Furmins

Furmins
Official cover art for Furmins
Developer(s)	Housemarque
Publisher(s)	Housemarque
Producer(s)	Sami Koistinen
Artist(s)	Mikko Eerola
Composer(s)	Peter Hajba
Platform(s)	iOS, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3
Release date(s)	iOS WW February 2, 2012 PlayStation Vita NA December 17, 2013 EU October 16, 2013 PlayStation 3 EU November 20, 2013
Genre(s)	Puzzle, platformer
Mode(s)	Single-player

Furmins is a physics-based action puzzle game for iOS devices.

Background

The game, from Finnish video game developer Housemarque, was released in the Apple Store during Q1 2012. Furmins is Housemarque’s first iOS game – the company is known for console games as Super Stardust HD, Dead Nation and Outland. Furmins is available in two versions: an iPhone/iPod-only version and a Universal version, suitable both for iPhone/iPod and iPad.^[1][2]

Gameplay

Furmins is a blend of physics-based “set-up-and-go” gameplay and real-time interaction. To complete each level, the player is required to herd the Furmins from the level’s starting point to its end point —in this case, a basket. This is accomplished by solving a puzzle which incorporates physical chain reactions between various items and the Furmins.

Solving each puzzle is a two-step process: 1) “Setup Mode”: the player strategically places items in order to create pathways and physical reactions between the Furmins and the items. The goal is to arrange the items in such a way that all of the Furmins arrive safely in the basket. 2) “Action Mode”: when the player is satisfied with the setup, he/she engages “Action mode”, in which the physics are turned on and the Furmins and the level items interact. In addition to watching the results of his/her setup, the player can interact in real-time with the moving items and the Furmins via well-timed usage of bumpers and conveyor belts. A successful solution to a puzzle sees all of the Furmins reach the basket, at which point the level is passed.

Iteration in both Setup Mode and Action Mode is rapid. Players can manipulate and customize each game level in Setup Mode, and can soon see if their solution worked once action mode is engaged. Also, there are multiple solutions to each level, providing a significant amount of creative flexibility for players.

Gameplay elements

Players have at their disposal a wide variety of items they can use to herd the Furmins towards the end of each level.

• Bumpers (small and large)
• Conveyor belts
• Rotating gadgets
• Melting ice
• Ropes
• Regulators (a combination of a vacuum cleaner and a cannon)

Plot

Designed for people aged 6 and over, Furmins tells the story of its titular main characters, a cuddly race of creatures living a happy, peaceful existence until one day when their benevolent (and rather large) King falls asleep and rolls over a river, thus forming an impromptu dam and blocking the flow of water. Without water from the river the Furmins’ very existence is threatened, and so they embark on a quest to reach their King and wake him up. The object of the game is to navigate the Furmins through eight different worlds composed of 36 levels apiece and get them to the King.^[3]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores Aggregator Score Metacritic iOS: 76% (7 reviews)[4] Review scores Publication Score 4Gamers 8/10[5] 148 Apps [6] TouchGen [7] Consol.AT [8] Consolplus [9] Fanbolt [10]

Furmins has received generally favorable reviews and has been praised for its hand painted backgrounds^[11] and great soundtrack.^[12]

Planned implementations

Housemarque is planning a host of regular updates to Furmins, including:^[13]

• Additional game levels
• New level features
• Furmins with different physical characteristics
• New ways to interact with the environment

References

External links

• Official website
• Furmins on Facebook
• Furmins on Twitter