All Aboard! with Ice Code Games’ Packed Train

By: GeekyGamerGirl87

The Gameplay video above was done by GeekyGamerGirl87 as the game itself did not have a trailer
but wanted to include a video to show gameplay.

Developed by Ice Code Games and Publisher by GrabtheGames, Packed Train is a casual puzzle game, that pulls you in for more. When I first saw the screenshots for Packed Train, I immediately said to myself –“Huh… the puzzles pieces look like Tetris puzzle pieces.” – and I immediately knew that I wanted to play the game, as I love Tetris. Therefore, when I was given a copy of Packed Train for free from the developers to play, I was more than ready to dive into the game. Before I do start my review, I would like to thank both Ice Code Games for creating this little addicting puzzle game, and GrabtheGames for publishing the game and for being kind enough to give me a copy of it for free.

There is no story line to Packed Train, so I will instead talk about the main objectives of the game. The game has two different modes in which you can play from. The first mode which is Chill Mode and the second being Rush Mode. In Chill Mode, your main objective is getting the number of pieces onto the train. You do so by selecting with the left mouse button and turning them with the right mouse button. Matching 3 or more of the pieces causes the pieces to disappear making room for more pieces.

In addition, you collect stars by putting the pieces onto them which adds to your score. There is another power-up which is a hand doing the “OK” symbol that when you collect it, it will allow for you to remove pieces off of the board, even if the piece came pre-loaded on the train, the only thing is that you only have the power up for a limit amount of time, and you can only move the pieces onto a different spot on the train.  Lastly, there will be letters that pop up that you must collect to forms words. Collecting all the letters to the word that is being shown will reward you with a puzzle piece, that goes into a bigger puzzle. So far, I have only seen one puzzle, and as the game is new I am hoping they will add more puzzles to the game, so that it will keep you going. Don’t get me wrong the game is addicting enough for that feature to not be included, but it does say “Unlock Puzzles by collecting words.” and so I would love to see more puzzles included into the game.

In the game’s second mode, Rush Mode it’s pretty much a timed endless mode in which you are now playing against a clock. I know what you are thinking “How can you have a timed endless mode?” Well, the game will continue to go on as long  as you keep the main objective in mind.  The main objective is getting as many pieces onto the train (again by matching 3 or more.) However, instead of moving a set number of pieces to the train like in Chill Mode, you do have a time limit in which this can be done. The catch is that the pieces that are put onto that train, that have not been matched up will move on with that train when the time runs out, causing you to lose the pieces. Overall you want to get all the matches onto the train, before the puzzles pieces in your tray hit the end of the line, and one gets ejected causing you to have a game over.

From the looks of it on the steam page, it looks like a Steam Leaderboard may be added to the game. I am only saying maybe because at the time of my review; that feature had not been implemented into the game. I really hope that they do add the Steam Leaderboard as this would be another reason for me to come back and play the game. I still enjoy the game even though that feature has not been added, but the satisfaction of coming after someone’s score is even better.

The game does offer achievements. In fact, it has a total of sixteen achievements. So, even without the leader boards, I will continue to play because of the achievements, and the game itself is very relaxing. I find myself coming back to the game very often when I just want to play something to relax and wind down. The game does not offer trading cards, so if you are a trading card collector you will not find any with Packed Train.

Overall, I did really enjoy Packed Train, and recommend it to those who are looking for a casual puzzle game to unwind with. You might say I’ll play for a little while, and before you know it thirty minutes has turned into a few hours. If you would like to give Packed Train a try, you can do so by purchasing it from Steam at $1.99 USD.