*Yeah, yeah, it’s been a WHILE since I reviewed an indie game here on DAF, but that’s because I’ve been downloading SO many of them and am slowly but surely going through what I can when I can. It’s YOUR fault, developers for churning out so darn many cool games. It’s a hell of a challenge, kids. Anyway, more indie reviews to come on a hopefully semi-regular basis…Onward!

Damn you, Pushcat! There goes an hour wasted playing you (again). Granted, I did go in thinking I’d get a timed “grab the gems, get out of Dodge” game like my beloved Crystal Mines, but Pushcat’s a lazy bastard and that makes for a much better game that will burn up a few brain cells as it gets more challenging. There’s NO timer ticking down and forcing you to make mistakes and by the time the game’s handful of enemies and explosive surprises appear, you’ll have built up a healthy enough stock of lives that make the going not frustrating at all. The game’s combination of Boulder Dash, Crystal Mines and Match-3 gameplay makes it instantly addictive to puzzle fans, the retro visuals are sharp and cute, and the game has an amazing, catchy soundtrack made up of a bunch of ragtime and other ancient classics that has to be heard to be believed…

Developer Zut! Games pretty much nailed the cooler aspects of the old days while making the game a nice surprise for Match-3 players looking for something that’s not disguising its gameplay with fake historical elements, mystery or adventure shenanigans or other cloaking devices that distract from the purity of the gameplay. That said, the game’s main (but MINOR) caveat is a goofy one that’s easy to overcome if your brain is functioning as it should. You get more than enough time (as in forever) to linger on those low-level maps that it seems every map will be mild and carefree fun. But the game pulls that rug out from under you (very slowly at first) by curling up a corner in each new area and gently pulling the safety of time away.

As you progress, levels require you to lose as few gems as possible while matching enough gems and collecting enough Silver to open the exit before that rug gets rolled up more. Collecting a set amount of additional silver unlocks bonus areas, given the game more replay value as the levels get more challenging. By the time you come across your first ghost and those explosive blocks that can wipe out your coin-grabbing chances and a life or three, you’ll be happily shaking a paw at the game for being so deviously mean, yet still a ton of fun. Super-low system requirements means anyone with a PC or MAC can buy this and have a blast.

I’d write more, but I have a case of “one more levelitis” going full blast here. Meow. Go get Pushcat for yourself or as a gift for that puzzle fanatic of yours and watch the time melt away bit by bit…