Overview
Blocked is a puzzle game where you’re supposed to clear a path for your special blue block by moving many other blocks out of the way. But there are still more blocks in their way- so you have to move those too! But wait, there are still blocks in their way- ahhhhh! This is a thinking person’s game. If you’re not smart, if you’re not the type that can look a few steps ahead- then you will not enjoy this game.
Features
Don’t let the first couple levels fool you because these puzzles get hard pretty quickly. And you can’t even try the hard puzzles until you finish all of the easy ones. So if there’s one that’s giving you trouble- you’d better put on your thinking cap and figure it out, because there’s no advancing to the next difficulty set until you beat it. And if you paint yourself into a corner, that reset button comes in very handy.
Breakdown
The Good:
This game frustrated me like none that I’ve played recently. But in a good way. It forces me to look at the big picture. I can’t just look one move ahead. I have to see it all. Existentially speaking, I have to be aware of my actions and how they affect the rest of the world (game). I have to accept responsibility for what ultimately happens. If my path is blocked, it’s because I blocked it. Me. Oh Jean Paul Sartre, you’re my only friend…
Blocked is such a simple and fun game. I’ve said in other reviews that “this is a game you can pick up and play for a couple of minutes or a couple of hours,” and Blocked proves to be no exception. As a matter of fact, I think this is one of the games that you can play for literally less than a minute- and you’ll still enjoy it and look forward to playing it later. Sure, some puzzles will require a lot more time than a minute or two, but still, you can at least start them. The current puzzle you’re working on is saved for you to come back to later.
The graphics are fine and there isn’t really any sound effects or music. Which is good- because you can listen to your own music while you play the game! Provide your own soundtrack- figure out which songs compliment block moving the best. My recommendation? Modest Mouse.
The Bad:
I guess my only complaint is about the game itself. When looking at the screenshots I was thinking/hoping that you could move the blocks in any direction, like up or down or left or right. But you can’t. You can only move the horizontal blocks left to right and the vertical ones up and down. It would obviously be an easier game if you could move them anywhere. But I would certainly feel like less of a dumbass. So… that would be swell. Cause I’m not a fan of feeling like a dumbass. But I suppose I feel however I want to feel. If I choose to feel happy- then I will be. See, Nietzsche says…
Wait, I’ve got another complaint. I wish you could have multiple puzzles in action at a time. If you start a puzzle, then change to another one, the puzzle you’ve been working on will reset itself. That’s sometimes a bummer.
Verdict
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys puzzle games. It’s a very simple game yet also very challenging. I’m willing to bet that even my parents would enjoy this game- assuming they could ever get over their fear of technology. “But how does the phone work without a cord?!” Anyway, it’s a buck. That’s a good deal for a solid game that should take you awhile to complete… unless you’re some kind of goddamn genius.
Usability 3/5
Value 4/5
Entertainment 4/5
Aesthetics 3/5
Overall Rating 3.5/5
