Yessenia Montalvo - Journal Entry

[Sen07]

Where’s My Water 2 (Mobile Game)

Where’s My Water 2 was released in 2013 it was developed by Creature Feep and published by Disney Mobile. I played Where’s My Water? on a touchscreen device, which is definitely the intended control method. The game was originally made for mobile platforms like iOS and Android, so everything is built around using your finger to interact with the environment. You swipe or drag your finger across the screen to dig through dirt and guide the flow of water to help Swampy the alligator take a shower. You basically just draw paths for the water to flow. I think playing it this way makes a huge difference. If I had used a mouse or even a controller, it probably wouldn’t feel as precise or natural. The tactile feedback from directly touching the screen feels like a perfect fit for the gameplay. It’s quick, satisfying, and makes the puzzles more interactive and fun. I don’t think it would’ve had the same charm if it weren’t a touch-based game. Each level is filled with obstacles like algae, acid, switches, and pipes that can affect the water's path. You can also collect rubber duckies by filling them with enough water, which adds a fun side challenge. Some puzzles require quick thinking while others are more about figuring out the right path. The gameplay gets progressively more complex as new mechanics are introduced, like poison water, steam, and teleportation valves. Timing, gravity, and precision matter a lot. It’s really satisfying when you solve a tricky level and get all three ducks.The art style is really clean and colorful, with a cartoon vibe that fits the alligator characters perfectly. The animations are smooth and full of personality Swampy is super expressive, and even the water looks great as it flows and splits. The backgrounds are simple but detailed enough to give each area a different feel, like sewers, pipes, or underground caves. One of the best design choices is how readable everything is. You always know what’s dirt, what’s metal, and what you can interact with. The downside of the game is that some of the later levels start to feel really similar to previous levels and the interface doesn’t always explain new mechanics very well. But overall, the aesthetic is charming and very polished. It’s just such a chill yet rewarding game. The puzzles start off simple, so you ease into the mechanics, but soon they get super clever. Figuring out how to guide the water while dealing with acid, steam, and different switches adds a surprising amount of depth. I also loved trying to get all three ducks each time those little optional challenges made me want to replay levels and perfect my strategy. It’s got just the right balance of relaxing and brain-teasing. The way the water moves feels real and satisfying, and digging through the dirt is kind of addictive. . Plus, Swampy is adorable and seeing him finally get to shower at the end of each level is oddly satisfying. Where’s My Water? came out during the height of mobile gaming and really helped show how touchscreens could offer smart, well-designed gameplay not just simple time-wasters. It wasn’t just another swipe-or-tap game; it brought real puzzle-solving and physics based mechanics to the casual mobile market. At the time, it helped set a new standard for what mobile games could be polished, challenging, and creatively fun without needing a console or big screen. It also took advantage of the mobile format instead of just being a smaller version of a console game. The game’s success even inspired other titles to lean into fluid simulation and touch controls more effectively. Its kid-friendly but smart design made it appealing across age groups. It’s a perfect example of mobile innovation, blending mechanics, accessibility, and cute storytelling in a way that’s still influential today. 5/5 Stars. Super relaxing, clever, and still fun to pick up even years later.

[Sen07]

Call of Duty : World at War (PS3)

Call of Duty: World at War was released in 2008. The game was developed by Treyarch and published by Activision and was released on the Playstation, Windows, Xbox 360 and Wii. World at War using a PlayStation 3 controller, which was a bit of a shift for me since I originally played it on an Xbox 360. While both controllers feature analog sticks and bumpers, the button layout on the PS3 felt slightly off at first. I had to borrow my partner’s PS3 to replay the game, and it definitely took a few minutes to adjust. The controls initially felt inverted and awkward, but once I got used to them, I was back to blasting enemies like old times. Although the core gameplay stays the same across platforms, the feel of the controls can really change the experience. Using the Xbox 360 controller might’ve made the transition smoother for me personally, just because of the muscle memory I built up back when I first played the game.
World at War is a first-person shooter set during World War II, featuring both single-player and multiplayer modes. The gameplay is fast-paced and grounded in realism, taking players through a variety of historic battlefronts with intense combat. You use authentic WWII-era weapons and vehicles, and the campaign follows multiple characters across different fronts of the war. Core mechanics include aim-down-sights shooting, throwing grenades, taking cover, and smooth player movement. One of the standout multiplayer features was the ability to call in artillery strikes super satisfying after a killstreak. And, of course, the game introduced the iconic co-op Nazi Zombies mode, which brought a completely different kind of tension and excitement to the game series. That mode alone added tons of replay value and made the game a go-to for both serious campaigns and late-night sessions with friends. The art style leans heavily into a gritty, realistic tone that perfectly matches the brutality of WWII. The environments are full of detail—rubble, smoke, destroyed buildings all creating a chaotic, war-torn atmosphere. Lighting and effects like muzzle flashes in dark corridors or firelight from bombing runs do a great job of setting a grim, immersive tone. The AI isn’t perfect, but it still puts up a decent challenge. Visually, the game holds up surprisingly well for its time, though some textures feel a little stiff or dated. The UI is clean and gets the job done, but it does feel a bit plain. That said, the audio design more than makes up for it—guns sound powerful, and the voice acting brings weight to the narrative. Overall, the game’s look and feel successfully immerse you in the chaos of war, even if a few design elements show their age. World at War is fun because it blends intense FPS action with emotional, character-driven storytelling and historical settings. The campaign’s pacing is awesome you could be storming a beach in one mission, sniping enemies from a crumbled building in the next, and sneaking through enemy lines on a stealth op after that. I loved the character moments, even as a kid when I didn’t fully understand the storyline. I mostly played because I loved the gameplay and characters especially Ghost, whose story hit me hard when he got killed off in one of the other COD games. Even though I was young, the emotional storytelling stuck with me. But the thing that really made the game unforgettable was Zombies mode. There’s just something about playing it in the dark, volume cranked up, hearing the creepy groans it was terrifying and awesome at the same time. Fighting off waves of undead with limited ammo was tense and exciting, especially in co-op with friends. That mode alone kept me coming back. Whether you’re playing campaign, online, or Zombies, the game always has something to hook you. It’s gritty, intense, and wildly entertaining everything you want in a classic shooter. World at War was a turning point in the franchise. It returned to WWII after the success of Modern Warfare, but with a darker, more brutal tone that set it apart from earlier entries. The campaign didn’t shy away from the horrors of war, pushing the envelope with its graphic content and emotional weight. It was one of the first shooters to truly dive into the psychological toll of war, not just the action. On the multiplayer side, it built upon the systems introduced in Modern Warfare, like customizable loadouts and a progression system, which helped shape the way online shooters evolved after that. But the most iconic addition was Nazi Zombies. It started as a fun, experimental mode and turned into one of the most beloved features in Call of Duty history. Every future game kept building on it. What made it influential was its willingness to innovate while still staying grounded in gritty, immersive gameplay. It balanced realism with fun in a way few games had done at the time. It wasn’t just another WWII shooter it redefined what one could be, and its legacy still lives on in the series today. I’d rate it a solid 4/5. memorable game with some legendary features, but even if a few parts feel a bit dated now not really in a charming way either.