Board 56: Fairy Glade

This picture is of a lake in a forest glade, with fairies flitting above it and waterfalls in the near distance.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 91 total - Pro target 475k)

This design features loose rings of round pegs around the fairies in the picture. Then more and looser rings extending outwards. As a rule I hate these levels made entirely of round pegs as the ricochets are impossible to judge and catches are practically impossible.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 154,490

• Not particularly close. Only three catches made, and not enough decent ricochets. I'm reluctant to resort to power ups on level 1, but I can see I might have to before too long.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 255,530

• Two red pegs left, and a better score, but still not particularly close. I could try this a dozen times without power ups before I got it, and I'm not sure I can be bothered. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 539,770 

• I didn't actually do very well here, but I got lucky with some of the bonuses I picked up. I still needed to avoid the 10k final bucket at the end, which I did.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 100 total - Pro target 500k)

This design features hexagons around the fairies with a combination of diamond and round loose pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 315,780

• I red pegs didn't seem particularly well placed for bonuses, so I struggled for points early on. I tried to build a bigger score later, but I ran out of balls trying to make too many fancy catches.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 514,490 

• My score built fairly steadily throughout that game. I was a little short at the end, but the last red peg was low and central so I felt I had a good chance of at least avoiding the 10k buckets which was all I needed.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 111 total - Pro target 550k)

This design looks like a set of wings, although the fairies in the picture have quite pointed wings and these are very rounded.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 675,690 

• This one seemed particularly easy. Although I did take quite a few lucky catches, so I was never running short of balls, and that always makes a level seem easier. I had more than enough balls left at the end to have gone for the total clearance but an unexpected ricochet took out the last red peg and ended it.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 99 total - Pro target 500k)

The design has seven little triangular fairy shapes, all framed on three sides by a row of round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 563,560 

• Not overly challenging, this one. I had to take a chance on avoiding the 10k buckets at the end, but I felt that was less of a risk than continuing to attempt catches off the purple peg. I got the 100k bucket, so the gamble paid off.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 107 total - Pro target 575k)

This design follows the lines in the picture. Vertical lines where the trees are, curves over the bushes and waterfalls, and a few other single pegs dotted about.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 307,770

• The red pegs were awkwardly placed for good scoring opportunities, so I was always struggling for points. I still had several left at the end as I's had to go for tricky shots just to get some points on the board.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 675,840 

• The red pegs didn't seem particularly well placed here, but the left-hand side broke open quite nicely early on, and there turned out to be quite a few bonuses to be had there. I had a lucky catch or two down that side as well which boosted my score. In the end, I hit the pro target comfortably which balls to spare.

Level 6 (Clear 45 red pegs from 100 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 2, but with 20 more red pegs, one less ball, and 150k on the pro target. The pro target seems quite large, but then all those red pegs should make bonuses easier to come by. It'll probably just be a matter of whether I can clear them all or not.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 425,480

• I seemed to start reasonably enough, and points were easier to come by than in level 2, but the target was still too high, and the red pegs too numerous. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 529,540

• Five red pegs left. The yellow peg was awkward to get to - right down the bottom in the middle. Plus I didn't get a decent rim bounce with the laser ball. I'm confident that I can beat the level if I can just improve on these two aspects.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 491,590

• The red pegs were awkwardly placed, and the yellow peg was hidden again. I couldn't get the points I needed for the pro target.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 955,890 

• Well, that was the complete opposite experience to the previous two goes. I could pick the yellow peg off via the side wall with the first shot. I was a touch early with the laser ball, as I got a rim bounce but it went straight up so didn't take out many pegs. But after that, the bonuses came thick and fast. I was getting distance bonuses with practically every deflection. I had an easy finish in the end, allowing me the luxury of being able to delay it by a few shots in order to build a bigger score. Not that I needed to.

