Not only do I tend to avoid zombies, I also dislike, nay, loathe tower defense games. But I guess the Devil¹, as they say, is in the details. Plants vs. Zombies is immaculately well done and the creativity is evident across the board. Plus, it’s just plain satisfying to watch your well-placed tools of destruction cut down wave after wave of nefarious Zombies.

Full Disclosure time: The link here is to Pop Cap’s free online trial of the game. They are in the business of creating high quality games and selling them. As my wife can attest, I have played copious amounts of the paid game on my iPod touch. Those of you with iPods or iPhones will certainly get your $3 of paid entertainment. I can’t vouch for the paid PC version. The free web version? Um, it’s free. Stop complaining and go waste your time!

^{1 Or perhaps the Zombie}

Nevertheless, Library Labyrinth is a variation on a well heeled puzzle concept. You move one space while your opponent – the library security guard – moves two.  For all his freedom of movement, the guard is constrained by rules¹. He moves horizontally first and cannot see over, under, around or through obstacles. And he has no hops; he is unable to hurdle desks, chairs or study carrols to snatch your punk-ass bald for talking above a whisper in his hallowed halls.

But I digress. The point is, you need to work your way through the library putatively in search of your lost sister². Victory is within your grasp, but tread lightly. Woe betide the poor fool who gets caught in flagrante while treading among the sacred stacks. Good luck and happy weekend.

^{1 RULES!? In a library!? Unthinkable.
2 The more realistic scenario being that you want to get your hands on that first edition of Dickens they have on display in the archives. But whatever.}

Your task this Friday is to awaken these slothful royals and goad them to action. The mechanics are those of a traditional physics puzzle but instead of stacking pieces you combine them. As the game advances the Rube Goldberg machines get more complex and the puzzles a bit more tricky. But the satisfaction of knocking these peacocks off their perch never wanes. That’s about the sum of it folks. Happy weekend!

^{1 and sometimes even actual.}

Your task is pretty simple. As flock leader your job is collect wayward geese who will obediently follow you in the classic flying V pattern. Unfortunately it looks like the air traffic controllers are on strike and Reagan isn’t around to order in the scabs. Look out above and below for all manner of flying craft and storms that will slow your progress. As your get deeper into your journey the air gets thicker and even the military gets involved¹.

What gives this game a little more replay value than most dodge-and-dash avoidance games is the ability to earn upgrades. Faster wings, friendlier geese and even temporary invincibility are rewards for perseverance and each upgrade it worth it’s weight in feathers. Earn enough points for all of them and you’re a lean, mean flying machine.

So watch your back, protect your flock and let the feather’s fly! How long will you last in Endless Migration?

^{1 look out for quickly-vanishing stealth bombers!}

Your aim, as ever, is to get from Point A to Point B. Follow your chosen path, rotate the gears that stand in your way and revel in your success when you achieve Nirvana². So hip, hip and Cheerio to you my dear readers. Enjoy your weekly diversion and stay tuned for further updates.

^{1 always in moderation, of course.
2 enlightenment is fleeting as the next level inevitably presents itself}

Point is, you must flee. And doing so is as simple as clicking your mouse to hurdle obstacles, avoid bombs³ and jump – like superman – tall buildings. As simple as it is addictive, the only goal is to run as far and as fast as you can until your attempt at flight inevitably comes up short. Yes, the only victories here are moral victories for there is no real escape. The zombies will win, your co-worker is inching her desk ever closer and the mind-numbing doldrums of your workplace will inevitably crush you. Except for the few moments per day when you seek respite in such leisure escapism as Canabalt⁴. You’ve been warned.

^{1 always popular
2 my favorite
3 so maybe you’re fleeing genocide
4 also available for your mobile gaming pleasure on the iphone}

The makers of this game – like most games nowadays – offer some simple tutorial levels to ease you in. After those are over you are warned that “The levels are hard. I make no apology for this.” Fair enough. Good fun nonetheless, so head on over and get playing.

Bounce