Loch Mess

[b]3/10[/b] Snake for two! [b]What is it:[/b] A turn-based snake-inspired game, in which you play with two water snakes trying to collect all the pies. The snakes can grow and shrink, keeping their tail part in one spot, and they can also switch between two levels, above and below water. There are 4 different worlds, one with just the snakes and obstacles in their way, with focus on finding paths without colliding, one with fish that also try to eat the cakes, so you must hurry and block their path first, one with water spouts that automatically push you up from under water, if there isn't already a snake above, and one with ice that blocks you from switching levels. Also, the game is supposed to have co-op play, but I don't think it actually works. The mechanics are interesting, and could make a great game, but this game is really bad. [b]How hard is it:[/b] Very easy to easy. [b]How long is it:[/b] 20 levels, 5 in each of the 4 worlds, for less than 30 minutes of playtime. Levels need to be played in order. [b]Level design:[/b] Meh, none impressed me, seems like obvious designs showcasing the mechanics. [b]Quality:[/b] Very bad. Non-configurable ZXC + arrows controls, with…

Nice little puzzler. There's no animation but the graphics are cute. My only real complaint was that it was a bit easy overall. There's technically no undo, but normal movement is reversible which is like undo except on levels with fish (which move when you do, and will eat your pies if you let them). Also levels are quite small and restart is instant.

It gets really hard towards the end of each series.

[i] My Experience [/i] Although I've only accumulated about an hour of playtime, I've put two separate play sesssions into [b]Loch Mess[/b] with two separate co-op partners. Both of these instances left me underwhelmed. While I can appreciate the simple and bright visuals, many of [b]Loch Mess[/b]' levels devolve into tedium. First off, it seems that the angle of the level doesn't map perfectly to a directional controller, and this was always a little disorienting. For instance, you'll hit the equivalent of the south direction on the d-pad to move southeast. Secondly, these puzzles aren't really the type that are best solved by stepping back and strategizing. More often than not, my co-op partner and I would just rapidly try multiple ideas, jamming up against each other over and over in a disorganized way. We'd make marginal progress until we randomly happened upon a solution. While other players might find a way to be more intentional about solving these puzzles, this didn't come naturally to myself or either of my co-op partners. Rather than feeling satisfaction about finding a solution, I usually just felt relief that the level in question was over.