Level 7 (Score 475k with 35 red pegs and 76 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 800k)

The same design as level 3, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, and 250k on the pro target. This is now purely a point-scoring exercise though, and these are usually easier.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 383,760

• Attempting such a high pro target without power ups always seemed a little over-ambitious. My score never even looked liked remotely approaching it.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 668,070

• A better score with the laser ball, although I didn't get the rim bounce with it that I was looking for. Quite a few attempted catches went awry as well.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,054,080 

• The yellow peg was in plain view at the start, plus a found a cracking first ball off it as well. By playing the innermost tog peg on the left-hand side as fine as possible on the bottom edge, the ball looped around the full bottom left-hand outer curve, and also most of the bottom -right-hand one as well, for just over 250k. I then got a good rim bounce with the laser ball for a further 410k, taking my score to over 660k after two balls. At this point I only needed another 140k for the pro target, and I had 10 red pegs left and 10 balls to get them with. It was a walk in the park from there. Even after this, the bonuses kept on coming. I was going for a total clearance, but the last red peg got taken out with still three blue pegs left and four balls in hand, so my score, over a million as it was, could have been even more.

Level 8 (Clear 45 red pegs from 107 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 5, but with 20 more red pegs, one less ball, and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 961,470 

• The yellow peg was positioned in the right-hand column and proved awkward to get to. It took about three or four balls to get to it, and at that point I thought I had no chance. But I'd scored quite a lot with my first ball, and I scored quite a lot more with the laser ball, then picked up some good ricochets and bonuses afterwards and suddenly found myself with the score practically in the bag and with five balls left to clear the last five red pegs. And I still hadn't actually taken a successful catch at this point.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 61 blue - Pro target 700k)

The same design as level 1, but with 5 more red pegs, and 225k more on the pro target. This design was tricky to either make catches or score bonus points on. This could be tricky.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 655,560

• I did the best I could in the endgame, but I just didn't score enough points earlier on to give myself a realistic chance. If both balls had fallen in the 100k bucket at the end, then I would have made it, but one of them missed the 100k and went in the 50k instead. It's a tough level to score big points on.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 715,510 

• This has to be one of the most extraordinary games of HotShot that I've ever played. The yellow peg was awkward to get to, down in the bottom left-hand corner. I ended up triggering the Big Bounce first which scored me hardly anything as the ball got stuck in a corner. Then the laser ball didn't do much better as I felt forced to shoot right with it instead of left and I'm unfamiliar with the angles going that way. So after both power ups had been used, I only had 176k points, and I still had 43 pegs to clear with only 6 balls. At this point I felt it was barely worth continuing and was just going through the motions. But at that point my luck completely changed and I started picking up outrageous catches, extraordinary bonuses and amazing ricochets. If you think I'm exaggerating, watch the video.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 69 blue - Pro target 700k)

The same design as level 4, but with 5 more red pegs, and 200k on the pro target. A total clearance is now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 438,080

• It took too many balls to break through to the yellow ball, and then the laser ball scored so few points anyway that it hardly seemed worth it.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 507,510

• A better effort, but still only a 92% clearance. I'll try adding another power up.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 985,410 

• Another excellent run of luck was what I needed. Not quite as outrageous as level 9, but not far off. There were a few fairly spectacular catches in there. The game is definitely at its most fun when when it gives you gifts like these! I managed to get the yellow peg with the first ball, and get a good rim bounce with the laser. Plus the Big Bounce worked well as well. Add to that the ricochets and catches that fortune threw my way, and it was a breeze.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	91	Reds	10	-	475k	3	539,770	316,596
2	25	100	Reds	10	-	500k	2	514,490	415,135
3	25	111	Reds	10	-	550k	1	675,690	675,690
4	25	99	Reds	10	-	500k	1	563,560	563,560
5	25	107	Reds	10	-	575k	2	675,840	491,805
6	45	100	Reds	9	-	650k	4	955,890	600,625
7	35	111	475k	9	-	800k	3	1,054,080	701,970
8	45	107	Reds	9	-	750k	1	961,470	961,470
9	30	91	All	10	-	700k	2	715,510	685,535
10	30	99	All	10	-	700k	3	985,410	643,666

Board 98: Grand Opera Shell

This week's picture is of a very grandiose building made out of a shell. The shell stands in the middle of a swamp filled with mushrooms and vines.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 98 total - Pro target 475k)

