There are some things about video games we all take for granted. Electronic Arts make the most realistic sports games, Football Manager is a yearly addiction and every so often there will be another Sims add-on pack.
Another thing we tend to take for granted is that Popcap make the best most addictive puzzle games, however having played Bumps – the latest release from Focus I think this is something we might have to reconsider.
Bumps essentially is a set of single screen puzzles where you have to work out how to collect the keys to release the poor little creatures called Bumps that have been captured. Each screen has a number of obstacles to prevent you from doing this or various different hazards like bouncy floors etc.
At the top of the screen you are presented with the number of bumps you have to place on that level. Then moving them with your mouse you place them where you think they have to drop in order to move through the level and collect all the keys. Succeed and the Bumps go free and you move on to the next one of the 99 levels. Fail and you start back at the beginning and have another go. You are rewarded by how quick you solve the puzzle with extra points and awards etc.
Graphically this is a very colourful game with eye catching bright colours used throughout. The animation of the bumps is very well done and the individual levels are very well thought out to be puzzling and thought inducing but without being insanely difficult.
The music however does get irritating after a while. It is a strange phenomenon because at first it helps to drag you into the game but after a while you just have to either turn it off or play with your speakers switched off. Overall I absolutely love this game. It is fun, which sadly can be lacking sometimes in today’s modern titles. It resembles and old 80’s puzzle game and has all the addictive qualities as Lemmings did of old. It might lack variety and the tutorial leaves a lot of questions unanswered but other than that it is a perfect game to play when you only have 10-15 mins to spare.
I cannot wait to see what the next puzzle game is this developer and publisher comes up with because this is a bumping cracker. Bumps can be purchased here - http://www.focusmm.co.uk/shop/Bumps-pr-1571.html?MMCF_bumps_banner | 
Windows 
