Candystand Games is one of the more professional Flash game companies out there, with several entries on Newgrounds like Copy Cat, Gemworks, MagiGoo, and more. I haven't checked them out, but after staying home on Black Friday, I thought I'd try out their game -Grid-.
Graphics: Slick, quasi-3D background effects with abstract globes and a game board that disappears one row of tiles at a time make -Grid- an electric blue box of eye candy. The opening sequence especially is pure geometric overload. A-
Gameplay: A little repetitious and annoying when one wrong move turns off power and you have to carefully restore power bit by bit, or use the undo button. If you're an obsessive type, you can play this game all night to relax. Another bonus, for the sort of person who agonizes over a limited number of moves, is a cumulative score. Puzzle progression is solid, but I got stuck after five puzzles and just didn't care. B
Music: A bit on the wussy side (I like the electro-trance sounds of Electric Box a lot better), though ideal for accompanying the Zen-like state of mind you may need to enter for some levels. B-
Originality: I don't think "connect the circuit" has been unique for some time. While the presentation shows a lot of top-quality work, -Grid- suffers a brown-out trying to be a ground-breaker. C
Overall: If you're looking to get into a wild RPG that starts you out as a powerless peon and rocks you through battleground after battleground for a few hours, keep looking. What -Grid- is is a mind twist made for cold, logical types that plan their days 12 moves in advance. Despite the amazing graphics, to me it's a little soulless and dry. I honestly doubt anyone would pay to unlock the extra puzzles scattered through the level list, but you never know. The execution is near flawless, and the graphics border on mesmerizing when you clear a level. B-
The Slacker is a freelance writer and can be reached at sumosalesman@aol.com.
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Friday, November 27, 2009
-Grid-: Deceptively Difficult, Superbly Slick
Thursday, July 31, 2008
At Work? Don't Slave Away -- Light The Way!
Every so often a game comes along and drags you into its own little world for a few minutes at a time. Prism - Light the Way is one such game. With original music, a fun graphic layout and increasingly tricky puzzles, this is a great waste of time!
Excitement: 3 stars. A mentally engaging game where you don't really need excitement. Some of the early levels are painfully easy but good for people who put one toe in the water at a time.
Originality: 5 stars. A great spacey look and feel to it.
Graphics: 4 stars. Simple but effective. Could do without the simple patch of gauzy light at the end of each puzzle but it's still a nice touch.
Controls: 5 stars. Simplicity itself.
Sound: 5 stars. Perfect music for goofing off when you're at the puzzle selection screen. Makes you not want to work on the puzzles. :D Puzzle music takes a little time to get used to but it's original.
Replay value: 4 stars. Puzzle mode is great, but I don't like the idea of timer mode putting you back at the very beginning every time you space out, especially when I haven't had my coffee and can't even put two sentences of a blog entry together, let alone a light filter and a Bulboid.
Overall value: 5 stars. What wasting time is all about. I just like leaving the music on in the background!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Smashin' Up The Stars With StarBaron - Skirmish
What would you get if you took every pointy little ship from Asteroids, dropped them in a series of Petri dishes and let them have at it? StarBaron - Skirmish is a fun little space war that just might answer that question. Balance your stars to focus on economy, ships, defense, minefields, or just crank out average stars and take over the universe with mediocrity. Hey, it worked for Star Wars. http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/449961
Excitement: 4 stars. Don't take any position you have for granted.
Originality: 4 stars. Space wars are tried and true, but this one manages to pull off an adjustable set of skirmishes with all hell breaking loose.
Graphics: 4 stars. Kind of a nice pseudo-retro look to them and things run fairly smoothly
Controls: 4 1/2 stars. Things bog down just barely on my computer when a lot of ships go flying but it's nothing too bad. I should get used to the hotkey option to select star groups too.
Sound: N/A. I don't think there was any.
Replay value: 4 stars. I don't think I'll have time to play all the different options, like single or multiple opponents, but this might be a great stress reliever someday.
