Zoo Keeper DS review - idiot?

[razu]

So, 6/10 because you can play a worse version online for free? Should all games be marked down because we can download then and burn them for free? Idiot?

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=57758

[martTM]

Not sure if that's the only point he was making - the whole issue of the game's randomness is certainly a factor (especially when playing against an opponent), although I believe the game is ?20 and not ?30 as it says in the review. Personally having played it loads, I get the impression that Zoo Keeper is trying to be the DS Tetris... heck, it's got the same Russian-esque towers on the title screen that are obviously a nod/pisstake of the ones at the start of GBA Tetris, FFS.

[JibberX]

Zoo Keeper is random to the extent that it'll have to clear its own board to let you proceed. Now this is a design feature inso much as it can't predict how much you are going to stuff up. I can only imagine that each table it presents is optimal for that level, but knowing the "route" is gonna have to be clairvoyant. Also there are hints etc etc.

Saying every puzzle game is trying to be the Nintendo DSs Tetris is true, since that kinda success would drive any publisher. Somehow though, I think Tetris itself on the DS dual screen would probably rock the kremlin majorly.

Funny though I was thinking of doing exactly the same review slant on an ntsc-uk.com review, but discarded it as naff... And then never reviewed the game anyway.

[mattSix]

i don't believe zoo keeper's boards are truly random; they seem pseudo-random to me. certainly the engine is capable of 'weighted' boards (like the 'capture lions' or the 'giraffes vs pandas' levels in quest mode).

in fact, i'm getting the impression that new animals types are dropped in with a frequency related in some way to the outstanding quota - at least in respect of normal / 6 minute mode... but i've not put enough time in yet to be sure.

chain-making is much more luck related than say panel-de-pon, but there's more technique involved than that review suggests... the binoculars make it easy to chalk up a few massive chains per session...

most importantly of all, the scoring system, certainly for the 6 minute mode, seems more independant of chaining than in bejeweled (the random-ness of which became tiresome to me). leveling up is critical to scoring in 'keeper, which makes meeting your quota the essence of the game.

i can't play the online version at 1/10th the speed i get to on my ds. anyone who thinks one is an acceptable substitute for the other should negotiate with their health-care providers for a lower dosage.