This design is a mushroom in the centre surrounded on three sides by vine-like curves.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 468,000

• I was really struggling for points there. I was a long way short and trying to pick off purple pegs, when a ball ricocheted unexpectedly, taking out most of the remaining pegs, including the last two reds. Despite dropping into the 100k final bucket, I still finished 7k short of the pro target.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 216,280

• Again, the points were a real struggle to come by. I'm not getting enough red pegs down the sides to get good bonuses off.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 532,280 

• I managed to find some better angles this time. I got a few good Super Slide bonuses, and the reds seemed in a more conducive position for earning bonuses.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 98 total - Pro target 425k)

This design features a number of spiny curves, similar to the spiky curved sides of the shell in the picture.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 414,910

• I think I allowed myself to become too distracted by purple pegs in tempting positions before I'd got a proper handle on clearing the red ones. As a result, my score was pretty much there, but I ran out of balls before I could clear the red pegs.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 489,270 

• I concentrated more on the red pegs this time. I still struggled to clear them all, and I also struggled to make the pro score. I still had two red pegs left on my final ball, and about 50k more needed for the pro target, but both remaining red pegs were low and central and tricky to take catches off, so I took a chance that I could take them both out in a single shot and get a decent final bonus.

Level 3 (Clear 20 red pegs from 104 total - Pro target 525k)

This design is of a snail. Only 20 pegs thought, which doesn't seem very many for over a hundred pegs in total.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 539,340 

• I wasn't sure if the pro target was going to be tricky to reach with so few red pegs. But I still managed to pick up a steady supply of bonuses despite the scarcity of high value pegs. I had a few lucky catches, to be sure, but I still felt well in control all the way through.

Level 4 (Clear 20 red pegs from 106 total - Pro target 425k)

This design follows some of the lines in the picture. Mainly the curves of the shell and the steps and the wavy lines of a couple of the vines.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 290,920

• Only one red peg left, but well short on points. With both side walls hidden at the start, bonuses are hard to come by. All the unusual angles make for tricky catches as well. The are plenty of curves, but none that are well positioned for sliding along. I'll have one more go, but I suspect this may need a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 335,180

• I was trying to break a path through to the last peg. I just missed the the catch off the final blue peg, a catch I really should have got as well. If I'd got that, I had a good chance of deflecting off the final red straight into the 100k bucket, so a pretty good attempt.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 200,630

• Nowhere near again this time. I was down to about 2 balls left before I made my first catch. I managed a few more at the end, but it was too little too late. It's time for a laser ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 658,690 

• The laser ball took out a lot of pegs and scored a lot of points. It allowed me to concentrate on the remaining red pegs without worrying about score. Once I had the clearance guaranteed, I was free to build my score a bit, just for the hell of it.

Level 5 (Clear 20 red pegs from 110 total - Pro target 500k)

This design consists of two twisted strands of vine, each covering a scattering of single round pegs. Only 20 red pegs again, but breaking through the vines to get at the loose pegs might be tricky.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 230,900

• I don't think I made any catches at all. I earned one extra ball, but it wasn't from a bucket catch. Most of the balls get funnelled down the middle where catches are hardest, or they get hopelessly entangled in the loose pegs at the side. I'm going to cut straight to the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 518,470 

• The yellow peg was buried down the bottom of the loose pegs on the right-hand side, so it took a few balls to get to it. When I did though, I got a good extra rim bounce with the laser ball and it took me most of the way to the pro target. I had plenty of balls left after that to take out the few remaining red pegs. I was still about 40k short when I took the last one, but I knew I had four balls in hand and the bonus for them alone would get me over the finish line.

Level 6 (Score 425k with 35 red pegs and 69 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 700k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball, and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 658,200

• I wasted my penultimate ball by missing everything which left me with a problem. I still had two red pegs left and needed about 60k for a pro score. I felt I could take out both pegs at once, so I went for it, hoping to avoid the 10k buckets, but that's exactly where it ended up.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 684,410

• I had another decision to make with the last ball. I need about 20k for pro off the last red. If I played it directly I knew there was a chance I might fall just short again, but if I tried to take it off the side wall, there was a chance I would hit the blue peg right next to it. I went off the side wall, hit the blue peg and missed the catch. Annoying!

