Puzzle games are in a lull today. You don’t see to many great puzzle games come out. Part of that reason is that most of the fresh and new ideas are just not any good, and people aren’t sticking to the classic formula. Well, Zoo Keeper sticks to that classic formula, and with the twist of the DS’s touch screen, it makes it an instant winner. Zoo Keeper is your basic puzzle game. The story is simple. You are a Zoo Keeper in a zoo run by a tyrant of a director. The animals revolt, and escape from their cages. Your job? Well, its to round them up and put them back of course. You will get a screen filled to the brim with different kids of animals. Your job is to match 3 in a row to round them up. You do this by simply using the stylus to switch two animals between their spaces. You can only move an animal one space, and in order to move it the move must make a row of 3 so you will capture them. Sounds easy right? Its not as easy as it sounds. You of course have a time meter which runs down. Every capture you make, gives you a little time back. In most of the modes, including the regular mode, you have a quota of how many of each animal to catch to go up a level. Once you do that, your level goes up, time goes faster, and the quota usually will go up. Once time starts going a little faster, and you get a little more nervous, it gets harder and harder to find a capture match. Each level will also feature an animal on the upper screen. This is the lucky animal. For each capture you make of this animal, you will get double points and rewarded with an animation that looks like you just game the animal a prostate exam. The game features a few different modes, but for the most part they are all pretty much the same. There is Tokoton 100, which has a quota to catch 100 of any one animal to go up a level. There is also Time Attack, which gives you 6 minutes to get the highest score possible. Then there is quest, which gives you crazy quotas and rules to attempt to gain points. They are all kind of the same, but provide enough variety to keep you coming back for more. The graphics and style of the game is cool and unique. All the animals are blocky, but in a purposeful and smooth way. Its very cartoony, but all in all is just nice to look at. Its easy to tell the difference between the animals as they are all very unique and colorful. There are a few little things, that while not amazing, do make the game a little cooler. When you are the last animal in the quota you will visibly notice the animals face turn angry. This is also often the hardest animal to capture, as they are usually spread far apart. The sound is basic, and probably the worst part of the game. Its all very monotone, and although it kind of fit’s the game, it would be a little nicer if the music was better. Over all this is a solid and addictive puzzle game that anyone can enjoy. For the price you will get hours of fun, and the replay value is very high. Ever since I got the DS I’ve been addicted to this game. I recommend this game to anyone who enjoys are a good puzzle game.
This was one of the first games I bought for my DS. I was not sure what to expect to be honest but after an hour or so of playing I was really starting to enjoy the game and have since out many an hour into it. Essent... Read Full Review
Zoo Keeper's concept is so simple- slide the animal to get 3 in a row. But once you get started, it becomes hard to put down. It also looks like a little kids game because of the use of animals and the funny graphics. I... Read Full Review
