Oxyd Magnum, like the original Oxyd, is one of those iconic games of PC gaming before it was "PC gaming." The basic idea is the same as all Oxyd games: You control a black spheroid object, which some might call a marble, with your mouse around various courses with the object of opening matching boxes called oxyds. The story, which was never really of consequence to me, and which I only learned very recently was that the oxyds, the little boxes you have to hit with your marble, are actually some kind of oxygen producing contraptions that have been shut down, and the denizens of this planet or dimension need them to be opened again.
It seems like more of an afterthought to me, to be honest, and you won't learn or care about the story when you play this.
However, that is not to say that you won't have fun. Oxyd Magnum is the best in the series in my opinion, because of all of the extra levels and features it has over the original, if I remember correctly. In the beginning it is pretty easy, where you simply have to maneuver the marble to your oxyds without many pitfalls, but eventually there are other features added. Some of these are powerups like the umbrellas, which I believe allow you to hover over holes for a short while and yin-yang symbols which switch between black and white marbles on levels
that have two. Pitfalls and puzzles that arise are using mirrors to deflect lasers (which kill you instantly by the way), navigating around holes and damaged floors that break under you, evading enemy "robots," and going through quicksand. There are even some levels where your movements are inverted (hint: turn your mouse upside down). And these are only a few of the variations on the main goal of opening the Oxyds.
I remember playing these games when I was much younger, with my Dad, and we would both try and figure out the level together. Figuring it out is one thing, but actually being able to have the nerves and reflexes and patience to beat a level is another thing entirely. I do remember, for the time, the graphics were pretty amazing, and honestly, they have aged fairly well. I know there is a recent resurgence of original puzzle games in the videogame industry, but very few of them can hold a candle to Oxyd Magnum. Oxyd Magnum, in my opinion, is on of the best puzzle games out there and will remain so for generations, or as long as people still know what it is.
All you need is a steady hand, a steady mind, and a little time to have fun. So, what are you waiting for?
