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Pipeline
Type of program: Puzzle
Supported platforms: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP
Company name: Superluminal Inc
Version: 1.160.2
Cost: $19.95
Installed size: 1564 KB
I played Pipeline type games before, and enjoyed the game, so
when I downloaded this I figured I knew well what it would be. I should know
better than to assume... this one is GREAT! I really feel like whoever was on
the "team" that wrote thus program said, "lets take all the Pipeline clones,
games, and pipeline types, look at them, put them side by side, and then figure
out what we can do to make our Pipline different than any of them!"
What’s so good about it? I hear from the heckler in the back row. Most pipeline
games were very simplistic. They almost looked like a old DOS game enabled
[jury-rigged] to play in windows. Plain grey background, all grey pipes, [quiet
heckler I know this was said by many to be a "sewer" game and sewers are grey
aren’t they?] The water always started in same spot, either just said start on
little square or maybe a piece of pipe in a wall. Plain, simple. And I never
knew anyone that tried it that didn't think there should have been more pieces
of pipe available at one time. Oh look the heckler brought a friend, and he
doesn’t know how to play the game. He wants to know what’s the object of this,
does it have a moral or social value? Ok, after I throw a piece of pipe at him,
[pun intended] it has no moral or social value...except that it’s fun. I’d also
say was relaxing, but I’m the kind of puzzle game player you can hear muttering,
"don’t bug me-I’ll make dinner later....I KNOW I can beat this dang thing, I’m
smarter than a game!" Fun-oh yes...relaxing-welllll.....
Ok, quickly the object of the game is...pay attention, I’m pontificating. here,
[didn’t know I could spell that did you?] You have different lengths of pipes,
as you remove you get more, there are horizontal, vertical, and 4 curves that
curve 90 degrees of a circle, and a 4 way pipe that allows you to form with the
curves a loop. You have the starting spot, and in 60 seconds water will come
forth. You better have laid pipe [sorry got heckler started again] so the water
is running in pipe, if water comes out of pipe you have a big plumber bill and
you lose. Oh yes and you find occasional capped pipes so you can end the
pipeline. However, losing doesn’t mean you still don’t get the points you
scored, so personally, I seldom capped. The reason the game could get me to
muttering is the law that states that the piece you want was here earlier, and
will be here later, but it will NOT be hear when you need it. If you picked up a
pipe you had to do something with it, and there were no trash cans, so I would
stick it in a corner of the board, ending up with border rows that were useless,
except to frustrate me cause there’s the piece I need where I threw it away. You
could put pieces out in middle of board say to start the extra point giving
loop, but now you are praying the piece you need will pop up to connect them
before the water gets there. I could explain more, but I’ll let you read the
rules, everyone here can read. [except the heckler nana]
For the most part that was it, sometimes in higher levels you would get some
blocked squares to give you a hard time, mainly because building a pipeline was
40% skill, and 60% luck of the draw.
So what, you ask, could be done to make this different, unique and fun-er-er.
Let’s add teeny tiny graphics, skins, colors, a neat water faucet, grey AND gold
pipe, [gold pipes double point, bonus for snakes AND loops, special objects such
as gems, money, gold, grate, locked grates [and keys] manholes-and when you get
a cover you can lay pipe, water sprinklers which gives bonus every two seconds
till end, clocks that stop water for 10 second, heart giving extra life, fire
hydrant each of which slow water by 10 per cent, garbage can, more pipes at one
time, bonus round every 3 rounds, mystery marker, some pipe on board-usually in
nice shape with a bonus if you can join it, and more. When the water hits the
end if you haven’t capped it blue water gushes into the air.
The writers of this program have done an EXCELLENT job of making an old favorite
new and unique. The demo is good for only for 10 levels, but that is enough to
addict you. So, go now before you forget and download this program. Take the
heckler with you, he is distracting me. Now that I’ve finished this review, I
can get back to Pipeline. No dinner. and honest I’ll write another review
later....I know I can beat this level!
Performance:
User-friendly:
Cost:
Ease of Installation:
Sound & graphics:
Reviewed by Stormy Strock
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