World Of Goo (PC) > Reviews (2)

World of Goo is the creation of indie game developer 2D Boy (a team consisting of two former EA employees), and was released in 2008. The game is available on PC, Wii, iOS and Android. It has also been made available on Steam, the popular digital download service.

The game is essentially a puzzle game, with the objective being to create structures out of goo balls, in order to channel any remaining goo balls to the pipes that are at the end of every level. The player is only given a defined number of goo balls each time, so it is important to keep the goo structures as simple as possible, while still being careful to maintain their structural integrity in order to prevent them toppling over. There are a number of obstacles in each level to make this task even trickier (an example of this is having to create a bridge structure out of goo balls in order to cross a large ravine that stands in your way). As you progress through the game you will encounter other types of goo balls with different properties, offering varied approaches that you can take to achieve your goal.

The backbone of such addictive gameplay lies in the realistic physics engine that has been employed. Goo structures react exactly as you would expect them to; they wobble as you connect another goo ball, and even buckle under too much weight.

Disappointingly, the story behind the game is, in my opinion, almost nonexistent. The player is given very little background detail, and is instead plunged straight into the action with no explanation as to what exactly is going on. While such a criticism is more forgivable in the ambit of a puzzle game, I still feel that a more fleshed out storyline would have been a worthy use of development time, as to do so would have provided a more immersive gaming experience. That said, the game does have a distinctive brand of humour that comes across quite well, with written messages from a mysterious character known only as ‘The Sign Painter’ helping to liven things up a bit (as well as providing helpful hints if you get stuck).

Visually the game is very basic, the backgrounds in particular lack detail, and the whole thing could have benefited from further polishing and refinement. However, it is important to recognise the constraints on resources that must face such a small development team. It is also important to note that this cute, ‘cartoony’ style that has been chosen does have the effect of complementing the nature of the gameplay, and is in fact extremely appropriate in the context of a puzzle game. The environments are varied and colourful, making this a game that has the potential to appeal to a wide spectrum of different people.

In terms of value for money, it is difficult to better World of Goo. There are 48 different levels to play through, and additional replay value is provided by attempting to complete the ‘Obsessive Compulsive Distinction’ (OCD) challenge on each level as an extra bonus. Few games can match its affordable price tag, and even fewer can offer a similar number of hours of exciting puzzle-based gameplay. It is difficult to think of any reason not to purchase this title.

The critical response to this title has been phenomenal, and it is extremely easy to see why. With its quirky gameplay and colourful visuals, World of Goo is an excellent addition to any videogame collection.