Noogra Nuts

Pros

• Three ways to play
• Controls work with tablets and computers
• Colorful cartoon animation with detailed levels
• Easy to learn

Cons

• Simple controls repeat too much
• Can be too addictive
• Painful music choices
• Hard to tell if main character is meant to be cute or creepy

Noogra Nuts is a simple game that lets players assume the role of a cartoon squirrel collecting nuts as they fall from the sky. This is a simple arcade title on the surface, but it is wildly addictive once the nuts start coming down.

The main character is the perfect blend of cuddly and deranged. His cross-eyed design exudes a level of adorably demented shenanigans to signal family friendly furry fun for all ages. Everything about this game exclaims that it is time to get nutty.

The controls literally could not be easier, and anyone can get the hang of it within seconds. It is optimized for an accelerometer, so modern tablets get the fullest experience. With sensors that naturally detect gravity, the game operates by tilting the tablet back and forth. This moves the character in both directions across the horizontal grid, and tapping the touch screen makes the silly squirrel take massive leaps.

Players using a keyboard can still acquire a similar effect. The spacebar performs that same function as a tap, and the directional pad is only needed to move left and right. With swiftness, the squirrel responds to the input. Every command sends him dashing around with neurotic passion. He traverses several scenic areas, and the vibrant environments replicate many habitats and seasons.

The game is equipped with three variants of rules. Classic presents the standard challenge, which solely consists of hoarding the most nuts within a two-minute time frame. Jungle mode is a step above the basic formula, and it adds the hazards of falling rocks and poisoned nuts. For maximum difficulty, gamers should enter the Survival arena. This mode is a fight for the fuzzy mammal's life. Players should be prepared to dodge a barrage of boulders and tumbleweeds.

In all three modes, the controls remain exactly the same. This can deter veteran gamers looking for a more engrossing release, but casual gamers will truly appreciate the brief distraction of Noogra Nuts. The high score board keeps things interesting, and pulling off slick combos will lead to multiplied numbers. When grabbed without interruption, each nabbed nut leads to a substantially higher score. In the background, an incessantly noisy soundtrack is excessively tinny and hyper.

Overall, there may not be enough variation to maintain long-term attention. Children are probably the only audience that would commit to an extended play time, and the mascot might frighten them away from the game in the first place. The quirky aesthetics may have been intended as sweet, but they just come across as a little sinister.

Pros

• Three ways to play
• Controls work with tablets and computers
• Colorful cartoon animation with detailed levels
• Easy to learn

Cons

• Simple controls repeat too much
• Can be too addictive
• Painful music choices
• Hard to tell if main character is meant to be cute or creepy