Zuma Demo

It’s not very difficult to get people addicted to something, especially if the said something rewards them with a good time and a feeling of accomplishment. Video games work quite well in this regard, since you only have to look at titles like Candy Crush Saga and World of Warcraft to see how serious this affliction can get if it gets out of control. Obviously, there are many other games that can accomplish the same result.

Zuma is quite the legendary video game, in the sense that everyone played it at some point, or at least came in contact with a clone. The goal is quite simple: match three or more colored balls, while trying to destroy each one of them until they reach the hole at the end. It may sound simple and straightforward, but things get much more difficult as you manage to beat the levels one after the other.

Although the basic concept remains the same regardless of the level you’re playing, the speed at which the balls move increases slightly with every stage. Not only that, but there are also more of them, which puts additional pressure on you. To cope with the stress, you must think quickly and act just as fast, otherwise you are left unable to turn the tide. After a while, you can learn to anticipate certain actions, as well as perform precise shots.

Some of the balls have specific powers you can unlock, such as to make the entire row go backward, or even freeze into place for a few seconds. These bonuses can be unlocked by matching the right balls at the right time, which means that it takes a bit of skill to get it right. Once the speed increases, it becomes even more difficult to perform the desired shots, unless you hone your reflexes in the meantime as well.

Visually, the game is nothing out of the ordinary, in the sense that it’s colorful and to the point. The textures and the level design are not bad at all, but they are not overly complex either, which is understandable. The music can keep you company for a while, but it gets repetitive and annoying if you keep playing for too long. Thankfully, at least the controls are precise, and the gameplay is usually devoid of any serious bugs.

In the end, Zuma remains one of the most popular and well-designed casual games out there, which is saying something. After all this time, you can still find a challenge in the game, especially if you are not interested in the hardcore video games scene.