Overall value: 4 1/2 stars. This is an arbitrary rating, but the game shows a lot of work went into it.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Band of the Week: Hedgehog Launch Game Rubber Band
If life has you frazzled today, and you need a more uplifting experience than blasting everything in front of you into wailing shreds of prime rib, this is the game for you:
I thought Hedgehog Launch would be a sadder little knockoff of the cringe-inducing Kitten Cannon. However, it's a vibrant, fun experience where you'll eventually win. Yeah, no end bosses, no horrendous resource denial curve, no running out of bounces, no cheesy traps. It's such a friendly game a two-year-old could probably play it and get something out of it.
As you start out your space program for the underdeveloped Minovia Cay, you try to turn $50.00 into big moola by launching a Minovian hedgehog with a weak rubber band, weak launcher, no radar, no emergency rocket, no parachute -- heck, not even any goggles! The interface is shown as some legacy monochrome screen from the technological graveyard of the 1970s or 80s. From this upgrade menu, you can jump right into the action.
All you do is pull back the rubber band launcher you have, and try to keep your hedgehog in the air using the left and right arrow keys at first. Once you're out of fuel, the day ends and you get paid (wish it worked that way for me). If you've saved up some money for upgrades, eventually you can use the up and down keys for an emergency rocket (very handy when you're dragging on the ground) or a parachute (when you've shot way up and want to hover around for another platform that will take you even higher).
Excitement: 4 stars. A fun, engaging game that's more about the ride than getting there.
Originality: 4 stars. Takes the mechanics of Kitten Cannon and puts a fun upgrade system in with original power-ups. Shows you don't have to re-invent the wheel.
Graphics: 4 stars. Kind of minimalist, but the backgrounds and the upgrade interface are choice, and the ending could have been lame.
Controls: 5 stars. You start out weak purposely, but once you upgrade you're fine.
Sound: 5 stars. Great soundtrack once you launch in the sky and it's all you need besides some minimal sound effects. Smarmily nice end-of-round music and tally sounds too.
Replay value: 1 star. I put a hedgehog in space; I'm done. 3 stars for the more forgetful and easily amused.
Overall ranking: 3.83 stars
My rating: 5 stars This was a short, fun, intense game with nothing bad about it.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
A Game With "Guts": Bounty Killers
When I started out as a Newgrounds user, I got bored with all the simple games fast. Back then, most of the games were based on the same model where you shot at things with a peashooter-type weapon and the enemies would disappear bad sci-fi movie-style.
Bounty Killers is a fun, chaotic and bloody free-for-all. Choose one of three characters and go to town, literally. It's you against waves of dozens of dozens of wee people each no bigger than a dime (maybe a quarter or tea saucer if you're rich). But in numbers they're enough to give your character a run for the money and you'll get enough power-ups eventually to have a real blast, with weapons from pistols to Molotov cocktails, dynamite and gunpowder barrels. Don't expect too much variation in weapon strategies, but do check it out. A single explosion leaves a stress-busting gory mess of screaming vigilantes on-screen. And don't forget to grab their ammo too. :D
Rankings:
Excitement: 4 stars. Hectic fun though once I got all the weapons it was really enough.
Originality: 4 stars. Reminds me a little bit of Boxhead.
Graphics: 5 stars. Super-detailed 2-D characters, good movement handling. Bullets look a little 1980 Contra-style and the explosions are a little like scorching hot cotton candy but it all ties well into a common theme.
Controls: 5 stars. Flexible, mouse or keyboard. The weapon scrolling with the mouse wheel works great if you absolutely have to answer that phone and keep firing.
Sound: 4 stars. I've been kind of spoiled by Manhunt 2's bad@ss weapon reloading and firing, but this game holds its own.
Replay value: 2 stars. Maybe I'll come back when I'm in a frustrated enough mood to blow something up.
Overall rating: 4 stars
Monday, June 23, 2008
Defense Game Deluxe: Besieged on Newgrounds
If you think you've tapped out the supply of defense games, guess again. Newgrounds keeps showcasing the best out there and Besieged is one of the recent smash hits!
Besieged has a lot in common with almost every defense game you've ever played. However, it has some features that make it stand out from the crowd. While your units level up like most others do these days, you also have a money-producing castle. Keep it in good shape, because if it gets dinged you make less money, sometimes a lot less, which turns into a vicious circle when you need money to defend it. Also, your support structures are purchased with a second currency, labeled with a green hammer.
