Rebuzz: A Flash-Animated Collection of Rebus Word Puzzles

Rebuzz is a Flash-animated word puzzle created by Newgrounds.com programmer Gary Smith (GazSmithGames) and sponsored by LimeGames. The main theme for this submission is titled Walking on the Air created by Newgrounds.com user jakejosepheternity. Rebuzz was submitted to Newgrounds.com on March 24, 2010 and won a Daily 3rd Place award on March 25, 2010. Rebuzz is a great example of the type of puzzles that can be created using Flash animation.

Game Background

Rebuzz is based on the word puzzle Rebus's. The instructions are given in-game for those unfamiliar with how to tackle the word puzzles.

Gameplay

If you are familiar with a Rebus, then you will understand how to tackle these word puzzles. For those unfamiliar with a Rebus, it is basically a puzzle that consists of a set of words set up in a way to convey a particular message. How the words are placed in the puzzle is essential to figuring out what the set of words is trying to say. For example, which is the example given in this Flash animation in the tutorial, let's say you are presented with the following set of words: "aid aid aid". You can also see an arrow pointing at the first "aid" of the three aids. The message that is being conveyed is "first aid." Hopefully this gives you an idea of how these puzzles work.

Once you begin Rebuzz, you will be presented with puzzle after puzzle. Complete one puzzle to move on to the next puzzle. To answer the word puzzle, simply click on the text location and type in your answer. Then click on Submit to submit your answer for checking. Once your answer is verified and correct, you will be presented with the next puzzle. Continue until you complete all 20 levels of easy mode. Then, you will be able to move on to the 5 much more difficult puzzles.

In Easy Mode, you are given the option of using hints. You can get a hint by clicking on the hint button located at the top right hand corner of the screen.

Game Review

Rebuzz is a great word puzzle that presents a good collection of Rebus word puzzles. The puzzles seem to increase in difficulty, and the puzzles in Hard Mode present a good challenge for those looking for a bit more. What would make this submission greatly better is having the typing cursor set in the text box automatically so that users do not have to click inside the text box for each puzzle. This would make the puzzles flow smoothly between each other, and this smooth transition can make the gameplay much more enjoyable. What would also help make this transition smooth is the ability to use the Enter key to submit the answer rather than having to click on the Submit button.

Overall, Rebuzz scores a 8/10 for providing a good degree of entertainment.