MagnetiZR

Futuristic laser manipulation? It doesn't get much better. MagnetiZR is a slick, smooth game where you use magnets to direct a laser to it's destination. It's sort of like being a futuristic traffic director, but much more difficult. As the game progresses it (obviously) gets more difficult, increasing in variety of tools and targets.

The game starts out on a 3D map, with a small upside-down triangle signaling you first level. It's all very polished, but as soon as you start the levels you'll realize it's less about the appearance, and more about the actual game.

On one side, there is a little laser. Without your direction, it will shoot directly to the end of the screen, missing your target completely. Your job is to use some of your magnetic tools to attract, repel and essentially direct the magnet to your target(s). You also have the job of making sure the laser avoids the walls, which will quickly absorb it, and block any direction the laser was going.

The beginning levels start out with a smaller number of tools and obstacles, but as you get further along the game rises in difficulty. You come across more magnets, and in time colors play a part in the levels, where certain lasers must reach certain targets of the same color, and some magnets only work for one color. Eventually it turns into the mixture of a laser direction game and a tool manager, where through trial and error you figure how little tools you can use for one laser, to have more for the other.


Pros and cons:
Pros:

- Good use of brain cells
- Good difficulty progression
- Varies in tools and style of gameplay well
- Polished
- Trial and error doesn't get boring easy

Cons:

- Still can get boring
- A bit repetitive

MagnitiZR may perhaps not be the most original game out there, but seldom are games. It takes a sub-genre that hasn't been expanded on too much, adds some style to it, and you've got a game that captivates you from the beginning.

My recommendation: If parts get boring or frustrating, bare through them like you do in other games. Instead of using the 'skip', figure the level out, because they're often easier than they look.

Play MagnetiZR on NotDoppler or Kongregate.