By: RJ (@rga_02)

• Polyology
• Developer - Ben Parbury
• Publisher - Ben Parbury
• PC
• Rating - N/A

To be honest, I’m not too fond of puzzle games. Sure I’ll play some Bejeweled here and there when I’m standing in line waiting to pay for my coffee, but I don’t go out of my way to play a puzzle game unlike other genres. Puzzle games just don’t click with me.

Then there is Polyology. At first glance, a person would probably write it off as being too bland. And it is bland. You are a one-eyed blob whose life mission seems to be roaming around dark rooms pushing balls of numbers. But this is the case where it’s gameplay over aesthetics. It’s like a durian. It may look unappealing to the eyes, but once you take a bite from it, it’s actually pretty tasty. Your goal is simple. You push the numbers next to its same numbered siblings to make them disappear. Simple enough but this game makes you think towards the later stages. Of course you can go completely bonkers and push away to your heart’s desire, but there is no fun in that. But while the game forces you to think so you can try to undercut the suggested amount of moves, this game is relatively stress free. There is a rewind button that you can use as much as you want. So if you are worried that the number balls are about to disappear, just press the DEL button until you try to figure out how to solve the puzzle. You really have to try your hardest to fail in this game with all the options provided for you. But of course, those looking for a challenge can opt out on the rewind feature.   

Lastly, I want to touch on the soundtrack of the game. A lot of thought and care went to the music. Composed by Graeme Norgate & Ross Tregenza (composed tracks for studios such as Rare and Radical Free Design/Crytek UK) you can hear the subtle references to their past works in the soundtrack. Bits of pieces of Timesplitters here and there. With a dash of GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark the soundtrack is vibrant yet soothing to the ears.

Polyogoly may not be a looker, but it plays and sound great. It’s a simplistic game that probably won’t raise eyebrows, but that’s not what the game is trying to achieve. Its goal is to provide a carefree game (with an amazing soundtrack to boot) that you can easily pick up and play.

*gif image sourced from the game’s website