The gameplay is simple yet addictive: you control a cube and drop marbles to create chain reactions of colorful explosions and fireworks to clear the cube. In a casual game world where it seems that a new hidden object or time management game comes out each week, Quantz is refreshingly unique.
In celebration of Steam for Mac's launch, Valve has slashed prices on various titles compatible with both Windows and OS X. We've already mentioned a few of these deals in a post earlier this week, but to recap: Portal is free (no strings attached) until May 24, Torchlight is $9.99 (50% off), Steam Play Indie Pack is $19.99 (71% off), the Telltale Steam Play Pack is $29.99 (57% off), and Quantz is $3 (70% off).
Additionally, the digital distribution house has two PC-only titles, Tropico 3 and Shattered Horizon, marked down by 75% and 25%. The former runs $7.50 through the weekend and is a construction and management sim in which players stand as dictator of an island in the banana republic during the cold war. The latter, priced at $14.99, is a sci-fi multiplayer FPS with players engaging in space-based combat.
DIY: "What do you look for in your puzzle game? With the match-3 genre overcrowded as it is, those looking to create a title like Quantz certainly must keep this, along with a few other items, in mind.
The dilemma lies in bringing original components into the game while not disrupting the already tried-and-true addictive gameplay of the genre's best. While there's certainly more of a clear cut formula for success in the type, nowadays you need originality; something new to grab the audience's eye."
While GameCritics didn't warm up to Quantz, the reason has more to do with a personality clash between them than any fault of the game. It's unlike any puzzle game they've ever played-a huge accomplishment in a genre saturated with Tetris and Bejeweled clones. Although it was a little too different for them, they recommend it to anyone tired of the brick rain-jewel swap dynasty.