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 755,300 

• I completed it that time in only 7 shots. I got the yellow peg with the second shot, then the third shot was the laser ball, which took out practically everything else thanks to a fortuitous rim bounce. Four more shots and it was all over.

Level 7 (Clear 40 red pegs from 98 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 2, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,088,650 

• I got quite a lot of luck in this one. More than I needed. I picked up a lot of lucky catches, big bonuses, etc. The score was in the bag quite early on, and the red pegs were easily available so I went for the big score. I got a total clearance for just over a million points.

Level 8 (Clear 30 red pegs from 106 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 4, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls, and 225k on the pro target. I got this score with my first attempt with the laser ball, so hopefully there won't be a problem here.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 646,450

• Another one where I just fell short. I've had so many of them on this board! Just 3½k short this time. I had no clear shot at the last red, so I felt I had to try and take it on and hope to pick up enough points.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 729,260 

• Another last ball dilemma. The final red peg was flat topped and central, so I felt there was a good chance of shooting straight down on to it and it staying in the middle for the 100k bonus. I needed to avoid the 10k buckets for a pro score. Or, of course, I could try and make a catch or two of the purple peg first. I went for red peg and this time it worked out.

Level 9 (Clear 30 red pegs from 110 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls, and 150k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 436,450

• Not a very good attempt. I didn't get a very good laser ball, and my catching skills weren't up to scratch either. I cleared the left-hand side completely, but hardly made any impact on the right-hand side at all.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 325,210

• Another dreadful effort. Only two catches made as nothing seemed to go where it was supposed to. Never looked remotely likely.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 518,240

• A slightly better effort, but it still never looked as if it was going all the way. If could get the yellow peg with the first ball that might help, although it still might not be enough.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 561,530

• I had a clear shot at the yellow peg with the first ball for once, and it certainly helped. I cleared the red pegs for the first time, but I was struggling most of the way, and I wasn't getting a good run of luck with the deflections. I held on to the last ball for a while, picking off some easy deflections, but it wasn't getting me anywhere closer to unblocking the last three red pegs. In the end, I could see two of them, so I went for them in the hope that the ball would rebound into the third and find its way to the 100k bucket. A pretty faint hope, but it almost worked. The lid over the 100k bucket just closed at the wrong moment and the ball bounced across to the 10k bucket on the far side. I think I'd better add another power up.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 523,650

• I didn't get much from the Big Bounce and although I got a extra bounce off the rim of the bucket with the laser ball, I didn't get much from it. This is going to need a big slice of luck I suspect.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 432,150

• It took too long to get to the laser ball trigger peg, then a few more to get to the Big Bounce trigger peg. I'll need more luck than that!

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 520,520

• I could have finished that time, but I needed more points so I had to try and make a few more catches and, alas, I didn't make enough.

Attempt #8 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 678,380 

• I finally did it and forgot to start the recorder. I had to hang on for a few balls at the end, and with the final ball I had to make an unlikely catch which I made, more by luck than judgement. Even then I had to avoid the 10k bucket, which I also did. I can't believe I forgot to record it!
  
  I went back after I'd finished the board and it took another four attempts to beat the pro score again so I could get a video. I'm not counting these against the stats though. This time I beat it so comfortably I could go on to make a leisurely total clearance for a score of 899,060. Both power ups worked well, the Big Bounce in particular clearing a lot of red pegs.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 68 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 825k)

The same design as level 1, but with 5 more red pegs, two less balls, 350k on the pro target, and a total clearance needed. Points were hard to come by on level 1 so this pro target looks very big indeed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 743,980

• A 92% clearance, so not too far away. There were some bad missed catches towards the end the cost me dearly, but otherwise not bad for a first attempt.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 689,900

• Another 92% clearance, and a very similar story to the previous attempt. I couldn't see the yellow peg at first so I had to use a ball to get to it which may have cost me.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 946,680 

