The name ‘World of Goo’ is quite charming, and it’s one of the first things that attracted me to the game. Imagine a world where everything is possible with the manipulation of goo balls! I knew straight away that I had to play the game. The game has you manipulating goo balls and trying to build structures that help the goo balls safely reach the exit pipe on each level.

World of Goo is an indie puzzle game released on MS Windows and Wii in October 2008. This strategy game was published and developed by 2D Boy. They released the game on other platforms, including Switch, Mac OS, Linux, and Android devices, a few years later.

Understanding World of Goo

World of Goo is a challenging and rewarding physics-based puzzle game. The game features silly goo creatures that can stretch and stick to different surfaces. To progress through the game, you need to use their unique attributes to solve puzzles and get the goo balls to their respective outlets. You will have to think outside the box and use various strategies to succeed in World of Goo. 

World of Goo tells a story of exploration, corporate greed, pollution, observation, maltreatment, and abuse. The primary purpose of the gameplay is to use the goo balls to reach the exit of each level. Some levels require you to use a specific type of goo ball with a unique attribute. On other levels, you will have only one type of goo ball available and must find another way to complete the level.  A winner of over 20 awards, including Game Designers Choice Awards’ Best Indie Game, this game has rightfully earned its place among some of the best games ever made.

The Three Main Characters in World of Goo

The main characters in the game are the Goo Balls, the Sign Painter, and the World of Goo Corporation. The characters’ mechanics make them fun and the game challenging to play. The goo balls are sentient life forms that love to stick together. In the game, you must use these little guys to build a tower so they can reach their goal, which usually involves ascending into outer space.  They wake up in a desert, unaware of their origin, history, or purpose. The pipes around them quickly catch their attention, and they begin to follow the pipes. You will eventually discover that the pipes lead to the infamous World of Goo Corporation. 

The goo balls are of different types and colors, with unique personalities and attributes (that’s how the Sign Painter sees them anyway). The goo balls have a variety of traits and abilities. For example, some goo balls can stretch, while others can stick to surfaces. You need to use these features creatively if you want to finish the level and get all three stars.

The sign painter is the first character you meet in World of Goo. He’s a friendly guy who loves to paint signs. He also gives you your first hint about the World of Goo. The sign painter is the only character who can talk, and he lets you in on the happenings of the world and other necessary tips. 

Watch out, though; he’s usually self-absorbed, which means you’ll have to piece together the information he gives you to get more details. He tells his stories in a way that forces you to arrive at your own conclusions or make assumptions. The next character you’ll meet is the World of Goo Corporation itself. The vast, amorphous blob seems to be in charge of everything. It’s unclear what its goals are, but it seems to be up to something sinister (maltreating and exploiting goos, spamming the world, and segregation sure sound sinister to me). 

A Clear Task and Difficult Levels

In World of Goo, you are tasked with helping the goo balls (a group of blobs) escape from a factory by building structures with them to reach the exit. The catch is that each level has a set amount of goo that you must use wisely, as using too much or too little will result in your demise. The goo balls are alive and will wiggle and squirm as you try to connect them. These attributes make for an engaging and addicting gameplay experience.

The levels get increasingly difficult as you progress through the story mode. But I just love playing it over and over again. It’s like reading a good book – it’s not necessarily because it’s easy to read, but because there’s something so satisfying about being drawn into the story. Well, this is like that for me – I don’t mind being occasionally frustrated because I know there’s an end goal in sight if I keep trying.

Level Designs in World of Goo

The levels in World of Goo are designed to be both challenging and visually interesting. There are various ways to complete each level, giving the player a sense of freedom and creativity. The developers also included several secrets and Easter eggs for players to discover. These include secret passages with clues on how to find them, various characters hidden throughout the game, and various messages spelled out by arranging objects a certain way.

Some of these items can only be seen if the game window is enlarged or if you turn off an object’s transparency (a fire extinguisher from the second chapter becomes clear after turning off its transparency). The designers also left messages hidden within some levels as well. For example, one message simply reads, “Where am I?”

Conclusion

In Conclusion, the gameplay is easy to understand but difficult to master, and there are multiple ways to solve each level. The visuals are pleasing, and the soundtrack is catchy. Overall, World of Goo is a fascinating and addictive game that keeps you returning for more. The concept may be simple, but it is executed beautifully.

If you’re a puzzle and strategy game lover looking for your next great addition, look no further – the classic World of Goo is waiting for you!