Automatoys

Automatoys (2022) is a puzzle where you manipulate 3D mechanisms to direct a ball to the goal. You interact with contraptions on each level with a single press that flicks, whacks and nudges the ball past obstacles, gaps and timed jumps. It looks simple, but it can be tricky to get the ball to go where you want it to. Its nostalgic, pinball machine style and retro coin dispenser sound effects evoke the feel of a real life plastic toy.

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Each level acts like an on/off switch. When you tap the screen, pieces of the level move or tilt. Tapping once again resets those pieces back to their position. You need to tap at the right times to make sure your ball doesn't fall down gaps.

As you progress, you get used to the pinball machine-like flicks and bumps. There's a surprising amount of control and nuance from this simple input. Still, the levels become more intricate and complex to maintain the level of challenge. For example, later stages introduce more reliance on magnets, which feels unfamiliar and challenging.

Each level has a star rating of up to three, based on how long you take to finish it. That means there are reasons to go back and try to master levels you previously finished. It's a satisfying puzzle game that offers a polished, colourful experience through fun and challenging mechanics.

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Our examiner, Joe Eaton, first checked Automatoys 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 4 months ago.