Customer Reviews

Soul Bubbles

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read about this game a while back, checked out some videos online, and finally this game is out. Although for the time being it's only being sold at Toys R Us as an exclusive, hopefully this will change so this game can have a proper release.

I won't go into the whole story etc. I would however like to talk about the game play and how beautiful the artwork is.

In a nutshell, your job is to use the stylus to make your character blow your bubble through the level, and get it to the end. Yeah, that's like 90% of other games too, I know, but the little puzzles along the way, hidden items, the whole inventiveness of the levels was (this is going to sound weird for a DS game but oh well...) Breathtaking.

Your bubble is affected in a myriad of ways, spiky things, fire, wind, other critters etc.. You can use your stylus with the combination of "Masks" to Draw new bubbles, Shrink bubbles, and to Split or combine bubbles. With these things you have all the tools you need to get you through a level.

The hand drawn levels are amazing to look at and interact with, each "World" is different and beautifully illustrated. This is one of those games where you know that somebody who worked on it really loved his work.

This game didn't come from Nintendo, but it has a lot of the things that also make me love some of their games, especially the Mario games and Yoshi's Island. I'm sure a better review is on it's way but it won't be done by me. :-) Two Thumbs Up!!!

Here's a game that is well worth the money. I have been reviewing several
games seeking something that would reawaken my senses and stimulate my mind.
I ran across this game. When I first saw this game, I thought it would be
like Rain Drops and held off on purchasing it.

After speaking with several ToysRus employees, I, finally, decided to
purchase the game. And WOW!

The game is awesome! It's stimulating! Challenging! A little breathtaking -
the artwork is very well down. The game is relaxing. I have the Zenses
collection, but this game has out shown them by a long shot!

If you don't have it, GET IT!

As an adult gamer, I really liked this game!

This game gives you more control than most games where you just press buttons and go certain directions. In this game, you get to draw the bubble, change bubble sizes, split the bubbles in half, and control where the bubble travels!

Yes the graphics are beautiful, bold and vibrant. It is unlike any other game I've played.

This reminds me a bit of Kirby Canvas Curse where you control where Kirby goes and draw lines along the way. Soul Bubbles is very interactive. All this is done with your stylus and one button at a time. You need two hands for this.

Not only you can control where the bubbles go, you also collect stars and calabashes along the way each level. There are 3 calabashes to collect on each level. The game also times you to show you how long it took you to go from the beginning to the end of each level.

As of 10/7/2008 - I beat the game! Boy that was alot of fun and challenging!!!!! Might be a bit too hard for the little ones. I can see 9 and up doing this and solving it.

CHEAT FYI: If you can't find all 3 calabashes, pause on that level you are working on, press A, L, L, R, A, D, A, R. It will reveal where the calabashes are that you haven't collected. (I only do this after I cannot find them after searching for them for awhile.)

In my search for unique DS games appropriate for an adult with a fondness for puzzles, I came across a "Best of 2008" list that included "Soul Bubbles" -- a game I had never heard of before. I immediately sought it out and discovered a tragedy. It seems that its publisher, Eidos, didn't give it much of a chance in the market and it ended up being a "Toys R Us" exclusive, essentially defining it as something cute and easy and appropriate for little kids (who, I'm sure, would be bored to tears with this slow-paced puzzler). Hard core game reviewers treated it similarly and this very impressive little game never found an audience, then sadly disappeared.

"Soul Bubbles" is more like a fine wine that you drink a little too much of over a long, mellow evening. The maze-based puzzles have no time constraint, you can take them as fast or slow as you want depending on the type of challenge that you seek. Initially, the paths are direct, easy to figure out; but about half way through the difficulty ramps up and finding all of the hidden items becomes quite a challenge. On top of this, a clever and unique "bubble-managing" mechanic immerses you in this very unique game, and the accompanying hypnotic soundscape inspired by the spiritual worlds of several different cultures (which also define the artfully created landscapes) create a soothing atmosphere that encourages relaxed gameplay.

It's a shame that this title is somewhat difficult to find, but if you like puzzles, especially maze-based ones, that relax as much as they challenge, you will like "Soul Bubbles".

Soul Bubbles is an incredibly elegant game. It is very simple, but the mechanic is so well married to the DS format that it's a joy just to interact with. This is a fantastic DS title!

Soul Bubbles is a very entertaining DS game. I would recommend it above most other games on the DS. Shame it's not had the attention it deserves.

This is a perfect Nintendo DS game. It is a game that was designed with children in mind, but is enjoyable, probably even more so, by adults. It is a challenging game, and thought needs to be put into it to get through the levels. The levels are mazes, and the challenge is to get through the levels while taking care of some very fragile souls. You are entrusted with delivering these souls to a place at the end of each maze, and you carry them around inside protective bubbles, hence the name, "Soul Bubbles".

