Mushroom 11 (Hands-On) (PC) Preview

Mushroom 11 is a truly unique and puzzling experience - unique in the fact that the concept seems to be a first from a gameplay perspective. The blob has no ability to move on its own accord: it is completely content with staying an immovable object the rest of its unnatural life. However, movement can be imitated by erasing part of the blob. When a part of it is erased, it will self-replicate and grow out in the opposite direction. Both a wide and small area can be removed based on what mouse button is clicked. Small erases will help move the blob through dangerous areas that require precise adjustments, while the big eraser can help move things along a little more quickly.

The puzzling part of Mushroom 11 is the dangerous environment left behind by what might have been humankind's last war. Pits of lava and crumbling remnants of buildings are just a few of the obstacles the blob will have to navigate in order to clear a level. Enemies also abound, with spiders that can poison and plants that shoot fireballs. Tricky landscaping and physics puzzles also give Mushroom 11 a bit of added challenge beyond navigating the perilous environments.

It's quite fun figuring out how to get through levels in one piece, even though some puzzles must be solved by splitting into two! It is true that some of the challenges can be bulldozed through by constantly trimming the backside of the blob, making use of brute force to push through. On the other hand, though, some hurdles require a bit of extra forethought. Scaling up walls can be tricky, as can crossing pools of lava or poison with nothing but a few poles to cling to.

Each level contains a great mix of challenges, as well as a boss battle at the end. The blob does not have much in the way of attacks, but it can, and will, absorb almost anything organic that it touches. Enemies can be dealt with easily if the blob can confront them from the right angle. Bosses are defeated in a similar manner, although they tend to put up a much better fight. The end of each level gives feedback on the amount of time it took to complete, as well as objects absorbed versus the total possible. With this type of feedback, it is easy to see Mushroom 11 becoming a hit in the speed running community.