Snood 2
SCORE: 88
Snood 2: On Vacation from Destination Software Inc. (aka DSI Games) is a puzzle game in the same vein as Bust-a-move. If you are unfamiliar with that game series; think about having something at the bottom of the screen that shoots up towards the top of the screen. What the player launches is a colored snood, and tries to match (via attaching) to snoods of the same color. When the certain number of snoods are touching each other (attached), then they fall down off the screen. Anything that is attached, and beneath those snoods also falls off the screen. It is unclear to this reviewer why the Snoods are on vacation, and how playing this game furthers said vacation.
The graphics are pretty bright, and colorful. In some areas the graphics seem a little bland, and under performing for the Nintendo DS. The fact that this is a port from the Gameboy Advance shows through on the graphical department. The two screens is not used to the best either. The graphics do not include a guide to tell the player where bouncing off the walls will send the snood to. This means the measly lives allowed are expended experimenting (trying to find the right angle). A small guide showing the player where the Snood will be going would have helped tremendously.
The crisp and clear sounds work well in this game. The toe tapping music is cheerful as well. In fact the musical track in this game is downright patriotic at times. This reviewer found the music to be soothing, and fits perfectly with this kind of puzzle game. A lot of game developers could learn from this game in the musical department. The sound effects make the player really feel like they are in the game.
Puzzle games almost always have a plethora replay to them. Snood 2 is no different. This game has a nice amount of levels in it, and enough different modes to give the gamer their money's worth. While on the topic of money's worth, we have seen this game at retailers for just under ten US dollars. This game can be used to play more than one person with more than one Nintendo DS. This kind of connectivity helps this game tremendously.
As the graphics section mentioned there is no guide showing the player where the Snood-o-matic cannon will launch the snood ball to. This gets really nasty when the snood has to be bounced off a wall or two. This game is very unforgiving for a mistake made. Only so many moves are allowed before the snoods drop down, and end the level (and not the way the player would like it to end). Play a little around the world with the snood (meaning it comes back to the bottom of the screen), and the player loses a life. If the player can climb that cliff of a learning curve, there is fun to be found in this game. The controls are quick and responsive. The level design works great, and requires thought to solve.
This game was a joy to review, and play. This is a game that is safe
for the whole family. If Destination Software, Inc. can add a guide to
this game, then this reviewer is all for a sequel. If they three peat
with no guide, then no more sequels. This is one of those games that
teaches perseverance, concentration, and pattern matching. This reviewer
noticed no other lessons in this game.
- Paul
Graphics: 76%
Sound: 90%
Replay/Extras: 96%
Gameplay: 90%
Family Friendly Factor: 88%
System: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Destination Software Inc.
Rating: 'E' for
Everyone
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