Introduction:
Ozzy Bubbles, a 6.8Mb download, was originally given away by Realore early in November last year and received a positive 88% out of 229 votes. There were also 66 comments which you can read by following the link below. I’ve copied and updated my original review that was posted back then; though only to add some links to reviews I’ve found on the net and to correct some errors:
http://game.giveawayoftheday.com/ozzy-bubbles/
Quote from Realore:
Ozzy Bubbles is a fantasy adventure in the underwater kingdom where your objective is to save the inhabitants from the danger of monsters. 12 types of monsters, 4 bosses, and 40 game levels, 17 various bonuses and a classic arcade game play make your adventures thrilling and unforgettable. The superb graphics, fantastic visual effects, soundtrack and music complete the story line perfectly. The game is challenging, fun and suitable for all ages.
Ref: world wide web http://realore.com/ozzybubbles accessed 30th May 08
The Game:
What a gorgeous looking game Ozzy Bubbles is. I agree with the comment Geek Girl made previously when this was first given away; that is, “if you liked Turtix, you’ll enjoy this one as well”.
As for the installation issue (well it’ not really an issue, just not your normal install method) I’ve created a pictorial tutorial for those who aren’t computer savvy, to illustrate the steps you should take to install this game and then create a desk top icon. I’ve used the usual default position that most games are installed to, although I usually install my games to a specific folder elsewhere. You can download the file from the following address. It’s less than 1Mb in size. Read the details as I can easily create a better ‘integrated’ tutorial on request for you if you wish; (maybe I should use that giveaway from the other day called demo creator) :lol: Also I’ve posted a tutorial in the games discussion thread that details how to create a desktop shortcut.
http://files.filefront.com/Ozzy+Bubbles+installationrar/;8977249;/fileinfo.html
I’ve taken my usual medley of images following through the various menus and some in game screen captures. You can see these by following the link below.
Images:
All on one page:
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/Ozzy%20Bubbles/?start=all
As a slideshow:
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/Ozzy%20Bubbles/?albumview=slideshow
Googled:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=Ozzy+Bubbles&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2
Published reviews worth reading:
http://www.gamezebo.com/games/ozzy-bubbles/review
http://casualgamerchick.com/2007/09/06/ozzy-bubbles-review/
http://www.reflexive.com/OzzyBubbles.html
The options menu is uncluttered, with the usual music and sound sliders. The intro music is very relaxing and worth having on if you do play this game. If you want to replace it, or even add this to your MP3 collection, you can find the intro music within the data folder. Just look for the snd folder and search through for the intro file, there’s loads of sound files to search through if any of the other music interests you. You will need an audio converter that can convert mp3 to ogg (for you to replace the music in the game) or ogg to mp3 (for you to get a copy of the music for your collection). There is also a full screen/windowed toggle for those who like to play in both modes. You can get a free audio converter from the freeware library that will enable you to do this.
The menu screens are well laid out and easy to follow. The help section comprises of 11 excellent pages of information about the various power ups and collectibles, illustrated in a cartoon style that kids will love. As pointed out above by others who previously commented when this game was first given away, this game looks like it’s been developed with the child in mind; but I’ve actually been enjoying playing it myself. So this game gets big thumbs up from me.
While in game you have to jump from platform to platform collecting coins, objects and power ups and either avoiding the baddies, or seeing them off by shooting bubbles at them, or jumping on them either using the up arrow key or jumping from a higher platform. If you’ve caught them in a bubble they will float around aimlessly for a while before escaping and becoming a threat again. If you jump on the monsters or bubbles with monsters in them to destroy them you may earn coins, power ups or letters; although not every time. There is an indicator at the bottom of the playing area that tells you how much air you have left to make bubbles. If this empties, which on later levels it most certainly will, you have to stand still to get your breath back. This will replenish the air you can use to make bubbles. There is a bonus in game that will top it up if required.
To move Ozzy you use your mouse. The left mouse button is used to make Ozzy jump; but you do have to use the keyboard for climbing ladders and exiting to a new level (by clicking on the up arrow.) when a new command is required a small tutorial window will pop up with instructions. This is unobtrusive and hardly spoils the lovely graphic this game has been rendered in. You can shoot bubbles by using the left mouse button or by using the space bar.
There are at least 13 power ups (it mentions 17 in the intro to this game above the comments section) including invulnerability shields, extra lives, bubble bombs and lots more that I’ll let you discover for yourself. Sometimes when you kill one of the monsters, of which there are several (detailed in the help menu), a letter will fall from it. Collect these to spell Ozzy and you will earn bonus levels.
When a level completes you will see an information panel which will give you the usual level statistics such as time taken, score etc, as well as what new elements you can expect to see in the next level. There are 40 in total, which is ample for this most excellent of adventures and it’s also an ideal game to play as a family on a wet Sunday afternoon. :lol:
There are several themed backgrounds that keep the graphics fresh and the bonus levels are different from the normal game play, for example you’ll see match three, battleships and Luxor clones amongst others. If you follow the link to the Googled images and check out several pages you should see the different mini games that are available within the main platform game. I love games that have games within games as they make it much more enjoyable to play.
Requirements:
o Processor: P II 450 MHz
o Windows 98/2000/Me/XP/Vista
o DirectX 3.0
o 32 MB RAM
o Free hard drive space: 8 MB
Conclusion:
I wasn’t a great lover of platform games of this type; though I do love platform games such as Gish, Wik and the Fable of Souls, Gumboys Crazy Adventures and Barrel Mania, all of which are unusual platform games that I would recommend anyone trying – they are all available from reflexive arcade:
What makes this great family game worth downloading apart from gorgeous graphics and the game play is the addition of several mini games that break up the 40 levels you get, as well as the introduction of new power ups and enemies as you progress thought the levels. The game play is smooth and the combined use of the mouse and keyboard controls are easy to use; all of which definitely make this game worth 8 out of 10 in my opinion.
Thank you Realore and the game giveaway team for a great repeat.