Kepp your eyes on the clock in the corner or you will lose track of time (Minesweeper (PC))

Member Name: mjw92

Product:	Minesweeper (PC)
Date:	16/07/08 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Simple, addictive gameplay

Disadvantages: sometimes luck can play a part

Minesweeper is the classic game that is part of all modern windows systems. It is amazing how frustrating and addicting such a simple concept can be and this is one of many properties that has made it a massive hit.

~~ Location ~~

On all windows systems (I'm presuming you have an update that is at least as modern as Windows 98) you go through the start menu: accessories: games: minesweeper. Alternatively for windows vista, it is simply start then games menu, but it's the same principle.

~~ The Game ~~

The objective of the game is to fill in every square of the grid. The tricky part is that their are a set number of square which contain mines and if you click on them then BOOM: the game ends.
In order to see where mines are located you have to use the system of numbers. If you were to click on a square with a number 1 written on it, then there is 1 mine within the squares immediately surrounding it (diagonals do count also.) If the number is a 2, then there are 2 mines etc. If a square shows up blank, or a whole series of blanks, this means that there is an empty zone and there are no mines adjacent to those squares.

~~ More Detailed Rules ~~

The game is always timed so the faster you complete a level the better your hi-score will be. It adds an extra challenge to a person trying to beat their own hi-score, especially on easy and intermediate levels which can get a bit boring to more advanced players.
It is also worth mentioning that to save time a "double-click" feature was added. If all the mines for a number have been accounted for, by double clicking the number it fills in all otehr squares connected to that number which by your reckoning be other numbers or blanks. It makes it a lot quicker, easier and far less tedious to use.

~~ Controls ~~

Controls are kept at their simplest to match the games simplicity, if you think a square is blank just left click it, if you wish to mark a mine then right click it. I mentioned the double-click system before which is a double left click.

~~ Game Options ~~

One of the truly great features about the game is the amount you can customize it. Firstly you have the standard choice to select your difficulty level: an incredibly easy mode, an intermediate mode suitable for time-attacking and an advanced mode which is more of a challenge. As well as this you have the choice to make a custom grid where you choose how many squares there are as well as how many mines should be included.

Secondly, you have the option of sound control (as especially in XP and Vista the mines are loud if you click on one.) Along with this you have the option to be able to insert a question mark onto a square if you are unsure on it. This can be done by double right clicking the square.

For 98 and XP, you have the option to make the grid go black and white for a 1950's television look, however I hated this view so I never used it. In Vista you have the option to change the background colour to eitehr blue or green and to play minesweeper (hunting mines) or for the inner-hippy in you flower garden (don't click the daisies... they're deadly.)

~~ Opinion ~~

Due to the fact it is so simple to use and get into, it makes for the factor that you can just pick it up whenever you want without fuss. In this case it also fits a common stereotype: simple gameplay = addicitive gameplay. You will get a small break then hit a mine, and you will just want to play again. You have no idea how long you spend playing this game and how easily time passes by, especially if you're not looking at the clock in the bottom right hand corner.

There is a small disadvantage in the fact that when you minimise the window the clock doesn't stop, therefore when you are playing in advanced mode with a bigger grid, it takes longer to complete and so sometimes you do need past 5 minutes to play one game fully, which can be a pain, especially if you are using MSN or another active thing at the same time. However this is only a minor setback to a great game. Another tiny issue is that luck sometimes plays a cruel part, especially if you have two squares left and it is purely luck which decides which has a mine in it, and although this is hard to avoid can lead to very hard luck.

~~ Miscellaneous ~~

Did anyone else notice that in the windows vista version they removed the small smiley face at the top? It was basically a face that looked in suspense whenever you clicked a square and was happy when you won and sad when you lost. It was somewhat amusing, but no great loss.

~~ Summary ~~

Due to it's simple concept and majorly addicting gameplay I have to give it a 5* rating.

Summary: Great game