Spirits of Metropolis:
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Installation:
The downloaded zip file is 44.3Mb. The file unpacks to two files; a read me and dual setup and activation module. The game comes with a full installer and installs desktop and start menu shortcuts. . The default installation path is:
C:\Program Files\Spirits of Metropolis v1.10 (assuming your root directory is the C: drive).
The installed game is 45.2Mb.
Introduction
There will be no full review from me today apart from a little info about what you get with this game plus the authors description of the game, a recommended review by the author, some videos, loads of images (via the slideshow link) and a couple of links to user reviews, one positive and one negative. I was having too much fun playing Left 4 Dead and the new add-on to ArmA II, , plus I wasn’t really in the mood to write a full review last night; (feeling a bit jaded) .
The Game:
Journey mode - in game
From the main menu you can access extra content that includes links to free downloadable content such as the puzzle packs. At the moment there are seven puzzle packs available for free and include the following;
Fred the Monkey
SOG (Sandbox of God)
Shellblast HD: Day 3
Patriot
Cubed (see image via the slideshow)
Spring Meridian
Abstract
Free DLC - Puzzle Pack – Cubed
The author intends to have made available ten packs as DLC’s (downloadable content) before the end of the year, so if you really enjoy this game it will pay to make a bookmark of the link I’ve posted below (reference to the authors review) so that you can check back. It seems there’s one every month being released. July’s puzzle pack is called Sandbox of God. Though that is not the recently released re-mastered game of the same name, just a theme based off of the game
You can also access the tutorial at any time which is also a compulsory part of the Journey mode when you start the game. As new modes are unlocked more tutorials will be added to the tutorial menu. You access tutorials via the star next to the name of the tutorial. At the start of the game there is only one tutorial available.
There’s also a tips and hints link, but none are available until you’ve started winning medals or unlocked milestones. There are five pages of these; each one requiring a specific number of medals or milestones. For example to unlock the fifth page of hints and tips you have to win ten medals or pass 10 milestones. I’ve posted an image of page one of these tips, which is relatively easy to win. It’s right at the end of the slideshow, which contains 51 images. If you want to skip the slideshow just hover your mouse near the bottom of the page. Then click on the grid button. That will bring up all the images posted on one page. You can zoom in slightly, but to see individual images just click on it. You have to complete level 1 and 2 before the first medal is awarded, then you can access page one of the tips and hints
End of Level 2 - Medal Awarded
Page 2 of Medal awards
There are 36 medals to win during the game Once you’ve completed the compulsory journey mode tutorial, the puzzle mode will be unlocked. There are over 50 puzzles to play, or you can create your own via the puzzle editor, you can also download more puzzles via the following link;
http://www.vertigogaming.net/blog/category/spirits-of-metropolis-packs/
You’ll find the above link via the puzzles menu so you don’t need to copy it into your bookmarks/favorites. As mentioned elsewhere there are seven puzzle packs available to add to the 50 + that you already have and more are supposed to be uploaded sometime soon.
The options menu, which is accessible from the mai menu contains several toggles which enable you to customise the graphics or improve the look of the game via Anti-Aliasing, V-sync, or changing the color of the gems for colorblind mode. you can also turn off the visual effects and city spotlight. 9This may be necessary if the game runs slowly on your system. You can also change the look of the gems as well.
Options Menu
Authors introduction
When I first started to design this game, I had one goal: create a title unique in a genre that was flooded with unoriginal, me-too casual games. That genre was the match-3 gem genre, one that has been dominated by such casual titles as Bejeweled and Puzzle Quest..Over a year later, I think we've succeeded in bringing a totally new type of game that's unlike any puzzle game out there. Being that this was our first major commercial game (we have made over a dozen titles previously for PC over the last seven years) we wanted to make sure to start out with a bang. Not only does this game have over 120 levels, but it has ten unique game play modes that completely changes the nature of the way the game is played, with three difficulty settings each. Spirits of Metropolis also has a puzzle level editor to make and play custom puzzles, and not only does this game have an assortment of options, it has a colorblind editor that allows you to change the color of each gem to your preference, including an option to use shapes. The colorblind editor was actually designed with help from colorblind gamers, making sure that it would have maximum effectiveness
Puzzle mode level map
Puzzlelicious Review posted by the author:
When I first saw a screenshot for Spirits of Metropolis I have to admit that I thought Oh god, not another Bejeweled clone. You can't blame me if you've seen the game. It features multi-colored gems arranged into patterns, and the purpose is to eliminate them in lines. Sound familiar? The only difference seemed to be a late-night aesthetic, the kind you find in techno clubs and jazz joints. Luckily, I was wrong. So very wrong. Spirits of Metropolis is a unique experience, and an excellent one at that.
Spirits is a puzzle game, predictably enough. You need to eliminate lines of gems. The difference between this game and all the others, however, is that this requires just as much strategic thinking as it does speed. True, you need to move quickly, but you also need to plan out your line eliminations carefully the more points you get, the more time you get. And time, in this game, isn't nearly plentiful enough.All play revolves around a white crystal. It constantly puts out pulses of light through the strings of surrounding gems. Those pulses only persist, however, if you line the gems up according to color: like a string of Christmas lights, if one bulb/gem doesn't work/isn't the right color, the rest down the line won't light up. Fortunately, this problem is offset by the fact that every third gem will explode when the time comes to set the lines off, transferring its power to all the surrounding gems. Build more strings off each exploder and you'll score major points. Somewhat like Tetris, strings are built by laying down gems, and the game's kind enough to display upcoming gems.
