World of Bob - Christmas Hide and Seek

World of Bob is a Xmas themed game produced originally in Hungarian in 2011 and then translated into English with a few updated features in time for Christmas. As such I did not expect the English usage to be completely accurate and was on the lookout for a few stumbles in that area. I found them, but somehow they just added to the charm of this already charming game. World of Bob is a simple game with a simple premise, the eponymous Bob is a small chick (as in an immature chicken, not an immature girl) who has decided to run away from the farm of Uncle George, and the seriously cutest slime ever, Buby has gone looking for him.


Making a list, checking it twice.

The game is a basic hide and seek with Buby searching high and low for the renegade baby chicken and Bob doing his level best not to be caught. Not because Farmer George is mean or intending to serve Bob up for Christmas dinner, not enough meat on those bones in any case, but simply because it's fun.

The game has two modes, simple hide and seek where Bob and Buby alternate hiding in various places throughout the game world and the other has to hunt them down in abandoned logs, tree trunks and wood piles before they escape to the next map, and the story mode where there is a lot more interaction with the world and its inhabitants. The story mode is the one I'm concentrating on in this review.

There is no combat in the game, Buby wants to return Bob, not hunt him down, and the area around the farm is free of threats, so the gameplay consists of exploration and a series of puzzles and minigames the first of which is a fairly fun PacMan clone where rather than being chased by Binky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde you're a slime being chased by chickens to Yakety Sax .It's hysterical. The objective is to collect some of Bob's favourite treats, seeds and then see if you can lure him home with them.


When reason doesn't work try bribery.

Of course that would be no fun so Bob hightails it the moment Buby's back is turned and heads to the village to play with the kids there, and the ever dutiful Buby follows. This cycle repeats itself through a series of maps, with each containing a minigame to overcome. In some cases, like the sledge ride through an obstacle course, you have the option of skipping the minigame if it proves too difficult to beat. It's a good addition for those whose reflexes are not super fast, but I managed to accomplish them all without skipping and reflex games are not my favourite type, so it's not impossible for a middling player in that area. The variety of puzzles and games in quite refreshing and they are all executed smoothly with no lag or glitches, and were a lot of fun to play through.

The graphics are a mix of default and some custom work, Buby's character sprite and the face sets of Buby and Bob especially, but also a few of the items in the tile-sets have been modified for the game, as well as the holly decked message boxes. There's even an option to visit Santa for a costume change for our helpful little slime. The standout though is the music, other than the Yakity Sax piece there are some fairly catching little themes running through the game, each level has a signature tune and most of the themes have a fairly Christmassy feel to them, in keeping with the look and mood of the game itself.

Saving is only available at the beginning of every level/area, which is a little bit annoying, but hardly game breaking, especially in light of the skip the minigame option, so you never actually get stuck having to redo a level if you do not wish to do so. There is a slight problem in that each map is forward momentum only, you can't go back, so in the case of the caves where you have the classic boulder push puzzle if you mess up you can't leave and come back you have to exit out to the menu and reload your game from the beginning, so plan carefully.

After a long journey following the chicken tracks in the snow collecting all manner of candy and Christmas accoutrements, yes there is a handy trail left by the developer in case you ever find yourself at a loss for where to go next, just head where the chicken tracks go, not to mention cooking gingerbread biscuits and decorating Christmas trees the ever faithful Buby finally manages to catch the elusive Bob and get him safely home to the farm and back in the hen-house with his mother where he belongs.


...and to all a good night.

World of Bob is a cute little feel good game encompassing the generous and giving nature that the Christmas season is meant to encapsulate, and whilst I was never told stories of Buby the Christmas Slime, I don't think it's a bad one to tell. If you feel like embracing the Christmas season early, then give it a go, otherwise wait until December rolls around to put that smile on your face, and jingle in your ears.

Oh and for a cute overdose, exit from the game via the menu at least once.