'Sprocket': A Gear-and-Cog Puzzler for the iPhone
posted by Blake Patterson on October 9th, 2008 1:36 PM EDT in $2.99, Puzzle, Reviews, iPhone games, iPod touch games
SilkLabs' gear-and-cog puzzler Sprocket [App Store] for the iPhone may appeal to the meticulous mobile gamer.
We need an engineer to help us finish our machine… and in a hurry! Tap to select a gear and then drag it into position. Chain the gears to get the goal gears moving in the right direction. Race against the clock for bonus points in 30 hand-crafted levels. But be careful not to jam the machine or spin the goal gears the wrong way.
Sprocket is more challenging than it seems on first inspection. The array of gears presented will only rest on the evenly spaced white cogs arrayed about the game's backdrop. Typically many gear arrangements must be tried before the proper sequence is found. It's an interesting diversion…for those with real patience.
Sprocket is available for $2.99 through the iTunes App Store [link].
Yea, not looking like the most fun game. I don't think engineers are the best folks to recruit for gaming. Thanks Blakespot.
As an engineer, I don't think I would have the patience to play this game (especially at $2.99).
Well, the concept looks pretty cool to me. But I'd like to try it out in a Lite version first.
how do you jam the machine?
@Craig: Then you'll just have to be patient enough to wait for the price drop!
)
@mr.nug
Just wait. I'm sure another match-3 clone will be released soon.
Well, it looks interesting, but I'm curious as to why there's no video.
You said that it's more challenging than it appears but… I really don't believe you. Mind showing a video demonstrating that?
Anyone from a mechanical engineer to a freshman in shop class will tell you this is awesome. As a kid, I was hooked on Sierra's Incredible Machine. This also reminds me of a few levels in some of the Mario games that were mechanically themed. This puzzle has a huge potential for growth through the introduction of new gears and other mechanical devices. This concept could be applied to a 3D environment or go off on into the land of rube goldberg. I admit logic puzzles aren't for everyone, but who hasn't been suckered into trying one.
Since when is *thinking* while gaming a bad thing? The comments here (with a few exceptions) are a bit distressing. I love a good shooter or racing game like anyone else – but I also love Enigmo, Aqua Forest, etc.
I agree with John. My favorite iPhone games are the ones that make my brain work the hardest. I love ames like Imangi for that reason. When I saw Sprocket was on sale for $.99 I jumped on it. It seems like my kind of game.
I just played it for the first time. It's definitely my kind of game. It's challenging so far and surprisingly addicting. You don't get any help from the computer; you can think you're doing well, but be way off and it's up to you find out why.
The interface is nice. You can pinch to zoom and move around easily. I'm surprised they didn't include that in the description. It's very well made.
Like blakespot said, you really need patience to play it. It's definitely not a game for everybody. I think this falls into the "love it or hate it" category."
This looks a lot like Gearworks which I really enjoyed "back in the days", and for a good price as well. Got to try it out when I get back home.
Should be free, I'm not paying that, etc, etc.
@Hobo Knacker
I definitely agree.
Because the dev probably worked for months so that you can be entertained for a few minutes for free while he gets nothing but a big waste of time.
His efforts were worthless and he deserves to live a penniless life while making free products for people who won't pay $2.99 for an awesome game on their $300 iPhone.
I personally don't want to live in world where people expect to get paid for their work. Let's just lock the dev up and make the world a better place.
BTW, I love this game.
I wish it got more difficult as you go though. The levels seem to get longer, but the real challenge is always about the same. It might get more difficult. I'll have to see. I still think it's a great concept and a good challenge.