screen, you get a free ball. Also, there is one “special power” which can potentially give you a free ball. When you clear the board, after hitting the final orange object, you enter “Extreme Fever” mode which grants “Fever Points” based on where the ball finally lands, and how many balls you have remaining.

While the game itself is very easy to understand (almost like an upside-down pinball, with no flippers, unless you activate one particular special power, which grants flippers), the game is insanely addictive. The typical board takes only a few minutes to play through. “Peggles Deluxe” contains 55 boards, and after you beat them, it has 55 “Challenges” which are the normal boards with extreme rules (such as having to clear 55 orange items instead of the normal 25).

What I especially appreciate about the game, is that it is just brainless enough to be a game I can play right before bed. In addition, it only needs the mouse to be played, so if I Jarrett is napping on me or sitting in my lap, that is not a problem (offhand, he thought that watching the game was fascinating, lots of bright lights, colors, sounds, and motion). Additionally, it is a game that I would not mind any child seeing; no violence, bad words, or anything even moderately offensive (except in the “Peggles Extreme” freebie version, which has images taken from various Valve games, which show some violence and blood). I can pick up and re-join a game in an instant, and not have to wonder where I was or what I was about to do. In other words, if you want a game that fits a limited time schedule for gaming, “Peggles” is perfect.

The price is right; I bought “Peggles Deluxe” and “Peggles Nights” for under $14 total from Steam. I suggest you give it a try too.

J.Ja

A few nights ago, I read a review of a new game, “The World of Goo”. The description sounded interesting, kind of “Lemmings” meets “Pipe Dream”. Tonight I tried the demo. From my perspective, this is the best video game that I have played in years. It fits my needs perfectly:

• Level based playÉ some levels only take a few minutes to complete
• Quiet Ð this is important when Jarrett (my son, whose room is adjacent to my office) is asleep and I have time to play games
• Intellectual, but not too in depth Ð again, I play games LATE at night, I want to be challenged, but not forced to keep a notebook
• Stupid simple Ð I don’t even think the game has a tutorial
• Little to no need for reaction time Ð “twitch” games don’t hold my interest too often
• Fresh, innovative concept Ð this game has it
• Gameplay is not based upon direct competition against others, but competition against yourself

If you are someone like me, who would like to play a nice video game that doesn’t make a lot of noise, doesn’t have high time requirements, and can be played on a “pick up and go” basis, this is the perfect game. Congrats to 2DBoy for putting together such a superb game.

J.Ja

A few months ago, I discovered a neat little toy/edu-game/app called “Phun“. I have to say, it really lives up to it’s name! The gentleman who put this together is named Emil Ernerfeldt as a Master’s Thesis. I’ll tell you, give this guy his MA today, he’s earned it. The shop that picks him up post-graduation will get someone who not only knows how to code, but someone who knows how to put a piece of software together that is enjoyable to use, has an intuitive interface, is practical, and at the same time, provides a sandbox for educational exploration.