Amazing Alex
Physics puzzle game where players guide a ball using household objects.
Amazing Alex is a physics puzzle game from Rovio Entertainment, the company behind Angry Birds. Players place household items to steer a ball toward a target. After positioning the objects, they start a timer, and the ball moves according to the setup. Each level also offers up to three stars to collect. Special modes include "Levels of the Week," "Downloaded Levels," and "My Levels."
Rovio's CEO, Mikael Hed, announced the game on Yle's breakfast television in May 2012. It is based on Casey's Contraptions, which Rovio acquired. The game has educational elements and features Alex, a curious boy who enjoys building contraptions. Players create Rube Goldberg machines to guide a ball to a specific spot. The game was removed from the App Store and Google Play on April 13, 2015.
Pocket Gamer's Harry Slater called it an "addictive experience" but noted it had "less excitement involved" compared to Angry Birds. The game has been compared to The Incredible Machine, which first came out in 1993.
- developer
- Rovio Entertainment
- announced
- May 2012
- removed
- April 13, 2015
- genre
- Physics-based puzzle
- based_on
- Casey's Contraptions
- platforms
- App Store, Google Play
Quick Facts
- Title
- Amazing Alex
- Developer
- Rovio Entertainment
- Engine
- Box2D
- Released
- Android, iOS / July 12, 2012 / Windows Phone / April 3, 2013
- Genre
- Puzzle
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Amazing Alex was announced by Rovio's CEO, Mikael Hed, on Yle's breakfast television in May 2012. The game was based on Casey's Contraptions, which was acquired by Rovio. It featured educational elements and revolved around the character Alex, described as a curious boy with an interest in building contraptions. The goal was to create various Rube Goldberg machines to get a ball to a certain location.
In gameplay, the primary task was to strategically place household objects to guide a ball towards its goal. Once the objects had been placed, the player could initiate the timer, and the ball would start moving. The path and trajectory of the ball would be influenced by the placement of the objects. In addition to reaching the goal, the player could collect up to three stars that were placed throughout the level. The game also included special modes such as 'Levels of the Week', 'Downloaded Levels', and 'My Levels'.
On April 13, 2015, the game was removed from the App Store and Google Play.
Reader's Guide
Amazing Alex represents Rovio's attempt to expand beyond the Angry Birds franchise into the physics-puzzle genre. The game was compared to The Incredible Machine, originally released in 1993, and was noted by Harry Slater of Pocket Gamer as an 'addictive experience', though when 'compared to Angry Birds, had less excitement involved.' Its removal from app stores in 2015 marked a short commercial lifespan. The game's significance lies in its use of Rube Goldberg-style mechanics and its educational elements, though it did not achieve the lasting cultural impact of its predecessor. Its legacy is as a footnote in Rovio's history, demonstrating the challenges of replicating the success of a breakout hit.
Did You Know?
- Amazing Alex was based on Casey's Contraptions, which was acquired by Rovio.
- The game was announced on Yle's breakfast television in May 2012 by Rovio's CEO Mikael Hed.
- It was removed from the App Store and Google Play on April 13, 2015.
- The game was compared to The Incredible Machine, originally released in 1993.
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