Gamertell Review: Valcon Games’ Polar Panic for Xbox Live

Title: Polar Panic
Price: $10.00 (800 Microsoft Points)
System(s): *Xbox Live, Playstation Network
Release Date: December 23, 2009
Publisher (Developer): Eiconic Games
ESRB Rating: “Everyone” for mild cartoon violence and tobacco reference.
Pros: Fun and simple, different modes allow for different types of game play and it’s multiplayer.
Cons: Seemingly impossible to score an “A” (I want to get above a “B!”)
Overall Score: Two thumbs Up; 97/100; A; * * * * 1/2 out of five.

It’s a hard life being a polar bear and Eiconic Games doesn’t make it any easier on them. Polar Panic is the newest puzzle game by Eiconic Games, available for the Xbox Live arcade and Playstation Network.

When a not-so-nice oil tycoon decides to get rid of all the polar bears so he can take over their land, one polar bear decides to take them on.

Crushed Poachers, Anyone?

You play as the unnamed polar bear in this puzzle adventure game. Your job is use your mighty polar bear strength to push ice blocks over poachers to crush them or use other objects (eg dynamite) to blow them up. As the levels progress, you encounter more obstacles that may block your path and the poachers eventually get weapons that they can shoot at you.

Crush or blow up all the poachers and the igloos they like they hang out in and reach the exit in the allotted time (yes the levels are timed) to beat each level.

There are three different types of games: Story mode, Puzzle mode, and Survivor mode. Story mode is the main mode that allows to play through each level in order and view the story while your at it. Puzzle mode is where you and up to four friends can play through the puzzles by themselves and see who can beat it faster. Survivor mode is basically one round where poachers constantly come at you. Your goal is to get rid of as many as you can before you die or time runs out. Also, for each level, you can pick either the easy, normal, or hard difficulty setting.

At first I was having trouble beating the levels in the allotted time but, as I got the hang of the game, it became easier. The poachers will walk wherever there is open space for them to walk, so keep that in mind when you are trying to corner them. Also, if you break an ice block near them, or walk in their line of view, they will be alerted to you and abruptly change to follow you. This could work to your advantage if you are in a good position to throw a block at them, or disadvantage if you now have to reposition yourself.

One whack from the poachers will kill you but, if you still have lives left, you will simply start back at the beginning of the level but everything will be the same (the poachers you killed will still be dead and the blocks you broke will still be broke) so that is good. You only have three lives to work with, but you also have continues which allow you to start the level again, but it’s reset so you have to kill all the poachers again.

Apparently Poachers Live in Igloos

At the end of each level, you are given a grade based on various things like how fast you completed the level, or if you hit any of the bonus items like snowmen and frozen polar bears. I was never able to get above a B no matter what I did. One level I finished very fast and I thought that I crushed all the poachers rather quickly as well, but I still only got a B. I don’t know what is required to achieve an A in this game. Plus it doesn’t seem to matter if you die during the level, because I died at one point during this level and I still managed to get a B.

You can also unlock bonus things in the game like statues and new faces. I assume you can use the new faces for something but I wasn’t able to figure it out. As with all XBLA and PSN games, you can get achievements throughout the game which you can view from the menu screen in the game.

Arctic living an’t what it’s cracked up to be

I always liked puzzle game, and especially those that are a little different (you can only have so many Tetris spin offs for crissake). This one was unique and fun and a good way to kill a few hours. It’s not to expensive either at about $10.

The difficulty has a good range from those who like to take it easy (like me!) and those who need more of a challenge. And I like that the levels don’t get instantly harder as you level up, instead its progressive which makes it more bearable (no pun intended) and fun to play.

This game can only be purchased through Xbox live arcade or the Playstation network. It is available now so go pick it up.

Read [Cinema Blend] Product Page [Polar Panic]