Gluey - a Flash-based Puzzle Game

Gluey is a flash animation falling puzzle created by Newgrounds.com user fizzgear and sponsored by gaming site King.com. This flash-based creation was submitted to Newgrounds.com on January 28, 2010. It later received front page status on Newgrounds.com and has kept this status the week after its submission date.

Game Background

Gooey Gluey blobs have become trapped and need to be freed! Be the savior of these colorful blobs of joy.

Gameplay

Gluey involves emptying the container of blobs, which essentially frees the gluey, viscous substances from their imprisonment.

The blobs will come in a variety of colors. Blobs of the same color will blend together to form a much larger blob. While in a group of blobs, it may be difficult to tell how many blobs are in the larger group of blobs. However, the relative size of the giant aggregate can give you a rough idea of how much that collection of blobs is worth in terms of points. If you really want to know how many blobs are in each larger aggregate, just hover your cursor over the large mass of color and you will be given data regarding the blob you are hovering. In fact, not only will you be told the number of blobs that the bunch is made up of, but you will also be told how much the blob is worth in terms of points. This can be useful when trying to reach the score goal of the level, which is required to continue playing the game.

Freeing all blobs successfully will score you a bonus of 200 points.

Single blobs cannot be freed, but when paired with another blob, the collective blob can then be freed. To know whether or not you can free a blob, as a general rule, the blobs with eyes can be freed. To free a blob, or a set of blobs, simply click on the blob. The blob, or collection of blobs, will disappear. This will cause the other blobs in the container to re-position themselves to fill the empty space that once was the blob, or blob aggregate, you just freed.

Sometimes you will see a single blob of color in a larger blob of a different color. To free the single blob from being encased in the larger blob, simply click on the larger blob. The freed blob will form its own single blob that can now mesh with other blobs of its own color.

Throughout the game, you will also encounter other clickable things. For instance, a white plus sign will get you two free blobs. These blobs will be dropped from the top of the container and will add to the population already occupying the container.

At the end of each stage, you will be given a record of statistics displaying how well you performed in the last round. The statistics include: game score, level score, level goal, and the largest group you were able to round together and clear together.

Game Review

Gluey is a relaxing, mind-exercizing puzzle game. The use of multiple colors, along with the idea to use gluey little creatures, adds to the game's visual appeal. The game also has aural appeal due to the wonderful folky track that, though seemingly repetitive, does not feel that repetitive and is quite fitting to the whole game.

Gluey scores an 8/10 for a good amount of entertainment value and replay value, which is due to its simple gameplay style.