2008 · Fuel Industries · Puzzle · Strategy

Microsoft Tinker

Being a small robot isn't always easy... So, imagine being a robot marooned in a surreal landscape of obscure mechanisms and brain-teasing puzzles. He'll go where you tell him to go - but will your directions lead him home or leave him trapped?

Released: 23 September 2008
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Puzzle Strategy
Developers: Fuel Industries
Publishers: Microsoft
Modes: Single-player
Age ratings: ESRB E

About

Tinker, also known as Microsoft Tinker, is a puzzle video game developed by Fuel Industries in which the player controls a robot through various mazes and obstacle courses. It was originally released on September 23, 2008, as part of Windows Ultimate Extras, and contained 60 levels, including a 20-level tutorial. A free map editor (level builder) was also released; however, it is not compatible with the Games for Windows – Live version of Tinker. It is only compatible with the Windows Ultimate Extras version.

On December 15, 2009, an expanded Live-enabled version of the game was released on the Games for Windows – Live client. The game is available for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, including users who do not have access to Windows Vista Ultimate Extras in other Windows Vista editions, and contains 160 levels, including the tutorial. This version also has 15 Achievements worth 200G, similar to many Xbox Live Arcade games. Like every Games for Windows – Live game, it requires the user to sign in using a Gamertag assigned to a Windows Live ID; however, the Windows Vista Ultimate Extras version did not have this requirement.

Keywords

robots
achievements
freeware
dice
xbox controller support for pc
conveyor belt
domino
games on demand
games for windows - live

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Tinker is a spatial/environmental puzzle game. Players must guide a robot to an end point by moving objects, activating switches, and traversing obstacles. The playing field is a square board divided into a checkerboard pattern. The robot is given a limited number of moves it can make before it runs out of energy, so the player must guide it to the goal marker without expiring all their motions.

Essentially any action the robot makes counts as a move, including taking a step, activating a switch, and turning around. Players must carefully plan their actions through a stage so as not to waste moves.