Giveaway of the Day - The Sandbox of God: Remastered

Sandbox of God Revamped.

Installation:

The downloaded zip file is 15.9Mb in side and unpacks to a dual activation and set up module (the file with the key image) and a read me document. To install and activate the game just click on the file with the key symbol which is orange in color, (may look light green if you’re color blind). By default the game installs to:

C:\Program files\The Sandbox of God Remastered

but this can be changed if you wish. The final installation size is 17.9Mb. A shortcut is installed to the desktop and the Start Menu program list. You can uninstall the game via the Start menu shortcut or directly from the installed folder.

Opening page

Introduction:

The following are reviews and information from various sources. I’ve had such a busy week, that I though I’d save time by posting this information rather than write a full review of my own. I apologise for this, but I just didn’t have the time to write one, (which is a pity because I really like this game). I’ve played the original freeware version of The Sandbox of God loads of times and loved it, so when the developer decided to remaster the original I was ready to purchase it just as soon as it was released. The game as stated by the developer is DRM free, which is great (and for those who don’t know what that means, there is no online registration required for the purchased version).

In my opinion it’s a great indie game that’s well worth the paltry sum of $3.95. However, today you don’t even have to pay for it.

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The Game:

Today’s remastered version of the game is built on the updated 2004 release of The Sandbox of God. The main differences between the freeware version (v1.52) and the commercial version (v1.56) are the latter remastered version has two new game play modes called ‘Warfare’ and the ‘Simulated Boardgame’ Modes. The game also includes all the updates made to the original freeware version such as using the latest Game Maker 8 engine instead of Game Maker 5; which basically means faster processing. There’s also a new save system and you can play the game in a slightly larger resolution than from the original; though when you consider the size of the average flat screen monitor now, the retro screen resolution of 800 x 600 seems rather absurd, but this is because the new version is just a remastered version of the original. You can play the game in full screen via the toggle in the options menu, but there will be a large black border filling in the area not covered by the game. If you wanted the game area to look larger, with a smaller black border you would have to temporarily reduce the size of your screen resolution via the properties window.

The options menu contains a music toggle, the windowed/full screen toggle, an erase data button, which enables you to restart the level and a go back button that takes you to the main menu. The main menu gives you access to news and updates as well as any patches that may be available.

I’m not sure whether the giveaway version will qualify you for updates due to the giveaway clauses that you can find in the read me that accompany the game in the zipped download file, but I don’t see how that function can be omitted from the giveaway version. The best thing to do is contact the developer if and when an update has been made to see if it is possible. Choosing ‘New Game’ from the main menu opens up a new screen that gives you access to all three available modes, that is Classic Mode, Simulated Boardgame Mode and Warfare Mode. The news and updates button also gives you access to a spoiler free hints guide that is very useful for those new to the game.

Ingame help screen

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Simulated Boardgame Mode:

You can still play The Sandbox of God: Remastered (SOG:R) in it’s classic style or switch to the new ‘Simulated Boardgame’ mode. In this new style, SOG:R simulates how one might play a board game version of the Sandbox of God in their basement using light gels, clay figures, blocks and cards, and Christmas lights. Switching between the classic style and the board game style can be done between rounds.
For help click on the question mark that’s situated next to the in game score card to the bottom right of the playing area. You will be prompted to go there when you first start the game.

Boardgame mode

The Sandbox of God Warfare Mode:

Quote by the developer:

As man sits atop the world, enjoying the fruits of his labour, evil rabbits plot revenge. Defend man’s civilization as you purchase new defences and upgrades, and prepare to do battle with the ever-multiplying civilization of rabbits. Use your godly powers of lighting and destruction to destroy rabbit armies and huts…provided that you have enough cash, of course. Unlock new cards by beating Sandbox mode and see how far into the future you can survive!

Warfare Mode

When you choose the Warfare mode you can follow the online guide (via the menu once you choose the Warfare mode) by clicking on the online guide button, which explains what the Warfare mode is and lists all the different cards such as Lightning, Wind, Man, Earthquakes, Medicinal, Seedlings, Plagues , Comets, Explosives plus several more (see the three images below for the full list and explanations).

The objective of this game is to survive wave after wave of rabbits over the course of many eras, until man cannot defend themselves any more. There are many tools at your disposal to help you in this quest, so let’s break it down!

Warfare Mode

You’ll notice the store at the beginning of the game. You can buy powers from here and add them to your inventory. You can hold up to ten cards in a single battle round, assuming you have the game cash to purchase them. Any cards left over at the end of a round will carry over to the next round.

Your main city’s health is displayed over itself by a bar graph; you cannot place any items within the dotted radius, or move any units within those boundaries, (see the images above and below).

Warfare Mode

As you progress through each era, you’ll notice that you’ll unlock new cards. As your technology improves, so do the rabbits, so plan accordingly. You win money with every rabbit defeated along with a nice bonus for destroying their huts and cities.

Here’s all the cards available in the store:

Cards available in-game

Simulated Boardgame Mode:

You can still play The Sandbox of God: Remastered (SOG:R) in it’s classic style or switch to the new ‘Simulated Boardgame’ mode. In this new style, SOG:R simulates how one might play a board game version of the Sandbox of God in their basement using light gels, clay figures, blocks and cards, and Christmas lights. Switching between the classic style and the board game style can be done between rounds.

For help click on the question mark that’s situated next to the in game score card to the bottom right of the playing area. You will be prompted to go there when you first start the game.

Boardgame mode

The Sandbox of God Warfare Mode:

Quote by the developer:

As man sits atop the world, enjoying the fruits of his labour, evil rabbits plot revenge. Defend man’s civilization as you purchase new defences and upgrades, and prepare to do battle with the ever-multiplying civilization of rabbits. Use your godly powers of lighting and destruction to destroy rabbit armies and huts…provided that you have enough cash, of course. Unlock new cards by beating Sandbox mode and see how far into the future you can survive!

