Chalk

Reviewed by: DeathDude

Positive Points: Unique gameplay
Great music
Challenging game

Negative Points:

Genre: Arcade

Size: 3952 KB

Requirements: Windows

Questionable Content: None

Editor rating: 5

Homepage: http://www.konjak.org/chalk.htm

Download location: http://www.konjak.org/chalk.htm

The good thing about scouting out games in the freeware community is that there are plenty out there with their own innovations or simply ideas that you may never see happen commercially but can happen in the freeware realm. It is not always easy to be unique, but in this case with Chalk, you have a game that not only is distinct, but the game is also challenging, has its own unique and great looking art style and finally is plenty of fun to play. Chalk has its own appeal, from the different levels you encounter, to the different challenges you must do in the game, all around it executes on so many levels and still leaves you coming back for more.

When you load up the game for the first time, you will see a flashing panel under help, by clicking this you will launch into the well-designed tutorial of the game, which is highly advisable that you check out. It will introduce you to the controls of the game, but also the different obstacles that you will encounter over the course of the game and the different techniques you can use to combat them. The jest of the controls is using the w, a, s, d keys to move your character or by clicking the right mouse button to move around the map, it is your choice. Your main weapon of choice in this game is chalk. Chalk you might say, that sounds like quite the interesting “weapon.” Well once you see it in action, you will wonder why such an innocent object, can be so deadly.

The game could also be seen as a sort of title you would see on the Nintendo DS, using your mouse, you drag your piece of chalk across the level, to defeat enemies, use in puzzles, drag and throw objects, and simply eliminate anything that will get in your way. All this is done via that piece of chalk, used by clicking the left mouse button. As you are using the chalk there is a meter at the top of the screen that will decrease, to show how much chalk you have remaining. By holding down the left mouse button, the meter will decrease quite quickly and once the meter runs out, so does the chalk. This is not always the best strategy at times during the game, but sometimes it also is. You can use your chalk in sort bursts too, and is more advisable depending on the circumstances. Sometimes you may have to draw a series of lines to remove an object, other times you can use your chalk to bounce objects off of, and others you can use the chalk to bounce a particular other piece of chalk against an enemy. There are different scenarios and as the game progresses, the challenges get tougher.

There is no doubt that Chalk presents a unique style of gameplay, which is not only innovative but also is effective as you are playing the game. The different challenges and puzzles that have to be solved using chalk are quite interesting to see, as some are quite easy to spot, while others are a bit more challenging and require more effort to solve. Speed is another key element of the game. Not only in using your chalk in different situations, but also in controlling your character, other objects and enemies, which happen to touch your character, will damage it. At times, the pace of the game will be quite relaxing, while later on in the game, the pace will be almost deafening to see, as you have to not only have quick reflexes drawing but moving your character out of harms way. It never gets to the point of being unmanageable, but the pace of the game is just about right in terms of not being over the top tough.

The graphic style of the game is also quite impressive. The entire world is made up of chalk drawn environments and enemies. All the characters look great in this chalk style and all around it looks quite nice to see such a unique graphic style that just adds so much to the game. It looks quite professional all around, each level and each character, the quality you would see in a professional game, so props to Joakim on the excellent work in this area.

The music as well, is quite awesome to listen to in the course of the game. It fits quite nicely with the action on screen and the different sound effects that are made with the drawing of the chalk, to the destruction of the enemies, sounds great. The music never seems to be out of place or distracting from the action on screen, but is quite enjoyable to hear as you are solving the many challenges along the way.

Chalk is a challenging game from start to finish. The game eases you into the action on level one, giving you the chance to get the feel of the different obstacles that are thrown your way, but as you play further along in the game things get challenging quite quickly. It never does feel that it is too much, even with the increased speed and increase in enemies and different obstacles, but it is just enough to make sure you are paying attention and can react quickly. The bosses too in the game, also present their own unique challenge, and most also involve two phases to beat each of them, and they combine a good combination of being tricky and challenging at the same time.

From the start of the game, to the end, there is plenty of action and quite a bit to experience in Chalk; Whether you are aiming for a high score or simply want to lay the smack down with a piece of chalk as your weapon of choice. Chalk is an all around fun game, for anyone to try out, and I highly recommend that you do. If you are looking for the perfect blend of high-speed action, and a challenging game with a unique premise, Chalk is your game.