Review of Innoquos 3

The game Innoquos 3 is a very fun little puzzle game. The game is platform-style, where you complete puzzles by messing with gravity and avoiding traps to get to the end. The games standard series of puzzles starts off with a tutorial level that cleverly puts hints to the controls as well as the opening credits for the game sprinkled through out interesting places. The feeling you get from the first level is that you are going to play a really interesting well thought out game, with some very well thought out level design.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case. After level 2, the level design becomes a bit stale. There are a handful of really clever-thought out levels, but the rest slowly become less about solving the puzzle of the level and more about inanely hard obstacle courses. The game gets to the point where the later levels of the game become all about a series of tiny, almost-impossible jumps that need to be EXACTLY PRECISE to get through. The challenge is fun at first, but after 5 levels in a row of trying to get through an inch of space surrounded by razors, only to be followed up by an even smaller hole, it starts to get old.

The game also sadly does not use the variable of gravity that this game s known for very often. In the first few levels we see promise of using gravity along with velocity to solve puzzles in a very cool way. But when you get half way through the levels you almost completely stop seeing the use of gravity, and when it is implemented it is done very poorly. The use of gravity (especially in the first few levels and the levels dealing with the brown bricks) was exceptional, and made the game extremely innovating. But the game turns into more of an insanely hard run-of-the-mill Platform game by the end.

The graphics also could use a touch up. While this game certainty does not need detailed backgrounds and mind-blowing animations to capture the creative game play this game offers, the graphics it has now don't give the game justice. Even bolder outlines on the sprites, or a character for the player, or even just some more animations would do wonders for the quality of this game.

The interface was exceptional. The games wide variety of options and the way that it is presented to the player gives the game a very professional feel.

The sound was alright. The music was good at times, but at other times tended to be a bit distracting. The sound effects were fun and interesting, but some more variety (especially on dying noises) would have made the game more enjoyable.

Overall I would say the game has potential greatness, but spoils itself with some hastily thought out level design. Although the games few well thought out levels are gems, and make this a game worth trying.

GRAPHICS 1/5 -bare minimum, thrown together graphics could have sued some more polish.
SOUND 3/5 -Decent sound effects, could use some more variety, and softer background music.
GAMEPLAY 3/5 -An amazing and innovative game premise is lost with a series of poorly designed levels.
STORY 2/5 -First level sets a great tone of narration throughout the game that is never disappointingly never followed up in other levels.
INTERFACE 5/5 -Flawless beautiful and large. This interface gives the play lots of playing options, and the player never feels confused.

OVERALL 3/5 -A wonderful interface, and a brilliant premise for a game are brought down by some poor level design and unflattering graphics. The game start off really well, delivering a promise of a truly great game. The game offers a few very well thought out levels and idea's that make you urn for more, but this seems sadly undelivered.

I recommend you play this game if you are looking for something to do in the next half an hour, and you might enjoy the design more than I did. But for those of you looking for a strong puzzle oriented game, you may be disappointed.