Another finalist for this year's Independent Games Festival (IGF), this one in both the Seumas McNally Grand Prize and Innovation In Audio categories, Professor Fizzwizzle is a delight to the eyes and ears and one that will even give your brain a workout while you play. (Requires a download.)
The first offering by GrubbyGames, the Canadian-based duo of Ryan Clark and Matt Parry, presents a fun and whimsical romp around a make-believe puzzle world in which the game's namesake professor must make his way through dozens of levels and back to his lab.
The simple premise on which the game is based puts the player in control of the estranged professor who has been removed from his laboratory by the very robots of his own creation. These Friend-Bots-turned-Rage-Bots have wreaked havoc and scattered all the professor's keys and gadgets everywhere, and it becomes your job to help sort things out.
"I won't give up," said the prof;
"I'll never give in!"
"I've got to get past all the Rage-Bots within."
A straightforward control scheme makes the game deceptively simple to pick-up and play: use the arrow keys to move the professor back and forth, left and right; he can even climb up and down ladders. He is capable of so much more, and yet all his actions are handled automatically within the context of the situation. For example, if he falls down onto a barrel he can ride that barrel by using the left and right arrow keys as before.
The goal of each level is to move the professor to the exit tube (represented by the large red arrow) from his starting position. To do so requires strategy, cunning and even a bit of good timing, the latter of which injects a unique arcade element to the classic puzzle formula.
Analysis: The 2D side-view puzzle game shares similarities with other sliding-block logic-based puzzle games like Sokoban, and yet includes a wide array of special items and gadgets that together add originality and charm to the formula resulting in a truly unique game play experience. Adding to the game's charm is its saturday morning cartoon themed sound effects and music tracks composed by Michael Huang, to which I couldn't help bobbing my head back and forth each time I played. Everything about this game screams: Fun!
In fact, GrubbyGames has pulled all the stops to compile a comprehensive and enjoyable game by including: regular levels, advanced levels, and two (2) sets of levels deigned especially with kids in mind; the ability to play custom levels; a level editor with which to create your own custom levels; and even animated solutions to each of the games 236 puzzles(!) There is so much fun packed inside this very appealing and accessible casual game for all ages, I heartily recommend downloading the free trial version of the game and see for yourself. The game is available on all three platforms: Mac OS X, Windows, Linux. Download.
Or, try the online version to get a feel for the gameplay first.
Game credits:
- Ryan Clark: design, programming, level design
- Matt Parry: design, graphics, level design
- Michael Huang: sound and music
- Victor Zakharov: level design
The IGF will be held at the annual Game Developer's Conference (GDC) later this month in San Jose, California.
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Comments (may contain spoilers)
good game, but the real highlight is the fact that you can build your own levels...i had more fun with a friend creating levels to stump eachother...wonderful!
Posted by: nope | March 3, 2006 12:51 AM
I downloaded this a while ago and loved every second of it. The graphics are fantastic and the animation is really smooth. I particularly liked the ability to see the solution at any time, since you could look at the first few steps, then try it yourself.
Posted by: Wulfo
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March 3, 2006 11:10 AM
I agree with Wulfo. Fun game! I, too, like the fact that you can exit the solution at any point. Thus you can solve the puzzle on your own with just a nudge in the right direction. Another good find Jay!
P.S. When graduation gets here, are we going to see a pic of you in your cap & gown?
Posted by: me | March 3, 2006 4:30 PM
Hahaha, no 'me', I am not planning to 'walk', I just want to finish my program is all. =)
Posted by: jay
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March 3, 2006 4:42 PM
I love this game. I wasn't going to buy it, because many times, with games like these, I will play them, and then remember the solution to the levels a few months later. I bought it because you have the option of downloading levels from other players to test your skills. Right now, there are more than 200 more levels to complete!
Posted by: Di | March 5, 2006 6:03 PM
man ilove this game.
ive searched the net everywhere for games like this except it gets boring after a little while.
Posted by: Damien | April 28, 2006 7:13 AM
this game was so easy! But its fun.
Posted by: Soren | June 30, 2007 11:41 AM