‘Twas Brillig*

I’ve unlocked another couple of labs Electro and Geo, although I’m yet to make a start on either of them. Currently I’ve completed all of the levels in the Astro and Bio labs and half finished the Cryo lab levels (I’ve got to the end of most of the levels, but I’ve got several objectives left). I love the way the four objectives (beat the clock, save all the mercury, collect the bonuses and beat the high score) do not have to be completed together, although the way to get the best high scores is by attempting to complete all the objectives simultaneously (my usual technique for a high score is beating the clock with a high percentage of mercury and the odd bonus.

I got this as an anniversary present from R and it is good. It is a puzzle game with similarities to Marble Madness and Super Monkey Ball and as such the fact the graphics don’t seem that good doesn’t really matter; what is important is the gameplay is suitably addictive, levels need to be cleared in a couple of minutes (often significantly less) and I’m constantly promising myself that I’ll stop after the next level.

The levels are divided into “labs”, so far each lab has 16 levels (plus a bonus level). I’ve completed Astro lab and unlocked Bio and Cryo labs; labs are slowly unlocked as levels are completed, but happily you don’t have to complete every level in a lab to unlock a new lab which means I shouldn’t suffer from the Monkey Ball trap where because I encounter a level I can’t do I can’t make any more progress and shelve the game.

I’ve also unlocked some “Party games”, but they’re not that impressive and I suspect were included because of the perception that Wii games should have party games.