A downloadable game created by Legendo Entertainment AB, the game revolves around two wardens of the NetherWard - a place where all the ghosts are kept -, whose jobs are to guard naughty ghosts and spirits (called Spookies) from frightening human beings. These two wardens are siblings Becky and Tim. Unfortunately, as the story goes, Tim 'accidentally' snoozed away one day and allowed the Spookies to escape, but of course Tim insists he was not sleeping on the job. Now, Becky and Tim have to embark on an adventure in order to recapture the Spookies and bring them back to Netherward.
The Game
The introduction of the game is alluring enough and its context is fairly fresh. Surely the idea of ghost guardians chasing after pesky little spirits is an appeal on its own. Sadly though, the introduction gives us a false sense of gaming adventure, because this is certainly not an adventurist type of game. It is simply like a game of Tetris or Collapse, but with a twist.
Generally, this color-matching-blocks game requires the player to drop colored blocks into the container before any of them reaches the top. There is a catch though. You can't necessarily clear the blocks by just dropping any blocks to a group of matching color blocks. Only blocks that contain the ghostly Spookies can clear the blocks when dropped on them. When that happens, the Spookies will be captured and trapped in another container or the Spookie-tank. If you drop a Spookie-block on blocks of different color, it will not explode and will merely stay there until you drop another block of same color on or next to it.
The objective is to capture as many Spookies as possible. If you fail and the blocks reach to the top, you will get a snickering 'Nice try'. But no worries, you can always replay the level.
Modes
There are, in total, three modes to play from. The first one is the Panic Mode, and is played exactly as explained above, and with a target score that you have to meet before you can move on to the next level.
The second one is the Puzzle Mode, where you must clear all the colored blocks with a limited number of drops. For instance, in level one, you are given a maximum of one drop only. That means you must clear the block by dropping the Spookie-block only once. This takes a bit of thinking, but there is no rush like in Panic Mode.
The last one is Eternity Mode. This is where you want to play to earn high scores and get your name in the reputed Hall of Fame. The speed of the game will increase gradually, and it is played like the Panic Mode, only this time, there is no target score.
Instructions
When you start to play at the start of every mode, there will be a short how-to-play instruction to guide you. The game is simple enough so players will unlikely have any great difficulties in it. In the case where you need help, you can always return to the menu and go to the instructions. The game allows you create a profile at the start so you don't have to worry about having your 'achievements' erased - it will be all saved.
There is one minor glitch though. There is no verbal dictation throughout the game so young children who cannot read properly might find it difficult to understand.
Sound and graphics
The graphics and music are excellent. The first time I saw the characters of Becky and Tim, the only word I could think of was, 'Cute!' The music that accompanies is suitable and creates a fun and exciting atmosphere while still maintaining a bit of spookiness. To complete the ghostly ambience of the game, the cursor also resembles a severed mummified hand (but not a gory one).
This is a fun-loving game and while it might not sustain prolonged attention from the adults, it will sure get the kids hooked up. It is worth a rating of 4/5.
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