World of Goo : Physics for Freaks

If Tim Burton decided one day he was going to make a video game based around quircky physics puzzles, it would look exactly like World of Goo. I mean, look at this thing -- it's got freakyweird written all over it, and Helena Bonhom Carter makes several appearances (Johnny Depp must be in the later levels I haven't seen yet). And if anyone was still arguing against "games-as-art", I would point them to this. Is it any good though?

YES! - and I'm not normally into puzzle games. Most levels in this game are of reasonable difficulty, and the very logical and "scientific" way of solving them appeals to my personality, I think. You'll start the game with a very simple premise: connect these little goo-balls together to build a structure that can achieve some goal, perhaps to reach a certain height or span a chasm -- Engineers and physicists by trade will love this stuff. Later, other elements are introduced, like balloon goo-balls that can provide strategic support to long spans, or sticky goo-balls that can attach to surfaces. Some levels will have wind to contend with or machines and mazes you'll have to navigate your goo-balls through.

There's a story in here somewhere, and I'm sure it's supposed to be making profound statements and references that I'm completely missing, but that's OK. The soundtrack is really fun (you can listen to and download the whole thing for free), and the game design is so good that it's apparently good enough to be the subject of a lesson on how to make better games. I've had this since it launched, which has been a few months now, and I play it a level or two at a time when I get the urge. I haven't finished it yet, but this isn't a game I'm bent on powering through. Each level needs time to just absorb and experience.

For $10, 70MB download, available on Steam, it's must-try, even if just to support good indie work.

UPDATE: World of Goo is $20 right now, not $10. I'd still give it my recommendation at that price, because there is certainly $20 worth of gameplay here, but it's not a STEAL anymore. Here's a free demo to try, though.