Game Reviews

G.Blacksmith

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G.Blacksmith
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Have you noticed how the majority of time management titles have a fascination with food? You're always either waiting tables, baking cakes, or making chocolates. Who decided that casual gamers identify primarily with food?

It's nice that G.Blacksmith leaves the table to bite into something different. Time management served up in new form, this unique game puts you in charge of a band of goblins who mine goodies underground for eager customers on the surface.

Good with goblins

Initially, it's a simple fetch-and-carry exercise with only four different types of ore at your disposal. Tapping on the right selection and delivering it to the customer is the only action required.

At this earlier stage G.Blacksmith feels mundane, but it's only warming you up before the real challenge begins. Whenever a new element is introduced, the game does an excellent job of providing time to acclimate to it before moving forward to tackle new challenges.

This gradual learning curve follows the time management formula, but the new setting makes such a gentle incline all the more appropriate.

The customer is always right

Soon customers become evermore demanding, wanting tools or weapons to be crafted out of the rock. This is when things begin to get tricky - mining and then refining ore to meet customer needs, as well as keeping the swelling number of customers happy, is tough. This is not a game that will be conquered easily, but it isn't afraid to give rewards either.

Yet, because G.Blacksmith doesn't take itself too seriously or, for that matter, try to tag on some cheesy plot about running your grandfather's fruit stall or whatever, the whole thing feels far more playable.

Its black and white style also gives it a leg up on its rivals. The fact it presents itself in 2D also means it can cram far more action into the mix. At the height of production, the screen gets filled with new contraptions that enable you to dig up more ore and create an ever-widening array of products.

Retro revival

Sandwiching each series of stages are bonus levels that hark back to the old grayscale Game Boy. A goblin is dropped into an action game where you have to fire upon thieves hoping to swipe some of your hard-earned cash. It's an affectionate nod to the games the development team no doubt played in years past.

As a result, rather than offering a sterile copy of the leagues of time management titles already out there, G.Blacksmith does something different.

Though it essentially uses the same ingredients as any time management title, it manages to present them in a setting that suits the game, rather than awkwardly moulding the game to suit the setting.

G.Blacksmith

G.Blacksmith is a slow starter, but forges a fun and stylish game from the ubiquitous time management formula
Score
Keith Andrew
Keith Andrew
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font. He's also Pocket Gamer's resident football gaming expert and, thanks to his work on PG.biz, monitors the market share of all mobile OSes on a daily basis.