Zoomaroom is a quirky puzzle platformer developed by FourBrosStudios and will set you back 80msp(£0.68). The game features 70 singleplayer levels, 350 collectable coins, unlockable costumes and a full level editor with Xbox Live Sharing.
Zoomaroom puts you in the shoes of a monkey-like creature with the aim to traverse through the levels in the fastest way possible, collecting as many gold coins as you can, utilising the game's powerups as you see fit. The menus when you first jump into the game are all extremely simple and not the prettiest things to look at. However once you get past that, you'll find an enjoyable platformer.
The game does a relatively good job of giving you hints and tips on how to get to grips with some of the mechanics and powerups, meaning you never feel lost in how to approach a specific area. Each level offers gold coins - these gold coins are required to unlock the next set of levels. Rush through levels without grabbing many, and you'll probably end up having to go back through the old levels and work out how to reach those coins - this is a simple yet effective way of giving the game replay value. It is thanks to the game's great level design that this is possible. Many of the levels allow multiple ways through, or hidden nooks and crannies to find power ups or coins. It really comes into it's own during the levels which force the player to utilise the certain travel based power ups, such as the grappling hook (which is great fun), or the jetpack.
Intentionally Zoomaroom has a rather floaty and slidey feel to it. This is due to the monkey being attatched to a spherical ball type object. However this often leads to frustration, especially on levels which force you to make very precise jumps. Frustration leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to qutting to the dashboard. Nevertheless Zoomaroom really is an absolute ton of fun during it's best levels.
The game also offers a level editor to both edit previously designed levels, or make your own from scratch. For those who enjoy creating their own challenges this really is a fantastic feature, and adds alot of value to the title. Not only that but the game features the ability to share your level with Xbox Live friends by making a 'Share Lobby'. Whilst in one of these you are able to hide the share screen and continue to play the game - a great feature. However sadly the game features no multiplayer in any form. This is sad as some cooperative, or even competitive split screen style levels could have been great fun, let alone the possibility of online challenges.
Graphically Zoomaroom is very simplistic. Featuring bright colours with 2d shapes and a basic design, the game may appear off-putting to some at first. Yet the simple graphics mean the game is never over complicated. The single background tune is catchy yet repetitive, and the overall sound design is again extremely simplistic with a very 'home-made' feel to it.
Overall Zoomaroom is a great Xbox Indie title. The game really does start to get tough quite quickly but due to smart level design and enjoyable mechanics theres lots of fun to be had. However it is not without it's problems thanks to loose control over your character. It would have been nice to see some additional features such as local or online multiplayer, yet it's impossible to forget that the game is already jam packed with content and features for an 80 points title. The production qualities are relatively low but the value for money makes Zoomaroom one of the best purchases on the Xbox Indie Channel to date.
Chaz gives Zoomaroom a 4.0/5
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Zoomaroom was a game I really did enjoy, and really is as straight forward physics based platformer game as you can get. Your character is what appears to be a monkey, cross-bread with a ball. The control's make it feel like a ball, but it looks like a monkey, what the hell is it? :P.
Anyways, the object of the game is ever so simple. You are to make your way to the exit and collect as many of the available coins in each level, and avoiding the red floors in quickest time possible.
There are a number of objects that you are able to collect to aid you, in your quest to collect the coins and get to the exit. Such as a shield and a spider web ability which enables you to launch the web towards the ceiling allowing you to swing across the room to relative safety.
The game also boasts a room builder which allows the player to create their own rooms and share them. Kind of a poor mans LittleBigPlanet :) , It does serve its purpose well though, as does the game as a whole.
So, to summarize, I found Zoomaroom to be a great fun, But I am a sucker for this type of puzzle game. And at the price, you cant go wrong.