The Incredible Machine 3.0

Mel and the Alligator: A Horror Story

A Review of The Incredible Machine 3.0

by Istvan Urcuyo

This is the latest addition to the award winning “The Incredible Machine”

series. This version (3.0) is available for Windows 95 and Mac. Sierra

has completely revamped the graphics from the original incredible machine,

added more puzzle parts, more challenging puzzles

but managed to leave the original idea intact and just as much fun. I remember playing the original Incredible machine and I enjoyed it. This new version is much better.

Sierra’s new installation engine provided for a trouble-free installation

under my Windows 95 operating system. I was all set to play this puzzle

game in no time. The autoload option makes playing that

convenient. The graphics are in 256 colors and animations run smoothly.

After registering each player’s name (the game automatically keeps track of

each player’s progress), you are greeted by Professor Tim as he introduces

you to each puzzle and every piece in the parts bin. There are five puzzle

levels to choose from: tutorial, easy, medium, hard and extremely hard

(believe me they are). In addition there are two other “levels” to have

fun with: homemade and “head to head”. This last option allows you and a

friend to go at it trying to solve the same puzzle (You can finally show

your friend who really is the brain). Both of you have a predetermined

time under which each player take turns and each has only one chance to

move a puzzle part from the parts bin or move a part that is already in the

puzzle screen. Each of the puzzles in this section is designed to be

solved in many different ways, therefore, you have to come up with the

fastest solution. The player that solves the puzzle first wins (and is

mentally superior to others).

This game comes with over 150 puzzles to

solve or (if that does not satisfy your appetite) you can build your own.

The homemade section allows you to create your own puzzles.

The construction kit is a great improvement from the previous incredible

machine version and the walktrough tutorial is very helpful. Nevertheless,

it will take a little getting used to in order to successfully build your

first couple puzzles. But once you get the hang of it, there is almost

nothing to stop you from creating the monster puzzle of monster puzzles.

When building your own puzzles, you will have at your finger tips the

complete arsenal of puzzle parts (all 113 of them) plus you can customize

the background graphics and music. Oh, the music. There are many nice

music themes in this game that range from classical pieces to body shaking

Hispanic salsa (my favorite). The music plays directly from the CD so you

are not going to be disappointed by its quality. There is plenty of

digital speech in this game. Prof. Tim is always eager to explain about

the specific goals for each puzzle, the description of each part in the

parts bin, puzzle tutorials and even hints to help you complete each puzzle

(of course you will not need any hints, right ? ).

There are, however, a

few bugs with the digital speech that may get annoying after playing the

game for a extended period of time. In my computer, Professor Tim’s speech

cuts off at odd times during the game but especially when the game’s music

comes on. Sometimes the digital speech may not work at all.

The Incredible Machine 3.0 contains a comprehensive on-line manual that

covers all the information needed to play the game. For all those

multilinguals out there, check this out, this version supports the

following languages: Italian, Spanish, German, French and even English.

However, the spoken messages and the on-line help are all in English.

Puzzle solving is by no means an exact science.

You could solve most of

the puzzles in a couple of different ways and you will meet many

interesting characters along the way. There is a funky looking Mandrill

motor (which replaces the monkey in the bike from the original game),

Newton the mouse (poor thing seems to always be on the run), Currie the cat

(drop a bowling ball on him and watch) and an alligator that likes to eat

little funny men that have weird names (How did Sierra come up with a name

like “Mel Schlemming” ?).

If you ever thought about giving “The Incredible machine” series a chance

then it is probably now or never. But, if you bought the original

“Incredible Machine” (and its sequel the “More Incredible Machine”) then I

would suggest you find the way to your nearest software store, pick this

one up and get ready to demonstrate to the world that your brain is a

terrible thing to waste.

Gamer’s Zone Scorecard

Product:	The Incredible Machine 3.0
Company:	Sierra On-Line Direct Sales P.O.Box 3404 Salinas, CA 93912 1-800-757-7707 www.sierra.com
Cost:	$24.95

System Requirements:

33 Mhz 486 or better CPU
Windows 3.1 or greater
8 Mb RAM
2X CD-ROM Drive
Soundcard

Breakdown:

Fun Factor 4
Interface 5
Replayability 4
Graphics 4
Sound 3

Overall Score: