Review

BoulderMaZZZe is a great game, centred on a small mole, whose quest in life is to collect as many diamonds as he can. A simple enough objective is may seem, were it not for the fact that most diamonds are under piles of rocks. Your objective, therefore, is steering the mole through the different levels, collecting all the diamonds, which avoiding being crushed by falling boulders, or getting trapped. Oh, and did I tell you that you have to complete each level in a limited time as well?


320 x 320 screenshot

One of the best ways of killing a simple game concept is to over-complicate the game itself; Paragon Software have not fallen into this trap. The screen is uncluttered, with only a small information bar tucked away at the top. A clock in the top right helps you keep track of the time, whilst you can also see how many lives you have left. The controls are likewise easy to master- there are only four directions of movement, and a “grab” action, so those using devices without D-pads should find control via the application buttons easy enough. It is lucky that everything is easy to take in- you are going to need to use all your concentration on avoiding killing your mole! This game is not for those who want something easy; this is something to play when you are awake but just want something different to think about as you are returned to the beginning of the level when you die. Normal, perhaps, but nonetheless very frustrating when you have got to the very last diamond, and then forgotten to move out of the way of the ensuing rock fall.  


160 x 160 level overview

Unlike several games being produced at the moment, BoulderMaZZZe is not accompanied by background music. Those of you who have read other reviews I have written will know that I think this is generally a good thing- currently, at any rate, supplied “canned” music tends to be irritating and intrusive, rather than adding anything to the game. BoulderMaZZZe does have sound effects, which fit in well- there is a tinkling sound when a diamond is collect, a crashing sound when a boulder hits the ground, but, perhaps unsurprisingly, no squishing sound when your mole gets hit…