Boostcraft
DownloadBoostcraft is a simple puzzle game where you must blow up all the objects in a scene by initiating "chain reactions" of explosions.
The game is simple and easy to get into. The player can only initiate the explosion for one object. This is done by clicking on the desired object at exactly the right time. The objects rotate, so depending on the time you click on it, the particle trajectory will change. When an object explodes, it releases parts of it in several directions (depending on the object's shape and rotation), which in turn will initiate an explosion for every object each part hits. You win by exploding the minimum number of the objects in the current map.
The graphics of the game are very simple, but serves the game's purpose well. When you mouse-over on an object, it shows the trajectory of each particle when you initiate an explosion. It also has a nice particle system and glow effects for each explosion. It looks especially good when multiple objects explode at the same time. It suffers a little bit from slowdown with a large amount of particles, and it has a big issue with flickering, which may get annoying. But it is simple and gets the job done.
The sound effects of the game are virtually non existent. The only sounds you will hear are from when you are switching between screens, and from the object explosions. The sound from object explosions does not even sound like an explosion.
One major gripe I have is when you start a "chain reaction", it will not stop until all of the explosion particles leave the screen. Pressing escape or any other key won't be of much help. It will get annoying, if for example, you mis-click an object and you want to quickly try again.
Overall, Boostcraft is an okay game. It will let you have fun for at least five minutes, but not more than ten. After 5 maps it gets a little boring. If it had more sound effects, or a less monochromatic feel with the graphics, it would catch more of one's attention. But right now, it feels like a great idea that was rushed into code. Incomplete, buggy graphics (flickering), and no sound to speak of makes me feel like it needs a little more work.
- Gameplay: 7/10.
A great idea, but gets repetitive after a few maps.
- Graphics: 4/10.
Gets the job done, but suffers horribly from flicker, which could have easily been fixed had the creator spared a little more time for it. Also a little too monochromatic.
- Sound: 2/10.
The game only has 2 sound samples. One for explosions (which doesn't even remotely resemble an explosion) and one for switching screens.
- Overall rating: 6/10.
A great idea, but lacks polish.
Note: The creator says on his website that the game was done in 1 day, which explains why it feels unpolished. But it is still a good game, considering that.