Installation:
Installation is a breeze, with a single module encompassing the activation module and set up executable. During Set up if you like a desktop shortcut ensure that you tick the appropriate checkbox as otherwise you won’t get a desktop shortcut automatically. If you do forget, it is easily remedied by going to where the game was installed to; by default that is:
C:/Program Files/SeeSoar
Open the games folder and right click on the executable which will be obvious. It looks like the lunar module that was used in the Apollo missions way back in the 70’s with a couple of what look like balloons attached. Select send to (desktop). This will create a desktop short cut, which you can then drag and drop to the location you normally keep your shortcut icons. (or cut and paste, whichever you prefer). You can also use the create shortcut option when right clicking on the executable. This option will create a shortcut within the games folder, which you can then copy (or cut) and paste it to your desired location
Once the game is installed it is advisable to close it down as there is a registration code that you need to use, that is provided with this particular game. To activate it you will first need to copy the activation code and remember the activation name, which as usual is ********** (obviously I can’t actually post any details as that would jeopardize this project). Then re-open the game, go to option and select the register button.
Introduction & Game info:
This is a match three game on the lines of Sproink, though very much simpler and with basic graphics.
http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/1209/sproink/index.html?afcode=af61da2b2a90
The options menu enables you to change the controller for both player one and or player two (yes you can play this game as a single or two player game, that immediately gives it more of a family orientated feel in my opinion). You can even change the difficulty settings separately for each of the players which is an excellent option as then you can have two players of widely differing skills, for example a child and parent (the parent needing to set it on easy, :lol: ) Difficulty settings range from easy, normal and hard. Though playing the game on easy and then hard to see what the difference was; there didn’t really seem much difference in the speed of the game, though the occasional extra balls appeared slightly quicker, but in my opinion not to warrant the label hard. I’m not saying the game isn’t hard though as I was challenged a few times while playing and I only played up to around level seven, at which point you will if you’ve selected the bricks option from the menu, get bricks appearing, which can’t be moved and thus will complicate the movement of other balls. Though bricks can be destroyed by creating a set of three next to it. You can juggle the ball that is on the ship by using the right mouse button, (provided you’ve selected the mouse as the controller – for the others you’d have to see the instructions, lol as I prefer the mouse when it’s available (though I haven’t eaten meat for at least 20 years :lol: ‘scuze the humor)
There are four controller settings:
• Mouse
• Joystick
• Keyboard 1 – WASD keys
• Keyboard 2 - arrow keys
Unfortunately the keyboard key bindings are not editable, but as they are standard keys for this sort of operation I’m sure most people are used to them.
You can adjust the number of lines you have to match in the two player game from 10, 20 or 30, and in the single player game the number of lines you need to match start at seven in the first level which then increases with every level you play. In the two player game the one who wins is the one who either attains the 10, 20 or 30 matches first, or when the opponent loses due to his/her balls dropping below the line (erm!) thus adding more difficulty to the game. There are three settings accessible from the options menu, 10, 20 and 30 which you will find under the 2 player game. The developers calls them lines, which at first may be a little confusing, but what they actually mean is a match of three colored balls.
There is a music toggle, which I think most will use to turn it off because the music is, in my opinion, the worst thing about the game. It sounds like the music you used to get with the old DOS games, very tinny and almost like one of those stylophones that were popular in the 70’s. The sound effects are not much better and unfortunately you can’t turn them off except by using the volume control in your sys tray or by physically turning the knob on the speaker control box. The sound effects are just about tolerable without the music. There is an in game voice that thankfully isn’t as annoying as the one we got with the I love series of games, but after a while you may think otherwise. :lol:
There is a bonus counter to the bottom right of the playing area that counts down to zero during each level. If you complete a level within the countdown period before it reaches zero you get a bonus, which I’m not sure about yet. It’s set at 6000, which basically means 60 seconds as it goes down on 100 increments. Whether it increases your score or adds more bonus ‘s to the next level you play I’m really not sure yet. There are in game bonuses to be had such as extra lives, which can also be earned by attaining certain scores as well as other bonuses that destroy groups of balls. You can make matches of three either vertically or horizontally. You cannot move a ball if the corresponding line is empty.
