Enigma: Classic Memory Game Meets Fast-Paced Puzzle Action

Stumbling through Wikipedia's free software portal several days ago, I found myself perusing the website of an independent, open-source puzzle game called Enigma. Inspired by an older game, Oxyd, Enigma classifies itself as a 'puzzle game with a dexterity component'. Indeed, while playing Enigma one is sure to find levels to quicken both the mind and the wrist.

Enigma's gameplay is, in its simplest form, a memory game. Controlling a black marble with the mouse, the player attempts to tap the 'Oxyd stones' placed about the level. When struck, each stone reveals a certain colour. After activating a stone, the player must then strike the Oxyd stone containing the matching colour to lock the two open - just like turning over cards to find matching pairs. If the player activates a second Oxyd stone of a different colour, the first stone closes, hiding its contents. In order to activate all of the stones and complete the level, the player must remember which colour each stone hides.

Of course, it is not as easy as simply remembering colours. There are all sorts of obstacles and dangers to make things more difficult. There are floors that collapse, deep water (marbles cannot swim), magnets, lasers, crates, and a variety of items to collect and use. Some levels test the player's speed, for example requiring him or her to open a gate, touch an Oxyd stone inside, and escape before the gate locks again. Other levels test mental mettle and might require the player to position a number of crates on several switches. There is, however, something for everyone. With over 1,000 levels and more being created by the active community, there is no end to the challenge of Enigma.

Several distinct types of level are present. The standard Oxyd-matching levels are the most common, but there are also 'Meditation' stages in which the player controls several white marbles all at once, and must carefully guide each into a separate hollow, and Sokoban-style levels, in which a number of crates must be positioned in order to bridge a gap or activate switches.

And for the competitors, there is an even steeper challenge. Levels are timed, and each has a par - the average time it should take a skilled player to complete the level. A level whose par time has been reached features a small zooming black marble icon. Also, Enigma will periodically send your level times to a central database, and download the current World Record time for each level. Matching or beating this time will cause a globe icon to appear over the level's thumbnail on the level select screen.

Enigma features attractive, high-resolution 2D graphics and pleasant sounds and music. The tiles that comprise the game's levels are colourful and clear, making it easy to see what is happening. Enigma also keeps the player in mind - open Oxyd stones not only display a colour but a unique shape as well, in case the player is colour-blind. The sounds are inspired by Oxyd and are simple and clean. The only music played during the game is on the menu and level select screens, which ensures that it does not become repetitive or boring, since the player spends the least time browsing options and levels. For a free title, it is refreshingly polished and professional-looking.

With a nearly endless number of levels and the entire world to compete against, Enigma's challenges will never run out. This game has something for everyone, whether you are in the mood for a tough puzzle or a quick test of dexterity. I strongly recommend anyone who likes puzzles to download and give Enigma a try.