| Introduction
There were always two types of games that the GameBoy
Color could handle beautifully i.e. Platformers and
Puzzlers. So it's no surprise that in its short life
the GameBoy Advance has already seen its fair share
of both. Introducing TANG TANG, or The Associated Galaxies
of Nexus, a puzzle game which has you collecting Energy
Crystals in order to fend off invading aliens. This
is hardly an original plot so let's hope the gameplay
is a little more exciting.
GamePlay
All the levels in TANG TANG take place on a static
screen. You can play any one of four cyborg heroes called
Tangibles, although it doesn't appear to matter which
you select as they all play the same. The object of
the game appears simple. Get all the Power Crystals
on a level and escape through the portal. The problem
is getting to them. Fortunately all Tangibles can build
and destroy blocks and even fire Power Bolts, although
only 3 of these are available on any level, so this
is where the puzzle solving element comes into play.
The area you're in can be solved in a variety of
different ways but the time taken to do so is important
as the quicker you solve it the more points you'll get.
The fact that there are other distractions like money
and bonuses lying around doesn't help matters. One nice
feature which requires precise timing is the ability
to trap some aliens in boxes you construct. Others will
simply smash through but it will change their direction
giving you valuable seconds to plan something else.
There are also the end of level bosses which are
huge and require some practice to destroy. They'll appear
every five levels or so and round off each world. To
make matters even more challenging they usually have
guards of some description but staying on ground level
is just going to use up lives so build up. One final
tip, whenever starting a new game, make sure you've
given yourself the maximum 'lives' and 'continues' at
the options. You'll need them.
The gamescreen is completely clear of all interference
with everything appearing at the top of the screen.
From left to right you have your lives, power bolts,
time left and score. The battery backup works in two
different ways. Firstly it saves your high score which
is obviously a great feature only it did take me some
time to find where they were displayed. There's no option
to view them and they can actually only be seen by switching
on the game and not touching anything. The screen then
displays the title card and the high scores at 20 second
intervals. The save feature also allows you to continue
a half-finished game at anytime you want and once you
get good at TANG TANG this could be over half-hour stints..
Controls
As with the majority of puzzle based titles the control
system is simplicity itself and if there are any problems
there's a tutorial on the first level that you can turn
on/off or even skip altogether. This is truly a game
from the GBC days as the shoulder buttons aren't used
at all with the only controls being 'down' and 'A' for
fire. The control is the least of your problems unlike
working out how to get that last crystal.
Graphics
The graphics here are just as they should be, big,
bold and colourful. Everything has a very cartoony feel
about it and more importantly is incredibly clear. The
environments differ from world to world and some of
the end of level bosses are creatively designed. Everything
else is very well animated too and the graphics remain
pleasing to the eye even after hours of playing.
Sound & Music
The music is wonderful and reminds me of a fast paced
game show although it suits the style of the game perfectly.
There are a variety of tracks that appear to play randomly
and the sound effects are spot-on for this style of
game. There are, however, some of you who'll hate all
this and rather than deprive yourselves of a great puzzle
game, simply swing by the options and turn it off.
Final Comments
The blurb on the box really doesn't do this game
justice and I was really geared up for nice graphics
and animation (which we should expect from the GBA)
and little in the way of gameplay. In fact this is one
of those deceptive little titles and one minute you're
playing the next you can't put it down. To be honest,
it was difficult to drag myself away from the game long
enough to write this review. This is puzzle gaming at
it's simplest, most accessible and most addictive. If
you like puzzle games, you really need to try this one.
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