Act: RoX (by Safrosoft)

Game: RoX
Release:2002
Genre:Puzzle
Developer:Safrosoft
System Requirements:3D Card 300+MHZ, DirectX 8

RoX is a puzzle game in which you control Thresher, a blue spikey haired floating head in search of unids (little balls that look like atoms). And boy is there alot of unids, spread out over an amazing amount of levels. Our hero Thresher, in order to collect these unids must dodge falling rocks, defeat enemies, avoid bomb and generally try to solve the mind bending puzzles that make up every stage.

There isn't much in the way of storyline to RoX. Its similar to Pac-man, you don't know why Pac-man is eating dots, but he is. That's basically the same thing as RoX. RoX is meant for mindless fun and some strategic thinking (hows that for an oxymoron?) along the way. A basic level in RoX consists of you controlling Thresher as he gobbles up unids and avoids precariously placed rocks. But as you dwelve deeper into the game, you get thrown more and more curveballs. Roadblocks such as armored unids (drop a rock on them to reveal the unid inside), bombs (stay out of the blast radius), rock generators and enemies (from simple spider-like baddies who move left and right to golden gnats who will hunt you down personally). But the wourld is not totally unforgiving to Thresher, along the way he will get the ability to shoot missles, become temporarily invincible and other special moves and powerups.

As said earlier, there are several enemies impeding the process of acquiring the unids. Enemies come in two types, spider-like baddies and flying gnats. The basic spiders and gnats are mindless drones and won't neceissarily go out of there way to attack you. But the suped up baddies will be vicious in there attacks and more of a threat.

Although there isn't many options besides the standard run-of-the-mill volume level, game speed, etc., the ability to download extra levels from the developers web site is huge and definately adds some more game life to an already long game. Direct multiplayer (in person or over the net) is not included, but the game does keep track of time on how long it took you to complete a level which you can challenge your friends if you really want to.

Graphics: 8
While nothing jaw-dropping for a puzzle game, the graphics are quite good. The explosions that occur are well detailed and the game moves along at a good rate of speed and all objects on screen are finely detailed.

Sound: 9
Music is obviously this developers forte (get it? ha ha ha). The music is absolutely superb and something I want mind listening to on my CD player. The only thing keeping this from a perfect 10 is some of the sound effects are pretty bland.

Gameplay:10
Control is simple and sport-on (a good thing for a puzzle game). Moving in 4 directions and firing missles are easy as pie.

Options:7
Besides the ability to upload new levels nothing spectacular is included in the game besides the 1-man missions. Additional game modes such as tutorial (sorely needed), split screen multiplayer, time attack or anything to add more variety to the existing missions.

Concept:8
RoX is an old concept that is executed well. Basically a glorified Pac-man, the game introduces new elements that keep the game from getting old and leaves you wondering "What are they gonna' do to me next level?". A major miss in this department is sink-or-swim attitude. You will die alot. They're are save points in the levels themselves, but they don't happen enough. Twitch skills are required for a number of levels.

Fun:7
This game is hard, extremely tough at some points. In fact I have 10-15 levels I have yet to complete because I am totally lost at what to do. This game is fun but when you stare at the screen trying to plot your next move in hopes of unlcoking a fun level leaves you with alot of frustration.

Overall:8
While the presentation is great, the game underneath leaves something to be desired. Some levels leave you wanting more, some levels leave you perplexed and with no clue on how to beat the level. With the introduction of cell phone and PDA gaming, RoX would be a suitable download for these types of systems (if the developer emplements support.) Added: January 1st 2003
Reviewer: Ron Pease
Score:
Hits: 6669
Language: english