• I managed to trigger the laser ball with the first shot, which is always a bonus, then got a reasonable rim bounce with it. I got some luck here and there after that with the odd lucky catch or extended ricochet. The Big Bounce took out quite a few pegs as well. And then I managed not to miss too many catches in the endgame.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	98	Reds	10	-	475k	3	532,280	405,520
2	25	98	Reds	10	-	425k	2	489,270	452,090
3	20	104	Reds	10	-	525k	1	539,340	539,340
4	20	106	Reds	10	-	425k	4	658,690	371,355
5	20	110	Reds	10	-	500k	2	518,470	374,685
6	35	104	425k	9	-	700k	3	755,300	699,303
7	40	98	Reds	9	-	600k	1	1,088,650	1,088,650
8	30	106	Reds	8	-	650k	2	729,260	687,855
9	30	110	Reds	8	-	650k	8	678,380	499,516
10	30	98	All	8	-	825k	3	946,680	793,520

Board 57: Viking's Bastion

This picture is of the gate of an impressive wooden fortress. Various wooden towers can be seen behind the palings.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 100 total - Pro target 525k)

The first design follows some of the detail in the picture, specifically the main wall, the gate and the flanking towers, but not the structure above the main gate.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 613,490 

• This one didn't look overly promising early on. The pro target seemed quite high and I wasn't sure I was picking up enough early bonuses, but I managed to pick up a few later on, and a good finish helped me over the line.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 114 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 550k)

This design follows the classic shape of a horned viking helmet.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 353,020

• I had loads of red pegs left at the end, but then I only took one catch so it's not surprising.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 301,290

• Only one red peg left, but a long way short of the pro target. I'll have one more go before I resort to power ups.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 174,860

• Another dreadful attempt. There must be an angle that takes out the two inner curves at the sides with the first two shots, but I can't seem to find it. If I could get rid off those curves early on, then I'd have a fighting chance, but as it is they just really get in the way.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 446,370

• The yellow peg was awkward to get to, right down the bottom of the helmet, and then I don't think I picked a very good path for the laser ball. My best score yet, though. A little more luck and I should have this.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 342,330

• Again, the yellow peg was at the bottom of the design, so again, it took too long to trigger the laser ball. Plus, catches on this level are proving very awkward indeed.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 709,580 

• That was better. I got a yellow peg I could pick off straight away, then found a good path for the laser ball that got an extra rim bounce. After that, there were few enough red pegs left to be able to pick them off at my leisure.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 120 total - Pro target 575k)

This design features two criss-cross designs, one high and one low. I don't know what they're supposed to represent but they're composed of those awkward diamond-shaped pegs that can make for some tricky ricochets.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 386,580

• I started well enough, but catches in the endgame were awkward to judge. I could have cleared the red pegs, but I needed more points first.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 454,190

• Again, I had one red peg left which I could have taken, but I needed to try and earn more points first. I'll use the laser ball again.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 455,190

• I cleared all the red pegs, although the last one was more by luck than judgement, but I fell short of the pro target again. I'm not sure exactly what went wrong but something clearly did.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 247,640

• I was doomed from the very start there. The yellow peg was utterly unaccessible, right at the very bottom of the lower design. I'd have been better off ignoring it, but I didn't. I kept trying to reach it, and by the time I did, most of the pegs had gone, and I had very few points to show for them.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 688,410 

• The yellow peg wasn't quite so badly placed this time, but it still wasn't great and it took me several balls to get to it. I came up with a good laser ball, though, and finally managed to string a few catches together in the endgame. I beat it with two or three balls to spare.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 117 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 500k)

This design features more criss-crossing. A large collection of interlocking diagonal lines, with a handful of single round pegs amongst them. Some more tricky angles here.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 282,660

• Again, the angles are awkward. I don't know why I'm bothering trying these designs without power ups first. They all seem particularly tricky.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,054,310 

• It took a couple of balls to break through to the yellow peg, but the laser ball took out a big chunk of pegs for a fair wedge of points, and that made subsequent catches much easier to engineer. I kept going while I had balls to spare and ended up getting the total clearance for just over a million points.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 108 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 475k)

This design replicates the emblem on the main gate three times.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 675,980 

• I actually did this one twice. I forgot to record it the first time so I did it again. I made the pro target very comfortably both times. Maybe I shouldn't have leaped in with the laser ball, but judging by the previous three levels, I assumed I'd need it. Not much to say about it. It took a couple of goes to get to the yellow peg, but I got a good rim bounce with the laser ball which didn't leave that many red pegs.

