A Sequel I've Been Waiting For...

Review by youngcaliman on Tuesday, June 14th 2011
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Click to play Clonez Mania 2 Extreme

Clonez Mania 2 Extreme is a game created by therocker4

Prethoughts: My initial intention was to review Clonez Mania, a popular and successful game from therocker4, which happens to be his first game on Sploder. Prior to replaying Clonez Mania, which I had completed when it was first featured, I noticed that he had the link for Clonez Mania 2 in his description below the game. Because I found Clonez Mania to be fairly entertaining, I decided to play the sequel. I had pretty high expectations for this game because the original Clonez Mania has a very nice concept, though I felt that it was only an introduction to the idea behind the game.


Gameplay: If you have not played Clonez Mania, I'd suggest that you play it prior to playing the sequel. Both games require the player to match each character with its colored block to obtain points (With a time limit in each level). The characters move simultaneously with the arrow keys. The most obvious distinction between Clonez Mania and Clonez Mania 2 would be the number of characters that the player must move. In Clonez Mania, there were only two characters in each level. In Clonez Mania 2, there were three characters in each level that could be moved (With the exception of the last level, which has four). I believe this is beneficial to the game because it opens up more possibilities for the creator to provide more detail orientated levels. However, adding more characters to the game is not enough to make this a solid game. The most important aspect is how therocker4 designed the levels with this new adaption...


Level Designs: Each level was created on a small sized map. I expected after the first few levels that the game might change gears in terms of the size and complexity of the levels. However, my expectations proved to be incorrect. Even though the idea of adding an additional character or two proved to be an improvement, the levels themselves were not much different from the original game. When I played the first of the Clonez Mania series, the word "infinity" immediately came to my mind. In other words, this concept can be used in so many different ways. The fact that therocker4 chose to stay on the route of simplicity with this idea disappoints me because I wanted to see the idea of the game completely exposed. In other words, I wanted to see the idea expanded into larger maps and more difficult puzzles. A couple levels, including level 5, were also fairly pointless. In level 5, you only have to move one character, while the other two characters only had to jump to obtain coins.


Block Placement: Even though the game is far too simple for a sequel with an amazing idea, I thought that the block placement was executed pretty well. The puzzles involved were fairly simple, but the way therocker4 placed the blocks in each level made these levels more enjoyable to play. The placement of the characters also allowed for some decent puzzles.


Enemies/Hazards: Enemies and Hazards were very scarce throughout the game. It seems as though therocker4 wanted to focus more on the concept and puzzles themselves with very little enemy interference as possible. This could be more enjoyable for some, but I feel as though more enemies and hazards should have been added to the game to increase the difficulty, especially for a sequel. Due to the small map sizes, however, it would be hard to add more enemies and hazards without defeating the purpose of each level. I thought that the enemies and hazards that were in the game were placed and used well. With the time limit added, the characters could also be seen as enemies. Sometimes, a character needs to get to its goal, but another character is blocking its way. I thought the levels that included this idea were very clever.


Scenary: There is not much scenary in this game. In fact, other than the vibrant colors of the blocks, enemies, and characters, there is absolutely no scenary. Normally, I would consider this a bad thing. With this game, however, I think it is a good thing. There was no scenary in the first game, so why add scenary to the sequel? It would completely change the game. It might not seem like it, but I believe adding scenary in the background to this game would butcher the mood and the purpose of making this sequel. The colors of the game were nicely added as well. I believe the vibrant colors used makes the game that much more enjoyable to play. No matter which level is used as the thumbnail, the vibrant colors will attract players to the game. (Along with the title, of course ;) ).


Addictiveness: Is this game addictive? In a way, it is. I have played the game about 5 times in order to write this review, and I can easily say that I was still entertained every time I played it. This game has an incredible replay effect on me, and I am certain that many others will also feel the same way. The only thing that bothers me is the lack of a challenge in the game.


Creativity: I would have to say that this game is fairly creative. The idea of the Clonez Mania series is very creative, but Clonez Mania 2 is far too similar to the original. If there was more of a challenge and more teamwork between the characters involved in the game, I think the game could have oozed out a bit more creativity than it already has.


Final Thoughts: This is a fun sequel to a popular game, but I am still wanting more of it! I want more of a challenge with a versatile idea such as this one. However, I found the game to be very enjoyable, and I am certain many others will find it entertaining as well. Feature Worthy: Yes, but it's very close to a no from me. Even know the game is fairly similar to Clonez Mania, it still has a unique set of levels and ideas. The fact that the game provides a similar experience to Clonez Mania in terms of difficulty and format disappoints me a bit, though it is a very entertaining game to play.


Thoughts for the Future: Therocker4, I know I have already said what I want to see in the future (if you want to continue the Clonez Mania Series, which I highly reccomend you do), but I am going to repeat myself anyways. If you decide to make another Clonez Mania, I would reccomend that you expand the map size on perhaps only a few of the levels if you are worried about overcomplicating things. I also reccomend that you use more teamwork between the characters in order to provide harder and longer puzzles. If you really want to make the game simple and enjoyable for almost everyone, my suggestion is to have the first 4 levels be simple and short puzzles, and the last 4 levels be more difficult levels. This way, there is more variety to ensure that everyone has a taste of something they enjoy most.


Scores:


Gameplay: 7/10


Level Designs: 8/10


Block Placement: 7.5/10


Enemies/Hazards: 6/10


Puzzle: 6.5/10


Scenary: 8/10


Addictiveness: 9/10


Creativity: 7/10


Overall Rating: 7.3/10

 
 


Clonez Mania 2 Extreme Reviewed by youngcaliman on Tuesday, June 14th 2011. A Sequel I've Been Waiting For... - A game review written by youngcaliman for the game 'Clonez Mania 2 Extreme' by therocker4. Rating: 3.5