Kwirk – Game Boy

The VS mode uses the video link adapter, which is pretty awesome. Not enough people ever owned that thing. And you’d be hard-pressed to find someone with an adapter AND the same damn game! But anyway, “VS Mode” is a 2-player version of “Heading Out?” It’s simple, it’s fun, and it’s a decent way to get involved with your friends.

2D mode: Notice the holes and blocks are easily defined?

The puzzles are laid out with a multitude of random block formations; some have a pivot point that limits their movements. Stationary blocks or other blocks will often get in the way and limit your control of direction, forcing you to complete each level with very few alternative options. These non-pivoted blocks are tricky and warrant their own varying strategies because once pushed into a corner, it is completely stuck, never to be moved out again (hit the A-button and select “back” to go back one step or “redo” to start the level over).

Thinking and planning ahead might seem very important at first, and is actually useful in the first couple of levels. But once you get more involved in deeper levels, planning can take considerable time. Trial and error proves to be the best method for success! Every level, or room, is different and will most certainly start to piss you off. I mean, this game gets frustrating! You’ll see.

Kwirk’s vegetable friends

One of my favorite features in Kwirk makes its introduction in Level 1, Floor 6 of the “Going Up?” mode. Kwirk’s sort of retarded-ass half brother or whatever shows up to aid us in our quest for Tammy’s slut-ass. His face looks like some sort of flame or something, but considering that Kwirk and Tammy are tomatoes, I’m guessing he’s some sort of vegetable or something. Anyway, with the select button, you can switch your control back and forth between Kwirk and DerpdyKwirk (the half-brother dude). This allows you to strategically position both of your guys into areas where one would not be enough. Now with the ability to control 2 of guys (separately, not simultaneously), you are given yet another tactical maneuver at your disposal.

Once you think you have the game figured out, the puzzles begin to increase in difficulty RAPIDLY! But hopefully by the time you reach each of these difficult rooms, you will have started to notice some of the patterns and consistencies used in the previous levels. While each level is technically very different, you’ll notice similarities, or if something looks easy, you should know that it’s not. You kind of start to comprehend exactly what the developers are up to with the devilish ways.

Kwirk starts off like a bag of fun and quickly turns into a chainmail bag of gold that you’ll never get into. The game is rarely that rewarding once you get past the first difficulty setting. While the puzzles aren’t impossible to complete, they are extremely challenging and lend a welcome test to the player. Trial and error eventually becomes the only form of success, with many a “redo” and “back” option being used. The feeling of accomplishment (if you accomplish anything) is unmatched because the levels are just so hard.

Press A and you’ll see these options. REDO often.

Overall, Kwirk is a very thorough and intricate puzzle/maze game. It really tests the players’ problem solving abilities and will leave you stumped before too long. I wish the developers would have included a “hint” system after X amount of tries. I found myself completely stuck with seemingly no end in sight. Chip’s Challenge (Atari Lynx) provides a “hint” or “level skip” option after a large number of tries. It keeps the player from getting too upset and quitting the game. Some of the rooms will take 8-10 minutes to complete, which can start to wear the player down after a bit. There is little to no replay value once you have either completed the game or given up on it due to frustration. All of the challenges are gone. It’s still worth a pick-up or a play for any puzzle lover! Kwirk can be found on Amazon for less than $1 + $3.99 for shipping, so generally in the $5 range.

Nerd Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Reviewed by NerdBerry