Torque: Simulation Begins

[i] My Experience [/i] I've wanted to play Torque for years now, but I've never had a friend "bite" in order to play it with me cooperatively. Well, today was the day. And what do you know - Torque is a competent and enjoyable 3D platformer! It alternates between puzzle and platforming levels. While the platforming levels were certainly more difficult, the puzzle levels had a lot of charm, involving player tasks like distracting a lizard, flipping a crab, or shooting each other out of cannons. The puzzle levels took place in areas like a volcano, a cave, a beach, and a castle, while the platforming levels took place within a stylish neon grid. I thought all of the areas were well-designed. As you progress through the various stages you'll unlock different types of spheres with different properties. I found the coconut's bounce to be most useful while platforming, while the fiery lava orb was necessary to complete various in-game puzzles. The only real negative I have concerning the game is the lack of cooperation in the platforming levels. Although you'd assume that the entirety of the game requires a level of cooperation (hence the game being unplayable outside of this mode), during these levels players are just trying to complete platform challenges at the same time with no ability to aid each other whatsoever. Even so, if you have a friend with three dollars to spare that doesn't have an aversion to 3D puzzle platformers, give Torque a shot. I definitely think it deserves more attention than it has gotten. It's coming up on three years since its release, and it only has a single Steam review (outside of this one).