Spillanya
January 4th, 2011, 09:15 PM
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/6641/spil9.png
Even though it's been available for download since late November, chances are you didn't hear about Southend Interactive's clever and addicting puzzle game Ilomilo until very recently, if at all. That's because the only way to play it before it's official release on January 5th was to access a super secret website (http://wp7supersecretaccess.ilomilo.com/page_2.php), nab a download code, then unlock the full game for 800 Microsoft Points. Trust me, Ilomilo is worth every penny.
The game's premise involves uniting Ilo and Milo, two best friends with plans to meet up for tea and maple leaf biscuits. Levels, which are twisting mazes made up of cubes, begin basically enough, with Ilo and Milo placed on opposite ends of the map. Things get more and more difficult as levels go on -- new types of cubes are introduced, each of which have different functions like acting as a bridge, letting you jump, and inverting the map. You've really got to use your brain if you want to beat those later levels.
In single-player mode, you switch off control between the two characters until they find each other, which is both fun and challenging. The real action, however, is in co-op mode, where you and a friend take individual control of Ilo and Milo. Of course, only one character can move at a time, so playing with a partner is a real exercise in communication. When one player is moving Ilo or Milo, the other player controls a fly-like pointer that they can use to highlight areas of interest. Or, if you're anything like me, when you're not in control, you can press the X or Y buttons to play instruments and annoy your partner.
http://i54.tinypic.com/11gonf4.jpg
I was surprised at how much fun I had playing, especially since I usually get extremely frustrated when playing games cooperatively with someone else. Lucky for me, DrUnexpected knew what he was doing (not going to lie, 60% of the time he had to tell me what to do because I couldn't figure out where to go). All in all, getting Ilo and Milo to meet up at the end of the some of the later, much more challenging levels is quite the rewarding experience. They even do a cute little jig at the end of each level that DrUnexpected and I have dubbed the "best friend dance".
Overall, things work extremely well in Ilomilo. It's easily one of the best games for the Xbox Live Arcade that I've played. The replay value of each level is very high, especially in co-op mode where there are secret eggs, biscuits, and other collectibles to grab that unlock achievements and avatar awards. My only complaint is the game's lack of online multiplayer -- you've got to physically be in the same room as your partner if you want to play cooperatively. Still, it's not that big of a drawback, and maybe they'll update it come January. In any case, Ilomilo is a game that is worth your time and money. Play it. Now.
Final Score:
9.5/10
Even though it's been available for download since late November, chances are you didn't hear about Southend Interactive's clever and addicting puzzle game Ilomilo until very recently, if at all. That's because the only way to play it before it's official release on January 5th was to access a super secret website (http://wp7supersecretaccess.ilomilo.com/page_2.php), nab a download code, then unlock the full game for 800 Microsoft Points. Trust me, Ilomilo is worth every penny.
The game's premise involves uniting Ilo and Milo, two best friends with plans to meet up for tea and maple leaf biscuits. Levels, which are twisting mazes made up of cubes, begin basically enough, with Ilo and Milo placed on opposite ends of the map. Things get more and more difficult as levels go on -- new types of cubes are introduced, each of which have different functions like acting as a bridge, letting you jump, and inverting the map. You've really got to use your brain if you want to beat those later levels.
In single-player mode, you switch off control between the two characters until they find each other, which is both fun and challenging. The real action, however, is in co-op mode, where you and a friend take individual control of Ilo and Milo. Of course, only one character can move at a time, so playing with a partner is a real exercise in communication. When one player is moving Ilo or Milo, the other player controls a fly-like pointer that they can use to highlight areas of interest. Or, if you're anything like me, when you're not in control, you can press the X or Y buttons to play instruments and annoy your partner.
http://i54.tinypic.com/11gonf4.jpg
I was surprised at how much fun I had playing, especially since I usually get extremely frustrated when playing games cooperatively with someone else. Lucky for me, DrUnexpected knew what he was doing (not going to lie, 60% of the time he had to tell me what to do because I couldn't figure out where to go). All in all, getting Ilo and Milo to meet up at the end of the some of the later, much more challenging levels is quite the rewarding experience. They even do a cute little jig at the end of each level that DrUnexpected and I have dubbed the "best friend dance".
Overall, things work extremely well in Ilomilo. It's easily one of the best games for the Xbox Live Arcade that I've played. The replay value of each level is very high, especially in co-op mode where there are secret eggs, biscuits, and other collectibles to grab that unlock achievements and avatar awards. My only complaint is the game's lack of online multiplayer -- you've got to physically be in the same room as your partner if you want to play cooperatively. Still, it's not that big of a drawback, and maybe they'll update it come January. In any case, Ilomilo is a game that is worth your time and money. Play it. Now.
Final Score:
9.5/10