From Dust

[Hubris]

I'm sure those of you who are on Steam have seen From Dust advertised, you've probably also wondered if it's worth the ~$15 (~R107). I took the plunge and can safely say it was worth it!

The game is limited, but for ~R107 you get a quality puzzle game that is family friendly. The story mode is challenging, albeit short, and the environments are really stunning. I often found myself building up the islands long after I have achieved the objective to revel in my creation!

There was some hype about this game and I was left wishing for a deeper dive from the developers. In any case, hats off to Ubisoft for making a very pretty game. The gameplay is refreshing and the physics are really cool.

Unfortunately, I don't think the developers had replay value in mind as you are forced to watch every introduction video and listen to all the same instructions again and again when re-playing the story mode. Sure you can do things differently, but a patch of dust taken from here or there doesn't fundamentally alter your need to achieve the fixed outcome of the stage.

There are a few challenges, which are more like training than anything else. You can do them over and over if you really think the Gamer Gods are watching your time. I did them all once and then felt the game was officially depleted. However, I do think kids would love this game and could play it for hours and hours until they too master it and realise it's spent.

If you have the bob and would like to play a pretty puzzle game, go for it!

[Megageth]

Sweet. How long was your play through? What type of puzzles?

[Hubris]

I'd say about 24 hours for the whole thing... All of the puzzles involve using "the breath" to manipulate earth, water, plants and lava by picking them up and dumping them somewhere else to make an archipeligo of islands habitable for your tribe. Along the way you uncover wisdom of the ancients who mastered the earth before you.

There are a few abilities you unlock by establishing villages in dangerous areas; like the ability to hold back a tsunami, jellify water, put out fire and so on. You absolutely have to use these abilities strategically to overcome the elements in the obscure time limit.