Super Scribblenauts
| Super Scribblenauts | |
|---|---|
 Cover art | |
| Developer(s) | 5th Cell |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Director(s) | Jeremiah Slaczka |
| Designer(s) | Sean Wissler |
| Series | Scribblenauts |
| Engine | Objectnaut |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Emergent, puzzle, action |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, online level sharing |
Super Scribblenauts is an emergent action puzzle game developed by 5th Cell and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. The game was released on October 12, 2010. It is the sequel to the Nintendo DS game Scribblenauts.
The object of the game is to solve puzzles by writing or typing any object which exists in the game's vocabulary, in order to interact with other parts of the level. The vocabulary includes numerous adjectives that can give the object special properties that may be needed to solve a puzzle.
Gameplay
Super Scribblenauts is a side-scrolling action-oriented puzzle game that requires players to collect magic star-shaped tokens called Starites by inputting words, such as "ladder" or "fire", in order to collect these objects. One of Super Scribblenauts' features is the ability to add characteristics to objects, such as a "green refrigerator" or "anthropomorphic antimatter". More than one adjective can be tied to a single object, making it possible to summon objects such as "big flying purple pregnant octopus".[1] Players control the main character, Maxwell, using either the touch screen, D-Pad, or face buttons. Maxwell is a boy who has a magical notebook that makes written words come to life. Creating new objects with that notebook to solve puzzles is the key to the game.[2]
The game includes a hint system as well as an improved level editor. Hints can be purchased with Ollars, the currency in Scribblenauts. The level editor allows the player to create various types of levels such as playgrounds (objectiveless levels that allows players to goof off, test combinations, or create words for Ollars) or adventure missions, and allows the player to pre-spawn objects via notebook icon.[1] This game also introduces the Create-a-Tron in some levels, which is a machine where the player must put various objects inside of it to create something. There are also achievements that the player can earn.
Plot
Maxwell, the game's protagonist, is tasked with using his magical Notepad to collect Starites. Each set of levels is represented by a constellation, which can be selected at the main menu. At the end of the game, Maxwell comes face to face with his evil Doppelganger who steals the last Starite from him. Maxwell chases him to the moon, where the Doppelganger crashes his UFO, seemingly defeated. The game tells the player that since the final Starite was destroyed in the crash, to "write the answer" to beat the game's final level. After beating the game, two bonus constellations are introduced with levels focused on simply getting to the Starite.
Development
The game was first announced in August 2010.[3] 5th Cell revealed that they improved the physics and fixed the controls, as many have complained about the predecessor's imprecise touchscreen movement system.[4]
Reception
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 81/100[5] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| 1Up.com | A- |
| Eurogamer | 8/10[6] |
| G4 | 3/5[7] |
| GameRevolution | B+ |
| GameSpot | 6.5/10 |
| GamesRadar+ | 9/10[8] |
| IGN | 9.0/10 |
| Nintendo Power | 8.5/10 |
| Official Nintendo Magazine | 86% |
Super Scribblenauts has received generally favorable reviews. It currently holds a score of 81/100 on Metacritic.[5] It holds an 8/10 on Eurogamer and a 9.0/10 on IGN. IGN's Daemon Hatfield called Super Scribblenauts fun and imaginative. He also praised the game's refined control scheme and incorporation of adjectives, but criticized its low level of difficulty.[9] The British magazine ONM gave it an 86%, saying that "it's a step above the original, nearly everything's improved here and the addition to adjectives is heartwarming. A good step in the right direction for Scribblenauts".[citation needed]
GameSpot, however, was not nearly as ecstatic about the game, giving it a 6.5/10 and criticizing its restrictions on user creativity and lack of "real-world logic".[10]
During the 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Super Scribblenauts for "Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering".[11]
References
- ^ a b "Nintendo Power Reveals Scribblenauts 2, Due Out This Fall". Kotaku.com. 2010-03-06. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
- ^ AJ Glasser. "Nintendo Power spills the beans on Scribblenauts 2, News from". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2010-12-26. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
- ^ Goldman, Tom (2010-08-18). "Scribblenauts Developer Teases Source Engine Game". The Escapist. Archived from the original on 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
- ^ "Scribblenauts Review". 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-09-23.
Give me advanced controls and let me turn on D-pad control for Maxwell so I can get him to do exactly what I need him to do. Nothing's more irritating than to set up something hugely elaborate with multiple items in a level, only to have the guy "accidentally" screw up the plan by tripping over your hard work...
- ^ a b "Super Scribblenauts for DS Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
- ^ Christian Donlan (2010-10-27). "Super Scribblenauts DS Review". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ^ Scott Alan Marriott (2010-10-12). "Super Scribblenauts Review - DS". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2011-04-17.
- ^ Jordan Baughman (2010-10-12). "Super Scribblenauts DS Review". Gamesradar.com. Retrieved 2011-04-17.
- ^ Hatfield, Daemon (2010-10-09). "Super Scribblenauts Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
- ^ McShea, Tom (2010-10-12). "Super Scribblenauts Review for DS". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ^ "2011 Awards Category Details Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
