There are surely few games as pleasing on the eye as Space Ark.  Screenshots had already enamoured me to the game even before I went to preview it and met with Simon Morris, Technical Director of Strawdog Studios, the company behind the game.  As Simon initially explained some of the concepts behind the game and then began to illustrate his points with some pretty impressive gameplay (well, compared to mine certainly – more on that later), I began to feel even more excited about it.

I’m sure I should be very reserved in these situations and just nod sagely and wisely as I make notes and watch the demo playthrough with a slightly detached objectivity.  I’m quite sure I’m not supposed to behave like a child who has just watched GamesMaster and is filled with awe and a feeling of ‘want it want it want it!’.  (If you’re too young to remember GamesMaster you’ll have to Wikipedia this reference and then lament the fact that you’ll never experience this iconic show.) 

The story of Space Ark is fairly straightforward: a number of planets have been devastated by a black hole.  Various characters (28 in total) gather together on the space ark and embark on missions to restore life to each of the destroyed planets.  A preview is too limiting to explain all of the game mechanics (I suspect it would also be a horrifically lengthy review to cover it all in detail).  However, it’s clear that there’s an awful lot to this game.  As well as bouncing your character on a trampoline to collect DNA (to restore life to the devastated planets) and fruit (to help you fill your power level meter and gain score multipliers), you also have a jetpack to try and help you gain a little more control over where you go.  Controlling the two at once can be extremely tricky!  Mastering things like getting the gems in the correct order to try and get higher scoring ones when you’ve achieved some score multipliers, getting as many gem combos as possible, using clouds to bounce further but trying to avoid them stopping you going where you need to go - well, it's heavygoing! Don’t even get me started on power-ups!

As much fun as it was to watch the game being played, it was great to be handed the control and have a go myself.  Simon was very encouraging, despite my apparent and overwhelming lack of skill, hand-eye coordination and the pitiful amount of points I was accruing.  Nonetheless, it was clear I was going to need a lot of practice to gain a competitive edge.  Thankfully, that won’t be a problem: Space Ark is clearly a game that you can’t help but keep playing.  I have no doubt I could have happily been locked in a (preferably soundproof) room with a console for hours but alas I had a train to catch.  Simon assured me that it became easier to control the more you played and I did feel I managed to make some progress but I still don’t ever see myself achieving all of the feats possible in this game.  Nonetheless, I will be giving it a damn good go when it’s released!

Space Ark is so full of fun, from its bright colours, catchy music, cute characters and wonderfully transformed planets to the sheer addictive pleasure of trying to get as many combos as you can, collect fruit and avoid dying, all whilst bouncing away.  I left the preview smiling and the smile stayed with me all the way home.  I can see so many reasons why so many people are going to love this and the only disappointment of the day is that it isn't out yet.

Thinking up a complex and involving story: "[Have] some apocalyptic ending to the animals' planet and put 'em on a spaceship"

Good for kids to play but great for them to watch: “[My kids] get to a certain point where they can’t do it anymore and they’re quite happy to say “Dad sort it out!”

Seriously hardcore fun without being hardcore serious: “We’re really keen to sell it as a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously”

If you want to bag those important multipliers (or perhaps just on being a '5-a-day' supporter): “Fruit is good!”

Controlling the trampoline and the jetpack: “A little bit like patting your head and rubbing your tummy but after a little while you get it”