Bontago (23Mb)
This is a development of the post for Weeks 67 & 68 last year, with some images and further information!
Bontago is an intense single or multiplayer 3D real-time strategy game. The gameplay is spectacularly good for a free game!
"There isn’t a single person on the face of the planet who does not like to play with blocks! It’s one of the fundamental ways we learn. You pick up a block and you instantly have a grasp of sight, weight and texture - then you throw or drop it and you've got an insight into physics. Then begins building.
Players begin with flags (one color for each player) spaced evenly around the edge of a large disc, called the field, balanced on a fulcrum in the center, and floating in the sky. Around each flag is a circle representing that player’s controlled area. Every few seconds a block appears on each player’s cursor. The players must place the blocks somewhere in their controlled areas. Players can place the block at any moment in the allotted time, or can hold it until time is up and the block will fall on its own and be replaced by the next block. You can rotate the blocks by using "S" and "Home" keys, not just the mouse (which can be tricky and time-consuming). Once you rotate and release a block, the game’s physics take over! As you build/place blocks, your controlled area increases. The goal of the game is to encompass all of the world flags in the controlled area. To expand the controlled area, the player builds upwards and/or outwards. The radius of the controlled area (and thus the area the player may place blocks in) is determined using the height of the player’s structure(s) perpendicular to the disc. If controlled areas of opposing players meet, a hole is formed in the disc in the overlapping region. The first player to possess a continuous area containing the world flags wins.
Real-time multiplayer strategy available. Up to 8 players can test their skills online. Blocks are given randomly to players and come in a variety of semi-random shapes. The base block unit is a cube. Several types of blocks are made as a combination of base units.
In the most base level of enjoyment, the creators of Bontago (or, more correctly, Bontãgo) have created a competitive and gorgeous game around that slight concept of blocks. The idea is to create a tower. The higher you go, the larger area you command. In this radiating disc around your tower, you can begin another tower, grow that one huge and expand further your reach.
While you're doing this, another block using tower builder (or the computer in single player mode) will be across the disc doing the same. If he or she creates a structure, or series of structures, large enough to encompass all the neutral flags on the board at once... well... lets just say you should do that first! To aid (or hinder) you in this quest for more expanse, there will be the occasional "extra" piece, such as a volcano, rocket or earthquake. Such is life when the entire playing field tilts, sending blocks flying off the edge. You may wish to turn these 'gift' effects off (default on) later, as they do work largely by luck or chance - sometimes fortuitous, sometimes not!
Needless to say this is an incredibly addictive versatile and innovative game. Most of what I've said so far is customizable and the opponent you're against can either be robotic, or real via LAN or Internet. It’s an incredible experience."
You have two strategies to choose between, basically to build as high a tower as you can straight-off, or build an array of smaller towers. Whatever you choose, it’s up to you!
The graphics are top notch and if you aren’t keen on the music provided, you can replace this with your own music in the game!
There are videos on YouTube - though you need to actually play the game to experience the really excellent gameplay proper!
Download HERE