Level 6 (Score 450k with 40 red pegs and 74 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 2, but with 10 more red pegs, and 125k on the pro target. This is now purely a point-scoring exercise which generally makes for an easier level.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 938,890 

• I managed to clear the reds, although I had the pro target reached long before I got to that point. I got a big score with the laser ball which practically got me to the main target, plus I did well with subsequent catches. I was going for a total clearance, but ended up taking out the last red a few pegs too early.

Level 7 (Clear 35 red pegs from 120 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 3, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, and 100k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 509,670

• I had to use up a ball to clear a route through to the last red peg, but I couldn't take it as I was still about 200k short of the pro target. In most layouts, the catches get easier as the number of pegs reduces, but the angles are tricky in this level all the way through.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 508,130

• More badly judged catches, and not much luck with the ricochets either.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 831,120 

• It took six or seven balls to get through to the yellow peg, although I caught most of them. But the laser ball caught a fantastic rim bounce which took out nearly all of the lower structure. After that it was just a matter of picking off the remaining red pegs. I had to keep a close eye on my score though, as there was still a danger of not making enough for the pro target. As it was I had to take the total clearance to get there.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 75 blue - Pro target 700k)

The same design as level 1, but with 175k more on the pro target and all pegs now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 657,900

• Two pegs left at the end, but I had some outrageous catches to get that close. I missed way too many catches early on. I may add another power up.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 795,020 

• I didn't get a huge amount from the Big Bounce, but it may still have made the difference. I think I just got a bit more luck in this attempt. I got to the point of having 9 balls left with just a dozen or so pegs left on the board, so I ended up completing it with several balls in hand.

Level 9 (Clear 45 red pegs from 108 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 575k)

The same design as level 5, but with 20 more red pegs, and 100k on the pro target. I found level 5 quite easy with the laser ball, and this doesn't seem that big a step up.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 749,110 

• The yellow peg didn't look ideally placed, but I managed to get it with the first ball. I got a split ball with the laser as well, which always helps. The score was pretty much in the bag by then, so I just had to concentrate on taking out all the reds, and I had plenty of balls left to do it with.

Level 10 (Clear 50 red pegs from 117 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 4, but with 20 more red pegs, one less ball, and 100k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 346,570

• The yellow peg was badly positioned and it took me two or three pegs to get to it. Plus I didn't really take enough catches.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 575,500

• I took out the last red peg but couldn't score enough with the final ball. Very irritating! I just needed to avoid the 10k bucket, but it sucked the ball in like a vacuum cleaner.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 803,620 

• A good rim bounce with the laser ball put the score beyond doubt plus I picked up a few more bonuses later on for good measure. It was still touch and go whether I could then get rid of the remaining red pegs with the balls I had left, but I managed it.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	100	Reds	10	-	525k	1	613,490	613,490
2	30	114	Reds	9	-	550k	6	709,580	387,908
3	25	120	Reds	10	-	575k	5	688,410	446,402
4	30	117	Reds	9	-	500k	2	1,054,310	668,485
5	25	108	Reds	9	-	475k	1	675,980	675,980
6	40	114	450k	9	-	675k	1	938,890	938,890
7	35	120	Reds	9	-	675k	3	831,120	616,306
8	25	100	All	10	-	700k	2	795,020	726,460
9	45	108	Reds	9	-	575k	1	749,110	749,110
10	50	117	Reds	8	-	600k	3	803,620	575,230

Board 97: Clouds of Nirvana

This picture is of an enormous statue of some deity or other sat on a cloud, through which protrude several oriental style roofs.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 94 total - Pro target 425k)

