World of Goo Game Review

The object of 2DBoy’s surreal physics simulation, World of Goo, is to help a civilization of goo balls escape the World of Goo Corporation, by using them to build structures that help the remaining goo balls on each level escape via pipework marking the exit point of every level.

Seeing as World of Goo is set in an imaginary universe, it would be nonsense to say that the physics is realistic. However, you get a tangible knot in your stomach when you’ve built a large structure and see it swaying under its own weight!

There’s several species of goo to use. Common black goo can make bonds to three other goo balls. Green goo balls can make three bonds but are detachable – meaning you can be green an recycle! Clear goo balls (which resembles sputum!) can only make two bonds and are usually used for forming chains. The characteristics of the bonds formed by each type of goo vary too. You’ll discover other types of goo as you play through the game – such as giant lady goo balls that split into lots of little balls when shredded … really.

The artwork in World of Goo is grotesquely cute, and wouldn’t look out of place in a Tim Burton movie. Speakingof movies, the plot of the game is portrayed via cut-scenes between each level. Each level also has messages from the ‘mysterious Sign Painter’ giving you hints about gameplay and the plot.

As with most puzzle games the plot is somewhat irrelevant though – all we want are ever more complex problems to solve! To that end, World of Goo offers five chapters. Each level gives you a target number of goo balls to rescue. Any goo balls saved in excess of that are added to an Easter egg mini game.

Each chapter has a map view, on which you’ll find a button linking to the “World of Goo Corporation” – this is the mini game mentioned above. Here you will find all the goo saved from previous levels, and your objective is to build an ever higher tower of goo. The height of your tower can be saved to an online high score table. Particularly high records are shown up in the sky as your tower approaches them.

The Android version is an accurate reproduction of the desktop version with no slow down at all. N.B. That is based on my tests with a Samsung Nexus S.

To try World of Goo on your Android device, you can get Chapter One for free and the rest of the game for £1.99.

A modern day classic.

Download World of Goo here