Preliminary: Wow, the hidden absurdities that my backlog journey unveil. Very interesting interview and backstory provided in this video (which I had come upon for Dolphin's Pearl/Dolphin's Rune for the C64, but got intrigued by this)
Look: 7/10
Technically pretty bad for the post-Atari VCS era, butttt that beginning spiraling is definitely nice. And overall functional for the purpose
Sound: 8/10
Even tho once the actual gameplay starts, it's mostly your usual Atari Sound, the Birth Spiral's drone coupled with your ability to add to the music is just top-notch stuff. I'm a sucker for art games...
Play: 6/10
Can't say I love the actual gameplay itself. I liked just manipulating the music and enjoying the Birth Spiral. And tbh, the controls are tight, so I can't really complain. I just wanted it to stay art though. Instead, there is an actual purpose to your play pen sequence (try to trap the moving objects in the corners. As per usual with Atari games, the Instructions will prove invaluable if you want to play this through and get the longest life possible. I, on the other hand, let this get a 3 just so I remember it: absurd, interesting, technically well-done with tight controls and well-executed concepts in action, but just not interested in playing for the longest life. Like Venetian Blinds, art games are just too unique to let them be forgotten in my countless played games!
Feel: 8/10
Indeed, the Feel, concept, and Sound all culminate to make an unforgettable game worth watching the video of and/or playtesting yourself. And if you're a big fan of Atari action games and simulation/strategy/concept games, even the gameplay itself will likely intrigue you! Again, the controls are actually tight and the gameplay is interesting. The ideas of Opportunities and Conversations are fun to read about, even if I'm not in the mood to delve into them (sort of like with most complex strategy/sim games heh). Interesting, unforgettable, amazing beginning and Sound concepts, and a well-executed unique concept.
Attachment: 7/10
Like I mentioned, with art games like this and Venetian Blinds, how often am I really going to return to this to play it? Probly only to show my brothers or others. Perhaps I will play through it to see how long I can live (reminds me of that Rick and Morty in-show game ha), maybe when I have the urge for the classic Atari type gameplay (it really did just sorta turn into an Atari 2600 game after the absurd Birth Spiral sequence ha). Overall, great game. Nothing else quite like it for its time.
Playtime: ~15 mins
