Gobliiins is a brand new $0.99  puzzle adventure title that is best described by the words “whimsical” and “delightful”.  The game comprises 22 levels of puzzles where you have do a series of tasks – in the right order – and using the right goblin to do so.

Your adventure takes place by using one of three different characters.  Instead of a lot of games where you pick you character to play the whole game, in this one, you actually play each level with all three characters.  First, there is Dwayne, the “jock” of the group who things the solution to any problem is a little brute force.  Bobo, the nerd of the group, is the technician.  If it can’t be man-handled (or I guess it would be goblin-handled”, or “zapped”, Bobo is your guy.  And, speaking of “zapping”, your trio of goblin amigos is rounded out by Hooter.  Hooter is the magician or mage of the group.  He uses his wand on items and can convert it into something else.

The graphics, music, and sound effects on this game are top quality and have separate adjustable volume controls (not just off/on) for each.  The game not only comes with a lot of help available from the menu, but each level has a series of hints.  These not only help in determining the goal of the level (or what the goal isn’t), but if you get really stuck, will actually tell you how to complete the level.  Game play can be done via touch controls or cursor.  It is very intuitive though.

I did have one issue with the game.  Not sure if it was user error or not as it was in the first level as I was still figuring things out.  Not to give too much away, I was supposed to do something with Hooter, used Bobo instead, and then when I tried to go back and have Hooter do his magic, I couldn’t get anything to happen.  Exiting the game and re-starting the level (this time knowing what to do), solved the issue however.

I do have a suggestion for the game that I think would make it a bit more user-friendly.  It is difficult for me to tell Dwayne, Bobo, and Hooter apart.  I wish they wore different color vests or hats or something and, when rotating through their selection with the icon in the bottom of the screen, they would wave or jump or something to help indicate which one you had selected.  Even a little sound effect (I’m thinking of the voices on Command and Conquer for example) for each one as you tapped the goblin-selector would fit right in with the fun nature of the game.  And, while there are facial differences in the icon used to select your character, something a bit more obvious would be beneficial.

Overall, I’d probably give this title a 9 out of 10.  It’s fun.  It’s different.  It’s delightful.  And it’s a real bargain at a buck.  If you like the old point-and-click adventures from the era of the the old Sierra games, you’ll really like this little jewel that is both amusing and attractive.  I look forward to seeing what updates and possibly additional levels are in store for this title.