Automatoys is a 2022 puzzle game developed by Idle Friday. In it, the player guides a ball through a series of complex three-dimensional machines. The game was the first independent release of lead developer Steffan Glynn, a former member of State of Play Games.[1] Upon release, Automatoys received mixed reviews, with praise for its level design and gameplay and criticism for its short length.
| Automatoys | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Idle Friday |
| Designer(s) | Steffan Glynn |
| Programmer(s) | Steffan Glynn |
| Composer(s) | Jake Gaule |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | Android, iOS |
| Release | Android, iOS
|
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
edit
The player guides a ball through a series of machines named Automatoys to reach the end of the course. The player activates, moves and tilts various items of machinery, including ramps and catapults, using a one-touch control method, with some mechanisms varied in intensity by pressing and holding.[2] The course features several obstacles that cause the ball to fall off, requiring the player to start again from the beginning. Completion of the levels provides players with a star ranking out of three depending on how quickly the players completed the level.[3] The game features twelve levels, with the first three levels being free to play, and the remaining nine available upon purchase of the game.[4]
Reception
edit| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Pocket Gamer |    [4] |
| 148Apps | [2] |
Critics of Automatoys praised the game's design. Eurogamer commended the game's "complex" and "briskly mechanical" design and the introduction of "new gimmicks" and "new ideas" throughout the gameplay.[5] TouchArcade described the game as "intricate and well-designed", noting its levels increased in complexity and challenge.[3] Pocket Gamer described the design of the Automatoys as "stunning", highlighting the "tactile" and "meticulous" nature of the levels and the "variety of mechanisms to figure out and experiment with".[4] Similarly, 148Apps described the game as a "tactile experience" and found the game to be well adapted to mobile controls, describing the game's controls to be satisfying and have "remarkable accuracy".[2]
However, several critics noted the game's short length. Pocket Gamer noted the "relatively few" levels in the game.[4] Touch Arcade assessed the game to be "on the shorter side", although noted it had "good replay value".[3] 148Apps described the game as "somewhat skin deep" and found the game to not be a "terribly long or challenging experience".[2]
Automatoys was a finalist of the 'Interaction' category for iOS games at the 2023 Apple Design Awards.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Automatoys: Press Kit". Idle Friday. 2022. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d Bird, Campbell (9 September 2022). "Automatoys Review". 148Apps. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Nelson, Jared (27 August 2022). "TouchArcade Game of the Week: Automatoys". Touch Arcade. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d Dellosa, Catherine (21 September 2022). "Automatoys review - "Tactile fun from days long past"". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ Donlan, Christian (24 August 2022). "Automatoys review - complex brilliance made tactile and delightful". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ "Apple announces winners of the 2023 Apple Design Awards". Apple. 6 June 2023. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.