The Path To Enlightenment: Squares

Flash » Squares 2

There are many ways to rise above the malaise and purposeless ambiguity of day-to-day existance. Transcendental meditation, staggering drug usage, endlessly surfing the Synthesis Magazine Blog are all good choices, but I find what really does the trick is playing Squares 2.

My buddy Ari turned me on to this about a year ago, and ever since it's been periodically ruling my life.

(Thanks buddy.)

The Synopsis: You control a black square with your mouse, and try to collect black squares while avoiding red squares. Black circles are bonuses; red circles are handicaps, avoid those at all costs. The game ends when you touch a red square. Sound simple? Oh, it is, but wait! It gets faster the more points you gain, and your square gets bigger as well, so your strategy shifts from getting black squares to avoiding red ones. It's unbelievably addicting.

But what really helps you come to grips with the tirals and tribulations of life and transcend your measly human existance is when you inevitably touch a red square: The game ends and tells you (You Lost.â€? No matter how well your game is progressing, no mater how many points you've accrued, it all ends the same way. A perfect metaphor for life! Except in Squares 2 you get to start again. Which I guess dovetails into the whole idea of reincarnation. The Hindu’s got a good game plan there. Existential dilemmas solved!

Feel better?

My high score – around 15,000. Beat that. Dare you.

To further guide you along the road to self-realization, I suggest listening to The Starlight Mints Built on Squares while playing Squares 2. Epic quirky indie pop. Fast moving objects. Highly recommended (though I suggest turning the sound off the game first. Trust me)


(Starlight Mints are now on Barsuk Records. We <3 Barsuk).

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