The classic puzzle game known as
“tangrams” finds its roots in ancient China. The player must use seven geometric
tiles to form the final product, which is shown as a silhouette. This silhouette
might resemble anything from a dragon to a tiger; it may take some imagination
to see these figures within each angular mass. Fortunately, this DS incarnation
properly conveys the identity of each silhouette, which effectively predisposes
the player to “see” the subject within the silhouette. Rorschach would be proud.
While seeing the final product isn’t
really a necessity to solving the puzzle, it does reinforce the gratifying
qualities of completion. Blending accessible simplicity with an elegant
strategy, the game was – and still is – very approachable and strangely
addictive. My first experience with “tangrams” occurred many years ago, and
comprised of physical tiles rather than a sophisticated touch screen.
Thankfully, the mechanics are translated to the DS quite well in “Hands on:
Tangrams.” Tiles can be dragged where desired, and the buttons respond
intuitively should the need to flip and rotate tiles ever arise.
Due to the potential messiness of
real geometric tiles, the game certainly benefits nicely in its transition to a
digital medium. “Hands On: Tangrams” features unique animations that further
enhance the sense of fulfillment whenever a puzzle is finished. Stars are also
awarded to players who complete the puzzles within a predetermined amount of
time. The timer is actually kept invisible for the duration of the round, and
while this might have been preferable as an adjustable option, it may also help
to reduce the frustration and pressure of struggling to quickly finish a puzzle.
This allows the player to focus on the task and simply enjoy the game. Player
success also allows access to levels in the freeplay mode.
Despite the bare-bones premise,
“Hands On: Tangrams” does an excellent job of sprucing things up on the visual
front. Using a variety of colors and settings keeps the gameplay from getting
too hard on the eyes. Each theme bears its own unique atmosphere, which gives
some level of meaning as the player progresses. While “Hands On: Tangrams” won’t
win any awards for replayability, it’s still a very entertaining and attractive
puzzle offering for the cerebral player. It’s a great way to kill time without
feeling guilty.
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Gameplay: 7.5
A simple set of
gameplay mechanics allows anyone to pick it up, enjoy it, and get hooked.
Strengthening the player’s spatial comprehension is also a potential plus.
Graphics: 5.5
Fairly flat, but
still colorful enough that you won’t want to gouge your eyes out after a few
rounds. The animations are a particularly nice touch.
Sound: 5.0
Pretty barebones
in the audio department, but then again, the game doesn’t really require any
sound.
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Approachable
design backed by gradually intensifying levels ensures the game will hold your
attention for a while.
Concept: 7.0
Hardly an
original idea, but this is definitely a great execution of the game.
Overall: 7.5
For the
puzzle fanatic, Hands On: Tangrams has plenty to love, yet it’s simple enough
for newcomers to pick up and play. Some innovative gameplay modes could spice
things up considerably, but staying true to the original game has brought
unquestionably successful results.
