The blocks fly up higher than my score
| Platform | Presentation |
Controls |
Variety |
Audio |
Depth |
Value & Fun | OVERALL |
| Nintendo DS | 10.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 | 10.00 |
| Presentation |
10.00 |
|
For a puzzle game, the polish, cripness, 3D rendered scenes and sheer variety in the backgrounds and falling pieces is extraordinary. There are many different designs of blocks and the backgrounds change in images, and those rendered scenes at the beginning to illustrate the story about the evil planet Meteo look incredible.
|
| Controls |
10.00 |
|
I actually managed a respectable score using the directional pad option -- a testimate to the job they did on that option -- but it's the flawless stylus control that amplifies the whole Meteos experience. If you question at all that the stylus doesn't work quite right, finish the short story mode of going through the planets and defeating Meteo, then play the version that runs during the credits with tiny blocks -- everything still works perfectly, only it's a little harder to see.
|
| Variety |
10.00 |
|
In gameplay modes, there isn't a great deal more than you'd expect, but is definitely ample. There's the endless mode, a story mode to defeat planet Meteo, and Time mode where you try and blast as many blocks as you can in the amount given or the amount of blocks set before the time runs out. It will store your high scores in a table and is really what makes the replay so great. But what makes the variety so perfect is along with all the graphical and audio disparities from planet to planet, each planet has different gravity, size and ways to launch blocks. Some planets will even allow you to blast blocks only with horizontal combinations and not vertical which is much tougher than it would sound.
|
| Audio |
10.00 |
|
The soundtrack is really amazing. Every planet has its own unique and catchy tune that makes all the more fun to play. Usually you would drown it out and focus in on the puzzle aspect, but the audio rather gives an enhancing spark behind your stylus.
|
| Depth |
10.00 |
|
The depth in play comes from the many unique planets and the fact that the initial propulsion behind the launce is not sufficient to carry all the blocks into the atmosphere and secondary combos are needed.
|
| Value & Fun |
10.00 |
|
I can't put it down. If I do, I'll go into a haze and start playing it in my head. I've gotten right into collecting elements to fuse new planets and items; I've been completely enthralled by the 100 meteos time trial and trying to make my best possible time; I can't stop.
|
| Overall |
10.00 |
|
Was I expecting a solid puzzle game with Meteos? Yes. Was I expecting a candidate for my personal game of the year? Not a chance. While compared to my other two perfect 10's of Mario RPG and Perfect Dark, Meteos may not seem like a proper fit, I do sincerely find Meteos better now than Tetris was when it arrived nearly twenty years ago, and for creating the best and perfect puzzle experience, I award Meteos the honour of my third perfect score.
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Posted by Ellyoda Tue, 11 Oct 2005 00:00:00
