What do you imply “you used up your entire allowable puns in that headline”? Developer Thomas Younger will get to make two complete video games full of pop jokes and I solely get these two phrases? Sigh, effective. Let’s speak about that developer’s newest recreation, Molecano (Free), and let’s do it whereas leaving the groan-worthy phrase play on the door. Nicely, not all the phrase play. Wouldn’t be capable of speak a lot about this recreation with out discussing that. Oh no, I did it once more. Alright, on to the physique of the evaluation earlier than I get my bosses any extra steamed than they already are.
I’m quietly a little bit of a fan of Thomas Younger. One way or the other I didn’t actually play any of his video games till they got here to the Change, however as soon as I had my first style I knew I had a brand new developer to observe. The Tremendous Fowlst video games are difficult in all the proper methods. The Dadish Quadrilogy (IT’S A WORD!) are rad, cute, and humorous platformers that may get devilishly difficult, particularly Each day Dadish. This fellow makes some cheerful little motion video games that may make you wish to yank your hair out. I assume that’s his deal. However wait, what’s this? His subsequent recreation isn’t an motion recreation in any respect? It’s a phrase recreation?
In hindsight, we should always have seen it coming. These finish of degree gags in Dadish reveal that this fellow is one thing of a wordsmith. So right here we’re with Molecano. Good title. Easy, quick, rolls off the tongue. Exhibits up effectively in an internet search. Makes you wish to ask what the deal is. What is the take care of that? A mole and a volcano, presumably? Why would they be bedfellows? I need to discover out. No, I’m not attempting to stretch issues out as a result of a phrase recreation doesn’t actually have a ton to speak about. Perhaps that’s what you’re doing, and also you’re simply projecting.
Initiatives! Let me let you know a couple of undertaking. Molecano has over 4 hundred ranges to play, and apparently extra are on the way in which. I belief Thomas Younger on that, he’s by no means been one for idle guarantees. However even when he by no means added the rest, 4 hundred levels is an entire lot of stuff to do. On every of these levels, you’re attempting to get your cute mole (or no matter different character you’ve chosen) to the meals scattered about. The issue is a traditional one everyone knows too effectively: the ground is lava. You’ve received some letters down on the backside of the display screen, and so they’ll work in addition to something for platforms. However this can be a choosy volcano, buddies. It received’t enable platforms of nonsense. These platforms should be correct phrases. Spell them out, rotate as wanted, and create some paths for our hungry hero.
You solely use a set quantity of phrases to resolve every stage, although. You even have to attach your phrases, and Scrabble guidelines apply so you possibly can’t overlap carelessly. Typically there are bits blocking longer phrases, and it’s a must to use no less than three letters on every phrase. You might need to first choose up keys typically to unlock different areas of the stage. The fascinating hook right here is that you simply actually have to think about how lengthy every phrase is as a result of it’s not at all times a case the place greater is best. It actually relies on the stage structure, the place the meals and keys are, and the way you wish to attain all of that. That mentioned, within the absence of every other components, longer phrases are actually extra fascinating. These will earn you cash, and people cash might be exchanged to unlock new characters. Some shall be acquainted to followers of this developer’s earlier works.
That is all wrapped in a really charming presentation, which is one other hallmark of this developer. It’s cute, colourful, and also you’d should be a Nineteen Eighties Saturday morning cartoon villain to hate the way it seems to be and sounds. Even then, I believe Skeletor goes for it. Shredder too. Mumm-Ra, in all probability not. He was at all times a little bit of a curmudgeon. Cobra Commander sure, Serpentor who cares. Ridiculous usurper. The purpose is that this recreation’s mechanics aren’t notably distinctive however the bundle they’re delivered in assist the sport stand out. Throw within the aforementioned bonkers quantity of levels to clear, and it’s simple to see why that is well worth the implausible value of… free?
I simply picked my monocle up off the ground and cleaned up the seltzer I spewed throughout. Sure, Molecano is free. It should throw an advert at you every now and then, and when you don’t like that you may pay a extremely cheap $5.99 to take away these adverts eternally. I believe that’s a good enterprise proposition, so I’m not going to waste too many extra column inches speaking about it. Attempt the sport out at no cost, and when you prefer it you possibly can relaxation simple realizing it’s actually well worth the six bucks to maintain King Robert and Austin the Butler away.
I’ve at all times been a sucker for good phrase video games, and Molecano is precisely that. You get a vibrant and admittedly cute presentation, an absurd variety of levels to play, mechanics which might be extremely acquainted however have that slight twist to make them really feel recent, and a monetization mannequin that’s exhausting to argue with. If, like me, you get pleasure from flexing your vocabulary muscle (I believe that’s referred to as a mind, Shaun), then I strongly advocate serving to this little mole get some chow post-haste. There, can I’ve my puns again?
