Since Sony launched its digital games initiative last year, more than a million bite sized games has been served to PSP and PS3 owners via the online PlayStation store. One of the developers to provide early support was Frima Studio that earned accolades by means of creative strategy title Vector TD. The Canadian company is back again, this time to vie for games attention and credit cards with a new puzzle platformer Widgets Odyssey.We have blastoff!
In Widgets Odyssey we follow the crew of the spaceship S-Space comprised of the five robotic fugitives Spad, Cosmo, Bruce, Helmut and Monk. They're on the run from the evil mastermind Yagor - seeker of galactic conquest - and his hordes of automated henchmen. Unassuming and tongue-in-cheek, Widgets Odyssey's script is hilarious, and the robotic comrades are a funny bunch to follow. Moreover the story is presented via beautifully crafted cutscenes, that's very welcome in this type of release.Sounds good on paper
Widgets Odyssey is build on all the platform genres core elements. You'll jump across perilous acid lakes and balance on narrow ledges, battle robot foes, solve easy 'find item and bring item' type puzzles, even defeat bosses and make your way through twisted mazes, while you avoid laser guns and falling icicles.
So far so good, the basics are in place - but Widgets Odyssey's ideas newer comes together to produce a truly compelling game. Levels are small, unimaginative and to simplistic to pose much challenge, neither mentally or hand eye coordination wise. Each robot has slightly different skills, but their abilities aren't used to much advantage.
The game's controls feel strangely sluggish, but handling the energetic Monk in the games final stage - on of the adventures highlights -was a fun and fast affair. Widgets Odyssey never becomes more than only vaguely entertaining, and sadly falls quite a bit short of what could have been achieved, given the game's premise.Where's 'Chapter two'?
Your hard earned two dollars will buy you a handful of short levels, which all told can be completed in an hours worth or so. Once you've solved the puzzles and conquered the sole boss, there's not much coming back for, and anyone hoping for an experience worthwhile of revisits will be disappointed in Widgets Odyssey.Pretty indeed
For a digital release in the lower price range, Widgets Odyssey looks and sounds surprisingly pleasing. Cutscenes are fine crated cartoons with good voiceovers; levels are strictly 2D but well presented. The action is garnered with fine, but somewhat generic, sound effects.Save it for next round, please
Although Widgets Odyssey comes at a low price point, it's hard to recommend the title wholeheartedly. The title is filled with humour and fun, has great production quality, but the short length and somewhat unambitious game play removes quite a bit of the initial thrill. While Widgets Odyssey doesn't deliver entirely on its promise, I'm still looking forward to seeing, where the five robot pals will journey, when the sequel launches early August.Verdict: Borrow
For in-game screenshots and additional portable game reviews, please check: Widgets Odyssey review.
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