There are some unit types I like too. The training camp unit dishes out experience to every other unit out there. Mines generate money (AU) every few seconds, and farms repair your castle and level it up.
Last of all is a neat reward system. Meet 39 different criteria through the course of the game and you get rewards you can use in future levels. Beginning awards are pretty small in effect, but they add up (range, resources, starting AU and more) to make the game more winnable.
Besieged is a well thought-out game with smooth, easy-to-read graphics, good music, and bit of spice to the gameplay. If you like upgrading things ad nauseam, this game is for you.
Check out the game here. Feel free to respond with some of your winning strategies! :D
Sunday, June 22, 2008
We stopped -- uh, STARTED goofing around!
Hey everyone,
It's been a long time since Lost Productivity has been updated. However once again I'll be your host in the world of wonking, the desmene of do-nothing, the sultanate of slack. Once again I'll be working hard (not really) to find you the best videos, games, and just plain strange diversions I've found on the Net.
One of the great things about doing this blog is that I've learned a lot from the folks at Problogger (bought their book actually) so I hope to put a much better blog in place.
Any requests or comments are welcome.
Now go get back to not work! ;D
Monday, January 14, 2008
Back from a lost hour at the Coffee Shop Game!
I've been hesitant to return to Lost Productivity, dear readers, because this is not one of those fabled blogs where someone sits down every day for five minutes, blogs something shallow, stands up, and promptly proceeds to make $5,000 in banner ad revenue.
Yet.
Yes, every short entry you see is the result of entire minutes of searching for good games and animations in the diversionosphere. And on top of that, there is the matter of testing these games and clips for you! Do I want you to waste time? Yes. Do I want you to waste your time unproductively? No. I would like everything you check out on Lost Productivity to ultimately be worth it. It may not help you write that report that is sitting there glaring at you from your desk, but if you've ever wanted to try a small business out, try out the Coffee Shop Game here from NewGrounds and Armor Games!
And if you're more of a video guy, here is a hilarious parody of avante-garde artistry. No feelings were hurt in the making of this movie.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
One tiny link. Hours of lost time.
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/404923 Enjoy now, curse me later.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Hipster Olympics!
I usually put games up first, but this YouTube video is instant gold. :D
Are you cooped up in an office wishing you made pizza for a living instead? Don't! Trust me. But do check this game out! http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/396462 Pizza Shack Deluxe: all the fun of balancing your reputation against running around like a chicken with your head chopped off.
And last of all, we have Bloons! http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/374372 Bust your way through a huge pile of balloons of different colors, with some really crazy darts!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Cow Tippin'! Rat Flippin'!
www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/398741 All the fun of cow tipping, pies and hoes included (ouch).
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/397965
Launch a rat! :D Use your extra speed to keep you going on an amusing retro bar top scene.
And for those of you who toughed it out in the 1970s playing video games, I'd like to present: Adventure Speed Mode! :D
And last of all, this semi-awful tribute to River City Ransom, one of my all-time favorite games. See you tomorrow! :D
Saturday, September 8, 2007
We're back! SILENT HILL: ORIGINS SPOILER!
Welcome back! We've got some great stuff for people who want the inside scoop on Silent Hill: Origins! The first clip is so far inside the game you may not even want to see it if you plan on playing it!
And a song from the game:
And now for a few games... :D
Gaming by Caffeine Drip: Or, The Spreadsheet Solution
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/398949 The Egypt Game: for when you absolutely, totally have to have something to keep you from going stark raving looney from boredom while you're doing things like spreadsheets, word processing, or dealing with irate customers by chat.
...Or Do You Just Want To Smash Something?
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/398528 Lemon Smash. Come on, how fun can a game be like this? Actually, plenty! If you're stressed out to the point you want to crush something into a fine pulp, head for this game PRONTO before you cause any lasting damage to your monitor, paperweight, bank vault, big toe, frontal lobe, or other random bleedy bits.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Still on a tight schedule, but try these out...
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/398083
A very Zen game. Take your time, use the mouse from the P menu, and give it a try. Pretty relaxing.
