What's charming about the game is its youth-oriented artwork, it's hopeful soundtrack (albeit repetitive), and some enjoyable platform action. While kids will only spend about 10 hours to finish Boing! Docomodake, the game can be a pleasure, especially when you use some of the coins you collect to unlock songs and artwork. Yet playing is not a delight from the get-go.
Unfortunately Boing! Docomodake lacks a proper in-game tutorial. What's present is a confusing mish-mosh of Powerpoint-like directions which barely give you an idea of how to use the touch screen and the various mini Docomodake. Even the manual's tutorial is confusing. You'll get the idea after a while of playing by yourself. But many may be frustrated before the game even begins. Sometimes, tapping Docomodake does not result in the release of minis. Plus, once you do start up, some of the levels can be very difficult for a child or even an adult to get through. That's too bad because the $19.99 price is alluring, especially because U.S. audiences don't know Docomodake is a marketing tool. Just be prepared for a learning curve.
It seems gamers lately have been content to just buy the same familiar thing and not branch out to try something new. Boing! Docomodake might not be a completely new style of game, but as a whole package it is a breath of fresh air in an all-too-familiar industry.
The puzzles start off very simple, and get a bit more complicated and challenging as the levels progress. There are no time limits set to each level, but your final grade/score is based on the time it takes to complete each level as well as the coins and treasures you collect. The great thing is that none of the puzzles were overly challenging or painstakingly long, which make for a great puzzle solving game for both adults and kids that is easy to pick up at anytime.
PM:
"With only six family members (plus boyfriend) to save, it's too bad that Papa Docomodake's quest is over too quickly. At eight levels per area, you can plow through the game in around five hours or so, although you can go back to better your scores and buy unlockables with coins you've collected. The game will only run you $20, though. That's a hell of a lot better than most other bargain priced DS games. Maybe you'll pick it up just for the sheer wtf factor, but you'll be won over by Docomodake's cheery attitude and charm, even if its simplicity makes it, ironically, play like a cell phone game."
