There’s something about a good puzzler which intrigues the mind of your average video gamer.
We’re talking about proper puzzlers here - not like Tetris or Puzzle Bobble - but titles that genuinely require you to think logically.
Cogs is one such title. Where other so called puzzle games test your spatial awareness and reflexes, this indie hit expects you to invest far more effort to complete all of its 50 tricky levels.
Each stage presents you with a contraption composed of a combination of cogs, gears, and pipes, your objective being to piece arrange them so the thing works.
Aim for the topSometimes these aims are modest: you have to cause a certain cog to rotate or inflate a balloon with steam venting from a pipe. But some levels have more unique requirements, such as getting two hammers to hit two separate bells simultaneously using rotating cogs.
Like all good puzzle titles, the challenges posed by Cogs seem at first to be insanely difficult, but a bit of time and effort yields results. The sense of joy at overcoming seemingly impossible odds is compelling.
Finding the solution isn’t the end, though, as Cogs is buttressed by achievements which prolong play. Each level is graded: you’re awarded medals for finding the solution, completing the puzzle in a pre-determined time limit and doing so in as few moves as possible.
Once you’ve finish all 50 levels - which is no easy task in itself, given the brain-bending complexity of later stages - you can try Challenge mode. This is the domain of true Cogs experts, as you can choose to either tackle each puzzle within 30 seconds or finish them in ten moves or less.
Well-oiled machineAs with rival title Toy Mechanic - which at best can be described as an affectionately programmed tribute - once you’ve conquered those 50 levels there’s a real danger that you may not return to the game again.
Thankfully, Cogs does manage to outlive its competitor thanks to its superb Challenge mode and the inclusion of online leaderboards and achievements. There's also the presentation, which combines steampunk style with 3D graphical power for a lasting impression.
Cogs may lack high-octane action, but if you’re after a title that will get those dusty gears in your head moving, then you need look no further.Cogs
Cogs is a finely tuned puzzle experience that does well in getting the gears in your head moving
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.