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Semi Secret Software have a knack for minimalism. Their cult smash-hit Canabalt set the world
ablaze as it refined and defined the auto-runner genre, remaining a steadfast favorite despite
refusing to bow to and add the bloating of later popular titles. Hundreds is no less
simplistic, visually or conceptually, but fans of both puzzle titles and skill-testers
will quite literally have their hands full with this game.
All you have to do to pass the level is to inflate one or more circles on screen to reach
a total of 100. To make life harder, inflating a circle will turn it red - should a red circle
touch anything else, it's game over and you can restart the level immediately. As such
each stage a tight balance between inflation and manipulation of on-screen elements to
survive.
Such an idea isn't a new concept by any means, in fact it has it roots in classics derived
from Taito's arcade title 'Qix', but once you delve past the game's first 20 or so levels
you'll find yourself neck-deep in a series of stages rapidly increasing in challenge.
This is thanks to the addition of 'spheres' that change how you must approach the stage.
Spinning blades will deflate anything they touch; bubbles get in the way and can be popped
with a touch, but are immune to blades; chains can tie circles together, requiring multi-touch
to inflate them; and some spheres even remain red whether you're touching them or not. The
combination of all of these elements, along with the constantly bouncing orbs results
in manic experience that requires a steady hand and mind to solve its challenges.
None of this addresses the presentation, which is absolutely perfect in its sparseness. Each
element is easy to identify and with only a minor amount of playing around you'll quickly
work out the scope of each one. For those prone to getting angry, the jazzy little tune
playing in the background does a great job of adding a mellow atmosphere to the otherwise
chaotic game.
If what you're after in a game is action or a more traditional 'puzzle' system, this may
not be for you, but for those who enjoy minimalism and near-masochistic skill testing, this is
a must have.