Since we last featured Game-Pure's atmospheric orb-nudging Oshidama, good things have transpired from the developer. For starters, Oshidama Plus has replaced the previous version and adds a great new Time Attack mode. The game is played in the same manner as before — use the mouse to nudge an orb (like playing billiards), avoiding pit traps and walls as you snake your way to the goal. Instead of fighting against a limited number of pushes, your only objective is to complete each level as quickly as possible. Oshidama isn't a game of speed, however, so you're still forced to temper your moves with a helping of forethought.

Brand new from Game-Pure is Oshidama Monthly, a mutation of Oshidama that's heavy on the challenge. The game features several puzzle levels packed with gravity wells, shape-shifting pits, movable platforms and areas that change the size of your orb. At the beginning of each level you get a random time bonus and must make it to the goal before the counter reaches zero. It's more action-oriented than Oshidama Plus and features some really tense moments, so don't be surprised if you have to give each stage several tries before you make progress.

Oshidama Plus and the new Time Attack mode effectively doubles the amount of pleasure you can extract from Oshidama, which is no small accomplishment considering how enjoyable the game is. Oshidama Monthly, while a bit on the difficult side, successfully builds on the formula just enough to make it feel unique without destroying what made the original game so inviting. Excellent work from Game-Pure!

Play Oshidama Plus

Update: Oshidama Monthly is no longer available.