Exiting the game is easily done by clicking on the Esc key which if you are actually in a game will take you to a choice window which enables you to return to the game if you wish. Once exited from the game the game progress is lost. There is no save function in this game, but that isn’t a problem as I think this is the way it’s meant to be.
On exiting the game you will be left with an exit screen. To leave this just click the enter key.
If you go to the developers home page for this game the following is what they state about the full version: http://www.fbinteractive.com/seesoar.html
Quote:
• Over 50 Challening Levels!
• More Powerups.
• More Bonus Levels.
• Extra options in 2P Vs Mode
• Hours of addictive fun.
• Unlimited plays, no time limits.
• Your chance to catch Albert II and SPANK him!
Screen Captures:
All on one page:
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/SeeSoar/?start=all
As a Slideshow:
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/SeeSoar/?albumview=slideshow
I’ve created a zipped file with the instructions from the in game panel which you can download from the link below. It’s not really needed, but if you like a hard copy of the instructions then this file is the next best thing. The file is less than 1Mb and contains 13 images): The in game instructions that are accessible from the options menu will auto load if you leave the main menu idle for more than about 45 seconds. It plays in a continuous loop until you move the muse and click on it.
http://files.filefront.com/SeeSoar+Instructionszip/;9445040;/fileinfo.html
Minimum System Requirements:
• Win 98SE/ME/200/XP
• Pentium III - 500Mhz
• 64MB Ram
• 16MB Graphics Card
• Screen resolution - 1024x768
• 16-bit Color
• DirectX 8.0
Conclusion:
I’m not absolutely sure about this game as I do have one’s similar in approach (sproink is the one that comes to mind at the moment:http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/1209/sproink/index.html?afcode=af61da2b2a90 If you follow the preceding link you will see the similarity, but sproink is miles ahead of this game for game play in my opinion. That said, this is an ideal game for some family entertainment simply because of it’s two player function.
I really thought the music was excruciatingly bad and had to toggle it off from the options menu, and I was tempted to turn the speaker volume down for the sound effects as well, but playing it on low does make it tolerable. Overall I give this game 6 out of 10 for the family fun factor; though I wasn’t enamored with the game play overall as even n hard I didn’t find it much of a challenge, though I’m sure as you progress through the levels, things will get harder. I tink it’s main ‘selling’ point is the two play function as there’s nothing like competing against anoter human, :lol: Please do not let my low key conclusion stop you from trying this game as what I write is only my opinion. I’m sure we all have different tastes in games, so what is one persons rubbish is anothers gold. I would recommend trying t just to see as the download isn’t very large, weighing in at 3.78Mb when downloaded and only 4.22Mb when installed.
Thank you Firstborn Interactive and the Game Giveaway team for todays okay game. :lol:
Notes:
For those who have not yet discovered the usefulness of the forums, now’s a great time to check out these forums for a double dose of games because Freeware Fan, who is already becoming very well known for his great freeware posts has started a thread in which he is posting a link to one freeware game a day.
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2359?replies=1
The first one seems to have had problems for several community members including myself, but after reading about the game it looks really cool so I would still check it out just in case you are one of the lucky ones who can get the game to work. Then the second game he posted two days ago which is called Stopple, and is an excellent 3D (isometric) puzzle game and then yesterday, the relatively well known racing game that comes with a track editor called TrackMania Nations. I will be posting this link most days together with the previous days review if I do one as the thread promises to grow into a very large one as Freeware Fan has indicated that presently he as enough decent freeware games to post into mid February. :lol:
We also have the excellent Freeware library, which I’m hoping many of FreewareFans and other community members freeware links will be added to. I will be endeavoring to write a review of most of these Freeware games that are being posted
