Armadillo Run
Armadillo Run, what a game. I really do love it. I have almost nothing bad to say about. Armadillo Run is one of those “Indie” games. It has a very simple website at www.armadillorun.com, where you can purchase the game, and download new level packs created by users. A demo is also available, which I urge you to check out. Without further ado, onto the formal review.
Gameplay
Armadillo run is a great physics-based puzzle game. The game has seven materials to construct with: rope, metal bars, metal sheets, elastic, rubber, cloth, and rockets. Each behaves exactly as you would expect, and are all used to engineer contraptions and pathways to get the armadillo (curled into a ball as to roll better) into the “goal” and hold him there for five seconds. Each level in the core game is usually partially constructed (such as a bridge with nothing in the middle- the player's job being to finish the bridge to get the armadillo to safety). There are various “anchor” points throughout the level, that do not move, so that the player can hang bridges of sheet metal from them with rope, and the like. Using the preexisting parts of the level as well as the anchor points, players construct catapults, elevators, and whatever else they can imagine to get the Armadillo home. The challenge is provided by the cost-restraint. Each material has a certain price associated with it. If you go over the budget of a given level, even if you get the Armadillo home, it counts as a failure. It also keeps track of your cheapest solutions for each level, and a grand total for the core 50 levels.
Graphics
The graphics in this game aren't the greatest, but this is one of those games where that actually helps. Some contraptions can get quite complicated, and the simple graphics help keep it lag free, and less confusing. They aren't pretty, but they do the job.
Sound
This is the only place I have any real gripes. No background music is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in the sense that it might get quite repetitive and annoying, considering how difficult some of the levels are, and a curse in the sense that the game can seem impersonal, and cold, especially with the blank white background of the levels. Of course, since you will be sitting at your computer, you can easily pull up your music player of choice. Regardless, the lack of music is a little bit jarring, but sometimes welcome.
Replayability
Level editors always add great replay to games. This one has a stunning editor, where you can basically create anything you want. There is a massive archive of user levels on the website. This archive will keep you entertained until your eyes fall off. There are no problems with replay value here.
Value
At $20, it's the standard “indie-value-casual-thatothergame” price. This is one that truly stands out in that category. With the 50 levels in the core game, the massive archive of user-created levels, and the massive amounts of fun you can have just making goofy phallic levels, this game is truly worth your money, and then some. I wholeheartedly recommend this game, even if you aren't a fan of the genre.
Overall, this game is wonderful. The physics are mind-blowingly realistic, the levels are fun and varied, the abundance of different ways to solve each level make each one more fun. The constant “One more level!” and “I think I have a better way!” will keep you coming back for more. This is one of those games, like LittleBigPlanet or Team Fortress 2 that will keep you thinking about it long after you step away from the screen.