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Mr. Smoozles Goes Nutso
 At first glance this game looks a lot like one of the many downloadable puzzle/arcade type games that you can find on the net, but don't be deceived. Mr. Smoozles Goes Nutso has a lot more going for it than simply gathering gems, avoiding traps and dodging perilous projectiles. For a start there is a fun and engaging story, conversation with other characters, and adventure-style puzzles.
When I first fired up the game for this preview I was a little dubious of the arcade elements but I soon overcame my fears as the adventuring cut in and I started working on the things I needed to do.
The comic book introduction quickly sets the scene. In this arcade-style adventure game you play as a grey cat called Ed and you need to free your friends who have been imprisoned by the evil, reality altering Goragons. Ultimately you will also need to unzap Mr. Smoozles who has not been his usual self since the Goragons invaded, but I haven't got that far yet.
Mr. Smoozles Goes Nutso is a keyboard-controlled game that combines arcade and adventure game elements. Using the arrow keys you steer Ed around the arcade-style settings and he begins the game with three 'lives'. Other 'lives' can be found as you explore but you can also lose them if you are not careful. Mr. Smoozles will blast away at you if you get too close as will robot guards, and walking into a mine can be quite devastating. As you move around you will pick up reality shards (once you have the right equipment) and these can be used to access computers and turn off force fields, etc.
 There is some respite from being killed as Mr. Smoozles will not follow you to all locations. So you can safely explore some rooms without pressure. The adventure elements involve talking to other characters and finding and using items that will aid you in your quest. For example, you may need to swap an item for a computer password in order to get another item that may need repairing, and so on. And, as noted above, this game is presented within a unifying humorous and entertaining story. When Ed asks if he may push some boxes around he is told, "This isn't Broken Sword you know".
Mr. Smoozles Goes Nutso allows for three levels of arcade difficulty; easy, normal (default) and hard. It also allows you to choose additional hints for the adventure components. The game plays in full screen or Windows mode and has ten save game slots.
I found the game to be a fun diversion, it's really something a bit different. The graphics look good and the characters and dialogue are amusing. I had a few chuckles as I played and I'm looking forward to its release.
Copyright © Gordon Aplin 2006.
All rights reserved.
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