Puddle

 Xbox 360
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. GamingXP
    Mar 5, 2012
    88
    You will love this jewel of an indie game – especially when you got sucked in by the addictive gameplay mechanics and the lovely style of Puddle. Neko, please make more of this.
  2. GameShark
    Mar 7, 2012
    83
    For the right person, Puddle will get in your head and refuse to leave until you've unlocked every damned Au in the game. That's precisely what makes it an excellent puzzler – and a completely pure experience.
  3. NZGamer
    Mar 28, 2012
    80
    Beautifully simple but challenging, addictive, and guaranteed to work those cranial muscles thanks to the logic and scientific themes in every level.
  5. IGN
    Jan 31, 2012
    80
    If you are looking for a game that will tax your brain without complicated a control scheme, then Puddle might be the one to quench your puzzle thirst.
  6. Multiplayer.it
    Feb 16, 2012
    78
    Puddle is a hard puzzle-game that presents immediate and simple gameplay and an intense level design in a minimal visual dimension.
  7. 3DJuegos
    Feb 6, 2012
    75
    Puddle presents the fascinating journey of several types of fluids through original levels like a garden, laboratory or inside the human body. It's great, for moments, fascinating, but Puddle's difficulty is too unfairly hard and overcoming these difficulties requires trial and error mechanics.
  8. Gaming Age
    Feb 2, 2012
    75
    How Puddle remains as a game for you will depend on your skills and also your ability to work with physics and the elements. If you feel you have a very strong grasp on them, then this game is right up your physics alley. Otherwise, the complexity, Big Bang Theory elemental wit, and strict learning curve may act as a deterrent to many puzzle novices. I for one donate this game to science, as I'm a better gamer than number cruncher…well played nerds…well played.
  9. Planet Xbox 360
    Jan 31, 2012
    72
    Puddle isn't likely to be a big hit on Xbox Live Arcade due to its ridiculously high difficulty scale and its physics-heavy gameplay. However, if you're a fan of the LocoRoco games or are seeking out a whole different kind of platformer, this one's worth getting your feet wet over.
  10. SpazioGames
    Feb 17, 2012
    70
    Puddle is a very funny game with simple and intuitive gameplay. At the same time it offers a challenge that few players will be able to appreciate.
  11. Everyeye.it
    Feb 15, 2012
    70
    The concept is similar to the one presented by Mercury, so it may look a little bit old, but the variety is guaranteed by many different liquids to control.
  12. Eurogamer Sweden
    Feb 13, 2012
    70
    A suggestive, atmospheric, physics based puzzle game where you guide a variety of liquids through progressively harder environments. With a lovely soundtrack, a nice visual style and solid, tricky gameplay this is a ride worth taking. Ever wanted to guide a virus through the human body, or some coffee along a lab table? Then Puddle is the game for you!
  13. Gamereactor Sweden
    Feb 6, 2012
    70
    A unique and interesting puzzle game with a lot of nice things going for it. Unfortunately, it doesn't last in the long run.
  14. VideoGamer
    Jan 30, 2012
    70
    Puddle is a well-made game with a lot of character and a cheeky scientific feel. It's fun to see what sort of unexpected places and states you end up in, but be prepared to suffer a lot if you want the medals on every level.
  15. ZTGD
    Feb 8, 2012
    65
    The game still has a great style to it. The levels, and what you do in some of them, really make the game. Visually, it is really unique. I just wish the game play was more relaxed like the visual style is. I still have to say, this game is really only for patient players.
  16. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Apr 23, 2012
    60
    Barely worth splashing out on. [May 2012, p.95]
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  17. Gameblog.fr
    Feb 22, 2012
    60
    If you're looking for a small production that is both original and intense, Puddle will nicely challenge your patience and skill with anticipating the mechanics of fluids. The inspired level design is perfect for short sessions of play.
  18. Eurogamer Portugal
    Feb 20, 2012
    60
    Puddle is an incredibly simple and fun game, but easily becomes a haunting experience, with a disproportionate tendency toward repetition.
  19. GameOver.gr
    Feb 14, 2012
    60
    An interesting premise with quite good artistic value that is hindered by its extremely high difficulty.
  20. GameSpot
    Jan 31, 2012
    60
    The frequent frustrations of Puddle mean that only the most patient of players will have what it takes to reach the end. That's a shame, because it presents a fascinating journey through forests and foundries, into outer space and inner space.
  21. Level7.nu
    Feb 11, 2012
    50
    Puddle features a nice and nerdy scientific setting, but horrible level design and long loading times makes it frustrating to play.
  22. Official Xbox Magazine
    Jan 30, 2012
    45
    Regrettably, Puddle's enticing possibilities are mired in a swamp of irritating issues. Increasingly lethal obstacles take the place of actual puzzles, and overcoming them requires painful trial and error. Meanwhile, the camera frequently focuses on runaway specks even as most of your goop starts to dissolve once it's off-screen.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Xborn74
    Apr 10, 2012
    6
    The game concept was created by a french student group of ENJMIN, who won the Student Showcase at GDC 2010, and was picked up and developed byThe game concept was created by a french student group of ENJMIN, who won the Student Showcase at GDC 2010, and was picked up and developed by Neko Entertainment.The game does not really have a story, it is only a game where you must carry a liquid from point A to B, which would be the end of a path, in the shortest time and with as much liquid remaining as possible, avoiding the dangers that the way, that causes the liquid to be lost. We can't deny, Puddle graphics are very nice and with high resolution textures, with very well done and realistic physical effects (eg liquid metal texture, metal structures on fire, etc.), with a haze effect in objects far away, all running at a speed of 60fps - it still have some watercolor paintings images reproduced very well too.
    Yet the movement of the camera does not help in the gameplay because it is often too slow, making it difficult to see what you do, and what it's happening in a whole.

