Chain RXN is a Soothingly Simple Facebook Game That’s Growing Fast
It is a busy world these days. Rare is the opportunity to just sit back and relax and the constant pacing of the work day leaves many burdened with a seemingly insurmountable amount of stress. Games tend to be a common stress reliever for a number of people. Granted some are better at it than others, but a developer by the name of “Zwigglers” aims to be on the “better” half. The app is Chain RXN, and it’s already grown to reach 1.5 million Facebook players in the last month.
Inside Chain RXN, the player is presented with a screen full of bouncing, multicolored orbs and a white sphere attached to the mouse pointer. Simply click the mouse, and that location will expand with the sphere previously attached to the mouse. Any orb that touches it will also expand in its corresponding hue, and any orb that touches that will emulate the same reaction.
Each expanded orb will dissipate after a short period of time, so the objective is to “explode” as many orbs as is required by the level and score as high a score as possible through successive explosions. Once you place the first sphere, the reaction is out of your control (hence the title “Chain RXN”), so timing is key. Each explosion is merely an expansion of the smaller orb combined with a gentle, bell-like chime. The successive reactions equate to similar chimes as the over all reaction creates a melodious sonnet of sounds; all of which are very soft and calming.
Even the end of each level is light-hearted with a jubilant jingle that plays upon success, and even failure is far from frustrating simply from the soft sounds and colors that envelop the game. Furthermore, the resulting placement of that first click creates an emergence reminiscent to Conway’s Game of Life as the expanding orbs create a unique and vibrant pattern of sound, shape, and color every time that is simply captivating to watch.
If there was any downside, it is that the game has virtually no control. In the later levels, there are around 50 or so orbs floating about so timing and planning go right out the window and you more or less have to rely on luck. Nonetheless, it is easily overlooked and is quite simple to make your way from start to finish in one sitting.
A combination of serene sounds and soft, warm colors gives Chain RXN a very Zen state of play. Despite the fact that a lot of the gameplay revolves around luck, the calming sensation that washes over the user dissolves any qualms one might have. It isn’t something that you would revisit often due to length, but it certainly makes for a brief escape from daily stresses.
It’s a very direct clone of Boomshine – even stole the colors, etc.
http://www.k2xl.com/games/boomshine/
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no spheres or orbs are involved, seeing as how it’s two-dimensional.
the boomshine game sucks so much compared to chain rxn. the circles are too slow, the music is boring, there are no points to be gained (and thus no strategy), and you have to get an insultingly low number of orbs to pass each level
I *love* this game, why is it so addictive?:)
Anyway, here’s a nice trick on how to get a very high score: http://chain-rxn.blogspot.com (though still I can’t get beyond 48M)
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whats the little song that plays inbetween each level? It’s driving me crazy trying to guess it…
Check it out… this reply is for Mark Simpson… It drove me nuts trying to figure out where I’d heard that song before too! It has been featured in ‘The Simpsons, as well as ‘Wall-E’… and the movie ‘Hatari.
It’s a Henry Mancini jingle, called ‘Baby Elephant Walk’!
Enjoy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN2xQ2zqmCI
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“In the later levels, there are around 50 or so orbs floating about so timing and planning go right out the window and you more or less have to rely on luck.”
Sorry, but no. The later levels are where the strategy really starts. Initial placement location as well as watching patterns in the circles heading your way (too many early explosions and your score multiplies far slower, too few and the chain will die) become paramount.
The downside, however, is that I’ve gotten to the point where a 50,000,000 point game feels like I blew it.
Check out this great Chain Rxn Tips Guide – http://www.blog.freeiphone4me.co.uk/index.php/2009/05/chain-rxn-facebook-cheats-tips/
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Check it out here: http://chain-rxn.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-improve-your-score-on-chain-rxn.html (10s of millions guaranteed:)
I first staretd playing the same game but its called boom shine then my dad and sisters showed me chain rxn and i loved it the first time i played it
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hey i love this game but it notworking on my laptop
…?
There is another game with the same concept:
http://apps.facebook.com/sparkychain
Both games a are a ripoff of my Bastard Balls game created circa 2005.
http://codesavior.com/flash/exploder_content.html
My own fault for not finishing it. However, the iPhone app is almost done, and it blows away these clones.
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why cant we save our scores ?
I have not been able to find Chain RXN on facebook and I am bummed. Thank you for all the great links to Sparky Chain, Bastard Balls &Boom Shine…..Please if anyone can tell me where I can play Chain RXN, e-mail me and let me know…..my e-mail is polarhoney2@yahoo.com. Please put in the subject header, Chain RXN. Thank you and happy gaming!!!
Chain Rxn Game in Facebook is no more.. :-(
did anyone know the developer? (or has anybody finished the game or do we have an offline version of it? )
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The original can still be played here:
http://chainrxn.zwigglers.com/