Launch!

People enjoy solving puzzles and riddles, because there’s a satisfaction involved in the process that’s simply not possible to experience any other way. For this reason, puzzle games enjoy massive popularity levels if they at least uphold some basic quality standards. On the same level, reflex-based video games are adored as well, which is why simple ideas like Flappy Bird have enjoyed such tremendous success, at least for a while.

Launch! is actually a collection of three mini-games instead of one, although they all revolve around similar principles. In essence, it is all about using a cannon to achieve various objectives, while trying to come up with solutions to the puzzles in order to complete the levels. Whether you have to see how far you can launch a ball and keep it in the air, or survive a constant onslaught of falling debris, there’s both skill and wit involved in the equation.

In the case of the long shot and the survival mini-games, your cannons can be upgraded with better components in order to improve your chances of winning. Starting from the boost duration and all the way to the damage dealt by the cannon balls, almost everything can be upgraded with better components. As such, you get a really nice sense of achievement after you manage to collect the most expensive pieces.

In the puzzle mini-game, there are no upgrades to talk about, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. Instead, you have to use your problem-solving skills to get a certain number of balls into the highlighted areas. While it may seem simple in the beginning, a variety of new gimmicks is added along the way, such as obstacles and a few other objects that can impede your progress.

As far as the technical part is concerned, the game is basic to say the least, because neither the gameplay nor the visual quality is too fancy. In fact, the graphics are almost ugly in some situations if you decide to take a good look at them. Thankfully, the rest of the experience is enjoyable enough to take your mind off these minor inconveniences.

Although Launch! may have its fair share of problems and flaws, it is quite a good indie product. Hence, it has enough content to keep you busy for a while and provide you with a few ways to put your mind to work when you feel like it needs a stretch.