Last week, we received an email here at JAMM HQ from a newcomer to the Windows Mobile scene, Gammosaur. The email announced their first game release, Minimal. Of course, being the resident gaming expert, I decided to check out the game.

Initially, this proved to be a more difficult proposition that I expected. The game was plagued by an impossible registration system, which included both an online component and a local component on your device. Frustrated, I determined not to bother with the review. A few days later, however, I received a second email (man those guys are persistent) announcing some minor bug fixes and requesting feedback. At that time, I mentioned to them the problems I had with the game registration. I admit that I did not expect much, or even to hear from them again. Impressively, however, within hours, they emailed to tell me the registration system had been vastly improved…and they were right. Now, all you have to do is purchase the game and you will be provided with a download for the full version and a registration code. You know what to do from there. There is also a trial version which you can download and test out the first fifteen levels of the game. Register online if you wish to share your high scores with the community.

OK, now that I was able to register the game, let’s talk about it for a minute. It is really an extremely simple game, but gameplay can become very complex quickly. [Note: Although the word "Minimal" does scroll behind the action, it is not as visible as it appears in these screenshots]

The game surface consists of 28 squares arranged in four rows of seven. At the beginning of each level, all of the squares are colored red. Your job is to flip the correct squares to match the pattern in the upper left hand corner. Aha, you are thinking. Piece of cake. Just tap the squares you need to…And I will stop you right there. Not so easy as that, my friend. When you tap a square, it does not flip. Instead, all of the adjoining squares change colors. This does complicate things, and before long you will find yourself twisted deep within the confines of these puzzles.

If you get stuck, you can always tap Reset Level to start over again. I do wish, however, that there was an undo button so you could retrace your steps. I also wish there was a move log. Sometimes, you need to replicate your actions and it would be nice to be able to look back at what moves you have already taken.

The graphics are extremely simple. This is not an expensive game, however, it is also not freeware. Now that the developers have gotten it out to the world, I do hope they will continue to refine and enhance the graphics. For example, rather than using static squares, the game could employ colored cubes. This could add a significant new dimension as each cube could employ up to four colors. Obviously, this is not a game which requires three-dimensional graphics, however, as we have seen in the past, a good game can become great with the right graphical elements.

I really did not expect to enjoy Minimal as much as I did. What seemed like an easy task early in the game became extremely complex within a few levels. This complexity led to significantly addictive gameplay. Congratulations, Gammosaur on a successful first game. I will be watching for what you have coming next.

Vital Stats:

Name: Minimal

Developer: Gammosaur

Available from: Gammosaur

Price: $9.99.

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