Video Game Review: World of Goo

World of Goo, The name does not sound like something you would really find all that interesting. Like the documentaries shown on the History Channel late, late at night when there is really no one up to watch. However, after putting the game into my computer and truly trying it out, there is something mildly addictive to this game.

Objective: Get the appropriate number of little balls of goo into the pipe. It sounds really easy. If only it were as easy as it sounds. World of Goo is not billed as a puzzle game for no reason. In order to get to the pipe, you have to make it past the obstacles, such as rotating blades, and then up to the pipe itself several meters off the ground.

Does not sound quite so simple anymore does it?

In order to win, you build your structure, whether it be a bridge, tower, or something inbetween, for the goo to climb. The effects of weight and gravity are well represented in that what you built will collapse if it is not built correctly. Everything has to have at least two points of connection, though three tends to make it a little sturdier. Also, the goos do not necessarily crawl all the way to the end of the structure, so you might have to go back and build in a new direction in order to get them to go where you want them to go.

The game is very cartoony in look, with the few humanoid figures looking very much like some small child's caricature drawing. This does not keep the game from looking very good, the graphics are incredibly smooth.

The game is rated E for Everyone, because the level of violence is extremely low. The most violent thing you see happen is your little balls of goo getting popped by something like the rotating blades. It actually seems like a decent game for teaching basic architecture. World of Goo is a product of 2D Boy studios and available on the computer as well as for download on the Wii through Wiiware.