Game Review Data
 


Game Title

TANG TANG
Publisher
Take 2 Interactive
Features
1 Player. Battery Save.
Format
Puzzle
Reviewer
Andrew Blanchard


RATING

Good!


Ratings Scale:

Excellent!

Good!

Playable!

Ho-Hum!

Yuck!


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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.

Screen Shots

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.

@ EAGB Advance 2002. All rights reserved.