Downloadable games are becoming more and more important these days, as digital distribution outlets like Steam, Xbox Live, PlayStation Network or WiiWare/DSiWare are making it extremely easy to get rid of some of your disposable income on lightweight titles.
Among this year's best, we had Chime, a music-based puzzle game, released by Zoe Mode.
Combining elements of extremely popular titles like
Tetris or Lumines made Chime an instant hit, as it required both split second reactions, as well as lots of strategy skills.
The objective is pretty simple, cover up a grid with different types of puzzle pieces, while a melody is played every time you complete a group called a quad.
It's a bit hard to explain, but in practice it makes a lot of sense.
While the game only has few levels, including a special Portal-themed one for the PC version, it offers endless amounts of fun, as you can develop your skills and progress in each stage to new tiers, by completely covering the grid.
The music plays a really important role in Chime, as bits of the tracks are played when you complete chunks of the grid.
The tracks come from artists like Philip Glass, Paul Hartnoll or Moby, as well as Jonathan Coulton, with his famous Still Alive song from Portal.
The levels start with the baseline of the track, and then slowly progresses through it if you are doing a good job and string together score multipliers.
If not, then the music lyrics or instruments stop, making you struggle to get the track back on by finishing up the puzzle.
It sounds pretty tricky, but its learning curve is more than enough for any player, either hardcore or casual.
Chime is currently available for the PC (Steam) and Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Marketplace) platforms, for $5, and, if you really want to feel good about yourself, part of the proceeds goes to charity foundations.
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