Goo Review

It's been almost a year since World of Goo was released for computer and Nintendo Wii, so I think it is just about time for me to review it. Getting closer, closer. Almost there...

Okay now it's time.

I have finally finished World of Goo, and by finished I do mean played to a point beyond which I can go no further ... because I am terrible at video games. All video games, without exception no matter how much I adore them. Just don't have a knack for it. But I do adore World of Goo. In fact, aside from my inability to get passed the level I have stalled pathetically at (which is a me thing not a bad game design thing), I can find no fault with it.

To alleviate my dismay at not being able to continue the divine ecstasy that is creating towers of little goos and watching them tumble adorably to the ground below, I am going to tell you all about the game. I am going to reminisce about the happy times when I could still pass each level. Specifically about the computer version because I have not played the Wii one, though critics tell me it's very good.

So on to World of Goo: a physics based engineering extravaganza. Or more specifically a puzzle game. You play some form of omnipotent being who gains perverse pleasure by encouraging little goo balls to form bridges, towers and ladders. It's never explained how you do this, but the goos seem to greatly enjoy it so it can be safely concluded that you aren't encouraging them with a portable taser... or they love being shocked.

Why do you do this? That one is easy. The goos need to get from point a: the ground, to point b: safely through a pipe. That’s where you come in. You have to work out how to get as many goo balls as possible through the pipe so they can happily bounce around in the goo equivalent of Heaven.

It starts off easy, but it gets very hard, very fast. You get help in the form of the Signwriter, but he's cryptic. There's always a way, but as stated at the start I for one have difficulty finding it. But ultimately the game is extremely fun. It’s challenging but entertaining, cryptic but funny, and graphically it’s gorgeous.

And that's why World of Goo is worth the price tag, because it's fun and endearing. You will spend hours sitting around trying to get past the various levels, and the game will look damn gorgeous whilst you’re doing it. So go and get your Goo on. Buy a copy here.