I grew up with bugs and video games. In fact, when I was five, I wanted to be either an entomologist (one who studies bugs) or a video game maker. While both seem radically different, their appeals were similar to me. Each offered a sense of wonder, mystery and discovery. Today, even though I’m past the stage of bug collecting and frequent gaming, I’m still fascinated by the mysteries of nature and the innovation of the gaming industry (if only from a mostly observational perspective). I haven’t given up on them by any means, I just had to draw the line somewhere. I mean, c’mon– insects and video games aren’t exactly the best conversation topics when trying to meet girls.

So while I’ve had my love for these activities take a back seat to my professional and personal life, I still pursue them as hobbies. With the limited amount of time I have to invest outside of my busy schedule, I’ve become extremely selective in my pursuits. So, when a really great game recaptures the mystery of my childhood, I really can’t ignore it.

I downloaded Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery the other day for my iPad (it’s also available on iPhones and iTouches now). I occasionally read videogame blogs and the game was getting quite a bit of critical acclaim. After playing it for some time, I can tell you that my number one praise is that it feels refreshing. There’s not much of a plot and to control the character, you just point and click on the screen. Sure, there’s an occasional action-oriented scene, but for the most part, your brain is getting the workout.

So why do I like it?

It’s old-school graphics but beautiful. It’s puzzling and intriguing. It’s simple but deep. The music is seriously awesome.

Plus, you can live Tweet during the game about various things you’re doing or solving. A little cheesy, but very “meta” and super-creative from a marketing standpoint. So check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

Here’s the trailer. A little weird, but so is the game:

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