Good game, excellent value

This game is very nicely put together and serves as a fine example of how keeping things simple makes it possible for an independent game to deliver a fun, highly polished product.

The graphics are uncomplicated but stylish. The sounds are very well chosen so as to enhance to play rather than irritate. I particularly like the nonsense words that Gumboy mumbles to himself from time to time (or is he speaking Czech?).

The gameplay is well thought out and the difficulty curve is well tuned. For those who need an extra challenge, the game incorporates time-trial and secret-finding elements, both of which are optional.

Although I've rated this game a 10 it does have two very minor flaws:

* The game never really presents any complex puzzles, despite the fact that there is clearly scope. Anyone hoping for hardcore puzzle play is going to be disappointed. (It's not at all short on gameplay, but it's mostly action-based.)
* The final level. It's suitably tough - though never impossible - throughout until you reach (what I assume is) the final waypoint. Then you find yourself in a room with no exits in which you seemingly have to dodge insane volleys of fireballs. After eventually managing to dodge ten volleys in succession I was forced to give up. Had I missed something earlier in the level? Was I supposed to dodge twenty or fifty volleys? With absolutely no indication of what was going on I felt disinclined to waste my time solving the problem.

But really this is one of those essential games which sets the bar high for future efforts. And it's really underpriced for what it is.

Overall: Very impressed.