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Fanswag: Win a signed copy of Soul Bubbles

Posted Sep 4th 2008 11:00AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Contests / Giveaways

Yes,. you read that correctly. We've got copy of Soul Bubbles that was signed by developer Mekensleep to unload onto one lucky reader. What must you do to get your hands on this signed copy of Soul Bubbles (retails for $30)? Simply leave a comment telling us what your favorite Eidos game is (list here if you need to jog your memory) between now and Wednesday, September 10th at 11:59PM ET, after which we'll choose one lucky winner via random drawing. Entrants may leave one comment per day.

There are a few things you should know before entering. Entrants must be current and legal residents of the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec) and at least 18 years of age or older. Read up on the rest of the official rules right here. Good luck!

DS Fanboy Review: Soul Bubbles

Posted Aug 12th 2008 12:00PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Reviews

Tranquility is a difficult feeling to convey in games. Most video games are, by their nature, conflict-heavy -- obstacles get in the way of whatever activity you're trying to do, and you have to struggle in some way to overcome them. Sometimes this manifests as fighting, sometimes it's puzzle-solving, but it almost always results in a sort of tension that can't be resolved until the successful completion of a challenge. Tranquility in most games would translate into stagnation and boredom. Mekensleep's Soul Bubbles manages, somehow, to balance a pervasive tranquility with an appropriate level of challenge -- it's challenging, but relaxing at the same time. And it's completely beautiful.

I struggle to think of anything at all that is wrong with this game. At the risk of sounding like an overly soft reviewer, Soul Bubbles is a masterpiece, with evidence of loving thought in everything that goes on the screen(s).

Gallery: Soul Bubbles

Continue reading DS Fanboy Review: Soul Bubbles

DS Daily: Exclusives

Posted Jun 27th 2008 8:00AM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: DS Daily

Doesn't it just drive you nuts when a game is an exclusive, like the recent Soul Bubbles seems to be? It seems like a poor choice for the studios; their game may get an extra mention or two, but people still have to go out of their way if they want it, and the chances of stumbling across a game that's exclusive to a particular retailer are smaller. But we've seen a lot of dumb decisions, so it doesn't really surprise us. What we want to know this morning is: do you ever go out of your way to buy exclusives? If yes, when was the last time you did so?

Gallery: Soul Bubbles

Developers show the heart and soul of Soul Bubbles

Posted Jun 12th 2008 9:00PM by Candace Savino
Filed under: Video

One of those under-the-radar titles that we can't stop thinking about is Soul Bubbles, which is why we've been giving it a lot of coverage. Not only does this LocoRoco-meets-LostWinds title look whimsical and wonderful, but the gameplay seems to offer simple, clean fun. At the same time, though, there's clearly a lot of depth behind this software.

Yet, there's no better way to learn about a game than hearing things straight from the developers' mouths, so we recommend giving this video a look. In their fabulous French accents, the devs dish on the premise and gameplay of the upcoming title. For instance, we already knew about the Tiger Mask ability, but the Mekensleep crew shows the other masks in action, too.

You'll also get to see some of the different levels throughout the game, all of which have their own fanciful themes, as well as the enemies and inhabitants of each world. Oh, and did we mention that the look of Soul Bubbles is absolutely gorgeous? If it plays just half as good as it looks, we're definitely in for a treat.

Gallery: Soul Bubbles

Soul Bubbles has the mask of the tiger

Posted Jun 6th 2008 12:30PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Video, Screens

We're delighted to present a new trailer for Mekensleep's gorgeous puzzle-adventure thing, Soul Bubbles. The short clip introduces the tiger mask, which gives the player a dash move that can split bubbles. As a bonus, it also gives you a psychotic, permanent grin.

One of three available animal masks, this ability adds just a bit of depth to what may be seen as a simplistic game design -- especially in combination with the ability to use bubbles to solve puzzles (by filling them with water, etc.) It's still intentionally simple, but the player does have multiple choices to make in order to get through each level.

You should put on your own tiger mask and dash into the gallery for a look at new screens. Bubbles is due out June 30 in the U.S.

Gallery: Soul Bubbles

Soul Bubbles videos blow in

Posted Jun 4th 2008 11:00AM by Candace Savino
Filed under: Video

We're still charmed by the simplicity of Soul Bubbles, especially after a few trailers that show the game in action popped up. As you can see, the premise is basic enough; you just have to navigate your bubble through various levels.

The trailers remind us a bit of LocoRoco, which is a good thing, as there really aren't enough games like Sony's colorful platformer. Still, it manages to retain its own personality with its clever puzzles, like when you have to fill bubbles with water to put out fires. (There's another video posted after the break, too, if you want to see more.)

What say you, fine readers? Does this look stunningly simple, or boringly basic?

Gallery: Soul Bubbles

Continue reading Soul Bubbles videos blow in

Eidos shows a little more Soul (Bubbles)

Posted Mar 18th 2008 1:30PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: Screens

Eidos just blew a further ten screens of Soul Bubbles our way, and aside from Eric's interpretation of some, erm, questionable imagery, Mekensleep's game is looking charming, not to mention pleasingly devoid of "licensed racing cars, post-apocalyptic soldiers, gang fights, and elves, orcs, and magicians." Yay for that!

The accompanying press release also exposed more on Soul Bubbles' gameplay (which we have previously discussed), describing how players are able to draw, deflate, and cut bubbles, as well as join them to other bubbles. Some puzzles can only be negotiated by filling bubbles with water or gas, and there's a host of sticky or dangerous surfaces that will slow your bubbles down throughout the game's forty levels.

Gallery: Soul Bubbles

[Via press release]

Parisian studio popping out Soul Bubbles

Posted Jan 31st 2008 6:00PM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: News

It's not just many gamers who want to return to simpler times (and concepts) these days -- designers are feeling a little nostalgic as well, it seems, if the first DS project by new French studio Mekensleep is any indication. And you know what's simple? Bubbles. Specifically, Soul Bubbles.

After struggling in the increasingly crowded and complicated world of MMOs, Mekensleep founder Olivier Lejade wanted a break. A return to days gone by ... perhaps even something childish and simplistic, and that's where the bubbles came in. It was a simple concept: blowing bubbles and moving them around. But how to turn such a simple concept into a fully-realized game? For that, Lejade turned to legendary French designer Frédérick Raynal. They worked along with Omar Cornut to produce something that was a little bit Loco Roco, a little bit Super Monkey Ball, and all DS.

The game, which has been picked up by Eidos for a debut next year, features tiny spirits encased in bubbles, and players must navigate them through various levels. They can bounce, shrink, grow, and split their way through and around various obstacles. It may sound simple enough, but Lejade and the newly-formed Mekensleep have been working on the game for more than three years, all in an effort to make something fun that would stand out in a field dominated by training games and remakes.

Gallery: Soul Bubbles

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