Master of Alchemy HD Review for iPad

Much like the stressful nature of working with highly volatile chemicals, Chillingo‘s Master of Alchemy HD features a fast-paced style of play that challenges the mind. Designed exclusively for the iPad, Master of Alchemy HD is an original and engaging puzzle game based on the manipulation of solid, liquid and gaseous elements to make stunning alchemical discoveries. The game employs a custom game engine that allows the use of realistic particle physics and high-resolution graphics. By utilizing a variety of instruments ranging from pipes and coils to blenders and hot air balloons, players create new elements and substances to overcome obstacles and advance to new levels.

Review

The first impressions of Master of Alchemy HD is that the “production value” — if that is a proper term for measuring games — is very high. The graphics, from the menus to the game objects, are look very crisp and clear. As you’ll see if you play the game, there are plenty of moments when you might have confused two elements for each other if the graphics weren’t so well executed.

There are tutorials at the beginning of the game that make adapting to the new world of alchemy fairly seamless. These courses explain all of the elements and, tools, and instruments needed to complete all of your tasks. The difference between success and failure, however, is your ability to think fast and be solution-oriented.

The gameplay is pretty simple; you are given a palette of tools and instruments on the side of the screen and must use them (all of them, most of the time) to get a certain element converted (sometimes converted several times over) and collected on the other side of the board. Selecting an instrument and bringing it onto the game board is pretty simple… just collect and then drag to your desired location. Sometimes, your task will require you to rotate your instruments in varying degrees. To do this, simply collect the instrument you want to rotate and a compass-looking circle will surround the item. Put your finger on the circle and drag it around until you have the desired rotation.

Tips

1. Reset button! The best way to get a feel for a given board is to try it out. Very seldom will you be able to earn all the available achievements on a first pass of a level. If you simply hit the “reset” button, you will be transported back to the beginning of the board and can take another crack at it.

2. Speed is key. One of the main objectives, in addition to converting your element and recollecting it, is so waste as little of the raw material as possible. This ties into resetting as many times as possible, but getting all necessary instruments and tools onto the playing board as quickly as possible is a must.

Recommendation

If you like strategy games, lots of replay value, and hours of entertainment, this is probably the title for you. Master of Alchemy HD integrates the Crystal online-gaming platform, which allows for leaderboard and achievement integration, which is a plus! For $4.99, which may seem steep to some of you frugal iPad gamers, the total game time definitely makes the price of purchase worth it.

Gameplay Video

Photos

Note: A promotional code was provided by the creator for use in this article.

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