For me, there's one game that really got it right and that was the Amiga version of Deluxe Galaga. It's now known as Warblade but I'm not certain that something hasn't been lost in the translation - or maybe I'm just overly nostalgic.
Deluxe Galaga had the perfect mix of accessible powerups, bonuses, score multipliers and importantly, variety - esp via the memory game and meteor storm which were great breaks from the action. The random drop element worked really well - ensuring no two games were quite alike. Then there were the game secrets - secret ways of attaining higher scores and the absolutely cracking idea of the "money ship".
Stages were very well thought out difficulty/balance-wise and the end of level shop again had items at the right price to keep you interested, "in the game", and feeling like you were achieving something.
I think Deluxe Galaga would make the perfect "study" game - cause it's so simple yet so very addictive. But hey, I'm oh so biased!
Deluxe Galaga had the perfect mix of accessible powerups, bonuses, score multipliers and importantly, variety - esp via the memory game and meteor storm which were great breaks from the action. The random drop element worked really well - ensuring no two games were quite alike. Then there were the game secrets - secret ways of attaining higher scores and the absolutely cracking idea of the "money ship".
Stages were very well thought out difficulty/balance-wise and the end of level shop again had items at the right price to keep you interested, "in the game", and feeling like you were achieving something.
I think Deluxe Galaga would make the perfect "study" game - cause it's so simple yet so very addictive. But hey, I'm oh so biased!