Matters would get boring with just that over and over, naturally, so Spirits throws in roadblocks to keep itself interesting. The time limit is usually the biggest obstacle, and can prove a quick killer in some levels. It's so limiting, in fact, that you might throw the game down before giving Spirits the chance it deserves. Beyond the timer there's also set limits on moves, black gems on the board that need to be filled, unchangeable gems and boards that get smaller and smaller.
Level Editor
I thought for sure the pleasing look of Spirits would wear off or, at best, mask a mediocre game. I'm happy to say now that Spirits is an excellent experience with a lovely face on it. The menus, the game board, even the background is nice to look at, with an early morning city passing slowly by in the distance. You'll quickly realize that the exploding gems resemble streetlights, and suddenly the whole thing makes a lot more sense.Supporting this is the real star of this game, the soundtrack. With one or two exceptions I LOVE the music in Spirits of Metropolis. Ranging from techno thumping to some beautiful guitar work, Spirits has a diverse selection of tracks that you'll never want to turn off. This goes to show that having a smaller budget than the big leaguers doesn't stop a game from pleasing the ear.
Slick, beautiful, charming. The only fault I find in Spirits is an unforgiving difficulty level in the first few stages. Other than that, this is a fantastic game, and I highly recommend trying it. I'd buy it. 4.5/5
Reference: http://www.vertigogaming.net/game/spirits Accessed 22nd July 09
Other reviews worth reading:
Positive Review
http://www.helium.com/items/1289378-downloadable-game-review-spirit-of-metropolis
Negative Review
http://www.helium.com/items/1289217-rating-of-spirit-of-metropolis
Features
• Over 120 levels spanning ten different modes of play.
• Colorblind editor allows you to change the shape of gems, as well as change their color value.
• Puzzle Editor allows you to create and share your own brain-bending levels.
• Medals & Milestones system awards you with fresh content by beating challenges and progressing through the game.
• Ranking Mode allows you to compete for the high score in a variety of modes.
• Journey lets you experience all the different modes of Spirits of Metropolis as you choose your own paths throughout the game.
• High quality soundtrack that lets you change music on the fly.
• Support for multiple profiles, visual options and lots more!
Journey Mode Level Map
Video
http://www.vertigogaming.net/blog/2009/07/15/spirits-of-metropolis-dlc-update/#more-298
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/debut-trailer-spirits-of/44298
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbXW25mFZAA&fmt=18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--bgAjmqTAQ
Images:
Slideshow - (showing tutorials menu screen plus some in game images):
http://s571.photobucket.com/albums/ss160/Whiterabbit04/Spirit%20of%20Metropolis/?albumview=slideshow
Googled Images
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=Spirits+of+Metropolis&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&aq=f&oq=
Conclusion
From playing the demo for a short time I was impressed by the interactive tutorial and the number of modes you have available. The graphics remind me a little of ShellBlast, but the game play is totally different. I’m not overly enamored by match three games. They usually have to have something special about them to hold my interest, for example Treasures of Montezuma or Puzzle Quest. This one definitely intrigues me, but I’ve not played it long enough to justify giving it a score out of 10. That would be unfair. That said I am impressed enough to continue playing it, so will keep it in my library at least on a temporary basis until I’ve had the time to explore the game further.
Additional Information
Music
If you wish to change the in game music you can do so by converting the music you choose to ogg files. You can download several audio converters to do this from the giveaway freeware library. Audacity can also be used;
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/freeware/cat/Audio_Video_Audio_Encoders_Converters/
or
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/freeware/cat/Audio_Video_Rippers_Converters/
You’ll find the ogg files located via the following path - assuming you have your operating system installed to the C: drive (mine is installed to the F: drive):
C:\Program Files\Spirits of Metropolis v1.10\oggfiles
Ensure the files you replace have the same name as the original files. I’d also recommend backing up the files just in case you want to revert back to the default music. If you forget to do this you can always download the demo and transfer the ogg files from the demo as they should be the same.
Problems:
If you have problems running the game or need to ask questions once the giveaway is over i've also posted this review in the game discussion forums, which you can find via the following link.
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/7955
If the game runs slow try installing Game booster, which is free from Iobit. It turns off all the unecessary windows programs that are running in the background plus also enables you to specify other programs that you may have installed other than windows applications. It works very well and once you've finished playing your game you can revert to normal windows functioning by clicking on the return button. you can get it via the following link:
http://www.iobit.com/gamebooster.html
Free games similar to today’s game
If you like match three games there’s loads of commercially available games that are being given away over at Gametop and Freegamespick. I’ve posted a thread over in the forums that specifically deal with Match three games though I’ve not updated it in several months. You’ll find Gametop have extended their catalogue of match three games to include such titles as Around the world in 80 days, Atlantis Quest and Lost Treasures of Eldorado plus a few new additions called Voyage Puzzle and Aboo. You can find a list of several via the first link below, plus the entire match three catalogue from Gametop via the second link, which number more than 26 if you count the online variety. Gametop have started to include toolbars and in some gases browser hijacks, so do watch for the tick boxes to ensure they aren’t installed. Also if you don’t have your pop up blocker set to medium or high, you’ll get the emicons popups. As always I must remind you that all Gametop and Freegamespick games will open up your browser when closing the game down, but that is innocuous. There’s no malware installed. I’ve tested all the games I’ve downloaded from Gametop and all come up clean using the latest Kaspersky antivirus program:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3846#post-41420
http://www.gametop.com/category/match3.html
There’s 43 match 3 games at MyPlayCity:
http://www.myplaycity.com/free_match3_games/
