...........................................Moderator comment...................................

Sundays game giveaway is over a gigabyte in size, so be sure to start downloading early to avoid disappointment. The more community members downloading, the slower the download speeds will be due to band width limitations at the giveaway servers.

Please only post comments about today's game giveaway; other comments either inappropriate, or comments with only one or a few words; for example vg, good, thank you, TY, bad, rubbish, this game is ~%!£*? etc , or if the comment has nothing to do with today's game or is complaining (send your complaints to the giveaway team via the contact form that I've linked to below), they may be deleted at the moderator or administrators discretion; however, a little light banter among community members/friends and with the moderator to keep this a friendly place to visit is acceptable and welcomed. All comments not specifically about today's game giveaway will be judged by the moderator and if deemed inappropriate, will be deleted and usually with no explanation. Please see the moderation policy HERE for details about posting comments. If you are having problems installing the game check the FAQ's thread HERE and read through the communities comments because sometimes fixes have already been posted; and if for any reason you want to contact the giveaway team, for example, you have a game to offer the community, or are unable to download the latest game or other issues that the FAQ's thread or these comments don't cover or solve you can do so HERE

Mechanicus

In Brief

A physics based puzzle game.

Suggestions:

After you've had an opportunity to play today's giveaway please take a few moments to give some positive or negative feedback about the game; for example, what you liked or disliked about the game, or how it could be improved. If you don't like the genre at all, please explain why and if any, what improvements would change your mind? If you don't have time to post a comment today, please do so at your convenience, thank you. To access the comments once the giveaway is over, open up the game giveaway to its home page then scroll to the bottom of the page where it says Archives and select the date the giveaway was live (giveaway days are in bold type). This will open up the appropriate page for you to post your comment or review.

There are thousands of subscribers to the game giveaway of the day every weekend which makes this an ideal forum for giving developers new or fresh ideas as to what their consumers (i.e you) would like to see in a game. For example, you could suggest extra content such as better or more original mini games, or a level editor that you would like to see that would make it more appealing to you. Maybe you think the graphics are a little dated and are in need of re skinning, or maybe you've just had enough of the genre and want to see something different or something with more originality? Giving such feedback instead of saying nothing or just saying this game is rubbish or good may bring more developers to the site, which could mean more and better games. Would 'you' give away thousands of copies of a game (or extra content for a game) away to a community that complains all the time instead of giving useful feedback? It only needs a few moments of your time.

This site could be transformed if only the community would be more forthcoming in their opinions of the games they are getting for free instead of complaining about the way this site has changed, for example, they don't like MPC games, they hate HOG's, have had enough of Match Three and Time Management games, or they want to see the latest version of Call of Duty or some other big name AAA game given away or that they don't like Steam games. If something isn't for you then please move on to the next giveaway, or check out the forums HERE, HERE and HERE, where a few members of the community post details of various free games and free game sites as well as links to various indie bundle sites etc; you never know, you may find something that really interests you.

If you miss today's game giveaway you can always get the game via MyPlayCity 24/7 HERE; or If you prefer to purchase the game you can get it HERE via Big Fish Games.

Installation:

Mechanicus downloads to a 59.9 MB zip file that unzips to three files, (a setup.gcd security wrapper, the set up file and a read me). Those with multiple hard drives are able to save games on any drive they wish. The newly installed game is 61.2 MB in size. The game installs to the following path by default, but can be changed by the user if you prefer:

C:\Program Files (x86)\MyPlayCity.com\Mechanicus - Star Confrontation

Four shortcuts are installed to the desktop. three of which can be safely deleted (Play Online Games, MyPlayCity Games and shortcuts to a free online game which vary each week). Also, if you don't like icons installed to the quick launch task bar, make sure you uncheck the box when the additional tasks window appears (after the Select Start Menu Folder window)

Introduction:

