Game Reviews

X Construction

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X Construction

Although it goes without saying that video games are pure fantasy and should in no way be mistaken for reality, there are some titles that are so striking that they inevitably affect the way we perceive the world around us.

A few days playing Grand Theft Auto and you’ll find yourself nervously looking over your shoulder in a city at night, for example. Similarly, putting in a few too many hours on Super Mario Bros might cause you to double-take next time you spot an open pothole.

Pouring your time into X Construction has a similar side-effect, but one that is perhaps less welcome – you’ll never want to step on board a train again.

Off the rails

This physics-based bridge-building escapade tasks you with spanning massive chasms with metal girders, opening up a pathway for the incoming locomotive. Success results in the lucky passengers getting to their intended destination, while failure sees them plummeting to their doom amid truly blood-curdling screams.

Before the train arrives on-screen you have an unlimited amount of time to build your bridge and experiment with the resources you’ve been given.

While time is never in short supply, the same can’t be said for the selection of girders you’re expected to work with. You have a finite number to utilise, and the trickiest levels keep this number deliberately low, forcing you to be extremely precise with your placement.

Made from girders

Laying down a girder is simply a matter of touching a point on the screen and dragging in the direction you wish it to go. Girders can be of varying lengths and can cross through one another, but they must be anchored to one of the round points highlighted on the screen.

At any time you can hit the ‘play’ button and see how your creation fares once the effects of gravity are imposed. Poorly-realised designs instantly buckle and sway, and as soon as the train arrives they’re likely to collapse.

Studier bridges will still show signs of strain when the heavy carriages cross over, but they’ll hold if you’ve built them well enough. Helpfully, girders that are under undue stress glow red, and this allows you to resolve structural weaknesses should the entire thing come falling down before the train reaches the other side of the screen.

Runaway train

While the gameplay in X Construction is instantly gratifying, the visuals are slightly less appealing. Like so many Android releases, this likeable game could do with a lick of paint. It’s not a deal-breaking issue, but after experiencing so many polished iPhone releases it’s hard to accept.

The other major problem is longevity – X Construction is sure to have you glued to your phone for hours, but once you’ve solved all of the levels you’re unlikely to return. The Free Build sandbox mode is amusing in short bursts, but you’ll hanker for something more substantial.

Despite the brevity of the experience, X Construction is one of those games that simply captures the imagination and dominates every moment of your waking life. Once it has surrendered all of its secrets it slowly fades from memory, but the ride is as smooth as first class on the Eurostar while it lasts.

X Construction

Although the graphics are basic and the physics engine is sometimes a little overbearing, X Construction is a thoroughly addictive game. It’s a shame that it ends so soon, because while it lasts it’s undeniably riveting (pun absolutely intended)
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Damien  McFerran
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.