Fugdale’s Funhouse

Object: Bounce your ball to the exit.

Review: Amberial, created by OddGoo, has a really fun and interesting interface. You only use two keys A & D (or the right/left arrow keys) to move your ball across a series of platforms, springs and other devices, while avoiding obstacles or falling into the pit below each level. Most of the dangerous items are red, but often you have to touch red platforms so you can’t always use color as an indicator.

The ball’s physics cause it to move downward with gravity into a state of rest. You are not able to bounce it or float it using the keyboard, so you have to propel yourself off the edge onto other platforms to bounce higher. Sometimes you need to drop off the screen entirely to a different section to find the platforms or springs you need to get higher. The general physics of the ball feel fairly realistic, but not as strict as real gravity. You are able to change the direction of the bounces in mid-air, which allows you to target where you land a bit better than an actual ball bouncing down a track. This provides enough control that you won’t be frustrated with too many restarts.

The game consists of a series of levels mapped out on a master track. Along the way, you will have choices as to which level to play next, so if you get frustrated with one level you can often take an alternate route. In each level, you will find a letter ‘A’. If you can navigate your ball to hit the ‘A’ you will collect it (you only need to do this once regardless of how many times it takes to reach the exit). Collect enough ‘A’s and you will be able to access three bonus levels at the end of the map. As you play each level you will see a check-mark appear or an ‘A’ appear indicating that you’ve either completed the level or found the ‘A’ or both.

One slightly frustrating thing is when you die, you get booted out to the map screen and have to click to get back to the course. But, this is a minor gripe and being booted allows you to change levels if you so choose. Other than that, this game rocks with its smooth game-play, challenging (but not impossible) levels, atmospheric music and sound effects and its original graphics design and physics implementation. Most people will be able to complete all levels with a little persistance.