Oops! Commodore 64 game

"OOPS!" marks the debut release from the newcomers at Big Apple. It's hard not to notice the surge of publishing houses emerging recently. However, I'm pleased to report that "OOPS!" is a gem.

If there's any drawback to "OOPS!", it's the challenging difficulty level. The odds are stacked against you, which adds to the appeal for avid gamers, providing an enduring challenge. However, this could be a deterrent if the game lacks depth. "OOPS!" instantly grabs your attention, despite not featuring the endearing animated characters found in games like Bubble Bobble or Pac-Man. Nevertheless, it retains the same strategic complexity.

Essentially, the game revolves around navigating a grid. You assume the role of a droid in search of vital gravity pods, requiring you to collect eight before progressing to the next screen. Although your character's appearance may resemble wibbly shapes in pursuit, a touch of imagination is necessary.

The interstitial spaces between blocks are adorned with a captivating array of colors and shapes, making concentration difficult. An orange ball reminiscent of Breakout bounces around, while prolonged movement triggers bolts from the screen's sides to zap you.

And that's not all. Certain squares crack under your passage, endangering you, while booby-trapped blocks thrust you in unwanted directions.

Despite its formidable challenge, "OOPS!" is profoundly addictive. With limited lives, initially progressing through the 32 screens is a daunting task. The bewildering backdrop can strain your eyes after extended play, yet keeping track of your character and plotting the safest path to gather gravity pods presents an engaging puzzle.

Several screens offer predetermined routes with obstacles like disappearing blocks and transporters that thwart progress. Screen Four exemplifies this difficulty.

While much of this review has involved describing gameplay, it's necessary due to the intricacy of the game. Upon playing, the mechanics become clear, revealing it to be one of the finest strategy/maze games. Adding a touch of charm to bring it to life might have been beneficial.