metzomagic.com Review

The Alchemist

Developer/Publisher:  Computer Systems Odessa
Year Released:  2000

Review by Gordon Aplin (April, 2000)
alch.jpgThe Alchemist is a deceptively simple puzzle game that is entertaining, challenging and highly addictive. As the developers rightly claim it is easy to learn, but difficult to master. The object of the game is to place coloured vials on a board to match a predetermined pattern such as a three by two rectangle or two by two square. If you are successful in recreating the pattern with vials of the same colour they will vanish in a puff of magic leaving a space for you to place more pieces. You get points as vials are eliminated and the game ends when the board is full and you are unable to place the next set.

In some respects the concept is similar to Tetris, but friendlier and much less frantic. There is no time limit so that you can play at your own pace and plan your strategy. And you will need to think carefully about placement of the vials as the sets are not always obligingly of the same colour and shape. You are able to rotate the sets through ninety degrees with just a click of the right mouse button and a left click places the set on the board providing that there is room to do so. Once placed you are unable to move the vials further except to remove them by completing the pattern.

The interface is easy to use. Everything is mouse-controlled and the game provides options for adjusting music and sound levels and for saving and loading. The graphics and music are in keeping with the medieval setting and the vials disappear in suitably colourful, swirling arcane animations accompanied by appropriate sound effects. I appreciated the fun touches such as the admonishing voice saying "No, No, No" when you try to place vials where they just won't go and the maniacal laughter when you manage to remove two different sets of vials at the same time.

The game provides thirteen boards with differing layouts and differing patterns that you must reproduce. Each board has its own 'High Score' list and you are able to post your score to the Alchemist website from within the game. Unfortunately, my own scores haven't been worthy enough to post at this stage, but I'm determined to keep trying. And that's the beauty of this game. You are constantly challenged to do better than your last attempt. It's simple, seductive, addictive and fun.

The Alchemist is available on-line for Windows and Macintosh and you can check out the playable demo from www.aha.com.ua/Alchemist/

metzomagic.com rating:  

Copyright © Gordon Aplin 2000. All rights reserved.

System requirements:
Windows 95/98/NT/2000 version: Pentium 133, 32 MB RAM, SVGA 800x600 high color, Sound card recommended, 15 MB of available hard drive space.
Macintosh version: MacOS 8.0, PowerPC G3, 32 MB of RAM, 800x600 resolution, thousands of colors, Sound card recommended,15 Mb of hard drive space.