Q Billion

"What appears overly simple in the beginning redeems itself"

Q Billion is a puzzle game based on a simple premise. You are a mouse. You are a mouse who pushes blocks. Some of these blocks have symbols on them, others not. The blocks are stacked, the number on the block representing how many blocks are in the stack. Blocks can be un stacked, but not re stacked.

Game A: Game A serves almost as a tutorial mode, with new features being explained as they appear. the basic concept is to push blocks around until there are no stacks left, only singular blocks. you must be standing on a 1 to push a 2, but you cannot push a 2 from a 2. After a few levels, the icon blocks are introduced, and to pass a level, all icon blocks must be eliminated. This is done by pushing 4 icon blocks into a group of 4.

Game B: Game B consists of a game of tic-tac-toe, but instead of marking an X or O, you have to beat a puzzle within a time limit without restarting. There are 5 tic-tac-toe matches, and when you don't beat a puzzle, your opponent is given the square. The actual puzzles are stacks of icon blocks, and your mouse must clear them all.

Editor: This is a level editor, and it works as well as you make it work.

Graphics: 5/10 --The mouse is decently animated and drawn, but the grid background and blocks get boring fast.

Sound: 6/10 --The in game tune is mildly catchy, and none of the other tunes seem out of place. The only sound effect is the block being pushed, and it is hardly noticeable.

Control: 4/10 --The controls are simple and intuitive, but it requires too many button presses, and soon becomes tiring.

Fun Factor: 5/10 --While not technically ''fun'', this game can bring about a certain amount of enjoyment, and is rarely frustrating.

Difficulty Balance: 4/10 --You won't find this game too hard to begin with, but eventually it will get nearly impossible.

Multiplayer: ?/10 --I was unable to try the multiplayer aspect of Q Billion, but i assume it takes the form of Game B, as that would be the best form.

Pros:
-decent sound and graphics
-original idea

Cons:
-poor controls
-poor balance of difficulty

Overall: 5/10 --It isn't bad, but its not exactly good. If you want an original puzzle game and are willing to put up with a clunky game engine, then by all means buy it.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 05/19/02, Updated 05/19/02