Crazy Machines II
Developer: FAKT Software
Publisher/Distributor: Viva Media

Crazy Machines II is a gadget manipulation get-everything-to-work-together game. You and the professor go on a fascinating world tour to solve puzzles from remote international locations. The superb puzzle-action play experience allows you to build an infinite variety of wacky contraptions using over 200 elements. Chain reactions and explosions are integral parts of the fun, with parts such as lightning machines, laser beams, and TV sets combining silliness and outside-the-box originality. Unlike other similar titles, Crazy Machines II includes full 3D elements, facilitates ultra-high resolution widescreen gameplay, and utilizes an AGEIA PhysX-supporting physics engine to replicate real-world dynamics. World Tour, Free-Style, and Online play modes are available. You get rewarded for special achievements and clever solutions through trophies and high ratings, and those with Internet-connected computers may link to an online community in which players can upload and download machines created. If you like to fashion Rube-Goldberg-like creations, this is the best there is.

Droid Assault
Developer and Publisher/Distributor: Puppy Games

Droid Assault is a top-down robot combat game (incorporating strategy components), with the unusual combination of retro presentation and original gameplay. Robot droids are out of control in Omni-Corp’s factory warehouses, so as a solitary droid you must either destroy or capture all of them before production can begin again. Using a mouse for input, you begin as a weak robot and then seek to control more powerful units. It is really fun to take over other robots and have them overcome the tough hurdles for you. You face 50 unique levels to explore and clear and 48 different droids to destroy or capture. You may utilize 20 hi-tech weapons including lasers, rockets, grenades, flamethrowers and disruptors, and you may collect 17 different kinds of power-ups. If you are clever enough, you can overcome 4 giant boss droids. The music, sound effects, and graphics all perfectly suit the flavor of the action, and an online high-score table is available for those with Internet-connected computers. The fast-paced action is totally addictive for endless hours of mechanized battles.

Gemsweeper
Developer and Publisher/Distributor: Lobstersoft

Gemsweeper is an innovative Minesweeper-type puzzle game, allowing logical deduction of correct moves through information surrounding the board rather than resorting to guesswork. You roam through an ancient Mayan temple city and follow Professor McGuffog in his quest to rebuild the ruins of El Dorado. Along the way you solve over 225 unique puzzles as you strive to become an accomplished treasure hunter. The puzzles range from 5×5 up to 30×30 face-down tiles, and you need to uncover hidden gems to break cursed tiles, after which you reveal hidden pictures. You may choose between the relaxing Quest and the exciting Arcade play modes. Multiple ways exist to solve the puzzles, which pose different levels of challenge. An interactive tutorial helps get you started, and if you get stuck, Professor McGuffog can provide useful hints (along with attempts at humor). As you advance, the challenge rises precipitously, so these hints are vital. Combining challenging puzzles, brilliant graphics, soothing music, and an engaging story, this one is a winner.