Gateway

Short puzzler that doesn't dissapoint

Reviewed by Shawn from afro-ninja.com

Flash has provided a new home for point and click games, and I’m glad that games like Gateway are the result of it. In Gateway you control a little block man as you try to guide him through different rooms, each with a puzzle. There’s some neat things to see here, but the experience is over too quick- even for a flash game.

Maybe I just don’t play enough point and click games, but the puzzles here seemed to be pretty original. Most of them seemed to be just the right difficulty, neither too easy nor impossible. I’ll warn you now though, the last two might throw you for a loop so be ready. There’s a couple introductory puzzles to get you familiar with the system but after that you have to start thinking a little. The only downside is that since the game is so short the introductory puzzles end up being a quarter of the game.

The graphics are sharp and stylish. Some of the areas are a little sparse and could use some background work but they get the job done. The character is simple but is nicely animated. I was taken aback by the TV puzzle and the amount of work put into each of the parts of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if creating that puzzle took about as long as making the whole rest of the game. All sounds effects are exactly what they should be, and the music is quiet and moody. It’s really just an ambience loop of air, but it gives the game a nice desolate feeling.

There’s nothing confusing about the presentation here- start your game, load a previous one, or change your options. That along with the in-game tutorial sections work effectively. The save option is nice if you get stuck on a puzzle that you want to take a break from. The character in the game moves around rooms by following your mouse clicks. This can be slightly annoying when trying to get around objects or up stairs, but that’s just something you’ll encounter in any point and click game of this variety. The inventory works great too, you simply drag an item in your inventory to a location (or another item) on the screen to use it.

My only complaint with this game is its brevity. Finishing the puzzles leaves you feeling accomplished, but ready for more. I could easily see this becoming a series- I just hope Anders can keep coming up with original puzzle ideas. Gateway is a fine addition to the point and click genre.


Click here to play Gateway






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