[encece]

[teaser]

Astraware have just released Glyph, a highly polished version of a familiar themed game. But Glyph leaps over anything remotely similar, that I've played, thanks to its storyline, animation, audio, and narration, making this puzzle game a feast for all of the senses. (Well, at maybe just sight, sound, and touch. I wasn't about to lick or smell my phone).

Here is what Astraware has to say about the game. Read on after the jump for my review.

Quote

Save the dying world of Kuros by reassembling ancient glyphs
- Based on the highly acclaimed PC original from Sandlot Games
- Over 250 levels across 5 different worlds
- Impressive array of powerful artifacts to aid you
- Two exciting game modes

Save the dying world of Kuros by reassembling ancient glyphs hidden beneath layers of rock and glistening stones. Clear groups of like-colored gemstones to break through the layers of rock and reveal the glyphs. Several different types of powerup will aid you in your task. Progress through 5 elemental areas and 125 levels to complete Quest mode, or explore the simpler challenge of over 100 levels in Action mode. Glyph for Palm OS® and Windows Mobile® is based upon the highly-acclaimed PC game from Sandlot Games. It features beautiful graphics, an ethereal soundtrack, and atmospheric sound effects to enhance the adventure puzzle experience.

[/teaser]


When I first started playing Glyph, I thought I was just playing a dressed up version of Tetris or CrazyBubbles. But after only a few minutes of playing I found that Glyph is indeed much like playing those games...only add a Lord of the Rings-type storyline and narrator as well as a eerie soundtrack and deeper level of play that makes those games look and play like Atari 2600 console games.

In Action Mode (the Tetris-ish part) you are challenged to remove rows of different colored stones by matching 3 or more like colors. Different power-stones will help you in that challenge by offering you some tools that will speed that along. Some stones remove horizontal rows, others vertical. Some change stone colors, and others blow up entire groups. There are tons of different power variations, most of which I couldn't possibly get to in one night. Each stage is timed and challenges change with every stage. Familiar theme with a clever twist.



Even more challenging is Quest Mode.

I'll briefly paraphrase the back story behind the game. Of course, it is more emotionally and eloquently told by the games narrator....but I'll give it my best shot.

In a world that sounds similar to "Avatar, The Last Airbender", Kuros is a world that was ruled by the masters of five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Water, and Air). The Masters turned evil and ruined the world for everyone. Kuros suffered for years and years. The Masters of the elements realized their mistakes and tried to fix the world by inscribing 5 cryptic Glyphs into stones that are supposedly the recipe to fix the world and make everyone happy again. Unfortunately, inscribing the Glyphs is a bit of an ordeal because the Masters died doing so, at the end of their creation...before they could be used. Conveniently, no one knows where they are...or really how they work...and that's where you come in. Find all of the glyphs and restore a dying world. Think you're up to it?

Think of quest mode as Hexic or CrazyBubbles (one of my favorite games by the way)...but on multiple levels. There are rows and patterns of colored stones to match up and destroy. But here, when the stones get destroyed, they chip away at the rock underneath. Chip it all away to reveal the Symbol. Chip multiple level symbols away and they will form one of the 5 Glyphs. Do that series 5 times and you have all of the Glyphs to save the world. There are plenty of power ups as mentioned in the action game above, to speed things along as well, and to blow up those harder to damage stones.

The levels get progressively harder and there are mini challenges in between to keep things interesting. The mini games I reached today were a variation of Simon...but cooler. The Glyphs resonate different sounds. You must match their duration and pattern to pass the test and move on.

Astraware lists the game as having 250 levels. That will keep anyone busy for quite awhile. But again...they keep it interesting enough with the story, narration, and ambient background music and sound effects, as well as progressively harder patterns and different power-ups to keep things interesting.

Gameplay naviagtion is easily done with the directional pad or keypad which is nice if you have a funky thumb-hurting toggle nub on your phone.

Fun game to get caught up in for hours...or to play in spurts. Perfect for a Mobile Phone!

Glyph is made by Astraware and can be purchased for $19.95 at http://www.astraware.com/all/glyph
for Windows Mobile PocketPC and Windows Mobile Smartphone....oh yeah...and for the PalmOS too. Enjoy!

encece's rating: and a half out of 5 B)'s
Cons: old familiar puzzle games
Pros: Great graphics, audio, speed and overall spin that more than make up for any con I could think of.

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[awarner]

I've been playing this for a while and it's an excellent and strangely addictive game. Work teabreaks were never long enough as once I started a level I had to complete it before putting the game down, but then there was the nagging "go on, one more level" voice in my head.
I gave myself other challenges of rather than trying to reveal the glyph to complete the level I wanted to remove all blocks around the screen first and then reveal the glyph. It definately makes the game longer but also more challenging.

As you progress through the game you start to look at what powerups you can use, each one has three levels of power which can greatly affect the game play.

There are a few other surprises in the game adding to the difficulty of play.

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