Bridge Construction Set 1.30
Chronic Logic
Price: $19.95 (demo available)
Pros: Surprisingly addictive play, realistic physics, challenging levels.
Cons: A clumsy interface and hidden documentation that create a learning curve.
by Gerrit Dalman
Most everyone remembers building bridges in school. Made of straws and toothpicks, tape and glue, they were used to teach the most general concepts of structural engineering. Now Chronic Logic makes it possible to reattack those simple problems of geometry in a fun and challenging way. With Bridge Construction Set they've turned bridge building into a surprisingly addictive and satisfying puzzle game.
BCS presents a bit of a learning curve, but the first few building challenges are simple enough to be approached without a whole lot of forethought. Levels are grouped by difficulty, each with varrying geography, anchor points, and design challenges.
The levels ask you to build either road, rail, or draw bridges with certain materials and within a specified budget. In later levels the challenge is divided between finding a structure strong enough to hold cars or trains and doing so with the material and monetary restraints of the level.
Though the premise seems intellectual it's actually pretty fun for all. Combining iron, steel, cable, and hydraulics then relaxing while watching failed bridges crumble and succesful ones allow traffic to pass is an entertaining loop.
It's just too bad that it takes a while to get the hang of the game. The included tutorials only cover the very basics and the interface isn't very clear. Perusing the manual and readme can help, but that documentation is hidden away in the application's folder.
The final stumbling block is the interface. It is unclear which items in the text-based interface are selected, settings are adjusted in a separate application, and even simplest Mac OS conventions like command-q to quit don't work.
Even with no plot and an engineering foundation, Bridge Construction Set, is addictive and entertaining. Though it doesn't have the flair and energy of similarly addictive titles, it is still a consuming and intellectually stimulating puzzle game, which is worth at least a look. At the very least, you'll get a morbid chuckle the first time your bridge fails and sends a train flying into the river below!
System Requirements:
* Mac OS X 10.1 or later
* 500MHz
* 64MB RAM