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Good morning everyone!
This will be a welcome review not only to those that enjoy games, but to players everywhere who thrive on challenging their minds with puzzle games. Interestingly and in general, compared to games which incorporate killing (figuratively speaking!) and blowing things up, puzzle
games would definitely not rate as an equal in popularity.
Is this a statement of the times? As a society, have we become so consumed with games providing instant gratification that makes our adrenalin soar, that we no longer enjoy using our minds to solve logical problems. (Hey! That’s not me, I love puzzle games more than any other! 
Developer: Dextrogames
Supported Languages: English
System Requirements: Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003
Additional Requirements: None.
Tested on: Windows XP Pro.
Let’s take an example: David is not a violent person, yet he and our young son love 1st person shooter games that have them killing everyone in sight, including each other. David also doesn’t particularly enjoy puzzle games. This doesn’t make him a person who can’t apply logic, in fact he’s a software programmer, who has to apply his logic every day in his profession.
David ’s reasoning, is that he plays games to wind down at the end of the day – and working out puzzle games just doesn’t do that for him. He will on occasion play a puzzle game or two over the LAN with me though.
So no, I don’t think we’re all becoming a bunch of rampaging murderers, just because some prefer violent games – these players all have their own reasons.
This game was inspired by an old one called Sobokan. So the building blocks (pardon the pun!) of CubeDrift is not a new idea. There is a newer/different version called Isometric Sobokan, which is also an obvious clone of the original game, but younger than CubeDrift.
Regardless, with CubeDrift and any Sobokan clones or copies, you’ll still need to apply your logic and ask yourself if you’re able to think ‘outside of the box.’ This is the only way to solve each level.
When you first launch the game, you’ll see that you’re immediately prompted to choose between playing in full screen or window mode. Once you’ve clicked your preference, the main menu displays as you can see with the image to the right.
There’s a couple of unusual entries there, which we can explore further on.
Settings:
If you know anything about me by now, you’ll know that before I use any program, or play any game, the first thing I do is check the options or settings. In Cube Drift, they include: Sounds; Music; Animations; Fade Effect; Color Blind Mode; Full Screen/ Window mode.
I left the first four settings checked; the penultimate option unchecked, and the last one checked. I have a great graphics card installed, so I don’t have issues with including special animations and effects affecting my game play.
Help File:
Cube Drift has the shortest help file that I’ve ever seen! I’d like to have seen it extended with some strategy explanations, for people who have never played games such as this.
Playing Field:
Split into two columns.
(Screenshot only taken of actual game play.)
Left column shows:
- Undo Move;
- Restart Level;
- Skip Level;
- Select Level;
Right column shows:
This is the actual playing field and the background appears to be a toddler’s blue fingerpainting. Well ok, not really, but it is pretty awful and in my opinion, should be replaced. The foreground, displays the blocks with which you’re to move around inside the solid block perimeter. At this stage, it does appear to be a Sobokan clone, but jazzed up a little with new graphics and some other additional benefits.
Game Play:
One thing is for sure – the game seems easier and there has been mouse control added, which at least carries this game into the 21st Century.
So if there are any puzzle players that have attempted to play Sobokan and failed, CubeDrift just might be the game for you. Having said that, make no mistake – it does eventually get more difficult, by expanding the field, which requires more blocks to move around and place.
To play, one has to move all the blocks into specific positions, marked by dots. This can be easy or difficult, depending upon the size and shape of the playing field. You’ll often find yourself setting up a blockade with the blocks, only to move another block into it’s required location.
That’s really all there is to the game play. I don’t think there would be any right way to play, it’s all in the method and depth of logic you choose to apply, which might take playing a few times to actually ‘get it.’
Graphics:
The graphics are only so-so. I can think of many ways this could have been improved graphically but unfortunately, the graphics designer has been a little lazy in his thinking.
That said, it may not matter to many players, who focus solely on the game play. Being a female, I tend to think that aesthetics are just as important.
Music:
Definitely surprising, was the fact that the music was quite enjoyable to while playing the game. The sound track lasts for 50 minutes then loops from there. The ambience set by the music, would be conducive to any thinking game, and that’s not always easy for programmers to achieve. Well done Dextrogames!
Game Editor:
Often this is the difference between someone buying a game or leaving it alone. When you realize that you have control by designing the game in your own way – it can suddenly makes any game more attractive to the game seeker.
To create a new level:
You can see here, that I’ve created a new level and it only took less than a minute for me to plan the new design.
There are a row of blocks and dots at the top of the editor, for you to choose and place wherever you desire. You’ll need to create the perimeter of the game first.
You can make the playing field any shape you want, just remember that your design, determines how difficult the level becomes. It’s a pretty great feature to play around with, especially if you’re up to playing the more difficult levels.
Features:
- Level editor;
- Player community and forum;
- 50 minute sound track (not short loops!)
- 100 original levels, only 20 in the demo., download;
- Color blind mode for color blind players – Excellent feature!
- Able to download more levels from the game community that other players have created themselves.
Negatives:
No save feature, in case you want to continue another time. I already know that this is going to be a major source of frustration for myself and others.
The help file must be addressed a little better, to include some game strategies.
Points:
- Originality: 5/10
- Functionality: 8/10
- Fun Factor: 7/10
- Intuitiveness: 9/10
Summary:
Price: US$19.95
I’m not so sure that this game is worth the asking price. Though Cube Drift is by far, a better game than others of its kind, I tend to think that at this price, this game will never be able to compete for any significant part of the market share in games, or even puzzle games.
I think a tag closer to US$14.00 would be the better asking price and could end up being the difference between a customer buying Cube Drift, or playing the numerous clones on the internet.
Shop at ~ Software by Swan ~
Summary:
I enjoyed playing this game and strongly recommend it to those enjoying puzzle games. It may not be as much fun for people who prefer other types of games – then again, they might just surprise themselves.
You could find out if this game is for you, by downloading a free, fully licensed copy from the Game Giveaway of the Day web site – but please keep in mind that you can download this game today only.
Well, another review bites the dust, and I think I’ll go and play this for a little while longer. 
~ Swan
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