qTile - a new Flash Lite game from Pasi Manninen

qTile
Developed by Pasi Manninen (ptm.fi)
Released: January 2008
Availability: http://ptm.fi/blog/, www.playyoo.com (contest entry)
Requirements: Targets Flash Lite 2.0 handsets. Built using the playyoo game framework.

Note: Review was conducted on a Nokia N95 running Flash Lite 2.0. Game played directly from the www.playyoo.com service.

"A Tetris like concept with a some twists that make it unique. It's fun and addictive to play .. a perfect fit to fill some dead time when you're on the go."

Review by Scott Janousek







Overview:
Straight out of Finland comes a casual mobile game called "qTile". The author is Pasi Manninen, the author of SokoLite; another addictive Flash Lite casual game title.

This addictive title is a puzzle game (Pasi credits Jaakko K*oskela for the original game idea). The concept is to attract colored tiles to your current configuration of existing tiles. You start with a base configuration of four (base) white tiles that form a square.

As time progresses, new single non-white colored tiles randomly advance across screen from the top, bottom, left and right directions. Your job is to move (using mobile phones arrow keys) and rotate (using mobile phones select key) your current configuration of colored of tiles on the screen such that tile color blocks form columns of 4. Once a column is formed, it is removed, and you accumulate points.

The total game area is a 15x15 matrix of tiles in which game play takes place. The game is over is the current configuration game tile cannot move within the game area of 15x15. Levels are advanced after every 1000 points are scored. Speed is added with each additional level advance.

Some additional rules include:

• a base tile (with collected tiles) cannot move away from the 15x15 game area
  
• a base tile (with collected tiles) cannot rotate if part of it goes out of game area
  
• a base tile (with collected tiles) cannot rotate if moving game tile is ahead
  
• a player cannot join game tile to base tile from behind
  

Scoring breaks down as the follows:

• join tiles to the base tile to get 10 points
  
• join 4 tiles with same color together like base to get 50 points
  
• tile moving out from game area = -5 points
  

The Good:

Game Concept
A++

Game Play
This game is a perfect fit for any self proclaimed puzzle gamer.

The simplicity of the game is what adds to its appeal. Anyone who loves a good'ole game of Tetris will most probably enjoy this uniquely addicting title.

We found overall, the game play to be quite entertaining for such a simple game.

The Bad:

Game Play
We wish there was some sort of indicator when a tile is added to the overall configuration. Often times during game play we would not wait long enough for a tile to become "attached" and miss our score points.

Graphics
We wished the look and feel of the game could be enhanced in future versions of the game, but the addictive play more than makes up for this puzzler.

Sound
It would add a lot to the overall game. We offer it up a suggestion for a newer version (if file size can be kept to a minimum).

More Info

Interested in playing qTile?

Check out the game for yourself over at playyoo! You can also contact Pasi at ptm.fi for more information.