Coming Attractions: The Lost Levels

World of Goo

This physics-based puzzle game is a competition finalist at this year's Independent Games Festival. The concept was developed by Kyle Gabler according to the rules of the Experimental Gameplay Project, which state games must be made in one week by one person, and be based on one concept.

The result was Tower of Goo. Players were tasked with building a structure out of, you know, goo, balancing it to make the tower as tall as possible. Now that concept has evolved into an entire game - World of Goo. It's due out on 14th February, and Kieron likes what he's seen so far.

"It's as instantly charismatic a character-lead puzzle game I've played since the first Lemmings way back in the days of the Amiga," he says.

"Older readers will remember that first time: the absolute sense of wonder in mass of suicidal rodents, the wit of the animation, the sheer chaos that resulted from failing (or even, often, succeeding), the instant impression of being presented with something absolutely coherent and joyous. World of Goo's like that."

See for yourself over at the World of Goo website.

How it all began: Completists can try out the original Tower of Goo over on the Experimental Gameplay website.

Crayon Physics Deluxe

Like World of Goo and Audiosurf (see below), Crayon Physics Deluxe is an IGF finalist. This one involves drawing crayon shapes which behave according to the laws of physics.

You use these shapes to navigate a ball from point A to point B. So you can get the ball to move by drawing a block which drops on it, for example, or a pivot and giant golf club that will hit the ball into the air.

The game is "remarkably charming", says John, who describes it as a cross between The Incredible Machine and Pac-Pix.

"There's something sublimely magical about drawing something and having it come to life. It's like being Penny Crayon without the squawking horror of Su Pollard providing your voice," he observes.

"Combined with the childhood pleasure of the thick, comforting lines of a crayon, you've got a puzzle game that hurts your brain while making you feel warm and safe at the same time."

Crayon Physics Deluxe is out "when it's done". You can see it in action on the Kloonigames website in the meantime.

On wax: If you like crayons and rap, why not check out the Gangsta Rap Coloring Book? If you just like rap, here's how it's reprazented mathematically.

Audiosurf

Jim described this as "one of the more esoteric entries to the IGF". But don't be frightened.

Developer Dyan Fitterer has confirmed he was greatly inspired by Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Rez, and that's evident in Audiosurf's visuals and gameplay. You pilot a ship along a track using the mouse and keyboard. The track moves in time to music - specifically, a piece of music you've chosen from your very own MP3 collection. As you zoom along you collect coloured blocks, obtaining groups of three similar colours for high scores.

"Despite the rail-shooter appearance it's actually something rather more like a high-speed puzzler," Jim reckons.

"Racking up sets of the right kind of colour can become compelling, even borderline frustrating, as you surge relentlessly along the musical puzzle-hybrid of your choosing."

Audiosurf is out this month. Find out more via the official website.

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