Astraware's Pixelus Review or " Gymnastics For Your Brain "

Astraware is the place to go for your handheld gaming and entertainment needs. With over 140 applications for most handheld platforms, Astraware is uniquely positioned to cater to anyone’s gaming and entertainment needs. Reviewing applications for Astraware can be a daunting task as they have such a wide range of diverse, quality applications. Over the years, Astraware has made their reputation by producing various genres of exciting and challenging games. Recently, they have included some of the best stable of applications for everyday use cementing their hold as “the home of handheld entertainment”. I will be reviewing a number of applications from their gaming and Lifestyle sections over the next few days.

My last article addressed one of the most sought after game genres: Puzzles. Astraware's latest installment is a sure-fire winner that is sure to bring hours of good, clean brain gymnastics. Each level is certain to stretch the limitations of your brain. You'll have to be at your most creative in thinking up solutions to each of the puzzles.

Each puzzle is an incomplete tiled mosaic where our hero, Claudius, has been given the task to restore the temple’s beauty by replacing their missing pieces throughout the island of Pixelus. Should he restore the mosaics, he will receive favor from the gods and be set free. All you have to do is shoot the tile across to the location of the missing tile. However, this doesn’t sound as easy as it sounds. Claudius’ tiles must be logically placed since the number of replacement tiles exactly equals the number of missing tiles. The sliding of tiles into its proper place must be stopped by a previously embedded tile.
Pixelus is an island with colorful characters and cryptic puzzles. The artwork and the soundtrack are truly top-notch. The soundtrack is unique in its own right, since few companies have the tools to cross the line of providing the most complete gaming experience. As always, Astraware continues to shine in combining great visual art, challenging brain twisters and an ambient track to help whisk gamers away to the island of Pixelus.

With 200 puzzles to keep you entertained and enthralled, Pixelus is a puzzlers’s dream.

Pixelus can be found at Astraware's site and retails for only $19.95.

-Kevin Agot, Associate Writer, Carmichael, CA (USA)