Always remain in the river 1

It has already controlled the strangest / weirdest game characters during his gamer career, and actually should an experienced gambler can surprise nothing ... But to interact in the form of a liquid such as here in "Puddle" that sounds in theory but then a little strange ... At first, at least.

Although it would give little or no sense to the developers of "Puddle" have but something like a "story" came up:
With a mug full of coffee everything takes its beginning, and in the course of the 50 levels, the called Caffeine drink turned into several new fluids which you should convey to the target in a wide variety of environments. It verschlägt our "cash friend" and others in the forest, in a laboratory, even by the human body or in the universe - as the case situation as water, weed killer, Nitroglizerin, Pipi (!!) or other chemical compositions (!).
In a way, the career of the liquid is kept quite funny, the result after the end of jeweilgen themed world is connected by slightly jerky cutscenes with the introduction of the next scene. Humor might not necessarily have been planned by the creators of "Puddle", but I had to every time for my part vigorously and laugh.

Well, now you want to know how to determine if you please controls a liquid substance, eh?
The answer: Not at all. Be it water, coffee or blow-me-dead, you nothing distracts them directly, but it is only by laterally left or right tilt of the image in motion. Here a lot of skill and even more dexterity is demanded, since many obstacles and dangers (heat, frost, electricity, stomach acid (!), ...) Overcome occasionally switches or other mechanisms will be activated, and this is always a degree necessary to acceleration or deceleration of the liquid. In addition, always a minimum amount must reach the saving wet to its destination. If this fails, start the current level over again.

The initial lightness is deceptive, because progresses's always tricky and foxy, and that is always irretrievably lost during the game some of the liquid is annoying, but almost inevitable. Especially in the second half of the difficulty pulling together the task in such a way that one is behind just relieved to have finally mastered a level by tens of failed attempts.
After successfully coping with a level to "Puddle" nor any values ​​calculated together to reward the player for his performance finally with gold, silver, bronze or a simple "Completed" hook. The higher value is earned medals depending on how fast the level completion. Whether the amount saved miteinfließt in the settlement, I can not say exactly if that plays a role at all, unfortunately.

In any case, makes "Puddle" despite high Trial-and-error rate clearly enjoying what must be given also to a large extent with the loving and extremely joyful color presentation. The level environments are properly designed chic and not at all stiff or sterile. Always something happens in the background, constantly prevails behind such superficial movement, and together with the own game progress results in the amazingly consistent-screen moments. Music and sound design complete the gaming experience on a positive note and make "Puddle" an audio-visual appetizer the small but fine variety.

The only criticism I could find in the game:
- All types of fluids have indeed slightly different properties (examples: water evaporates, cools hot metal, nitroglycerin is in hard crash unstable) must be observed, in fact, the inertia and the actual movement physics seems, however, always remain the same. In addition, you have more the feeling to move a viscous pulp - sounds from stupid, I know, but it would calm some may be "liquid". Hach joke, come out ... * g *
- Because the camera is always very close and often somewhat unfavorable position, you have to any more or less level memorize So every point of danger, memorize every delicate position. In very demanding sections simply inevitable, which could frustrate some one or the other player.

Conclusion:
A seemingly banal game idea for real gamepad / keyboard acrobats. Beautifully made skill test, however is only suitable for those players-type who does not give up prematurely or omits his frustration at his gamblers equipment. All in all: For very small money certainly worthwhile.