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/319609 Rock-Paper-Scissors... Monkey-Nuke-Dynamite-Sponge-Woman-Devil... :D This is an old favorite.
And here are three videos. This is Brett Dennen jamming live, and The Hauntening, and a surprise. Gotta go but enjoy. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HW1N66jJA8
This is my buddy Lothar Patten. He overcame homelessness to make a documetary featuring Ted Kennedy, Ted Danson, James Carville, Wesley Clark, Carol Moseley-Braun, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, and Howard Dean (George Bush's security detail turned him down as a security threat, but judge for yourself). If you know anyone who can help Lothar go national, he's looking for some help!
Monday, September 3, 2007
An Absolutely Fiendish Diversion: Impossible Quiz 2
Man, oh man, is this game EVIL. Try it out: Impossible Quiz 2. The only thing saving us all from being fired is bombs that conveniently explode if you don't have a clue and/or should really be doing something else.
IQ 2 uses some cultural knowledge, so be prepared to think so far outside the box you suffer oxygen deprivation. I've only made it to the stage with the cursor coating. Good luck!
And for anyone who's had problems with presentations... let this girl make you feel like Orson Welles by comparison. And following her are a few clever (also by comparison) parodies.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Unwind, it's FRIDAY! Half an hour of fun, guaranteed, and a game!
I wish I had been a kid after the year 2000. I would have tried to make something like this: Demented Cartoon.
CAUTION: You will need a half hour and a minute or so. Toss your projects out the window, polish up your blow-off excuses, and sit yourself here during your 15-minute coffee break (or lunch, if you really need to play it safe. But hey, it's just a job).
And if you need something more (or less) do to, check out Holo Holo. It's a smooth little game that leaves no mental aftertaste to clog up the rest of your work day.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Office Allegories & Destructo Tanks
I've never seen Just Jack before, but here's a good song I got after typing out "Writer's Block":
And for some furious tank combat action, try http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/397568: Destructo Tanks.
I've got to bank on the previous extra post I did, but see you tomorrow with more cool stuff!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
The "I Need Bed" Version: Just Click The Links :D
Hexiom: A truly original puzzle game. Pretty easy the first few levels.
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/396889
Features autosave, and makes a great game if you load up your cubicle with co-workers (not that you have any work to do... :D )
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HLuhPBuy6-0 Embedding disabled -- but if you've every had a manager who can't count, this is for you.
And for those of you having a "why bother" day... :D
And last of all, a little psychological cruelty, with (I hope) no lasting scars.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Battle Garden and Dating Losers
If you need a quick fragfest to clear your head, try Hostility: Battle Garden. Great if you're tired of people with goofy pants.http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/395930
If you're feeling down at the office, I think this self-esteem brigade may just be able to help you out:
I just did a search for Lost Skeleton of Cadavra to add some clips, but I burst out laughing when I came across this:
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Bean and Bowling For Bosses: Hilarious Video and New from Newgrounds!
Bowling for Pam?
If you have a half hour to kill, try Bowling Alley Defense. Fairly quick levels, easy controls. Not too complex, but try slugging it out against Joe DiMaggio and you're in for a fight! :D
And, Sandwiched In... Some Major Laughs
This YouTube clip features one of my favorite entertainers, Rowan Atkinson, also known as Mr. Bean or Blackadder.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Tune in, zone out, smash blocks: Noidzor
I just got my first comment from a Mr. M, who's at a library and can't make the most of the sound. So here is a flash game for all you people at libraries who need to keep it sounding respectable: Noidzor.
The author explains a little bit about the game here:
"A mystical and dark twist on the 'Breakout' concept. We've taken the concept and made it relatively unique, with features and game-play never done before. The game features skill advancement, health and mana, strategy, power attacks (that you can upgrade), and much more. You also play as a monster, and instead of trying to keep the ball (orb) from falling off, your main objective is to break the seals and avoid the attacks. It was a fun game to develop and I'm sure you'll love it and maybe even become addicted :P (my emphasis :D )"
Play Noidzor at http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/390987
And for all you angry librarians out there:
Enjoy!
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