This is quality stuff! Without doubt, The Incredible Machine (TIM) from Dynamix is a definite winner. Anyone who enjoys the brain-wracking tease of figuring out how to make something work will think this simulation was designed just for them. With a Rube Goldberg approach to intrigue and strategy, TIM appeals to the tinkerer in all of us.
Deus Ex Machina. You are shown a puzzle with various “parts” in place on the screen. These parts do things. For example, a bowling ball falls. During its fall, it might well trigger another action, such as leveraging a teeter-totter to throw another ball into the air that turns on a power switch that activates a fan that blows a windmill that powers a conveyor belt that pushes a birdcage off its edge that pulls on a rope through a pulley that yanks on the chain that turns on a light bulb that shines onto a solar cell that activates an electric engine that drives a gear that pops a balloon.
The problem is — well, not all of the needed parts are in place. You must figure out what parts are needed to complete the “machine,” thereby scoring your success for determining what needs to be done to make it work. You may be shown a puzzle that requires you to blow up all of the dynamite that appears on the screen. However, only a single plunger is in place, along with a trampoline. By accessing the parts bin on the right side of the screen, you drag other components into place to complete the construction that completes the goal.
 
The delightful side of TIM is a definite feeling of accomplishment when you manage to figure out how to solve a puzzle and drive the machine to completing its assigned task. Racing against the clock, you watch as your point totals increase. The more you play, the better you become at solving the puzzles. They become more and more complex, sometimes requiring the better part of an evening simply to solve a single challenge.
Caveat Lector! The game manual is superior. It’s 40 pages are packed with great graphics and info on how to play this construction game. You definitely should read the pages that deal with the placement of parts. For example, being a ne’er-do-well and detesting instruction, I grabbed a belt from the parts bin. This enables you to run a conveyer belt. I then tried dropping it between the parts I wished motivated. Had I taken the time to read, I would’ve immediately learned that you must place the cursor over the part that’ll power the device. A red line appears as you then drag toward the other part you wish powered. Watch that red line—when it turns green, you’ve made the connection with the second part. You simply click once and the belt is secured between the two parts.
Cogito, Ergo Gizmo. With 55 pieces to combine into various solutions, TIM offers superb game value for your dollar. Add in the free-form set that enables you to create your own puzzles and you have a title that’ll maintain a high level of creativity and affords many hours of constructive thinking. In fact, create puzzles for your friends who’ve purchased TIM (once they see you involved with this title, they’re gonna want the game for themselves). Find out who is the best thinker and doer! If you didn’t get TIM as a gift during the holiday season, go to your retailer now with some of that money you received from your aunts and uncles and buy it!
This is the finest puzzle game yet developed for the Macintosh, especially when you consider that it’s a port of Dynamix’ DOS version of the product. Time was taken to ensure that the game takes advantage of the Mac’s features, not dilute them. Best of all, the Mac version beats the DOS version (which I’ve also tested) in all areas of playability, from the sound and music, to the graphics detail, and to the super game play via a simple interface. Yep, time to become addicted to yet another super Dynamix title.
Pros
• Alters your monitor settings to the optimal graphics mode for your system
• Super sound effects and music which may be turned on or off
• Super graphics display and animated operations
• You can always review puzzles at any time you wish (if you have saved your password)
Cons
• You cannot select a puzzle that is not sequential to your last puzzle success
