Circuit Dude

[i]Circuit Dude[/i] certainly appears to be a derivative of [i]Chip's Challenge[/i], and it's a very, very good one. Unlike the expansive, booby-trapped environments in Chuck Sommerville's cult classic, the 100 levels in [i]Circuit Dude[/i] are far more compact, taking up only one screen each. Dexterity is never put to the test; players don't need to fret about not moving fast enough to evade monsters as there are none present. The goal is to identify the correct route for the titular character to take in order to place all of the chips in the slots and reach the exit. It's a task that's easier said than done, as movement is not allowed on squares where chips were previously placed. The level designs remain fresh in spite of the relatively limited tile mechanics, which consist of conveyor belts, revolving gates, and other obstacles. The energetic, jovial chiptune soundtrack is exceptional and really motivates you to succeed. [i]Circuit Dude[/i] - He's no dud!

Circuit Dude is a pretty challenging puzzle game, and although it got me frustrated at times, I still continue coming back to it to have fun with the solutions! As of the time of this review, I only have 4 levels left in the whole game, but they are keeping me stuck for a little while. The graphics, music, and sound effects are all pretty simple for Circuit Dude, and do not drastically change. In fact, the game really seems to have one main song that plays on loop forever, and a handful of sound effects with certain objects. The graphics are a simple 2D style that I can't quite describe. Parts of it feel pixel-like, while other parts of it feel pretty clean. Similarly, although there seems to be a hidden story in the game, not much is really happening for the first half of the game (or even more). Most of the time it is just jumping into a level and the character describing something or making a general comment. The further into the game, some other things occur, but it's not like a steady flow of a plotline by any means. The main purpose of this game is, quite directly, the puzzles. Each level is a grid where you run across tiles and must place circuit chips into a bunch of sockets, then make your way to the exit. The first problem is that when you place a chip into a socket, you cannot walk across that tile anymore. Thus, you can cut yourself off from a pathway by placing down chips in the wrong order. The puzzles grow from here by adding many obstacles along the way. There are trap doors that open up into holes when you walk over them. There are boxes you need to push around, either to get out of the way or to help create a path. There are electric shock tiles that destroy you unless they are disabled. There are even conveyor belts, rotating pathways, teleporters, and a few other pieces. Many of those obstacles can even be interdependent inside of a level, meaning that you have to find your way through one path before you get through another path, or might have to run through different paths multiple times. But that is not always the case, as some levels allow a handful of ways to make your own way out. Because of the layout of the levels in the game, you really need to test your guesses over and over until you can start to plan things out and get used to the ways the obstacles interact. Even though Circuit Dude can be pretty difficult, I felt a sense of accomplishment the whole time that I have played, feeling like "I finally got through this level!" I might have taken a few breaks here and there, but I never stopped playing it fully, and am intending to finish the levels that I have remaining. If you are interested in how these puzzles sound, you should definitely give the game a try.

This review has been edited to respond to the update that addresses my biggest complaint- the original review text will be left at the bottom. First off: The fact that the developer read the review, saw that a puzzle from elsewhere had made it into the game, fact-checked this, responded, and made an update within 48 hours is exactly the kind of thing I want to support. I'd be borderline on recommending Circuit Dude or not, as there are things I really like about the game and some things that I find annoying. The pathing puzzles are consistently very nicely put together, and blocks tend to be used sparingly as part of those pathfinding puzzles in a way I haven't really seen done in other games. The way blocks interact with turning doors and teleports is unintuitive to me, but that's not a big deal. There's no undo button which might be a dealbreaker for some, but I've played far too much Chip's Challenge for that to really bother me. The biggest drawback, however, is that many animation times are far longer than they need to be which makes executing a known solution, or returning to a previously attempted state take longer than it needs to. Pushing a block has a short animation every single time, plugging in the last chip has a several second animation of the exit activating every single time, restarting a level takes several seconds of nothing (this is to prevent accidentally restarting, but I think having to hit the button twice in a row would do this just as well to confirm), while anything is on a conveyor belt you can't move... But all that said, I have to go back to the quick fix and addition of a very well put together new level and 100% recommend this game. We need more developers with integrity! Level 80 takes the first level of Pocoman without any alteration. I don't support plagarizing puzzles. Circuit Dude also has only one music track for the entire game, and everything is needlessly slow. Pushing blocks has a second long animation for a push, restarting a level takes several seconds of waiting, and on placing the last item in a level there's a several second jingle and animation before you can move again. The pathing puzzles are generally quite nice, so even with the above complaints I'd be torn on a recommendation or not. But again: I don't support plagarism.

Well polished and fun game, with difficult and clever puzzles that give you that "a-ha!" moment when you figure them out. Graphics are simple but consistent and clearly understandable (what you see in the screenshots is what there is). Music and sound effects are good, but can get a bit repetitive after playing for a few hours straight. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing it so far.

A charming little game with a load of great puzzles and catchy music.

Ok, Right of the bat. I think this game is a much better puzzle game then HUE for 9$ less. HUE is much more focused on story (which was kinda boring) and looks. But sadly, most if not all of the puzzles were fairly easy or could be brute forced, up until near the end. which in my book, makes it a bad puzzle game. This is not the case for Circuit Dude. "CD" (haha) actually makes me REALLY think about my next move, unlike some thing like HUE. anyways... Gameplay: 8/10, Played up to level 20 in 30 minutes and, From what I played, It was fun. It was already getting pretty tricky up to the point before I stopped. And I noticed that (form the looks of it) there are multiple ways you can solve most of the puzzles. so there is some replayability. 8/10 Especially for 6$.  oh it also ran fine for me. no bugs, less then 5 seconds load times. Story: 5/10 doesn't really have one. other then help "CD" do his job. It's not bad Idea for a game, there's just not much to it  Looks: 5/10 same thing as story. looks like a puzzle game for GameBoy. it could look better, but it can also look worse too and finally...  Sound: 7/10 it's a good chip tune kinda music. again sounding like something straight outa GameBoy. definitely better then what I thought it would be. I would maybe give it an 8 if it had more songs... Overall: 7/8 outa 10, A small, but fun, Blast from the Past! Ok, so I got this copy of the game from the dev himself. (This dose not change my view on the game BTW) About 3 to 4 months ago, I did a steam key giveaway on twitter with a bunch keys I had laying around. (PS: this was months ago so don't bug me for keys!) anyways one of the winners was the dev. turned out he got a game he really wanted "Stardew valley". Said he would give me a copy of this game he was working on when it comes out as thanks. Figured to review it for the heck of it.

This is my favorite game on my Arduboy, and a great puzzle game in general. It's fun and challenging, a very solid and well made game.

I am not the best person to review this game as I could not make it past stage 9 without getting infinitely stuck! However, from what I have played, I can tell that people who are better than me at this game will have some charming puzzle fun!! https://pondspress.wordpress.com/2017/12/19/the-pond-awards-2017-video-game-edition/

Brilliant puzzler with some hardcore complex and creative levels.This game is a definition of a hidden gem...well judging by the number of reviews its more a buried gem but that doesn't take away from the fact that this game is pure quality.Every puzzle game fanatic should play this even though some levels are extra hard.Stunning game.

Fun little puzzle game, well worth the $5.