Clever Puzzle Game of Spatial Reasoning
I'm a sucker for an original and well-designed puzzle game, and Chocolate Castle certainly qualifies. Here's how it works: In each level, you have a number of little characters who eat chocolate, but each eats only one type (white, milk, dark, or rose), and eats only once. About the level are various blocks of chocolate; you have to clear a level. Blocks can be dragged about the level, but if a block of one color contacts another of the same color, they stick together permanently. One character can eat an entire group of chocolate of the same color. So you have to plan how to move your chocolate blocks to free up other eaters in such a way that everything gets eaten, given the geography of the level and the limited number of eaters you possess.
In short, it's primarily a game of spatial reasoning, which is unusual for a puzzle game. With three paths of increasing difficulty, 120 levels, and additional features (like exploding Turkish taffy) that appear on higher levels, Chocolate Castle offers quite a lot of gameplay; undoes and the ability to reset a level are helpful (no "show solution" option, however). And there's a level editor, and an increasing number of fan-built levels on the developer's site, so even if you finish the game, there's more stuff to do, if you like.
Worth checking out as an example of unusual (and clever) puzzle game design.
The developer says:
Munch your way through 120 rooms of delicious puzzles with your team of hungry animals. Chocolate Castle has a variety of styles of puzzles made out of turkish delight, snakes, ice cubes, magic walls, and sliding blocks. Oh, and there's also a fair amount of chocolate involved.
Reviews
"All the elements are in and perfect. There are a small set of different puzzle elements, but each one greatly expands the possibilities, all of which are explored over the course of 120 levels. There's unlimited undo, a level editor, and puzzles of all difficulties. I don't know how Lexaloffle does it."
- 8/10, Game Tunnel
"Chocolate Castle is a very well designed game that has simple mechanics but some advanced and difficult puzzles (along with very easy ones for beginners). While the graphics could be better, they do their job well enough and don’t hinder the gameplay. Chocolate Castle is an innovative puzzle game and it’s fun to play with the right amount of challenge once you get past the easy levels. The level editor adds even more replay value to the game. If you’re a fan of puzzle games, then you shouldn’t miss taking a bite out of Chocolate Castle."
- 7/8, Out of Eight PC Game Reviews
"Joseph White’s games are always brimming with charm and atmosphere, and Chocolate Castle is no exception! Really, as soon as you see that wonderful Lexaloffle logo, you know you are in good hands. Little details, like the windows in the castle that light up as you complete stages, and the way the chocolate gets munched up and leaves crumbs, make me feel like I’ve been stuffed into the warm belly of a Taun Taun after spending hours on the cold, frozen surface of Hoth."
- TIGSource
"Chocolate Castle is one of the better puzzle games I've ever played, and I would recommend it to anyone who is into logic puzzles to give it a go. Don't let the casual look or the cute animals and chocolate theme fool you, this takes some very serious thinking to play well, and you get a great sense of satisfaction when you solve some of the more difficult puzzles."
- Independent Gaming
Awards
Game of the Month, Gold Award, Game Tunnel