Roogoo Attack! (DS) Review

Posted by Dan Hirsch on 09.02.2009

Roogoo makes its way onto the DS, but is yet another puzzle game worth your time?



Title: Roogoo ATTACK!
Publisher: Southpeak Games
Developer: SpiderMonk Entertainment
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 4 player
Rated: E

Welcome to Roogoo Attack!, where falling meteors don't spell doom for a planet filled with cute critters. Roogoo Attack! is the DS follow up to the popular XBLA title Roogoo as well as the Wii's Roogoo Twister Towers. Take adorable creatures, pit them against evil industrial capitalists who are just as equally as adorable, add in a preschool shape matching board, collectible resources in the forms of yet more adorable meteors, throw it all on the DS and you have an idea of what Roogoo Attack! is bringing to the table.

Gameplay

The story goes that falling meteors brought life, joy, and peace to the Planet Roo. The leader of the planet, King Roo, decided he wanted to make cities with these meteors of pure goodness. For no discernible reason, he began stealing them to build and power cities, becoming evil industrialist King Moo. All of his followers became corrupt in civilization and were transformed into Sneezle from Pokemon...actually I lied, they became the corrupt and evil Meemoo and greedily ate more of the meteors. The greediest of them all was the king’s son, Prince Moo. The purest Roogoo ran away from the civilizations and have begun to try to save the fallen meteors and restore life the planet Roo.

And that is a thin enough veil of a story to work! Players collect falling meteors to help save the planet Roo. These meteors are in fact various colorfully shaped objects like squares, circles, and triangles. These shapes descend down to rotating discs with corresponding shapes on them cut out. Players match up the shapes with their matching slot so the shapes can be stacked. Stacks are then passed through the disks to the bottom of the level where they are collected and scored. Gamers will want to stack the objects and score them as quickly as possible. If a shape does not match up properly, like a square peg in a round hole, the meteor bounces off taking up time, hurting accuracy, and proceeds to fill up space on your "lose meter". If your lose meter fills up during a level, its game over.

Stackable objects vary from the simple to wacky. Traditional shapes include stars, squares, circles, and triangles while the outrageous can include stackable chickens, nests, and eggs. Adding to the difficulty are Meemoos, who act as obstacles that get in the way of your stacks until you drop a heavy enough stack on their head. Another level of difficulty comes in the form of flying creatures, like bats and butterflies ,can take your stacks back up disks you just pushed them through. Prince Moo will show up in the latter stages and slow you down by adding Meemoos, parachutes, and anvils to get in your way.

The game is made up of stages featuring multiple puzzle levels set in a wide array of environments including forests, underwater oceans, mountains, ice, space, and others. Each stage features a skydiving level as a way to break up the puzzle gameplay. Gamers take control of a Roogoo descending down from the atmosphere towards the planet. On the way down, players have to collect meteor shapes while shooting and dodging Meemoos. It functions as a nice variation in the provides a jolt of action. However the skydiving levels are limited in number and length. Aside from the menu selection, its the only portion of the game that utilizes the touch screen in any capacity.

Video Games | Roogoo Attack | Trailer

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Graphics

Roogoo's simple but effective visual style suits its gameplay. The only moving elements in the game are the descending shapes and the rotating disks which are featured in the foreground. Disks and shapes appear sharp and colorful, interacting appropriately with no noticeable technical issues. The backgrounds reflect the various stages they take place in. Deserts, forests, meadows, mountains and cities all have a bright pastel and bubbly, animated feel. Overall, the visual elements are stylized and, but remain simple .

Sound

Audio elements are limited to say the least, however it falls in line with the precedent set with the games graphics. Music and sound effects are simple and functional but do little to stand out. Where the visual style contributes to give the game some theme and character, the music and effects do anything but remain forgettable in the grand scheme of things.

Fun Factor

Roogoo Attack's fun is had in its timed puzzle gameplay. Unfortunately, it does little to keep the gamer's attention. Level after level revolves around matching shapes with their corresponding spaces... and that is it. A few enemies pop up and Prince Moo can ruin your day in the latter levels, but it is still not compelling enough to warrant any sort of panic attack. Different shapes and power ups are available as the stages progress, but the basic square peg in a square hole repetitious game play remains unchanged for the worse. The occasional skydiving level is there to break up the monotony of the puzzle levels, but they are few and far between. Plus they don't necessarily fit in with the grand scheme of the game and act more as a diversion.


Lasting Appeal
Roogoo Attack! offers a wide variety of puzzles set over 11 worlds, so if there is a lot of quantity to keep you occupied. But the gameplay varies little over the course of those levels out side the addition of an extra shape here or a new t. Those looking for multiplayer can find it in race modes with up to 4 players featuring levels chosen from the single player game.

If you own a copy of Roogoo Twister Towers for the Wii, you can sync the games to unlock new levels for both titles. It’s a nice way to add life and synergy to the series as well as reward fans of the series for purchasing both games.

The 411:
There are a few things you need to know about Roogoo Attack! If you are not an absolute lover of all puzzle games or under the age of thirteen, this game is not for you. The gameplay is simple and rudimentary, but not necessarily infectious or addicting. It provides just slightly more depth than a toddler's shape matching toy. Certain puzzle games can cross multiple generations of gamers, ala Tetris, and unfortunately Roogoo Attack! isn't one of them. The game is rated E and caters specifically to a younger audience with its puzzle styles and content. For older gamers looking for a puzzle game, this is probably not it. However, for a parent looking for a safe title for a younger gamer or someone anyone looking for a very simple puzzle game, Roogoo Attack! is not a bad choice.

Graphics	7.0	3D puzzle elements are sharp and colorful while 2D backgrounds provide a cartoon styled, pastel feel that fits the game well.
Gameplay	6.0	Essentially a digital version of a toddler's shape matching toy with a few twists thrown in.
Sound	5.0	Limited to a basic soundtrack and simple effects, its functional but uninspired.
Lasting Appeal	5.0	Tons of levels, plus unlockables with Roogoo Twisted Tower, but not enough variety or enjoyable gameplay.
Fun Factor	5.0	After a puzzle or two, older gamers will have had enough. On the flipside, younger gamers and puzzle fans will enjoy the style and simplicty.
Overall	5.5   [ Not So Good ]