Polarium for DS

How To Play
Polarium is a new puzzle game for the DS that requires the user to draw one path over a arrangement of black and white tiles. The tiles that the path had crossed over are flipped over to reveal their counter-color (black turns to white, white turns to black). The user must draw the path so that, when flipped, the tiles will create a horizontal row of one color. All rows that are comprised of one color disappear once the path is submitted. If the user can solve the puzzle, he or she will be one step closer to finishing the game!

Innovation
Polarium is, in my opinion, [one of] the best games to make use of the NDS's stylus touch screen technology. It is controlled solely with the stylus, which can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on how well you can use it. The game's idea is new and exercises your brain thoroughly. It promotes logical thinking and planning in order achieve success, especially as the game progresses and gets harder.

Tutorial
There is a brief yet comprehensive tutorial for Polarium that very clearly teaches you all the aspects of the game. The tutorial is divided up into seven different sections that cover everything in about five short minutes, and then you're off to play!

Puzzle Mode
Polarium's main mode of play is the "puzzle mode" where you complete puzzles pre-programmed into the game (there is a cool 100 stock puzzles in all). Most the puzzles are cleverly designed so that they take the shape of everyday objects, which adds some variety to the game. If you submit a path that doesn't complete the puzzle and retry, the path you tried last time will be shown on the upper screen. If you are utterly stumped, you can wait for a very long amount of time, the starting point will show up on the top screen. Even longer and the ending point will show up on the top screen. Usually when you restart, the puzzle will also be reversed, which messes me up a lot, but also adds to the difficulty. The game takes a noticeable ramp up in difficulty very early on in the game, starting at about puzzle 15, not that that's bad thing. I think that this type of game benefits from a lofty difficulty (within reason) because it ensures the game won't become stale after a while, and also that it wont be over too quickly.

Create Your Own Puzzle
Aside from the pre-made puzzles, you also have the option to create your own puzzle in "Edit" mode. Your puzzles may be any size from 2x2 to 8x8 and may not initially contain a horizontal line of one singular color. If you wish to save your design, must prove that it is solvable by playing it like you would a regular puzzle. If you play a solution, you can save the design. You can create a password up to 30 numbers to secure your puzzles from others. If you want to share you custom puzzles with others, you can wirelessly by exchanging each other's passwords.

Multiplayer
Polarium supports wireless multiplayer and can perform one of two functions:

-You can exchange custom-made puzzles that you have made from the "Edit" mode (see above) with others by exchanging passwords.

-You can engage in a multiplayer battle version of challenge mode (see below) with your friends. Your objective in this mode is to fill up your opponent s screen with tiles. To do so, you must clear your tiles and use power-ups like speed up, lock in, and obstacles. If you fill your opponent's screen, you win!

Challenge Mode
If you think you're pretty speedy at the game, go to challenge mode and test you skills. In challenge mode, sections of puzzles will continuously fall from top screen and accumulate on the bottom screen. On top of that (pun fully intended) the pieces will fall more frequently as you go on! You will definitely need to work hard to get as far as you can. You can draw as many seperate lines as you need in this mode. This mode is a dynamic part of the game and combines logic with raw agility of thought. It is good fun and is a good place to go if you get tired of doing regular puzzles. Once you finish, you can input your name into the high-score table in freeform handwriting, which is quite difficult because what you enter must be composed of very large black squares that look like very large pixels. There is also a practice room where you can regulate how fast the tiles drop so that you can sharpen your skills.

Aesthetics
(Box) - The box that Polarium comes in has a modern look to it and is partially glossy.
(Game) - Features some good sleek modern touches reminiscent to it's box.
(Instructional Booklet) - Cover uses the same graphic as the box does. The inside is unlike the rest of the game's aesthetics, however. The upper and lower boarders look very fruity and not very modern like the rest of the game.

Audio
Polarium sports an electronica soundtrack that is quite relaxing and stimulating when playing for extended periods. It contributes to the modern theme of the game and make the game feel very polished and sleek. The game features a clicking sound effect when you draw your stylus across the screen when playing. It can be useful when completing puzzles because it denotes that you have crossed into another tile. The audio in the game is standard and predictable. It suits the game well and the music adds to the experience.

Overall
Polarium is challenging in its simplicity and passes the time very well. However, there is no real variation, rendering it a somewhat forgettable game over time. The $29.99 price tag may seem a bit steep, but it's worth it.

Pros
There isn't enough room in the 'Pros' section to mention all the good points of this game, so I put them here:

-Modern look
-Innovative, fun game play (Uses NDS's touch screen & stylus)
-Simple concept
-Challenging (good flow)
-Make your own puzzles and exchange them wirelessly
-Passable Audio