Hands on with LOL on DS

Nintendo's dual screen handheld is no stranger to crazy, unique games, which makes the multiplayer-only hijinks of LOL that much less of a surprise. Ditching scripted mini-games for player-driven challenges, LOL takes a totally new approach to gameplay that's entirely based on your imagination.

LOL only supports wireless multiplayer. Thankfully, you'll only need one copy of the game to play with your friends since it also supports DS Download Play. At least one buddy has to link up with you to play, although you're free to have up to four players connected using a single cartridge.

Once you've gotten everyone connected, the host begins by creating a challenge, drawing or writing it using the stylus. You can make the challenge whatever you want - a question, a task, etc.

One example could be challenging everyone to create a unique t-shirt design. You draw the outline of a t-shirt and then write "create a unique t-shirt" above the outline. Another example could ask players to come up with the weirdest animal they can imagine. A simple challenge might even demand writing down the funkiest drink that comes to mind. Since challenges are completely player-created, there are no restrictions on what you can do.

With a challenge created, you're then able to set a time limit for players to respond. Options include a minute, three minutes, or unlimited time. Note that you have to hit the "done" button before time expires to complete each challenge, so picking a reasonable time limit as the host is key to being fair.

Additionally, the host has to answer the challenge along with everyone else, so you'll be subject to the same time limit. A bomb fuse lining the touch screen fizzes away as the time counts down.

When tackling a challenge, the top screen displays the challenge as written or drawn by the host. The touch screen serves as a canvas for answering the challenge, whatever it may be. By default, the stylus acts as a pencil with which you can draw or write.

Tapping the pencil icon on the lower left of the touch screen changes the thickness of your writing. Any mistakes can be undone using the eraser, which is toggled via the adjacent icon. For convenience, you're able to copy the challenge as it appears on the top screen by touching the googly-eyed creature pictured at the bottom of the touch screen. This function comes in handy during drawing challenges such as the t-shirt creation task.

After completing a challenge, everyone votes on their favorite reply. You're given three stars to dole out as you please. Stars can be split among several answers or awarded as a whole. Once all the votes have been tabulated, a winner for the round is named. That player then becomes the host for the next round, creating the next challenge. The game doesn't place a limit on the number of rounds you can play, although the arduous task of coming up with interesting challenges could naturally cap gameplay.

Original if nothing else, LOL only promises as much fun as you invest. Creating entertaining challenges will make all the difference between ROFL or WTF.

Either way, Agetec has one of the most unique Nintendo DS games we've ever seen on its hands. LOL is expected to become available at the end of the month (in the US) exclusively via Agetec's online store. As we announced last month, Rising Star will be doing publisher duties in the UK where the game will be entitled Bakushow and released in shops on July 4th.