BrickSlider 2.0 by BallShooter Review

I am often accused of writing reviews that are centered on applications that have a specific or general business use.  It is not that I do not like games; far from it.  It is just that I have not found any that really kept me entertained.  That all changed with BallShooter's BrickSlider 2.0.  A completely unique game, BrickSlider is often compared to the timeless classic Tetris.  However, aside from moving blocks around, the two games are completely different and dare I say BrickSlider is far more entertaining.  It is a game that you will quickly find yourself wanting to play more as the challenges and strategy of the game are boundless.

BrickSlider is installed via ActiveSync and occupies just under 900K of memory.  The application can be installed either in your Pocket PCs Main Memory or on a Storage Card.  Once installed, the game will present a Welcome screen once it is started (Figure 1).  By tapping the screen, users are presented the simple and nicely designed Main Menu (Figure 2).  From here, users can select Options, view records, get help or exit the game. 

The playing field of BrickSlider is surrounded by layers of bricks on all four sides with a pre-determined number of bricks in the center of the field.  The outside layers all gravitate to the center of the field when a brick is tapped.  Only those bricks with arrows can be moved at any time (Figure 3).  The object of BrickSlider is to create a cluster of three or more blocks of the same color (Figure 4).  The same color bricks much be touching each other and may not be diagonal from each other.  Once this done, the line will be removed and points will be rewarded.  If the bricks are resting against a line that is eliminated, those bricks will then move into the side brick areas to which they point.  This adds another level of strategy in an already challenging game.  Once all of the pre-determined bricks are removed, the game advances to the next – and obviously more difficult – level.  As levels progress, random bricks are added to the field if players take a long time to solve a level.  This adds not only the challenge of eliminating another brick, but because of the random nature of the placement, it can make the game play difficult.

The game play of BrickSlider is addictive and easy-to-understand.  Users could spend hours playing the game and not come up with the same combinations for clearing the playing field.  The game is ingenious and BallShooter should be commended – or condemned – for creating this great multi-dimensional strategy game. 

Like the game play itself, BrickSlider is simply-to-use in its configuration.  The option menu allows users to enable or disable the game sounds as well as change the skin of the game.  In addition, the built-in help file is superb and makes the rules and object of the game easy to understand. 

BallShooter’s support is excellent and responsive to customer enquires.  Test emails sent to their support were answered in less than 24 hours and were accurate and helpful. 

BallShooter offers a demonstration version of BrickSlider on their website which is limited to 1500 points scored.  The full version of BrickSlider is $14.95 (US).  For information, visit the BallShooter website at http://www.ballshooter.com

To purchase Brickslider from the Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! affiliate store at PocketGear, click here!

Clinton Fitch
Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com!