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Soul Bubbles ds Game Reviews
Soul Bubbles
Critic Score
Metascore: 78 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.0 out of 10
based on 32 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 11 votes
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Rate this game

Experience the soulful stories of a young shaman apprentice entrusted with saving lost spirits and steering them to safety. Under the guidance of his master, he must protect these fragile souls from the hostile and dangerous world around them by creating mystic bubbles to guide them on their spiritual journey. Using your Stylus, manipulate these mystical bubbles by deflating or expanding them in order to transport your spirits to safety. Fill created bubbles with water and pop them to extinguish dangerous fires or use them to trap harmful gases and blow them away. These diverse worlds are filled with supernatural challenges, so move your soul bubble gracefully, collecting star dust along the way to allow the light from your protected spirits to shine. Soul Bubbles features eight divine worlds with over 40 challenging levels that offer a rejuvenating new take on the puzzle genre. [Eidos Interactive]

PUBLISHER: Eidos Interactive
DEVELOPER: Mekensleep
GENRE(S): Action, Puzzle
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: June 10, 2008

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

93
Official Nintendo Magazine UK
As beautiful as it is joyous to play, Soul Bubbles really deserves your attention. [June 2008, p.78]
90
n-Revolution Magazine UK
A terrifically inventive game and entertainment of this standard is truly good for the soul, so do yourself a favour and get it in. [July 2008, p.68]
90
Play.tm
Soul Bubbles is an original game, beautifully executed, perfectly suited for the DS, using the touch screen to its full potential. I would love to find some fault with it, but I simply can't. Okay, I did get frustrated from time to time, but it was enormously satisfying when I finally got all my little spirits to safety.
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90
Worth Playing
It doesn't really reach its full potential until halfway through the game, but if you stick it out, you'll find a brilliant, if short-lived, gem.
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86
GameZone
Soul Bubbles is a grand action/puzzler for serious gamers. That doesn’t necessarily mean hardcore gamers, but for those who are serious about gaming, appreciate daring concepts, and aren’t afraid to try new things.
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86
Games Master UK
A cracking action puzzler that proves we don't need mindless violence to have a good time. [July 2008, p.75]
85
Game Chronicles
Though its charmingly innocent and brightly colored visuals (and its status as a Toys“R”Us exclusive title) may suggest that it’s just another boring kiddy game, don’t be fooled into passing this up.
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85
GameCritics
Soul Bubbles is filled with unexpectedly sophisticated sequences like that, and they are a true sign that the people behind it not only know exactly what they're doing, but they also know what constitutes excellent game design.
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84
IGN UK
There is surprising depth to its puzzles, and it’s great to see the DS host such a great and intuitive idea again after months of copycat shelf-filler.
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80
VideoGamer
The only thing preventing Soul Bubbles from being a classic is its insistence on telling you what you must be doing, making the game a stroll in the park. It's still well worth playing and a shining example of the kind of originality we haven't seen on the DS all that often in the last year.
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80
IGN
Soul Bubbles is never intense nor is it ever frustrating – it’s just a nice, calm and soothing action game that’s easy to get into and very fun to play.
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80
Boomtown
If you like your puzzle games then Soul Bubbles is well worth a purchase, it’s fun, well structured, and whilst it does have a couple of very minor faults, is a very compulsive game that you’ll want to keep picking up until you’ve completed it.
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80
GameSpy
Soul Bubbles does a magnificent job of feeding its unique approach to strategy and puzzle-solving at a constant yet measured pace, never leaving you with one bubble manipulating technique for long.
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80
Pocket Gamer UK
Refreshingly original bubble-guiding game. Slow and sublime but also deviously tough, with lots to see and find. Don't let this one float away.
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80
EuroGamer
Soul Bubbles definitely has enough distinct charm to override the inevitable "LocoRoco" comparisons, with a superb control system and delightful art style carrying you through for the entire game. Were it not for the slow start, it might have left a deeper impression sooner, but some wonderful level design and smart ideas later on eventually deliver on its obvious promise.
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80
Modojo
Soul Bubbles will keep you engaged longer than the real thing and is definitely worth a look.
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80
Kikizo
It's great fun, charming and surprisingly witty.
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80
N-Europe
A wonderfully calming experience which offers enough refreshing puzzling to feel like a title the DS was built for.
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80
Thunderbolt
The great presentation - especially the audio effects - makes superb use of the handheld’s capabilities.
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80
Armchair Empire
If you enjoy something unique and want to change things up a bit, and if you want something that looks pleasing to the eye while you play on the go and is also fun to play, I would suggest giving Soul Bubbles a shot.
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79
NGamer UK
Despite our misgivings about the game's long-term appeal, Soul Bubbles is still considerably more polished and better produced than the vast majority of DS software.
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74
Cheat Code Central
A very simple and rather easy game with about 50 different levels. There's nothing else after getting through Story Mode, but you can replay every single one of the levels and try to improve your score…unless it was flawless to start with!
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70
GameSpot
Soul Bubbles is charming, beautiful, and soothing, but it won't keep you coming back.
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70
DarkZero
Soul Bubbles is undoubtedly an interesting game, but I have to admit it was hard to express and portray the appeal of the game in words.
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70
NTSC-uk
Sadly, it will not take you long to make your way through the stages on offer. Collecting the Calabash presents something of a challenge, and you are given a ranking after each stage which gives a touch of replay value to proceedings.
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70
games(TM)
The competition is just too strong for Soul Bubbles to ever really elevate itself beyond cute, cult status. A good puzzler then, but not a great one. [July 2008, p.122]
70
Edge Magazine
Soul Bubbles is so enchanting, its fundamental behaviour so neatly realised, that you can forgive it being a little simple. [July 2008, p.97]
70
Total Video Games
Offering a slice of diversity to the DS' already wide and varied catalogue, Soul Bubbles is an intriguing prospect let down by the lack of any genuine challenge or long-term value.
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68
GamingExcellence
Soul Bubbles is a welcome addition to the DS. It’s fun, it’s challenging and most of all, it’s worth your time.
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65
Nintendo Power
Soul Bubbles is on the right track toward greatness, but we'll have to hope for a fully realized sequel before it gets there. [July 2008, p.90]
60
Zentendo
Soul Bubbles is unique puzzle title in the same vein as Katamari Damacy and Loco Roco. As with those titles, Soul Bubbles is meant to be played in short bursts rather then long stretches as the gameplay gets tiresome after playing to long. If you enjoyed navigating through Loco Roco, or guiding mario through bubbles in Super Mario Galaxy then this is a puzzle game right up your alley.
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58
1UP
Outside of challenging you to find that lone collectible item, the game doesn't hold much incentive for repeat play. No other modes are in the game at all -- no challenge levels, no minigames, nothing. With minimal replay value, repetitive levels, and little of LocoRoco's charm, it's hard to get too excited about a game that, while serviceable, is ultimately rather forgettable.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

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