Colour Connect is a game created by Matthew Dirks of Skylogic and submitted to our first game competition in August, 2006. It was initially comprised of only a single, randomly generated level, and it showed a lot of potential. Responding to the feedback he received from the first version, Matthew recently reworked the design into a full-featured, multi-level game that is both fun and addictive.
The objective of Colour Connect is to clear all colored discs from each of 20 levels by clicking on them one-by-one, provided that the next disc you click contains the same color as the previous one. Although you may begin with any disc you choose, you will soon discover that some strategic planning is in order if you wish to actually win. I found that there are some discs that absolutely must come last, and so I work my back backwards to find the discs to start off with.
Some discs contain multiple colors, and others only a single color. Some discs rotate and some will fade in and out or alternate between colors. It's a very simple concept to grasp, and yet the game becomes significantly challenging in later levels.
Although basic gameplay has not changed, an additional mode has been added to add a bit of depth to the overall game play experience. You may choose between Normal and Timed modes, with the difference being that with timed mode you must solve the puzzle before the clock runs out. Normal mode allows you as much time as you need, though the clock will keep track of how quickly you solve each level. An integrated save mechanism remembers the levels you complete, which are indicated by a star (normal mode) or a clock (timed mode) along side the level select slider on the main menu.
Analysis: Matthew has done an exceptional job of implementing many of the ideas and suggestions he received from the exposure his game received during the competition. As a result, the game now eases the player into the game and builds difficulty gradually; and the addition of a timed mode will surely give even hardcore players a challenge. One of the criticisms of the first version was that it relied too heavily on color perception thereby limiting its accessibility. This new version includes a pattern with each color for those who experience difficulty perceiving color difference.
Colour Connect is a solid casual game design now made even better. It's easy to understand, simple to pick-up and play, and yet the later levels will surely be difficult to master. Play Colour Connect.
On normal mode it would be nice to be able to hide the timer... I find it a bit distracting. I can see the point of having the timer there on the timed levels, but when playing normal I wouldn't mind being told my time after the fact.
Very cool game!
Fun game, I agree about the timer being distracting. I played levels 1-9, got bored, skipped to level 20, and shrieked in horror as I stared at the tiny dots of rotating fading colors.
When I first glimpsed at it, I though "Oh, horray, another stupid clone of another stupid puzzle game," (I thought that sarcastically, of course) but then I actually decided to play it a little, and I found out it really *is* a new idea. At least I've never seen anything quite like it before. It isn't too easy, but it isn't too hard either, so it's great at holding my interest (Which, if you've met me, you know is a notoriously difficult task.)
Great job, Matthew Dirks! And thanks, Jay, for getting something new up on the review board. It's been a couple days. (Not saying that it's your fault it's those LAZY GREAT GAME MAKER'S FAULTS!) Either way, good job everyone... except Landon, as I thank him for nothing. -M. Extramatous V.
Yay! I loved the original and this is great. Adding the pattern with color has made it easier to solve, so all the better that this version has increasing difficulty levels.
My one problem is seeing the timer in normal mode. It makes the game feel pretty stressful, rather than the relaxing brain teaser quality of the original.
I actually thought that the game got easier at the later levels, because all you had to worry about was getting rid of your single-color pieces, then your two-fers, leaving you with the flexible 3- and 4-colored pieces.
I just showed someone the original a few days ago.
This one is even better!
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