  Junkbot
( )
Mensa challenge or LEGO construction? An absolutely
addictive, open-ended problem-solving arcade style game,
not to mention fiendishly difficult in the later levels
because you have to rearrange the environments in a
limited number of moves. Instead of controlling Junkbot
directly, you deconstruct and reconstruct his environments,
building stairways and bridges while avoiding tricky
hazards. Junkbot looks, sounds, and plays as smooth
as plastic, though now I wish I had become a LEGO
Club member as this is the only way the game will
remember your progress. The 80's style soundtrack and
Junkbot's point-scoring declaration of "oooooh
yeeeaah!" are ambient highlights in this clever
diversion and part of the legacy of engaging direct
marketing games on the Lego site ('Throwbots', anyone?).
Designed by: GameLab.
Audio by: Blister Media.
![]() Alive
Is ()
A lively branding site presenting eight fruiti-licious
arcade style games ('Mower' is my favorite) and as many
clever screensavers. The really neat thing about brand
experience sites is the hyper-aestheticized shwag you
can download; each item is a mini fruit-fetish, a 'fruit-machine'.
It is to laugh - don't miss the TV spots in the 'Chuggable
Info' section. Can you buy this stuff in the states?
I'm thirsty. Great, whimsical interface work, too.
Designed by: Preloaded
(UK)
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 Spider
Game ()
The 2001 Flashforward game category winner, this quietly
addictive repast will keep you going for at LEAST an
hour. Speed and creature difficulty increase rapidly,
so mastering the bungee-like character control is somewhat
hectic at first. Avoid the lightning bugs at all costs
but don't miss the extra-juicy multiple point bugs -
kinda gross but they get that score up, up, up! Look
for the Isotoonic edutainment game engine, coming
soon!
Designed by: Titoonic
(DK)
 Banja
()
Already in it's 12th episode and into its 3rd year of
development, this absolutely stellar persistent gaming
environment from Team cHman is still leagues
ahead of the pack and still intent on taking it all
the way. As Banja, the bemused, everyman protagonist
visitor to the island nation of Itland, you will solve
your way through sociopolitical and geographical landscapes
which change with every visit and according to the actions
of other players. Habbo
Hotel being the only other likeness that comes to
mind, Banja is in a class all by itself, featuring guest
DJs, innovative plot lines and a truly fantastical menagerie
of characters and topographies. Because of the exceptional
complexity and volume of animated dynamic content, the
preloading sequences can be a bit of a drag, even on
fat connections. But don't let this deter you - rich,
thoughtful storylines and quirkily accessible environments
achieve a combined balance you won't want to miss. I'm
waiting for the console version!
Designed by: team
cHman (FR)
 Beetle
Buggin ()
Simple, great fun. The only disappointment is the limited
levels (there are only 2) but it is only a promotional
piece, after all. Game play action is reminiscent of
old-school 'Marble Madness', steering your careening
buggy around a viciously hairpin office desktop, collecting
sheets of HP Photo Paper along the way. In fact, office
supplies haven't been this fun since Microsoft fired
Clippy. Overall tight design - especially if you're a fan of
isometric web design.
Designed by: Hewlett Packard (UK)
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