Review: Next, Please!

Next, Please!	Next, Please! Developer: Vyacheslav Stepanov Publisher: Armor Games Genre: Puzzle Platform
A quick puzzler that's a lot of fun.
	4 out of 5 (Great)
	System:	3
	Atmosphere:	4
	Storytelling:	1
	Replayability:	2
	Fun Factor:	5
In order to reach the exit, you utilize frozen corpses of yourself as platforms. Yeesh.

I've found that it is very difficult for a puzzle game to be simultaneously engaging, challenging, and stylish. Although Angry Birds this game isn't, it brings all these components together in a very nice way. The game revolves around a group of clay men that looks suspiciously like a dogs and their struggle to escape the confines of their prison. The trick here, however, is that in order to successfully reach the doors towards safety, you must turn yourself to stone and let your friends use you as a platform. I really appreciated the difficulty curve here, and the novelty that each new level brought. Just when I was about to get bored of the game and quit, I realized I was on the last level; like Baby Bear, this game is not too short and not too long, but just right. That said, there isn't too much ingenuity here, and as far as platformers go, its really old hat.

The score

System: 3
Nothing struck me here as particularly interesting, system-wise. The controls are fluid enough, but I feel like its missing something that many top-notch platformers have. What kind of platformer doesn't let you modulate the height of your jump? There were many times I wished that dying should just make you restart the whole level, because its impossible to get 3 stars after wasting a guy. Also the fact that the explosion animation stays around so long on the guns was really frustrating.

Atmosphere: 4
I think the main character here is really unique. It's sort of a mix between a clay man and Dogbert, and its animations, while simple, have a surprising amount of character. The levels are kinda bland but very appropriately designed for the game. The sounds and music are also very appropriate. All in all, no complaints, but nothing spectacular to warrant a higher score.

Storytelling: 1
For some reason puzzle game developers have decided that storylines are completely superfluous to their genre and should be completely eliminiated. There isn't even an explaination of how or why you are freezing yourself in place or what you are doing in the rooms in the first place.

Replayability: 2
I suppose you could go back for 3 stars on every level, but if you're trying, you'll probably have it by the time you finish the game. There's very little reason to play this game after you've finished it. You could go for a higher total score, but there is no explanation as to what that number is even based on, so it seems not worth it.

Fun Factor: 5
As far as puzzle platformers go, this one is short and sweet. You may not need to replay this game, but you will feel satisfied after your first play-through. The difficulty curve is just right, and the levels are varied and creative enough to keep you completely engaged during your whole play-through. Some of the levels are challenging enough to require multiple attempts without becoming frustrating, and when you finally get 3 stars on them you will feel proud of yourself.