Diabolika

One of the best freeware puzzle games I've ever played, Diabolika is a fun, very original board game from Blackeye Software.

I was going to sit down and review this little gem, when I came across a good review at Gaming World which nicely summarize the highlights: "Diabolika is puzzle game which you must use little characters to detonate and kill the demons. The whole point is to get a chain reaction with your little explosive guys so that you hopefully can kill all the demons off in one shot.

You have a range of many "explosive" characters to use which are classified as tiles. You get the basic kind like the Straw Man which only attacks in one direction and at one square or you can get the great tiles like the "Magik Missile" which allows you to choose an eight squared target anywhere you want!

The game gets fairly hard as you advance; the hard part is the fact that once you leave one demon after a round he will be added with the others. Then once that round is done next thing you know there are two demons, then it just adds on unless you're lucky and get the "good" tiles.

Also adding to the challenge is different leveled Demons. It goes up to Demons that take three shots to kill. When I first played Diabolika I swear I had no obvious clue of what to do. A great idea is to read the mini help file, which should give you a good understanding. It may take awhile for you to fully understand and perfect your skill at Diabolika, But in a matter of no time you will get the whole idea of this.... The game will keep you playing for awhile. Hell, I had it for weeks and I'm still playing it from time to time.

One thing that could have made Diabolika more fun and fast-paced would be a two player duke out which goes on until one player looses, but this would make it hard to take your time and concentrate. But in the end I give Diabolika a big fat 9 out of a possible 10."

Anyone who takes the time to learn the slightly complex rules of the game will be pleasantly surprised with how playable this little puzzler is. Two thumbs up - and be sure to also check out the much-improved sequel, Diabolika 2.

Review By HOTUD