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The New Review: Critics: Radio & Games: GAMES: Rymdkapsel Mac, PC, Linux (latest versions), tablet, mobile, Vita, Grapefrukt, cert: unrated(Observer (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) From the abstract visuals to its vowel-light Swedish name, Rymdkapsel does not at first glance appear overly welcoming. But don't abort the mission just yet, because this space-station-building strategy title is a wonderfully accessible spin on the classic "god game" genre, and newly released for Mac, PC and Linux. The player's task is to construct and defend a community amid the stars, plotting out corridors and labs, balancing raw material supply chains, a growing workforce, and researching monoliths suspended in the heavens. Handled differently, it could have been an unwieldy beast, but such is the elegance of its design that it remains remarkably simple, and all the better for having moved from pocket devices to bigger screens. Quick to learn and play, it's simultaneously meditative and frantic, since constant tweaking is needed to maintain a harmonious space station. After a handful of hours you will likely have seen all it has to offer, but Rymdkapsel is so rewarding that returning is never a chore. (c) 2014 Guardian Newspapers Limited. |