It’s a puzzle game, and happens to double as my security blanket. If ever I’m in need of comfort, I whip out my Windows Phone 7, or start my Xbox 360 and load this game. Below are my thoughts on the Xbox 360 version. At the end I’ll talk a little about the mobile version.
Technically the game hasn’t released yet. AT&T gifted it to me once I’d purchased a Windows Phone 7 device. About a week later I was given a “secret code” to download and purchase the game on my Xbox 360. You can still get a code if you visit their site.
The premise of the game is to reunite two friends, Ilo & Milo. In order to complete said objective you need to traverse and solve puzzles. These puzzles are broken into four chapters, each containing nine puzzles. Each of the nine puzzles contains photographs, albums, and what I call “itty bitty” friends. For each chapter, collecting all of the available items unlocks three bonus levels.
The gameplay is pretty straightforward. You can play with only four buttons. The left joystick moves the character around each puzzle, the right joystick rotates the camera, the A button allows you to manipulate objects, and pressing the X button switches control between the two characters. Hitting the Y button will pull the camera back, giving you a better view of the puzzle. Pressing the B button forces the characters to waive at one another using their stubby arms, useless, but adorable none the less.
The puzzles are a lot of fun, and not overly difficult. The majority of them require you to move different types of cubes around in order to reach different areas. Doing so allows you to access previously unreachable items. The genius of the game, and what I love most, is the functions of all the cubes. Some act only as a single cube, others unfold to act as a bridge or lift, and others allow you to pass right through them. I won’t explain when or why you would use these because that’s half the fun.
I’d like to discuss the gravity in this game, but in truth I don’t understand it. At any point you may have one character upside down (or right side up?) on a ceiling (floor?) and the other is opposite them. On occasion you may think you can get at an item to collect it, and you may even pass right through it, but unless you are oriented correctly on the cube where it’s located, you can’t collect it. It doesn’t detract from the game, but it might make you nauseous with all the rotating.
Story is delivered through photographs and blurbs before, after, and during load screens and levels. The audio is great. It does a good job of keeping you from getting annoyed or frustrated. Hell, you may even leave the game running to use the music as background noise. After an evening of Battlefield or Halo I’ll leave the game on just to help calm down. Yes, I get that worked up over other games.
You do earn achievements towards your gamerscore regardless of which version you own. Both versions are different, each containing unique puzzles. When playing on a Windows Phone controls are a little different, but still very accessible. There are four direction arrows on the bottom left corner of the screen that are used to move your character. On the bottom right is an icon displaying both characters, and when tapped switches control between them. When you are able to manipulate an object an icon appears in the center right side of the screen. Simply press it and that action is preformed.
The game does take advantage of the phones accelerometer. Rotating the phone will move the puzzle and world around. Swiping left, right, up, and down will rotate the puzzle accordingly. I’ve yet to encounter any hiccups in frame rate or quality issues with the mobile version. It runs extremely smooth and is just as much fun to play as the console version. I noticed that on the console I’m unable to quick launch the game. I don’t know if this is an issue with ilomilo, or the console itself.
The game does feature co-op play. Personally, I prefer to play this game alone as I’ve no patience for waiting on other people to figure things out. I know, I’m a terrible person. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try with your kid, girlfriend, wife or grandmother. I’m sure they’ll all appreciate the time spent with you.
In all seriousness, if you enjoy puzzle games and adorable creatures you should give this title a try. If I were to guess, I’d say it’ll take you anywhere from 4-6 hours depending on the person you play with, and how skilled you are at solving puzzles.
Ilomilo was developed by Southend Interactive, and will officially be released on January 5th, 2011.
