It's all pulled off better than you'd guess, and strikes a definite atmosphere – whether that atmosphere is right for you or not is another question. This is an experience so subdued, it's almost a lullaby. But if you're into that vibe and want something legitimately fresh, see how your senses react to Zenses: Rainforest.
Pocket Gamer:
Feeling stressed out by the working week? Casual game developer Kiloo has just the ticket - a calming and relaxing puzzle game.
Zenses Rainforest, a free cryptic game set in a soothing rainforest, has you plonking geometric shapes onto lily pads and collecting falling blocks from waterfalls. The game also has OpenFeint achievements.
GC writes: "Just like Zenses: Ocean, Zenses: Rainforest is targeted to the older audience who need relaxation. However, unlike Ocean, this game doesn't fulfill much relaxation and instead leads to more frustration. The games are more tedious and overall a bit less enjoyable. If you have a lot of patience, though, you may not be as frustrated.
There are 6 minigames and each one varies differently. There is no use of the A and B buttons, only the stylus. Before each game begins there is a tiny description of how to play the game, but many times it is hard to understand what it's trying to say that it is easier to just jump in the game and try it out."
Gaming Nexus writes: "I've been reviewing Game Factory's titles for a while, and I've learned that they're known for licensed work and a few original games here and there. I like that Game Factory works with German developer Shinen, because regardless of what game they make, I always know Shinen will do a good job and put some honest quality into their work. Shinen made a Garfield platformer and a Pet Alien puzzler addictive-that's hard to do. Their most recent project for Game Factory is a set of two puzzle games: Zenses Ocean and Rainforest. Rainforest was the second of the two games that I looked at, and it has its own casual appeal set to a different relaxation theme.
Both Zenses games are purely casual fare-there is nothing to unlock, no emphasis on beating high scores and all of the games are simple, time-tested puzzles. The only input method is the stylus, and while there are a few "challenges" to achieve for each puzzle, they're only fluff and don't unlock anything. The tagline of the Zenses series is "puzzles to unwind the mind," and Game Factory isn't kidding; the whole point is to relax and keep your brain occupied with something that is interesting but not too hard."
