What do you imply “you used up your entire allowable puns in that headline”? Developer Thomas Younger will get to make two entire video games full of pop jokes and I solely get these two phrases? Sigh, fantastic. 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. Properly, 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 overview 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. By some means 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 comply with. The Tremendous Fowlst video games are difficult in all the correct methods. The Dadish Quadrilogy (IT’S A WORD!) are rad, cute, and humorous platformers that may get devilishly difficult, particularly Every day Dadish. This fellow makes some cheerful little motion video games that may make you wish to yank your hair out. I suppose 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 must always have seen it coming. These finish of stage gags in Dadish exhibit 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 cope with that? A mole and a volcano, presumably? Why would they be bedfellows? I have to discover out. No, I’m not making an attempt 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.
Tasks! Let me let you know a few mission. 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 anything, 4 hundred levels is an entire lot of stuff to do. On every of these levels, you’re making an attempt to get your cute mole (or no matter different character you’ve chosen) to the meals scattered about. The issue is a basic one everyone knows too effectively: the ground is lava. You’ve acquired some letters down on the backside of the display, and so they’ll work in addition to something for platforms. However it is a choosy volcano, buddies. It gained’t permit platforms of nonsense. These platforms must 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 unravel every stage, although. You even have to attach your phrases, and Scrabble guidelines apply so you’ll be able to’t overlap carelessly. Typically there are bits blocking longer phrases, and you need to use a minimum of three letters on every phrase. You may need to first decide 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 all the time a case the place greater is best. It actually is determined by the stage structure, the place the meals and keys are, and the way you wish to attain all of that. That stated, within the absence of another components, longer phrases are definitely extra fascinating. These will earn you cash, and people cash might be exchanged to unlock new characters. Some might 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 must be a Eighties Saturday morning cartoon villain to hate the way it appears and sounds. Even then, I feel Skeletor goes for it. Shredder too. Mumm-Ra, in all probability not. He was all the time a little bit of a curmudgeon. Cobra Commander sure, Serpentor who cares. Ridiculous usurper. The purpose is that this recreation’s mechanics aren’t significantly distinctive however the package deal 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’s going to throw an advert at you from time to time, and for those who don’t like you can pay a extremely cheap $5.99 to take away these advertisements endlessly. I feel that’s a good enterprise proposition, so I’m not going to waste too many extra column inches speaking about it. Strive the sport out totally free, and for those who prefer it you’ll be able to relaxation simple figuring out it’s definitely well worth the six bucks to maintain King Robert and Austin the Butler away.
I’ve all the time been a sucker for good phrase video games, and Molecano is precisely that. You get a vibrant and albeit cute presentation, an absurd variety of levels to play, mechanics which can be extremely acquainted however have that slight twist to make them really feel recent, and a monetization mannequin that’s onerous to argue with. If, like me, you get pleasure from flexing your vocabulary muscle (I feel that’s referred to as a mind, Shaun), then I strongly suggest serving to this little mole get some chow post-haste. There, can I’ve my puns again?