Polarium

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Polarium; Review
Topic Started: Monday Mar 13 2006, 06:41 PM (240 Views)
Ingram	Monday Mar 13 2006, 06:41 PM Post #1
WHY SO SERIOUS! Posts: 8,830 Group: Administrators Member #1 Joined: February 9, 2005 XBL Gamer Tag Master Ingram	Disclaimer: This is the original review that was posted on this forum many months ago. I have revised it slightly to be compliant with the 600 Word minimum rule. --- Polarium Posted Image > Developer: Mitchell > Publisher: Nintendo > Genre: Puzzle > Multiplayer: 1-2 Wireless > Classification: G > Release Date: 23/4/05 With the DS' unique touch screen control it's only natural that it will become the host for many puzzle games in the future. Polarium is among the first puzzle games to hit the DS. With Mario 64 being the most popular of the launch titles many have over looked this budget gem of a game. Posted Image First impressions reveal a game that is rather lacking in presentation and looking very simple in design. But after further playing you realize it was all a facade, the truth in fact is that Polarium is a very well executed game worthy of praise. The object of the game seems simple at first. You are presented with a field of white and black tiles. With one single action of the stylus you must draw a line around the tiles and turn them all to the one color. Thankfully to help you through the challenge the tiles have a border around them which is neutral ground for you to move onto. This helps connect your line up with separate fields of tiles you wouldn't otherwise be able to connect to in one action of the stylus. Sounds simple enough? Sure enough there are many puzzles that will have you scratching your head trying to figure out just how you're meant to pull it off. The game can go from very simple to very complicated in no time and you will require a broad view of the board to better understand how to complete the puzzles. Posted Image The game offers two different modes of play. The first is a challenge mode which plays much like Tetris. You have to clear the field below on the bottom screen as quickly as you can before more tiles fall down onto the board. Once the screens are filled its game over for you. The second mode is a puzzle mode with 100 different puzzles for you to complete. And once you finish that you can move onto making your own puzzles and send them to your friends wirelessly or receive your friend’s puzzles to finish as well. Once you've finished trading puzzles you can then move onto some intense multiplayer action. Posted Image Much like challenge mode, except the new tiles that fall into your screen are not just random tiles but the ones your friend has cleared on his screen. So the quicker you can clear tiles the more your friend has to worry about. Ultimately it’s a very simple setup that works wonderfully and can be quite challenging. The designers have also decided that it's best to hold your DS sideways much like a PDA when playing multiplayer. Perhaps not the best way to hold the DS and use the touch screen if your right handed as the top screen does get in the way of your hand. As previously mentioned the style of the game and overall presentation does feel a bit rushed and bland looking. But it doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. It would have been nice to have something a bit more pretty to look at. But in the end it’s the puzzles that will keep you glued to the screen and have you thinking, not the pretty graphics. Posted Image For a game that can be had for just around $39.95 this one can be picked up cheaply enough without stinging your wallet too badly. But once the 100 puzzles are finished all that remains is the challenge mode and multiplayer mode. Perhaps a bit short, but you can always download more puzzles from friends or find some off the internet using the games password system. 3582380482 9820321982 2612415304 To get yourself started here is my very first puzzle I made ready for you to complete, it's not that hard. Overall As a budget title it's worth getting if you're into puzzles. But if your not so much a puzzle geek it might still be worth a rental. Score: 7/10



Major_Stalfos	Tuesday Jun 6 2006, 01:08 AM Post #2
Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #665 Joined: March 23, 2006	I bought this game when I bought the lite based on this review, picked it up for 20...very good buy IMO. Cheers for the info...also your puzzle was fun.



Ingram	Tuesday Jun 6 2006, 01:15 AM Post #3
WHY SO SERIOUS! Posts: 8,830 Group: Administrators Member #1 Joined: February 9, 2005 XBL Gamer Tag Master Ingram	LOL I can barely remember the puzzle it was ages ago since I did this review. I do remember it being fairly damn basic though :P



Major_Stalfos	Tuesday Jun 6 2006, 10:36 AM Post #4
Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #665 Joined: March 23, 2006	Oh it was basic and I did it real quick but it was still fun, I tihnk the main reason I liked it so much was that it was something outside of the game that I got from somewhere to add more content. Never done anything like that before. Plus because it was easy it made me think I was good at the game...I can't get past puzzle 56.



FreakyLime	Tuesday Jun 6 2006, 10:51 AM Post #5
The tasty citrus™ Posts: 7,016 Group: Members Member #128 Joined: March 12, 2005	FAQ / Walkthroughs for the win. :P
	Here they're gonna steal my soul Ghost Train Waiting out until I know Ghost Train Trying not to feel like you did Ghost Train Moving up until I go go home.. Ghost Train


Major_Stalfos	Tuesday Jun 6 2006, 11:09 AM Post #6
Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #665 Joined: March 23, 2006	It makes feel unclean...even when i'm not



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