`Crayon Physics' game gets anticipated sequel

"Crayon Physics," a video game something like a childhood daydream come to life, has gotten its eagerly awaited sequel.

The simplicity of the new "Crayon Physics Deluxe" is reminiscent of "Tetris" and other abstract mass-appeal games. Using a virtual crayon, the player must guide a ball to a target, typically on the other side of some obstacle. The shapes the player draws behave like real-life objects, tumbling to the bottom of the screen and hopefully pushing the ball toward its goal.

There is more than one way to solve most of the levels, increasing the game's replay value. When players tire of the puzzles that come with the game, they can use its intuitive "level editor" to create and share their own.

"Crayon Physics Deluxe" builds upon its predecessor with several new features, including pins that can be used to anchor swinging hammers and other items, and ropes for pulling objects.

The original "Crayon Physics" was a minor sensation when it was released on the Internet by its creator, Finnish computer science student Petri Purho, who developed it in just five days during a school break.

A free demo version of the game is available for download for Windows users from crayonphysics.com. The full version, with more features and more than 70 levels, is available for $19.95.