This is the fifth DS game I've played, and so far my favorite. When I first started playing it, I didn't realize how addicting it would be. But the truth is, it is a laid back game, with no time pressures on you, or tons of enemies attacking you. It is a strategy game where obstacles are placed in your path, and you have to use the resources found in your environment to get past those obstacles. There are a number of treasures or objects that can be found within the mazes, and it's not easy to find them all, or in some cases, easy to reach them all; you have to be creative in your methods. That is why adults will fare better at this game than children.

The music and sound effects are beautiful and esthetically very pleasing. No corny soundtracks can be found in this game. The artwork is very effective and pleasant, and the dynamics of objects in the environment obey the laws of physics very well. Overall, the game was designed and tested to the point where I can't find any faults in the game play. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Be prepared to spend about 16-hours to complete the entire game. After playing it once through, you can probably complete it again in 8-hours. There are 7-environments in which you travel. Each environment contains 5-levels of mazes, with each one increasing in difficulty, and with more challenges and resources for you to overcome and use. The levels are not repetitive, and each one offers a different flavor and charm.

If you are a true gamer, this is definitely one for you.

I gave this game a full 5 star rating cuz as a 50 yr. old player, not only do I love it, but my 2 grandgirls do also, ages 8 and 14. This game will keep you entertained for hours/days! The concept is new, fresh and interesting, a puzzle type game. You start the game as a Spirit Herder, drawing a bubble around 7 spirits, then blowing your bubble in the direction you need and collecting stardust on your way, you must safely get them to the end of the level without losing any for higher points. This game uses both the buttons and control pad as well as the stylus and touch screen. As you travel thru the tree branches (great artistry), you have to avoid "thorns" that will poke and burst your bubble, these little monkey looking guys pop out of the branches and try to steal your bubble and move it somewhere else, sometimes this is good and sometimes not cuz he might move you back, frogs stick out tongues and steal/suck your spirits out of the bubble. For these you use your stylus to tap and stun those monkey lookin guys and for that frogs tongue, you slice thru it with your stylus (nothing violent or disgusting in this game). Some places you need to slice thru your bubble with the stylus and make it into several smaller bubbles in order to get thru smaller spaces, then use stylus to put them back together. During your travel thru each world you also collect Calabashes, you spirits turn into pink hearts when you are near where a Calabash is hidden, so you will find, thru-out the game, you do get lots of helpful hints in different ways. Once you free enuff spirits at the end of each level, it will unlock the next world. There is a level map on your top screen that you can scroll around to see where you are. There are 7 worlds to get thru with the chance of unlocking an 8th world if you've freed enuff spirits. You can replay any level to improve on your rank, acheiving a higher rank allows you to unlock paths to new levels and receive extra bonuses. I'd recommend this game to anyone of any age to enjoy sitting back and getting used to using both the controls and stylus, making good use of the Nintendo DS touch screen, but also the challenge of getting to the end of each level with all your spirits intact while collecting everything you needed to collect. While this may appear to be an easy/simple game, it's also quite challenging and sometimes difficult, but ohhh so enjoyable the whole time. I don't 5 star too many games, but this one is quite worthy of it.

I am an adult, albeit an adult who loves video games and such. My issue has been that I require "no brainer" type games - so you could say I would be labeled a "casual gamer." I saw this game advertised on one of the usual game sites and thought I would be really interested in it, so I ordered it on a 'well known auction site'. I began to have second thoughts but then it came in my mailbox.

OH WOW - I simply ADORE this game!! From the beautiful artwork to the soundtrack, it's so great! There's enough of a challenge to keep you easily hooked for - dare I say - hours. Great thing about this game is that it's also a bit of a stress-reliever and welcome deviation from my job. I take my DS to work with me so I have something to do at lunch. This game has been a lifesaver for me. The game just sucks you in - I can't help but get caught up in it. It's very relaxing while at the same time, giving just enough of a challenge.

Kids or people needing a high challenge in their games might not appreciate this game, but for me, I love it - it's just the right speed, so to speak. I truly am enjoying this game - and I can tell it will be one I will not be trading or selling, where I have done so with other games I have bought. It will never be the same game twice. How many DS games can you say that about, that are of such a high caliber and artistic quality? This game's creators have done a FANTASTIC job! BRAVO!

Do yourself a favor and find and play this game! :)

This game really does live up to the ratings. It's addictive, challenging and fun. I love the soothing music and beautiful landscapes, and they're a nice change from the repetitive annoying music that is on most video games. It's hard to describe how really good this game is. With a little explanation, I showed my 4.5 year old how to play and she picked it up pretty quickly, granted she only plays on the easier levels. Nonetheless, she loves it as much as myself. It's unfortunate this game was only sold at Toys R Us and wasn't readily available to everyone everywhere, as I think it really would've done well. It's a sleeper hit, for sure.