Subscribe to the Family Gamer column:
RSS or
Newsletter.
Format:
DSi-Ware
Genre:
Platforming
Further reading:
Game and Watch
Buy/Support:
Support Andy, click to buy via us...
Game and Watch Cement Factory takes you back to a better time. Hand crafted crystal proceeds pixels and creates a game that is as addictive as it is simple. A lot of fun as it stands, for those that remember though, this is a trip down memory lane.
Game and Watch games are an original Nintendo game product from the 1980s. Each Game and Watch title provided one simple game to be played on an LCD screen, as well as a clock and an alarm. I remember them as the games I used to play in the playground at school through my primary school summers.
Although such old games may seem out of date, their return as downloadable DSi-Ware games couldn't be timelier. Games are returning to this very simple pick up and play style that Nintendo popularised with these devices. Not only that but many famous plumbers (Mario) and adventurers (Zelda) began life in liquid crystal grey on these super simple addictive experiences.
Mario's Cement Factory was a classic Game and Watch game that tasked the player (as Mario) to open up cement shoots so they don't overflow and traverse the two central lifts to get to the different containers.
Just three buttons control the action, left/right and pull. The player needs to learn how to time their movement to avoid falling off the lifts. They also need a strategy to manage the four different cement shoots to keep things moving. This starts off pretty easy but soon gets more difficult as the game speeds up.
Add to this the retro-cool quality and you have something that is really appealing.
Like most Game and Watch titles, there are two play modes - Game A for normal difficulty and Game B for advanced play. Although the game is simple, achieving a good score on the more difficult levels is surprisingly challenging - and addictive.
There are some admissions to modern gaming. You can pause the action by pressing start or closing the DSi lid. You can also start the game from a score you have previously achieved - although this won't count for the high score table it's a nice way to practice.
As it stands Cement Factory is a great little game. Add to this the retro-cool quality and you have something that is really appealing. For just 200 Points on the DSi-Ware store it will keep you entertained for an afternoon - and if you get hooked this will grip you for life.
Andy Robertson writes the Family Gamer column.
"Videogame reviews for the whole family, not just the kids. I dig out videogame experiences to intrigue and interest grownups and children. This is post-hardcore gaming where accessibility, emotion and storytelling are as important as realism, explosions and bravado."
Here are the games I've been playing recently:
© GamePeople 2006-13 | Contact | Huh?
Family Video Game Age Ratings | Home | About | Radio shows | Columnists | Competitions | Contact RSS | Email | Twitter | Facebook With so many different perspectives it can be hard to know where to start - a little like walking into a crowded pub. Sorry about that. But so far we've not found a way to streamline our review output - there's basically too much of it. So, rather than dilute things for newcomers we have decided to live with the hubbub while helping new readers find the columnists they will enjoy. |
Our columnists each focus on a particular perspective and fall into one of the following types of gamers:
|