So I was putting it off for a while, but, bored with my current selection of games, I decided to download World of Goo for my Wii, an indie game produced by 2D Boy. I had read an enthusiastic review of it a while ago and researched it a bit more from there and it seemed like most people were of the opinion this game simply rocks. I concur.
I feel like if Dr. Suess were to make a video game, it would turn out something like World of Goo. A mix of Lemmings and build-a-house-of-cards, World of Goo has you using adorable goo balls to help them help you bridge a gap, traverse a spikey cavern, orbit a planet, destroy a huge robot head, and accomplish dozens of other amazing feats of glory. There are several different types of goo balls, but mainly you'll be working with basic, common goo ball that stick to each other. Now, I'm not a huge puzzle fan, and for a game in this genre to hook me, it's gotta deliver a little bit of action and strategy along with the puzzles. This ones got both. Anchored by a rock solid physics system, these cutie-pie rolly-pollys will test your logical thinking and your reflexes and even offer up some nice explosions along the way.
There are several things I just loved about WoG. First, the balance, length and price is outstanding. It's about $15 on WiiWare - can't beat that. It took me about one week to beat at the bare bones level playing about 3 hours a day, and I find for this type of game, it turned out to be the perfect length, and if I want more, I can go back and master every level, and work toward building the biggest tower in the meta-game at the end. I think what happens alot in the gaming world is that designers make games too long, and I for one get really bored and end up shelving or just neglecting the game before I finish. I think I get bored because they designers run out of fresh ideas and resort to rehashing the same thing again and again until tedium sets in. I like Goo's paradigm: Low price, short game, fantastic content, done. It leaves me wanting more and eager for the sequal. Finally, the balance, or difficulty was just right. I rarely beat a level on the first try, but always, as I watched my darling goo balls tumble into the abyss, or burn to a crisp, I knew what I would do different next time and usually it worked. The best levels had me shifting my tactics every time until finally I figured out what I needed to to. Point being: no cheap shots. The was one level I had to do about 15 times to get the timing just right for, but in all fairness I probably could have beaten it quicker had I thought through my strategy a bit more.
While solid play mechanics make this game a joy to play, the atmosphere is what really makes Goo shine. From the whimsical graphics, to the hilarious Signpainter tutorial/instructions to the exciting and chilling music, WoG really does feel like a conhesive world, with charm to spare. I tried to introduce it to my husband, and while he was into it for a while, he quickly requested we go back to Smash Bros. or Mario Kart, deeming WoG too "plodding." Still, I maintain anyone can play this game as well. There is one button. Really. World of Goo is a concise, brilliant game, with surprises at every new level. Definately worth a easy $15 you'd spend on a hooker anyway. What? Nothing, Mother.
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