What do you imply “you used up your whole 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, high quality. 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. Effectively, not all the phrase play. Wouldn’t be capable to speak a lot about this recreation with out discussing that. Oh no, I did it once more. Alright, on to the physique of the evaluation 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. One way or the other 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 tough in all the best methods. The Dadish Quadrilogy (IT’S A WORD!) are rad, cute, and humorous platformers that may get devilishly difficult, particularly Each day Dadish. This fellow makes some cheerful little motion video games that may make you need 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 degree gags in Dadish display that this fellow is one thing of a wordsmith. So right here we’re with Molecano. Good title. Easy, quick, rolls off the tongue. Reveals up properly in an internet search. Makes you need 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 attempting to stretch issues out as a result of a phrase recreation doesn’t actually have a ton to speak about. Possibly that’s what you’re doing, and also you’re simply projecting.
Initiatives! 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 phases is an entire lot of stuff to do. On every of these phases, you’re attempting to get your cute mole (or no matter different character you’ve chosen) to the meals scattered about. The issue is a traditional one everyone knows too properly: the ground is lava. You’ve obtained some letters down on the backside of the display screen, they usually’ll work in addition to something for platforms. However it is a choosy volcano, mates. It gained’t permit platforms of nonsense. These platforms need to 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 resolve every stage, although. You even have to attach your phrases, and Scrabble guidelines apply so you may’t overlap carelessly. Typically there are bits blocking longer phrases, and it’s important to use no less than three letters on every phrase. You may need to first choose up keys typically to unlock different areas of the stage. The fascinating hook right here is that you just actually have to contemplate how lengthy every phrase is as a result of it’s not all the time a case the place greater is healthier. It actually relies on the stage format, the place the meals and keys are, and the way you need 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 will be exchanged to unlock new characters. Some shall 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 need to be a Nineteen Eighties Saturday morning cartoon villain to hate the way it appears and sounds. Even then, I believe 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 notably distinctive however the package deal they’re delivered in assist the sport stand out. Throw within the aforementioned bonkers quantity of phases to clear, and it’s straightforward to see why that is well worth the incredible 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 is going to throw an advert at you every now and then, and when you don’t like which you can pay a extremely affordable $5.99 to take away these adverts endlessly. I believe that’s a good enterprise proposition, so I’m not going to waste too many extra column inches speaking about it. Attempt the sport out totally free, and when you prefer it you may relaxation straightforward realizing 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 strictly that. You get a vibrant and albeit lovely presentation, an absurd variety of phases 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 take pleasure in flexing your vocabulary muscle (I believe that’s known 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?
