Again once I reviewed Ouros ($2.99) from Michael Kamm on Steam Deck, I loved it quite a bit, however thought it was higher suited to enjoying on iOS because it was finest with contact controls on Valve’s handheld. Quick ahead to immediately, the spline-based puzzler about forming curves has hit cell, and I’ve been having fun with replaying it on my iPhone and iPad. Despite the fact that this isn’t near the identical type of puzzler, it jogged my memory of the basic Osmos and its magnificence once I began enjoying, and Ouros is among the finest cell puzzlers of the yr regardless of just a few points.
Ouros has a really sensible approach of onboarding and introducing new mechanics. You start with simply the most-basic degree of the primary chapter the place you might be taught to tug an orb to maneuver a curve on high of numbered objects. Your intention is to have the rotating orb on stated curve observe a path in a particular order, and that’s the place the puzzle facet comes into the image. The way you work together with the orbs, the extent adjustments, obstacles, and even the path of motion change the way you sort out the puzzles. Ouros isn’t a tough recreation, however it does have some ranges that had me wanting hints.
Proper now, Ouros ships with greater than 120 puzzles, and I really like that you simply don’t have to resolve each single one to maneuver ahead. Some ranges introduce mechanics that utterly change up the sport as nicely, however I really like the way it by no means loses sight of being a chic and stress-free puzzle recreation even when the degrees get much more advanced afterward with completely different path necessities and obstacles. There’s all the time the trace system, however it isn’t a direct reply for later ranges with you continue to having to consider forming the curve accurately.
The accessibility of Ouros isn’t simply associated to it being on the better aspect relating to puzzle options or the trace system, but in addition in its controls. Ouros is a straightforward recreation about dragging orbs with responsive controls to accurately align completely different curves. You aren’t compelled into any pixel perfection or to fret about timers. Consider this as a pleasant recreation to sit back with when you’ve got a couple of minutes to kill time and need to do one thing to maintain your mind working.
Visually, Ouros could be very pleasing. I really like the animation work, sped-up motion while you’ve solved a puzzle, and in addition the transitions between ranges. Even conditions the place you make an error are accompanied by a pleasant little animation. All of that is accompanied by superb efficiency on each iOS system I examined it on: iPhone 15 Professional, iPhone 12, and iPad Professional (2020). I’ve virtually no complaints with the iOS model, however the lack of iCloud save help is disappointing. If you happen to plan on enjoying Ouros on iOS, stick to 1 system proper now.
Since I used to be testing it on each gadgets, I ended up liking it extra on iPad than iPhone. It appears and runs nice on each, however I take pleasure in these sorts of video games extra on the bigger display screen. I had the identical feeling with World of Goo although that requires quicker inputs. If you happen to do have the choice to play on each, I like to recommend doing the primary three ranges and seeing how you’re feeling earlier than deciding on a particular system. I might additionally advocate it on iOS over Steam as a result of these video games are higher off with full contact controls, and an iPad is extra snug for a touchscreen recreation than Steam Deck.
Other than the dearth of iCloud save sync, just a few of the later puzzles maintain Ouros again a bit, however there’s little mistaken with this in any other case artistic, elegant, and stress-free puzzle recreation. Given the way it controls completely with contact controls, I didn’t hassle utilizing a controller.
Ouros was already nicely definitely worth the asking worth on Steam earlier this yr, and the cheaper price on cell makes it a fair simpler suggestion. If you happen to take pleasure in stress-free puzzle video games, Ouros is an important. I hope we see extra from developer Michael Kamm within the puzzle house within the close to future.
