Again after I reviewed Ouros ($2.99) from Michael Kamm on Steam Deck, I loved it lots, however thought it was higher suited to taking part in on iOS because it was finest with contact controls on Valve’s handheld. Quick ahead to right this moment, the spline-based puzzler about forming curves has hit cell, and I’ve been having fun with replaying it on my iPhone and iPad. Regardless that this isn’t near the identical model of puzzler, it jogged my memory of the basic Osmos and its class after I began taking part in, and Ouros is likely one of the finest cell puzzlers of the yr regardless of a number of points.
Ouros has a really sensible manner of onboarding and introducing new mechanics. You start with simply the most-basic degree of the primary chapter the place you’re taught to pull an orb to maneuver a curve on prime of numbered objects. Your intention is to have the rotating orb on mentioned curve comply with a path in a particular order, and that’s the place the puzzle side comes into the image. The way you work together with the orbs, the extent modifications, obstacles, and even the path of motion change the way you deal with the puzzles. Ouros isn’t a tough sport, but it surely does have some ranges that had me wanting hints.
Proper now, Ouros ships with greater than 120 puzzles, and I really like that you just don’t have to resolve each single one to maneuver ahead. Some ranges introduce mechanics that fully change up the sport as effectively, however I really like the way it by no means loses sight of being a sublime and stress-free puzzle sport even when the degrees get much more complicated afterward with totally different path necessities and obstacles. There’s all the time the trace system, but it surely isn’t a direct reply for later ranges with you continue to having to consider forming the curve appropriately.
The accessibility of Ouros isn’t simply associated to it being on the better aspect in the case of puzzle options or the trace system, but additionally in its controls. Ouros is an easy sport about dragging orbs with responsive controls to appropriately align totally different curves. You aren’t compelled into any pixel perfection or to fret about timers. Consider this as a pleasant sport to relax with when you’ve a couple of minutes to kill time and need to do one thing to maintain your mind working.
Visually, Ouros may be very pleasing. I really like the animation work, sped-up motion while you’ve solved a puzzle, and in addition the transitions between ranges. Even conditions the place you make an error are accompanied by a pleasant little animation. All of that is accompanied by excellent efficiency on each iOS system I examined it on: iPhone 15 Professional, iPhone 12, and iPad Professional (2020). I’ve virtually no complaints with the iOS model, however the lack of iCloud save help is disappointing. In the event you plan on taking part in Ouros on iOS, stick to 1 system proper now.
Since I used to be testing it on each gadgets, I ended up liking it extra on iPad than iPhone. It seems to be and runs nice on each, however I take pleasure in these sorts of video games extra on the bigger display. I had the identical feeling with World of Goo although that requires quicker inputs. In the event you do have the choice to play on each, I like to recommend doing the primary three ranges and seeing how you are feeling earlier than deciding on a particular system. I’d additionally suggest it on iOS over Steam as a result of these video games are higher off with full contact controls, and an iPad is extra comfy for a touchscreen sport than Steam Deck.
Apart from the shortage of iCloud save sync, a number of of the later puzzles maintain Ouros again a bit, however there’s little flawed with this in any other case inventive, elegant, and stress-free puzzle sport. Given the way it controls completely with contact controls, I didn’t hassle utilizing a controller.
Ouros was already effectively definitely worth the asking worth on Steam earlier this yr, and the cheaper price on cell makes it a fair simpler advice. In the event you take pleasure in stress-free puzzle video games, Ouros is an important. I hope we see extra from developer Michael Kamm within the puzzle area within the close to future.