Welcome to Mechanicus. Star Confrontation! In this game you play the role of the Earth's newest space warrior and liberator. Our planet has been treacherously attacked by enemy forces from another solar system. The aliens are significantly stronger technologically; however, if you rely on your intelligence and cunning you'll have a chance to win. At the beginning of each level a window appears and gives you a description of what you are about to do. At the end of the message there's a task in Mechanicus. Star Confrontation. Throughout the game levels you are to deal with different elements such as logs, crates, platforms and others. The game physics are simple: for example to move a log you need to click on the panel to your left and drag it onto the stage. When you deal with some object for the first time you are given a short intro how to use it: for example, a platform is a helpful tool for moving any object, it can hang motionlessly in space and support any weight. Once you've placed an object on the desirable spot you'll see a pad with tools which allow you to rotate, flip, switch, connect the object, turn it on or off or even delete. Every object can undergo a number of unique actions. Holding a cursor over a tool icon you get a message about its functions. Every accomplished level brings you closer to the victory. Use your logical thinking as well as knowledge of physics to accomplish each and every task. All the basic physical laws have been preserved here, despite the fact that the game takes place in the outer space. Enjoy Mechanicus. Star Confrontation! Free the Earth from invaders!

Edited reference accessed HERE. 18th Aug 2017

If you have a problem installing or activating or getting Mechanicus to work please visit the problems section, which I've now incorporated into the FAQ's thread, and which you can find HERE

The Game:

Mechanicus is an excellent physics based puzzle game that uses a variety of tools such as platforms, blocks of wood, anti-personal mines, transporters that move objects from one place to another instantaneously, anti gravity platforms that completely counteract the effects of gravity around it, enabling you to move objects around the game arena easily, ballista that allow you to throw objects over various obstacles (to do this you will need to place heavy weights on the ballista’s free arm. The loads trajectory depends on where and with what velocity the weight drops, so this will probably mean a few attempts to get the hang of what a weight does when dropped onto the ballista). There doesn’t appear to be any negative impact on taking multiple tries at each level, however, once a level has been completed and you progress to the next level, you cannot go back. There are also mirrors that reflect laser light and fans that alter the trajectory of an objects movement; all used to either destroy objects such as cargo boxes and even the lasers themselves using lasers (in conjunction with mirrors usually) or dynamite, or to move these and other objects introduced into the game to various positions on the game arena. The further you progress, the more tools are provided to complete the task; however, not all the tools are required. You can score extra pints by using the least number of tools and other objects to complete the task in hand.

Your accumulated score will enable you to be promoted from the lowest ranks such as
Corporal and Sergeant to lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel, General Earth Defender and the highest rank Humanities Hope. Once you attain 50 000 points you will be promoted to Sergeant, 200 000 to Lieutenant, to attain Humanities Hope you need 30 million points.

There are five stages, each comprising 16 levels, making a total of 80 levels. The levels start off easy but get harder as you progress. New elements are introduced frequently to keep the game fresh. Most of the puzzles are common sense. For example, understanding the principles of Newtons and Reflective laws I.e. that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force (e.g. gravity or other force such as wind) and the law of reflection i.e the angle of reflection (the light reflected from the mirror) is equal to the angle of incidence (the light approaching the mirror) most of these puzzles should be easily be resolved though it may take several attempts, especially when dealing with the positioning of several mirrors when reflecting the ray from a laser beam.

Posted by Whiterabbit-uk 18th Aug 2017.

Other Reviews and Videos of Mechanicus:

You can see Steam community reviews of Mechanicus HERE, and you can see some videos of game play via the same link HERE. There's a slideshow of over 100 images HERE. Some will contain spoilers for certain levels (with respect to placement of mirrors etc.

Conclusion:

Mechanicus is a decent physics based puzzle game that should keep the most ardent of fans of this type of game satisfied for several hours. There’s enough variety to keep the game interesting and apart from the minor issue with the mouse dragging when moving tools, the game was great. The graphics are a little dated, but that does not take away the actual game play element to this game. I'd score Mechanicus a 7 out of 10 for game play. Pity there isn't a level editor included.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank MyPlayCity for giving away Mechanicus and also to the game giveaway team, as always, for securing other ways to get free games.

Useful Information not related to today's game giveaway:

The problems section that used to be posted here in the Game review is now included in the Game Discussion FAQ's thread; which you can find HERE.

I've updated the games section that used to be posted with the review. The thread is now called 'Weekly round up of game deals', formerly the games section of the weekly reviews. You can find the new thread (which I've posted in the sticky section of the game discussion forums to make it easier to find if you are perusing the game discussion forums) HERE.

The rest of the information that used to be posted here can be found in the forums HERE. Finally, check out Delenns for details of other free games and offers HERE