    The sound effects of the liquid dripping, or the heat evaporating it (like simmering water) is very well done, and all sounds in general are, in the stillness that generally the game have, adds to this a discrete musical soundtrack with electronic beats and plenty of soft music.

    The gameplay on Puddle is based in the use of only two controls in the game, the LT and RT to flip the screen, what moves with gravity, the liquid, thus controlling the speed and direction of it, through various phases, consisting of pipes, levels driven pumps and gates, and of course the "dangers" in the form of fire, burning metal, air currents, drains and electricity, which evaporate or diminishes the amount of liquid in the path. It's a nice concept, but it have some problems in the execution: the liquid does not tend to get attached, it disperses into droplets too easy, and you lose a great amount of it when you try to get the control of too many drops at a time, and due to this, adding one more enemy to the challenges that already exist in the game to evaporate it (and as said the camera doesn't help).

    And to make matters worse, in the late stages, after falling into a certain amount (remember that this is a score parameter), the phase ends without waiting for the rest of the liquid arrives, instead of wait to the whole moving liquid reach the end.

    The aim of the phases is get to the end of it, in less time, with the maximum possible liquid, avoiding the dangers - in the end of each level you're graded according to a curve with the amount of water in "boards", with the colors and symbols of the chemical elements, like gold , silver and copper, represented by their chemical names of the periodic table (Au, Ag and Cu, which were the trophies in the game).

    There is not only water as a liquid in the game, but nitroglycerin, oil, coffee, acid and fertilizer (eg to fertilize and grow plants in particular phase), each with its own characteristics and a way of interacting with the phase, which makes the characteristics of the fluids in different phases more interesting.

    The game ends up being a game of trial (lots and lots) and error, making it a puzzle game of a medium to high difficulty, due to the precision that you should achieve balanced quantity, movement and speed of the water that you control, and while avoiding the dangers of the stage, having not much time to think about it.

    In essence, due to the difficulty, and the camera and physics problems, it loose the fun factor really quick. My score: with some polishing in the difficulty - it would be nice a Easy / Normal / Hard selection -, camera, and liquid dispersion issues, it would be a 7,4 / 10,0, but with these problems that the game actually have, i'd give it a 6,0 / 10,0 score.    … Full Review »
  2. Cinemachine
    Feb 16, 2013
    7
    If you are into physics puzzles, then you will love this game. The graphics are stunning and run smoothly, the levels are imaginative, and theIf you are into physics puzzles, then you will love this game. The graphics are stunning and run smoothly, the levels are imaginative, and the courses you run through are difficult and rewarding.… Full Review »
  3. SMP_Crew
    Feb 11, 2012
    7
    Puddle is a good puzzle game for many reasons. The fluid dynamic that is present throughout the game adds a new depth of problem solving andPuddle is a good puzzle game for many reasons. The fluid dynamic that is present throughout the game adds a new depth of problem solving and spacial thinking to the genre. Graphics are definitely a strong point in the game and sound has to be the best part of the game by far, with it's constantly changing moods and a soundtrack that is as adaptable to each level as the fluid you play as. Puddle is the perfect game for puzzle lovers but may not flow well with those who don't enjoy a good challenge.… Full Review »
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