World of Goo

In the past couple of years, the world of independent games have taken a giant leap forward. The use of high resolution graphics, physics engines, and the availability of said games on consoles have made the field of “Indie Games” far more accessible than it once had been.

Once such game to stand out in this area is “World of Goo,” a cute & quirky puzzle title that has you take on the role of… well… goo.

The World of Goo paints a world filled with globular bits of gloop making their way across the world.

The World of Goo paints a world filled with globular bits of gloop populating the planet.

You are goo. Goo in blobs, drops, droplets, drips, and any other slippery dribble that ever appears in the world (of goo). As a droplet, it’ll be your job to help fellow droplets make their way up into pipes in order to make it across the world.

That is – basically – the back-story for World of Goo. Over the course of the 48 levels that span the game’s five chapters, you’ll find what’s actually happening by way of clever & unique graphics that make this world seem much more dynamic than most games you’ll ever play.

But it’s really the gameplay that makes this entire adventure stand out.

Dodging obstacles like windmills is just one of the challenges World of Goo presents.

Dodging obstacles like windmills is just one of the challenges World of Goo presents.

Built on a physics engine, World of Goo works by providing you with semi-realistic physics in a crazy sort of way. The basic game mechanic is that you – as the deity who controls the blobs of goo – will work out spider-web ladders to stretch out across rifts and up towards pipes that will suck you all to victory.

With every new section comes a new type of Goo including ones which can be reused as well as others that act as match heads and incinerate when they meet with fire creating a domino effect of exploding cuteness.

All of this creates a rich & diverse environment with level after level of cute puzzle brilliance. It starts to get quite hard too with drops & ladders occasionally falling to their untimely deaths and obstacles all looking to turn your goo-bridge into little more than sludge.

Once you get to the computer world, it all starts to get a little weird. Ok... weirder.

Once you get to the computer world, it all starts to get a little weird. Ok... weirder.

The sound is lighthearted with noises that will entertain anyone with a kid inside of them and a soundtrack that blends polka, jazz, and enough rhythm to keep you in the spirit of speed.

It’s all very cool and loaded with some of the quirkiest art there is, and it’s so addictive that you’ll find yourself looking for as much spare time as humanly possible so you can go back to the World of Goo.

I dare say that it’s better than Peggle.

</i>Your mission is to make it to the pipes. Can you do it?

Your mission is to make it to the pipes. Can you do it?


What it is, however, is nothing short of brilliant. We reviewed on the PC but it’s also available on Mac OS & Linux as well as the Nintendo Wii. Seriously recommended for anyone who wants to be addicted to something truly fun.

Rating: ★★★★½

Game: World of Goo
Rating: G
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Wii
Developer: 2D Boy
Distributor: 2D Boy, Steam, WiiWare