Again after I reviewed Ouros ($2.99) from Michael Kamm on Steam Deck, I loved it lots, however thought it was higher suited to enjoying on iOS because it was greatest with contact controls on Valve’s handheld. Quick ahead to at this time, the spline-based puzzler about forming curves has hit cellular, and I’ve been having fun with replaying it on my iPhone and iPad. Despite the fact that this isn’t near the identical fashion of puzzler, it jogged my memory of the basic Osmos and its class after I began enjoying, and Ouros is without doubt one of the greatest cellular puzzlers of the yr regardless of just a few points.
Ouros has a really sensible approach of onboarding and introducing new mechanics. You start with simply the most-basic degree of the primary chapter the place you’re taught to tug an orb to maneuver a curve on prime of numbered objects. Your goal is to have the rotating orb on mentioned curve comply with a path in a particular order, and that’s the place the puzzle side comes into the image. The way you work together with the orbs, the extent modifications, obstacles, and even the course of motion change the way you deal with the puzzles. Ouros isn’t a tough recreation, nevertheless it does have some ranges that had me wanting hints.
Proper now, Ouros ships with greater than 120 puzzles, and I like that you simply don’t have to resolve each single one to maneuver ahead. Some ranges introduce mechanics that fully change up the sport as properly, however I like the way it by no means loses sight of being a chic and enjoyable puzzle recreation even when the degrees get much more complicated afterward with completely different path necessities and obstacles. There’s all the time the trace system, nevertheless it isn’t a direct reply for later ranges with you continue to having to consider forming the curve appropriately.
The accessibility of Ouros isn’t simply associated to it being on the simpler facet with regards to puzzle options or the trace system, but in addition in its controls. Ouros is a straightforward recreation about dragging orbs with responsive controls to appropriately align completely different curves. You aren’t pressured into any pixel perfection or to fret about timers. Consider this as a pleasant recreation to relax with when you’ve a couple of minutes to kill time and need to do one thing to maintain your mind working.
Visually, Ouros could be very pleasing. I like the animation work, sped-up motion whenever you’ve solved a puzzle, and in addition the transitions between ranges. Even conditions the place you make an error are accompanied by a pleasant little animation. All of that is accompanied by superb efficiency on each iOS machine I examined it on: iPhone 15 Professional, iPhone 12, and iPad Professional (2020). I’ve nearly no complaints with the iOS model, however the lack of iCloud save assist is disappointing. For those who plan on enjoying Ouros on iOS, stick to 1 machine proper now.
Since I used to be testing it on each gadgets, I ended up liking it extra on iPad than iPhone. It appears and runs nice on each, however I take pleasure in these sorts of video games extra on the bigger display. I had the identical feeling with World of Goo although that requires quicker inputs. For those who do have the choice to play on each, I like to recommend doing the primary three ranges and seeing how you are feeling earlier than deciding on a particular machine. I’d additionally advocate it on iOS over Steam as a result of these video games are higher off with full contact controls, and an iPad is extra comfy for a touchscreen recreation than Steam Deck.
Other than the shortage of iCloud save sync, just a few of the later puzzles maintain Ouros again a bit, however there’s little flawed with this in any other case inventive, elegant, and enjoyable puzzle recreation. Given the way it controls completely with contact controls, I didn’t trouble utilizing a controller.
Ouros was already properly well worth the asking value on Steam earlier this yr, and the cheaper price on cellular makes it an excellent simpler suggestion. For those who take pleasure in enjoyable puzzle video games, Ouros is a vital. I hope we see extra from developer Michael Kamm within the puzzle area within the close to future.
