World of Goo
Review
Sinfully cheap for the masterpiece that it is.
by Olimar 91
reviewed on WII
Something is still left at the bottom...
The gaming industry has been around for quite some time now. Admittedly, though, as time goes by things have become, at times, stale. Many assume that this is because there are simply no new ideas out there, that the bottom of the barrel has been scraped dry. That theory has not been proven wrong - World of Goo is here and it is a shining example of what can still be done if you have enough imagination. The small team at 2D Boy have crafted an incredibly simple and enormously deep outing that will remind you just why you love to play games in the first place.
Simple but stunning
For those unaware, World of Goo is a physics-based puzzle game. The idea being to construct towers, bridges and various other structures by binding together “goo balls”. The entire control scheme is handled with just one button and your pointer. Just drag and drop your goo, and watch your work grow. If you don’t distribute weight properly, you can kiss your creation goodbye. Overly cautious, and you’re not going to have enough goo to reach the finish line. It’s amazing how such a simple concept has turned into such an excellent game.
Yet that is also what makes this game so superb: simplicity. The idea began as nothing more than building the tallest tower of goo you possibly could, but it has been fleshed out so well that it is in all respects a complete game. With each new level, you’re presented with an exciting new element that drastically changes your strategy. Sometimes you will have to build over a short crevice, while at others, you must counterweight a giant scale to get what you need. Time and time again you will be amazed by what has been accomplished here. Everything feels fresh and original, and all of this from just a handful of people.
Different flavours of jell... goo
As you might expect, your goo comes in a wide array of varieties. Standard goo will serve you well for making conventional structures, while bone goo acts as a stepping stool to protect your masterpiece from harm. Giant balls of beautiful goo need to be ground into smaller manageable bits, and explosive bomb goo must be placed strategically to implode obstacles. Those types are only scratching the surface though, and as you progress you’ll uncover more shapes and goo sizes than you can shake a stick at.
Puzzle game with a plot that actually works
If the underlying gameplay mechanics don’t stir you enough though, you will be floored by just how much spit and polish every other area of this game has. For one thing, World of Goo is a puzzle game with a story! While this is nothing new and many have tried similar things in the past, what’s impressive here is just how well it is pulled off. The gameplay and story are blended together seamlessly, and the tale behind the goo will actually motivate you to press forward. I have never played a game of this genre that so perfectly executed a seemingly unnecessary element. I see now just how beneficial it was to include it.
10
fun score
No Pros and Cons at this time
