Universal [Soft Launch - NZ/AU] Board of Boxes: Novation (by George Novozhenin)

I hope the soft launch period is short! This looks like just the sort of game I like.

 

Very cool, thanks for responding.

 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to test this.

I think it's great. I played the first 32 levels of the puzzle section last night after I got it, and I got up at 5 a.m. and started playing it again. I usually like to read in the mornings, but I really wanted to play this some more--now that's a good puzzle game!

The things I really like:

First off, it's clever. I like "push blocks around a board" games a lot, and have quite a few of them, but this doesn't feel like just more of the same. Having to maneuver two blocks at a time, at all times, really makes it interesting. And needing to do it within a certain number of movements is a good challenge.

I love that there's no time limit on the puzzles. I like to consider possibilities and enjoy taking time and relaxing with a puzzle.

The tutorial was very easy to understand. The puzzle levels start out easy and increase in difficulty slowly. I like this because it makes me feel comfortable in the progression. By the time the 4-move puzzles started I had gotten used to "thinking in pairs" and felt confident that I could enjoyably handle them. I like that a lot more than when a game's difficulty increases very quickly--that can just be frustrating to me. And there are many levels, all nicely categorized by board size and then difficulty, so someone who likes a faster progression of difficulty can go for the larger, harder puzzles if they like.

There is Game Center integration, and a multi-player option. I know that's something that increases a game's appeal to a lot of people. I have not checked out multiplayer yet. I will eventually, but right now I am all about the puzzles.

I've used the hint system a couple of times. It's nice that it will show you step by step what to do if you want that. I've just looked at the first move on a couple of levels and then hit the reset button to solve it on my own after seeing how to start. I notice that you can replay the hint for a level (without having to use up a new hint) even after you've restarted that level--I think that is great.

I like that the puzzles have an incremental undo button as well as a reset button.

The graphics are nice--crisp, clean, and attractive. That's always very important to me.

I was right when I first read about the game--it really is exactly the sort of game I love.

I've only addressed the puzzles section so far because that's where I've been spending all my time. I have played a few Points section games, and I am very intrigued and will comment about that aspect another time. I think it's great that you included modes that will appeal to solitary puzzlers like me AND gamers who like a competition. Clearly, a lot of thought and a lot of work went into this game.

Suggestions: I might have some eventually, but I can't think of anything at the moment. Oh, maybe include color theme choices in a future version? Like background skins? I know I'd be happy to purchase the ability to change the background to suit my mood at any particular time.

Well, that's it for now. The puzzles are calling me back to play now.

 

I like the idea you have of modifying the hint system. I think what you mentioned would contribute to the game being even more elegant.

Music: I might not be the right one to ask about game music! With only a very few exceptions, I generally dislike game music very much. I find almost all of it awful. As long as I can turn it off, though, it's ok. What I really like is to hear game related sounds when I'm playing, and listen to my own music. That's the best, for me!

Yes, I understood about the level maps right away. I love how we can tap the larger image and go straight to the level we've been attempting, or select a different level from the pack selection section below. That whole page is pretty, too. I love the colors.

I also really like that ripple effect on the opening scene. Concentric rings are pretty! In fact, I'd love to see them on the pack select scene, too!

I would love for some packs to be open so one can play non-sequentially! Sometimes you just can't get a puzzle and you get a little frustrated when you can't move on. I've found that when you CAN move on, you can come back to the skipped level later, and it very often is accomplished with ease. So, yes, that would be great. EDIT: You know, making non-sequential level play as an IAP would be fine, I think. I think reasonable IAPs are perfectly acceptable for non-consumables. Paywalls and timers I hate, but am perfectly happy to pay for no ads or for sequential play.

I've only completed the first pack and half of the second, so I don't know how quickly the difficulty ramps up in the later levels. However, if you think adding another easier pack is a good idea, it's often wise to listen to yourself. It certainly cannot hurt! I know you need to strike a careful balance in order to neither bore experienced puzzlers, nor to frustrate inexperienced players. That must be hard! I do like the idea of adding in one more easier pack the more I think about it.

What do you think of adding some achievements for Game Center? I never really care about the leader boards, but I absolutely love it when I have achievements to attempt! I think that is very fun.

I'm just having so much fun playing this game!