Saturated: A Flash-based, Color-based Action/puzzle Platformer

Saturated is a flash animation action platformer created by Newgrounds.com sponsor KingDotCom and Newgrounds.com collaboration organizer TeamSaturate. This puzzle/action platformer was submitted to Newgrounds.com on February 18, 2010 and won a Daily 4th Place award on February 19, 2010.

Gameplay

The objective of each level is to get to the end of the stage. Of course, there will be a number of different obstacles in your way. Obstacles include mazes as well as enemies.

You are in control of a ship that shoots colors. The first level will introduce you to your weapon as well as different types of ammo. Your bullets are color-based. Your bullets can be used to open doors that are locked by a color. To open a door that is locked by a color, simply match the lock with the color of the door. This may require you to mix colors. Thus, knowing the color wheel will be very helpful in this action/puzzle platformer.

You will be given access to a number of colored bullets in the first level. You will also get a chance to test out your color mixing abilities in the first few stages. Make sure you learn your color combinations and how to use them on different colored doors as well as different colored enemies.

To destroy an enemy, you must match the enemy's color with the color of the background. This may also require you to mix colors in order to achieve the correct color.

Of course, you could scroll through all of your colors in a guess and check sort of method, but this is inefficient. If you need a reference guide for color mixing, press E on your keyboard to open up a helpful graphical explanation of different color combinations.

In the first few stages you will also be introduced to colored doorways that change the color of the background to match the color of the doorway. To activate this dramatic change in color, simply pass through the doorway. The background will then match with the color of the doorway that you just passed through.

This has major implications for the color of bullets that you will need to use in order to destroy enemies, as enemies are destroyed based on the background color.

Game Review

Saturated is a fun creative game that is colorfully well done. This visually appealing action/puzzle platformer will keep players playing through until the very end. The use of colored bullets, colored backgrounds, and colored obstacles, all of which are interrelated, makes the game interesting and adds to the challenge of the game. The audio could be improved, but that may just be a difference in taste.

Saturated scores a 8/10 for high level of creativity, appeal, and entertainment value.