One of the things that makes games from developer Michael Brough so great is in how much there is to discover in each one. They're densely-packed pouches full of Eureka moments, constantly dripping out new tricks, traps, and techniques for those who are patient and observant enough to notice them. His games don't just trust the player to figure them out; they challenge the player to do so. You really won't make much progress at all in his games if you're not willing to play along with this philosophy. It's a school of design I happen to enjoy, but I do so knowing that it's just as much of a turn-off for some as it is a joy for others. After all, there's a fine line between being obtuse in order to teach and being obtuse just to be obtuse. Where that line falls tends to come down to the player. Brough has made some interesting choices with his latest game, Cinco Paus [$4.99]. A Brazilian reader (thank you Felipe) informs me that the title means 'Five Bucks'. So far, so true. In US dollars, anyway. As with previous games from Brough, this is a sort of compact roguelite that has you contesting with deadly monsters and trying to make your way to the exit in each room. You have limited resources at your disposal, and there are lots of random elements woven in to make sure that any plans you make need to have back-ups for their back-ups.
There are two quirks to the game that lend it its own flavor almost immediately. The first, which you may not even notice depending on your firs...