Single Player Games

Review: ShapeShifter

A review for ShapeShifter created by Air Mapster

Depth / Complexity
There's more to this game than what you see at first - I just haven't quite figured out what. The goal of the game is to shift around the shapes on the screen (7 different types in all) and arrange them to form rows of three or more. You can only swap the position of two shapes if their movement will create a new row. Once the row is formed, it disappears, adding to your score and sending more shapes down to fill the void. The default shapes are also accompanied by a few, more unusual objects that'll fall in while you play. The game ends when there are no longer any possible moves.
Interface
Very clean. Only a couple of buttons outside the shapes section are necessary, to start, stop, and get help with the game, as well as a "hint" button for when you get stuck. Aside from that, all you need to do is click on shapes to keep the game going.
Single-player Fun
This game is designed as a single-player game, but it does have some multi-player support. Apparently it's also addicting enough to have gathered some very high scores. While I, personally, am doing good to reach 500 points or more, the average top scores are well into the tens of thousands.
Originality
You might say that ShapeShifter is BYOND's own clone of the popular puzzle game 'Bejeweled'. Of course, this version has multi-player support, too, but aside from a few adjustments (and especially some of the additional objects which get thrown into the mix) the gameplay is pretty much the same.
Atmosphere
The ambience in this game is very well done. The graphics are all clean, well drawn (3d rendered, I think), and the animations are superb. There is also sound to go with most of the actions in the game, as well as background music to listen to while you shift your shapes.

Posted by Foomer on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 10:56PM - 0 comments (link) / Members say: yea +5, nay -0
Keywords: shifter, mapster, air, shape, mike, review, shapeshifter