And Then There Were Robots. Lovable Lovable Robots. (A Short and Sweet Game Review)

After months of waiting, Girls Like Robots was finally released last week! Produced by Popcannibal LLC and distributed by [adult swim] games, it is available for Windows, OSX, iPhone, iPad, and Android.  I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Margaret Scott, the sister of Popcannibal's founder, Ziba Scott, at PAX East in April of this year. She was delightful, charming, and informative. After talking to her and playing the demo at their booth in Indie Alley, Girls Like Robots was definitely one of my most anticipated games of this year.


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  When I spoke with Margaret in April, the projected release date was set for July, so I have been eagerly waiting for the game's release since then.  I was disappointed when the game was delayed, but if they needed those extra months to make the game better, then it was totally worth the wait. Girls Like Robots is a puzzle/logic/seating arrangement game, simple in concept and design, but also adorable and tricky in execution. There are darling animations, cut-scenes, and a pleasant string band soundtrack accompanying the 100 levels of increasingly difficult and creative puzzles.

In the tutorials, you learn that girls like robots (obviously) and robots like girls, but not too many girls. Nerds like robots too, but robots feel very "meh" about nerds. Nerds like girls, but girls hate nerds. Nerds also hate other nerds. The game starts you off with a simple grid of "seats" and a bank of characters off to the side. Based on the relationship criteria, you must arrange the characters in the most ideal way on the grid to fill up your happiness meter. It sounds easy, but the combinations continue to get more difficult as the game goes on; the grids change shape and size, and new characters with new relationship requirements are introduced. 



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Believe it or not, there is a plot to the game as well. A budding romance between a loner bug-loving girl and goofy sporty guy need your help to go to the dance together. The silly story-line leads you through town (and up into the stars) where you meet some charming characters, are bombarded with puns and one-liners, and there's pie. Lots and lots of pie. While the plot of the game isn't exactly a nail-biter, it is an added touch of charm and humor in this already creative, cute, and devilishly challenging game. Girls Like Robots is completely worth the $.99 price tag on iTunes.  For those who enjoy puzzle and logic games, this app will appeal to the casual as well as the more hard core of gamers. I found this game to be delightful!

On my patented scale of 5 nerdy things, Girls Like Robots scores a solid 5 Happy Robots!  

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