another puzzly digipen student project. 20 levels in 5 packs, sandbox mode and the possibility to load user levels are unlocked from the start. levels are marked as solved, partially solved, etc. but level packs aren't, gotta keep opening them to see if anything's left to do. the rest of the levels aren't even shown until you solve the bonus goals, not even hinted at anywhere. I only found out there are more than 20 by looking at the install folder.
it's a physics-based deal, and not just the 'look, gravity!' kind, reminded me of a bit of [b]the incredible machine[/b] and [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/dohi64/recommended/241240]contraption maker[/url], its modern incarnation. you have all sorts of materials and other stuff to work with, collected in the grimoire as encountered. or not, as a bunch of them didn't unlock even after solving a level featuring them. the collection is only available in the main menu, unfortunately, and unlocked and locked items aren't different enough without mousing over.
mouse-based controls with hotkeys to select tools (numbers), reset the level (r) and bring up [b]the menu (esc) that could use tooltips, just like the sandbox toolbar[/b]. place materials, combine them, break them, and so on. main goals can be viewed on top and remain on-screen if not closed, mouseover shows where they need to happen too. like I said, no clue about bonus goals.
[b]no undo[/b], which would have to be action-based, as a single click releases hundreds of grains of sand or whatever. that's actually another major issue, [b]really hard to be precise, very easy to go over[/b], yet hard to break or connect things pixel by pixel because [b]the cursor is usually tiny, only a SINGLE PIXEL on some levels[/b]. there's a magnifier that has to be toggled with a click, then dragged over the level. 'h' is the hotkey for some reason, only found it by pressing every key. [b]why not have mouse wheel conveniently zoom in/out[/b] instead, right click to pan the camera, and offer more cursor sizes? [b]dragging is another accessibility issue[/b], as only holding and dragging works, click to pick up, click to place doesn't.
graphics are a bit basic and occasionally childish but fine, music is surprisingly good. separate volumes and windowed mode with a few sizes are the only settings, available anytime. and I like how the main menu cycles between a few different showcases when you go back there.
not my kinda game, didn't get too far beyond the tutorials, but it's [b]nearly done well enough[/b], especially for a student project, digipen or otherwise. have to give it a thumbs down mainly because there's no undo or a proper cursor, but also the other stuff. and I [b]had to reset a few levels after tools became unusable[/b], could select them but they did nothing. a bit of patching happened after release, props for that, but it's still not good enough.
