As part of a two game simultaneous release, Zenses: Rainforest Edition (or just "Zenses Rainforest") is out to cater to the more casual side of DS, specifically targeting women, or extremely laid back gamers who are more likely to pick up a touch puzzler than the latest Final Fantasy remake or quirky Atlus RPG. While IGN has had a chance to check out Zenses Ocean - a title that actually grabbed Nintendo's attention earlier this year at a developer's summit - already, they have now got their hands on the yang to Ocean's ying, in Zenses Rainforest.
Pocket Gamer:
Feeling stressed out by the working week? Casual game developer Kiloo has just the ticket - a calming and relaxing puzzle game.
Zenses Rainforest, a free cryptic game set in a soothing rainforest, has you plonking geometric shapes onto lily pads and collecting falling blocks from waterfalls. The game also has OpenFeint achievements.
GC writes: "Just like Zenses: Ocean, Zenses: Rainforest is targeted to the older audience who need relaxation. However, unlike Ocean, this game doesn't fulfill much relaxation and instead leads to more frustration. The games are more tedious and overall a bit less enjoyable. If you have a lot of patience, though, you may not be as frustrated.
There are 6 minigames and each one varies differently. There is no use of the A and B buttons, only the stylus. Before each game begins there is a tiny description of how to play the game, but many times it is hard to understand what it's trying to say that it is easier to just jump in the game and try it out."
It's all pulled off better than you'd guess, and strikes a definite atmosphere – whether that atmosphere is right for you or not is another question. This is an experience so subdued, it's almost a lullaby. But if you're into that vibe and want something legitimately fresh, see how your senses react to Zenses: Rainforest.
