The Daily Click

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Author:	Del Duio
Added:	17/06/2006
Overall:
Average:	8.75/10

Hi, today I review one of the very best games available for free (let alone one of the top 2 or 3 click games period) Lye in Cube Sector! Although released quite awhile ago, it's one of the only click games that I will continually go back and play from time to time. So let's get with it!

Presentation: 9/10

The game boasts a cool opening sequence and title screen, as well as an easy to read and cool-looking menu. Also, when you die there's a funny scene where Lyle picks himself up off of the pavement- only to get crushed by another giant cube. Then you'll have the choice to either save + quit, or continue the game from the beginning (but with all of your items collected in tact.) There's even an awesome Metroid / Castlevania-type auto map that charts your progress, and if you're like me you'll be looking at that puppy a lot during the course of the game.

Gameplay: 10/10

Let me tell you, people. The number one reason to play any game at all, regardless of sound, graphics, or otherwise, is the fun-factor and Lyle in Cube Sector has that in spades. The story is simple enough- Lyle's cat goes missing and so he decides to leave his very Mad Max-looking house to go and look for him.

This game plays out a lot like Metroid does, where there are different large sections to explore but all are interconnected so you can backtrack through them whenever you want to. The only stipulation would be that some areas are unreachable at first until you find a new power-up or item that will allow Lyle to gain access to said area. This is a very free-feeling game of exploration and more games should endevor to be like this. A great thing to do once you're obtained a new power-up is to go and revisit an older area. I guarantee about 9 times out of 10 you'll be able to go somewhere you couldn't before and you'll find something good.

Techincally, the platform engine is extremely well-done and solid to play. Each of the different cubes Lyle can pick up have different abilities too. Some may explode, others regenerate once taken, and others still can hold hidden items to collect. You also have the option to play with either a joystick or the keyboard, which is great since I love playing this with the joystick much better.

Graphics: 8/10

The graphics won't blow anyone away by today's mainstream crapola, but guess what folks? They're not SUPPOSED to! Everything has a very deliberate retro NES look and feel, which is just fine by me. The color selection is top-notch and goes great with the mostly black background (another nod to Metroid, I'd guess). There's even paralax scrolling, and a very "Defender-ish" cityscape in the background in the overworld area. (Defender is an OLD-ass Atari game, in case you may not know).

The one thing I will say is that as original and fun as the game is, some of it looks TOO much like Metroid in places. Most notably the cubes themselves and some stuctures scattered throughout the game. I've read that these aren't ripped at all, so perhaps it's another homage to Samus and co.

Sound and Music: 10/10

These songs are great! They all seem to share in common instruments and a basic theme that glues it all together. And, you'll actually want to turn it up for some of the better areas to drown out American Idol or whatever your wife happens to be watching. (bleh!) The sound effects are also straight out of 1987 and fit perfectly.

Lastability: 10/10

Well, what can you say about a game you'll continue to come back and play every couple of weeks or so? And play to the end, no less! Plus, it's possible you might miss an item or two so there's always more reason to play again. There's even a hidden room for you to find..

Overall: 9/10

Lyle in Cube Sector is a fantastic NES-style game that capitalizes on FUN, FUN, FUN! I seriously doubt anyone from The Daily Click wouldn't be able to get past it's retro look and give this game the respect it deserves. For this classic to get anything less than a 9 or 10 would be an insult.