Porter's World

Grid 16

Grid 16 is a rather under-appreciated flash game that not enough people know about. It offers some intense gaming moments and a unique twist on classic games that is sure to entertain anyone who takes the time to check it out. Simple controls, visuals, and goals, make this the perfect game to pick up and play on a lunch break.

Grid 16 plays in a very unique way, it’s actually 16 mini games tossed together to form one large game. The game will randomly jump between games after a set amount of time, and as you last longer, the speed at which the games are played increases. If you lose at a game, it takes it out of the 16 games you can play, and you’re left with the remaining games until there are none left. As speed increases and you get better at the games, so do the intense gamer moments that have you on the edge of your seat.

The strongest characteristic of Grid 16 is it’s casual gameplay. The ability to jump in and instantly play 16 mini games in just a few minutes gives a perfect experience for many casual gamers. Aside from the simple controls that are easy to pick up and get the hang of, all 16 games resemble basic mechanics seen in games time and time again, so players can instantly relate to what’s going on within seconds of seeing the game. It isn’t easy by any means, so competitive gamers get a challenge as well through the high score boards. Aside from it’s casual gameplay, the concept of flying between 16 different games at a face pace is entertaining in itself; it’s a unique gameplay mechanic that very few other games offer. A few other games such as Four Second Frenzy and Four Second Fury have used the same concept, but Grid 16 takes it a step higher with the increased speed mechanic and a few other minor tweaks.

As far as fast paced mini games go, Grid 16 is basically the best choice out there. It’s addicting, unique, and most important, entertaining. It doesn’t have all that much depth, but if you insist on getting on the high score boards you’ll have quite the task in front of you. If you find yourself reading this and you haven’t checked it out yet, give Grid 16 a play and help spread this under-appreciated flash gem.

Dolphin Olympics 2

Dolphin Olympics 2 is easily one of my favorite flash games of all time. It’s got one of the best balances of exploration, casual gameplay, as well as hardcore gameplay. The graphics are great and the controls are simple. This balance of traits is something every flash game should aim for, and there are few games that pull it off as well as Dolphin Olympics 2 does.

Exploration has always been an aspect of game design that I feel I give more credit to than most developers. There’s something amazing about beating an area of a game and waiting to see not only what happens next, but where next is. What enemies are there? What does the world look like? How is the music there? These questions drove me to play games as a child, as well as inspire me to develop games now. The exploration in Dolphin Olympics 2 is probably it’s strongest characteristic, most players don’t see it coming. You start off jumping around in the ocean with other small fish, but as you learn how the game works, you’ll quickly be jumping out of the water and into space, with enough skill that is. I was amazed when I saw the moon for the first time as I got high enough into the sky, never did I think the game would allow me to reach planets deep in space, nor did I think the amount of skill needed to do so possible. From the moment you see the moon for the first time, there is a certain thrill that drives you to keep going, “What’s next?” will be running through your head and a rush of curiosity and adrenaline will easily make you lose track of time. This feeling is powered by exploration, the need to see what’s next, to me, a key element in game design that is often never taken into consideration.

Another less known element, but increasing in popularity, is relaxation. To emphasize this point, we’ll  look at a popular video game company that’s been around forever, Nintendo. Believe it or not, Nintendo actually has plans to expand their market to target people looking for relaxation. They want to create games that serve the purpose of relaxing the player. During E3, Miyamoto spoke of games that would help you relax and fall asleep at night being in the near future. Although Dolphin Olympics 2 has been out for some time now, I believe such an element has already existed within the game. Perhaps not strong enough to put you asleep, but definitely to a point of relaxation. The simple controls, awesome sound effects, and casual gameplay, create a great atmosphere for anyone who doesn’t want to jump deep into a game and just wants to casually mess around with no real fixation on the game.

The game also stands out in it’s flexibility of both casual and hardcore gameplay. The game will at first to any player seem very casual, you jump around in the water and have a good time. However, as you get used to the gameplay, experienced gamers will quickly see there is a much larger goal at hand. It’s possible to gain momentum and reach incredible heights. This is perfect for both levels of gamers because the casual gamer doesn’t know such things exist, and therefore isn’t bothered with trying, while the hardcore player has a goal at hand that will challenge them indefinitely.

Overall, Dolphin Olympics 2 offers an amazing experience. The game has something to offer to nearly all players, something many games lack and lose a lot of players over. The game itself is oddly addicting and has players coming back even months later, which is very impressive for a flash game. Whether you feel like going for a swim, or stopping by the diner at the end of the universe, Dolphin Olympics 2 definitely has something for you to enjoy.