And yet, when you finally sit down and play the game for a while, you find out that simplicity does not equal stupidity. As easy as the idea of the game may sound, when you combine it with the ever-decreasing time clock and the four different modes of game play, you arrive at a game that manages to frustrate nearly as much as it entertains. And that, really, is what I want out of a puzzle game. I want something that will make me think, as well as make me smile when I finally get through a level after trying for 43 times. KaromatiX2, so far, has certainly given me one of those two... now if you don't mind I'd like to get back and give that level another go, so that I might finally have both things come true.

Mars Miner
Writer: Michael Jones

Retro Style Games' Mars Miner is a very nice attempt to have a fresh update on classic Bomberman-style game. Whether following the story mode that allows you to spend a few moments dodging asteroids as you finally manage a crash landing on Mars, or simply choosing to ignore the "how" and "why" of your being on the red planet and instead get right into the action on "Survival" mode, you'll quickly become adept at the game.

Simply put, each level is a maze that requires you to blast your way out of by placing timed bombs in strategic locations, allowing you to both move freely to the end of each maze as well as to defeat any of the various monsters that aren't all that happy to see you wandering around in their Martian home-turf. Then again, as often as I found myself getting eaten by a few monsters, they might not be all that disappointed in seeing me... as long as it was understood that I was basically their lunch.

Challenging, beautiful to look at, and a fun way to spend any spare time you might have while remembering the joy of being able to fire up a game and just play without the need for any 600-page guide from Prima, Mars Miner has bombed its way onto my laptop, permanently.

Point Hunter

Point Hunter is a Pac-Man-style game, fascinating and interesting. In this game great adventures await. Help the protagonist, Point Hunter, collect all points while avoiding various enemies. Feel the atmosphere of 80s arcade games.

Ensnare

Ensnare is a strategy board game that pits you against another player or a computer opponent. Try to ensnare your opponent by leaving no available moves. Play in one of six unique game environments: standard board game, undersea, outer space, the old west, ancient Egypt, and a south American jungle.