I am not much of a fan of the modern gaming systems out there- I like simplicity and an easy learning curve. At the same time, I don’t want to become so bored with a game that I delete it from my iPhone after five minutes of play. I’m really excited to find one game has filled this void –- “Cogs” by Chillingo.
In a visually stunning display of the iPhone’s graphic prowess, Chillingo brings us a whole new world of puzzle challenges in a vivid 3D world. “Cogs” takes advantage of the iPhone’s screen and user interface in a very natural way so you’re comfortable right off the bat. No fancy controls or on screen buttons to master. You already possess all the needed gestures to operate the game! How refreshing!
Slide puzzle pieces into positon before the timers runs down
The goal is to construct a device using various widget tiles such as gears, pipes, wheels, and more so that the machine functions. The machines vary from flying and floating to moving water and gas. The further you progress in the game- the puzzles increase in complexity including multiple widgets and multi-sided machines. More puzzles are available as in-app purchases.
Three different modes of game play are available- Inventor, Time Challenge, and Move Challenge. In the Inventor mode, you assemble machines that gradually increase in difficulty and introduce new instruments to accomplish you task. As you progress and unlock new puzzles, you can play those in the Time Challenge mode. Here, you’re limited to 30 seconds to finish the puzzle. In the third and most intriguing mode, Move Challenge gives you unlimited time to solve the puzzle with only 10 moves!
Stock, “Cogs” comes with 10 puzzles, which depending on you skill level, will clock in around 5 minutes each. Expansion packs are available in blocks of 10 for $0.99 per block. Not a bad price tag since each machine increases in difficulty and are really a joy to watch become animated once you correctly assemble them.
With a variety of puzzles COGS will always have you thinking
“Cogs” literally comes alive with gorgeous animations and menu transitions that look and feel like they are straight out of the 1800’s inventors convention. The games graphics are ultra smooth and very detailed. Right down to the gear heads and rivets, not one detail has been overlooked. The superb sound effects are artfully captured and fully immerse you in the inventor’s world.
“Cogs” also supports Crystal, Chillingo’s own social medium. While I wasn’t surprised to see a social element incorporated, I was surprised how easily I was able to sign up. So far, the only frustration I’ve had is that progressing through the sign-ups fields was a bit tedious. I had to dismiss the keyboard to progress to the next required field.
At $0.99, “Cogs” is literally a steal. The expansion puzzle packs may start to add up if you become addicted as I have, but they are well worth the price.
this looks like a very challenging yet entertaining puzzler that can compete with many of the iphone’s top puzzle games. it has many levels and will stay on your iphone for a long time to come.
Cogs is a lot of fun and one of the most polished puzzlers I’ve come across. I was disappointed by the DLC, as I’m not a big fan of this pricing method in the first place. Regardless, if you like puzzles at all, Cogs is a must-have for your collection.
Hi Jerry! Welcome to the Appversity team! Good review… in fact, maybe too good! It’s tempting me to buy this now!
But one question: How does it rank alongside other puzzlers you might have tried already? I’ve got quite afew in my stash including: Gushers, Puzzle Prism, Lumines, Unify, Eliss, PuzzlePaint and Compression. Haven’t tried the latter yet, but my puzzlers rank in that order. Where do you feel Cogs would slot into?
To be really honest (my weakness sometimes), I am not familiar with a lot of games. Like I said in the post, games are getting more and more complex and I am on the “less is more” playing-field.” Though, there was a really cool puzzle game that required you to flip and roll a large block on a grid to a highlighted square. I can’t remember the name, but I it was my favorite until now. “Cogs” is just a lot of fun and wildly difficult – maybe its just me lol.
“…a really cool puzzle game that required you to flip and roll a large block on a grid to a highlighted square…”
That description sounds like Cubic Man Deluxe. One of the first iPhone games I purchased and one I still recommend.
As for Cogs this game looks and sounds like a lot of fun. I’ve added it to my shopping list…..