Lavaman, by Digital Geyser,
$4.95
Reviewed August 2002, updated May
2003 to reflect Pocket PC version
I’ve played many pipe games, but
Lavaman is one of the funniest pipe games I’ve ever
played. Developed by Digital Geyser, Lavaman sets your pipe
work on a small island called Pooky Tooky, an island sitting
on top of a frequently erupting volcano. There is only one
thing Pooky Tookians fear more than the eruptions: that some
day the lava flow misses the volcanic crater and reaches
pockets of explosive gas underneath the surface and causes
a huge explosion that will sink the whole island. Only you,
the expert in geoplumbing can save the island and its people.
The story may sound funny, but the game
opens with seriously challenging levels. The objective of
the game is to direct the lava flow from the bottom left
corner to the volcano in the top right corner by connecting
pipes. You will see different pipe pieces lined up at bottom
of the screen, and you will need to make quick decisions
on whether to use the next piece and where to fit it. As
soon as you place the first piece, the lava will start to
flow. As levels increase lava flows faster through the pipes.
If you can’t complete the pipeline before the lava
reaches the end, it will go “Kaboom!” You have
just killed the whole island and will get messages like “Cartographers
are erasing Pooky Tooky from maps as we speak” or “Pooky
Tooky is no more.” Never has so much responsibility
been placed on a pipe man before, and you have to succeed
or die trying. If you do succeed, you will see some very
nice compliments like “Pookytookisans decided to name
you their tribal chief! Sooky’s mad at you, but who
gives a damn about him anyway?” The comments remind
me of Snails for Pocket PC.
The game play is simple yet addictive.
There is something about lava chasing you; it just makes
you want to keep going. Another thing I liked about this
game was the good use of the screen, where the major portion
is the game window, yet with shortcut keys on top and the
upcoming pipe pieces at the button, I felt that everything
I need from the storyline to fast forward the lava flow,
from help file to pause button, all within one click. There
is also a score and level tracking at the button of the screen
as well.
The witty story, the wacky comments
and the fast paced game play are the winning tickets for
Lavaman. So what are you waiting for? Grab your wrench!
Playing Hints and Tips
Cross pieces can be used to gain extra
points. Get familiar with the pipe pieces and where each
piece fits. You won’t have much time to think in the
higher levels. Change your strategies a bit, otherwise it’s
boring always form straight lines. |
