Puz: Aargon Deluxe (by Twilight Games)

Game: Aargon Deluxe (Gold Edition)
Release: May 5, 2001
Genre: Puzzle
Developer: Twilight Games
System Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/Nt/2000/XP, Min Pentium 166 / 32 MB RAM, 4MB Video card with support for Direct X 3.0, 640x480 Hicolor mode (65,000+ colors)
Price: $14.95 for Aargon Deluxe, $24.95 for the Gold version

Aargon is a concept that has gone back quite some ways. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, what you do is to try and make coins spin. The way you do is, is by making a ray of light that is the same color as the coin, pass through the coin. Each level has a series of well-placed coins that you must strike with your ray of light. If you are able to hit each coin, then you successfully pass that level and can move on to the next level.

Because light is made up of many colors, the beams of light that you omit may actually be in any one of several colors. On most levels, you begin with a white light, that may change to other colors by hitting a prism, thus splitting it into a Red, a Green and a Blue ray of light. You can also aim two light rays through a prism to merge the two colors into one. For example, blue and red can be merged to form Magenta.

Being able to split and merge light rays plays paramount in playing this game as the coins that you find on each level, are often not white. In fact, on may levels, you will find a series of coins that are in different colors. Beware though, if you hit a coin with two different colored light beams or even two light beams of the same color, your coin will not spin.

There are many different pieces available in Aargon Deluxe, some of them are only available in this version of Aargon, having been well thought out and designed. As light reflects off of mirrors, they make up many of the pieces, with a normal mirror, a double mirror, and a slit double mirror. The slit double mirror, is an Aargon Deluxe exclusive, and one of my favorite pieces. It acts as a mirror to light aimed directly at its face, but allows light to pass through in-between the two mirror faces. This allows that piece to be used in several creative ways while playing through the levels.

For those who enjoy a good challenger, Aargon will provide you with one, in fact there are 240 levels for you to try and pass. The levels get fairly difficult quit quickly, but there is always a sigh of relief and a feeling of accomplishment when you get past a level. If you somehow manage your way through all 240 levels, don’t think you have to stop there. The game includes a board editor, which allows you to create your own boards.

Graphics: 7
The sense that you are really looking at light beams is very well conveyed in Aargon Deluxe. The few still snap-shots that you get of the Dr. MindTwister’s Laboratory are also quite well done. I think though the graphics are not 3D, that most people who are familiar with puzzle games will immediately agree that they do a very good job of imitating light for a 2D game.

Sound: 8
The sound quality of the sound effects in this game is excellent. All the music and sound effects are in full stereo. The sound effects do well to supplement your feel for the game, while the music I found very enjoyable and soothing in the background.

Game Play: 8
The game is quite simple to play and easy to learn, but if you have any problems, they’ve even provided a tutorial for you. The pieces are all easy to play in game, and the option to undo your steps is very helpful in determine where the problem you are having exists.

Options: 10
If you are at all interested in Aargon, this is the king of all Aargon games when it comes to the breadth of options available to you. It features more pieces than you’ll likely find elsewhere, and the option to make your own levels is a very nice include. What is more, it has a large number of system options, allowing you to create different player profiles, turn off any music or sound effect you don’t like, and also set to play the game full-screen or windows, so you can easily flip it into the background when your boss walks in.

Concept: 8
Aargon Deluxe is likely the best incantation of the Aargon concept to date. The concept for Aargon itself is not new, but enjoyable for those who enjoy puzzle games.

Fun: 8
I really enjoyed playing the puzzles of Aargon Deluxe. I found that each level I went to presented a new challenge that would often cause frustration, but only due to the stress is caused my brain as I tried to work my way through the puzzle.

Overall: 7
For anyone who enjoys either Aargon or puzzle games, Aargon Deluxe comes very recommended. For those who enjoy thoughtful time spent playing a game, Aargon Deluxe will fit the bill perfectly.
 Added: January 29th 2003
Reviewer: The Mole
Score:
Related Link: Aargon Deluxe Screenshots
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Language: english