Warfare Mode

When you choose the Warfare mode you can follow the online guide (via the menu once you choose the Warfare mode) by clicking on the online guide button, which explains what the Warfare mode is and lists all the different cards such as Lightning, Wind, Man, Earthquakes, Medicinal, Seedlings, Plagues , Comets, Explosives plus several more (see the three images below for the full list and explanations).

The objective of this game is to survive wave after wave of rabbits over the course of many eras, until man cannot defend themselves any more. There are many tools at your disposal to help you in this quest, so let’s break it down!

Warfare Mode

You’ll notice the store at the beginning of the game. You can buy powers from here and add them to your inventory. You can hold up to ten cards in a single battle round, assuming you have the game cash to purchase them. Any cards left over at the end of a round will carry over to the next round.

Your main city’s health is displayed over itself by a bar graph; you cannot place any items within the dotted radius, or move any units within those boundaries, (see the images above and below).

Warfare Mode

As you progress through each era, you’ll notice that you’ll unlock new cards. As your technology improves, so do the rabbits, so plan accordingly. You win money with every rabbit defeated along with a nice bonus for destroying their huts and cities.

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Additional Information:

The original Sandbox of God was freeware. You can download that version from the following link:

http://www.vertigogaming.net/game/sandbox

Just look to the top left of the page for the download link.

According to Felix Atagong’s unfinished project the freeware version seem to have had the hidden Easter Eggs removed, plus despite the update there has been no new content added. This means the original walkthroughs are still valid for the Remastered classic mode and freeware version all of which can be found via the following links:

Walkthroughs

Sandbox of God Walkthrough Part 1 – Walking through the Valley of Eden:

http://atagong.com/archives/2006/10/entry_292.html

Sandbox of God Walkthrough Part 2 – Bad Moon Rising:

http://atagong.com/archives/2006/10/entry_293.html

Sandbox of God Walkthrough Part 3 – Under the Vulcano:

http://atagong.com/archives/2006/10/entry_294.html

Sandbox of God Walkthrough Part 4 – I want to be a Little Fishy:

http://atagong.com/archives/2006/10/entry_295.html

Sandbox of God Walkthrough Part 5 – It’s the Final Countdown:

http://atagong.com/archives/2006/10/entry_296.html

Walkthroughs for the Remastered Version:

Spoiler Walkthrough by John of Jayisgames.com

http://www.vertigogaming.net/sogspoilerwt.txt

Non Spoiler Mini Strategy and Hint guide by chubigans:

http://www.vertigogaming.net/sognonspoilerwt.txt

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Music;

It is possible to change the in game music if you find it annoying. Just follw the path detailed below:

C:\Program Files\The Sandbox of God Remastered\oggmusic

You’ll need to rename and convert the music you wish to use before changing it.

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Alternative Games

Vertigo games are offering several games for free. Acid bomb and Acid bomb 2 which are precursors to today’s giveaway are a couple of them. Wizzard of Ozz actually posted some of the freeware Vertigo games last week as part of our ongoing free games for the weekdays project. You can find download links those games below:

Prisms of Light 1 & 2

You have to guide light using prisms (really!):

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5714#post-59959

Sandbox of God:

This game was recently upgraded and has been released as a commercial game for less than $5. The original version is still available as freeware though. I purchased the updated version and apart from some minor graphic enhancements I found little difference between the freeware and commenrcial version. You can find detils of the freeware version via the following link:

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/4391#post-47148

and directly from Vertigo:

http://www.vertigogaming.net/game/sandbox

Vivid Conceptions:

A great platformer.

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/5743

The original version of Shellblast called Acidbonmb and its sequel Acidbomb 2 can be downloaded from the following links. I’ve quoted the information found on the Vertigo gaming website for each of the games :

Acidbomb:

http://www.vertigogaming.net/acidbomb.php

Acidbomb is a fifty level puzzle game where you must find the pistons used to trigger a bomb and defuse them before time runs out. There are many bombs scattered around the world, from biological bombs that have hair-sensitive triggers to napalm bombs that are exploding at the seams, to nuclear warheads that have challenged even the highest trained bomb disposal agent.

Along with this game you get the Virtual Bomb Simulator which allows you to make your own bombs, and a mini-game called Acidrop that is completely different from the rest of the game…but you’ll see that for yourself.

Given that all the bombs in the game have random pistons, you will never EVER solve a bomb the same way twice. Ever.

Acidbomb 2: Rearmed:

http://www.vertigogaming.net/acidbomb2.htm

Quote:

Acidbomb 2: Rearmed is the sequel to the acclaimed Acidbomb (noted by such sites as Gamespy.com and in the Top 100 Free Games of 2006 on 1up.com) that takes the original and gives it a complete overhaul. If you thought the first game was too easy or unbalanced…you’re in for a treat. This game is for the casual and hardcore puzzle fanatic alike.

The objective: secure the world by defusing bombs from criminals and terrorists alike. As you crack down on this new and dangerous threat, the technology improves with both the Homeland Security team (new weapons) and the terrorists (new bomb types, such as Biological, Oxidation and more). We also have reason to believe that there are several nuclear bombs hidden in major public areas in the United States, Europe and Japan…and the clock is ticking…

With over fifty levels, unlockable content and mini-games and more, you’ll be busy fighting the terrorist threat for quite a while.

There are several more free games from the Vertigo site, which have been posted in the free games for the weekdays project, so I’m not going to mention them here

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the worst ever seen, childish graphics and very poor gameplay.
will wait for the next game giveaway…will delete this one