This is hard. The concept doesn’t seem that difficult, but the way that Razorworks has designed the rules of play makes it much harder than at first appears and not for the faint of heart!

Pipe Mania is a game from way back when in computer gaming. I never played it, but have seen similar renditions incorporated in children’s software. It is a staple critical thinking feature in many kids’ games. Usually without a timer, though.

The basic premise is simple: lay out pipes of different shapes to direct the flow of “flooze” from a beginning pipe to an ending pipe. These starting and ending pipes are set in pre-designated tiles. It’s the player’s job to build the pipe from one end to the other before the flooze finishes flowing.

This may seem simple, but the designers have added a ton of wacky components and obstacles plus they have incorporated rules that really make this game quite tricky. For instance, the pipes cannot be rotated. They have to be played in the order they appear. Pipes that are placed on a tile and not used are counted against the player. Pipes that are blown up by replacement pipes are counted against the player. There is a timer! There are a minimum number of pipes to be laid. And flooze stops for no one.

The biggest attraction to Pipe Mania is the use of all the different types of traps and obstacles that are in the levels. Cute little ducks, trains, different varieties of flooze, pipes that twist on top of each other, these are just some of the things that players will encounter. Sometimes players will even get attacked. There are lots of different varieties of pipe pieces that will change the direction and color of the flooze.

There are several modes of play including a World Mode, which is a story-driven tutorial type of mode. These tutorials are adequate, but there could be more explanation. The penalties for laying pipes in unused spaces aren’t described very well. There are classic modes, and also cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.

Pipe Mania is a fun and addictive puzzle game for people who enjoy these types of casual puzzle games. It can be quite difficult in later levels, which may be a bit more intense than casual game seekers are wanting. The visuals are attractive and the game setup is easy to comprehend. However, the price of $20 is a little high considering it is a one-pony type of show. But, if multiple people in a family are going to play, it may be worth the price.

Gameplay: 7.0
This is a fun puzzle game that is easy to learn, but challenging to play. The interface is logical and intuitive, and the puzzle modes offer a good variety of choices.

Graphics: 7.0
The game looks great!

Sound: 7.0
The music is entertaining and not annoying.

Difficulty: Hard
The level of difficulty increases rapidly.

Concept: 7.0
There isn’t anything really new, but the execution is well-designed.

Multiplayer: 7.0
The cooperative and competitive play modes are fun for two players.

Overall: 7.0
Pipe Mania is fun way to spend a few hours solving pipe-laying puzzles. It is a little hard for some casual players, but many will enjoy the challenge. The game looks good, and the levels are all interesting. The different modes of play offer something for everyone. Best for families with multiple potential players.