Every level adds a new layer of frustration in Droplets, the newest from Nitrome. Despite the title, there's no water falling from the sky — only little bunny-like creatures. From the top of the gameplay area, drop the pixelated long-eared "droplets" in the right place and the right pixel, at the right time and the right angle, to collect carrots and enough points to advance to the next level.
Landing on numbered blocks and flying through carrots will award points, but the path to them is never obvious. Click, position and release the little creatures one at a time. They'll spin down into a world of electrified yellow rectangle birds, bombs, tubes, springs, sleep-inducing soil and even the wind (signified by wind machines and flower petals flowing in various directions). Click again to open or close the droplet's ears — two navigation options that can be helpful against the level's obstacles.
No matter how the creature falls, perfection is key. The droplet needs to be correctly positioned down to the very pixel in order to avoid certain obstacles or to fit through areas. Get it wrong and it could end up fried or tired. Luckily, there are about three to four droplets — and chances — in each level.
Analysis: Frustration may cause you to throw your mouse pad across the room, but with Droplets, there's something addictive about the challenge. It's similar to both Nitrome's own Small Fry and Plinko, the classic game from The Price is Right, but its obstacles and adorable graphics are enough to set it apart.
The droplets, as well as the hazards they come across (including the bombs), are tiny, cute and unassuming. The music is simple, but very calming. Even when the electric birds foil your timing yet again, you'll find yourself giving it another try.
As in many other Nitrome games, the instructions are embedded into random places in the level screens (mostly the botton), rather than popping up before it starts. Being able to read and reread the words as a guide is helpful, but the placement also makes it easy to overlook the directions while you're struggling with the droplets in the wind.
It was quite fun, didn't last very long and it lacked the old nitrome difficulty.
Good game, but those pipes are way too hard to drop the bunnies into, even if you drag your mouse down to line them up.
That could have been improved, and obviously wasn't intended as it's on the second level.
A very cute and fun game.
And this is the first Nitrome game I've played that I actually enjoy the music since Dirk Valentine and the Fortress of Steam.
I beat this at 3:10 on May 20, 2009. Way too easy, but also fun! It took me a little over a half hour to beat it. And Hydra, what are the two Nitrome games that you haven't beaten? I have three to beat on Nitrome (Pest Control, Hot Air, and Nanobots).
I'm with Grosie. What is with those pipes?
I love the music!
Howevwer, i beat it the day it was released. You need two players to enjoy the action =D
Man, this is harder than I thought it would be.
Not to complain, but a Restart Level button would really make the game go much faster when you mess up early leaving no chance of beating the level.
Is there one that I'm missing? Because it's a real pain.
Nevermind. Found it.
I must say, this is one of the few Nitrome games with music that I actually like. Usually their music is so retro it grates, but this was music was nice.
Way too easy!! I love the end screen. This is the first Nitrome game I've beaten! Go me! Go me! Anyhow, I've always loved Nitrome games, ever since I found the site. I always will too! No matter how bad one game(like powerup)may be, I know the next one will be great! Keep up the good work Nitrome!
Well, this turned out to be a really fun challenge for me. I was frustrated at first but glad I hung in there. On some of the middle levels, the poor bunnies were getting blown everywhere like pinballs. I barely did anything and still scored big points. But some levels are definitely tough and require timing and precision just as the review says. I think I had a decent score (over 40K), but I can't imagine making it all the way through without ever losing a level.
And I agree, the music is special. I liked it. Ending is funny too! Overall good game.
couldn't get past the second level even why i lined them up just wouldn't go down the damn pipes very annoying.
I know how to get through the tubes:
Before you drop your droplet,aline it with the tube.Then after that,drop it.Make sure you make them fall down fast.Hint:to make your droplet go fast,click on the screen.If you wan to make it go slow,click on the screen again.:D
I didn't think the pipes were that much trouble until late in the game, when the droplets seemed to drift away from them automatically. The hit detection ain't perfect either; sometimes they would fall through platforms.
Even so, it's a great game, and those little flaws don't take away from the fun.It's quite possibly Nitrome's prettiest game ever.
well done! Disguised as cute bunnies, your army of ferocious monsters have been successfully deployed all over happy land.
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Yeah I just beat it last night :) great game, loved the end scene.
I am having trouble with level 3, PLEASE HELP! And P.S. Those pipes are SO easy to pass through!
Good Lord! The ending! I feel so bad. D:
Strategy for Level 3:
Drop your bunny down one of the sides in ears-down mode, then click when your bunny is just above the level of the lower carrots; this will hopefully blow it over the 1000pt area. Click when it's above the 1000pts to drop it on.
Just practice a few times, and adjust the timing of your clicks until you hit the 1000pts. If you collect some carrots, you only need 1 bunny out of 3 landing on the 1000pt area to achieve the target.
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