This design is a starburst effect of diamond-shaped pegs. The angles look like a nightmare.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 454,090 

• The angles were certainly awkward, but I got quite lucky insofar as the balls seemed to go where I expected them to go, so I got quite a few catches. Right at the end, when I wasa trying to take the final red peg off the side wall to guarantee reaching the pro target, I missed a couple of times, but got the balls back anyway.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 94 total - Pro target 425k)

This design copies the pagoda style roof that sticks up on the right of the picture. It's a mixture of curves and straight lines.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 555,910 

• This one seemed quite easy. The angles were generally not too difficult to work out, and the bonuses came regularly. By the end I was just going through the motions as I had plenty of points and plenty of balls left.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 118 total - Pro target 450k)

This design follows some of the lines in the picture - the shoulders of the stature, circles where the hands are, and some diamond shaped single pegs lining the pagoda. There are quite a lot of scattered round pegs all over the picture.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 539,250 

• Another one that I went straight through on the first attempt without incident. The ricochets probably went my way quite a lot as I picked up quite a few bonus scores, extra balls, and unexpected red pegs from them.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 96 total - Pro target 375k)

This design is an octagon frenzy. Nine of them in total, one big one and eight smaller ones.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 436,000 

• Well that's the first four levels all completed with pro scores in just four attempts, so it's a pretty quick start. I can see why the pro target is so low here, as bonuses are certainly hard to come by. I did get lucky by triggering the Split Ball off the white peg, and then catching both balls for the 100k bonus. A bonus that size on this level makes a massive difference.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 108 total - Pro target 450k)

This design is three pagoda-like constructions which each consists of alternating lines of connected rectangular pegs and disconnected round ones. The lines get shorter towards the top and each structure is topped with a diamond-shaped peg.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 455,360

• I had the pro score, but missed out by a single red peg. I thought I could get it with the last ball, but I misjudged it. Catches are extremely hard to judge on this level. The balls don't tend to penetrate the structures, but neither do they drop straight past either. I got very close, so I'll give it another go without power ups, but I suspect I was quite lucky to get as close as I did.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 240,070

• As I suspected might happen, I got nowhere near this time. I'll need to use a laser ball, and I'll need to take out quite a few pegs with it as well.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 589,740 

• Even with the laser ball, it was still touch and go whether I would reach the pro target and clear the red pegs. In the end I had the points, but I only had one ball left and the last red pegs was buried right at the bottom of the central structure with several blue pegs above it. I had to clear the pegs on one side of it and play a very carefully judged shot high off the side wall to get to it.

Level 6 (Clear 45 red pegs from 118 total - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 3, but with 20 more red pegs, and 150k more on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 721,730

• Two red pegs left at the end. No problem at all with reaching the pro target, but clearing the reds needs to be more of a priority.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 565,560

• Managed to clear the red pegs this time, but couldn't quite amass enough points for the pro target. It didn't help that I took out the last two red pegs before I intended to.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,170,750 

• A walk in the park this time, thanks entirely to a rather spectacular laser ball. The yellow peg was in the pagoda which I managed to clear with the first ball. Then I managed to find a path with the laser ball that got an extra two rim bounces before landing in the bucket, taking out 53 pegs for 578k as it went. It left me only 10k short of the pro target with more balls left than I started with. I ended up taking a complete clearance for nearly double the pro target.

Level 7 (Score 500k with 40 red pegs and 54 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 700k)

The same design as level 2, but with 15 more reds, one less ball and 275k on the pro target. This time only the score is important which is one less thing to worry about.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 603,180

• Not too far off the pro target. There were still several red pegs left at the end though, so it's worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 348,080

• Nowhere near this time. Just two catches, I think. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 459,790

• The yellow peg was in about the worst possible position - right at the bottom of the pagoda. Half the pegs were gone by the time I got to trigger the laser ball, so I was having to try and take every purple peg off the side wall first to try and make up the shortfall. Inevitably, I ran out of balls.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 838,520 

• I could get the yellow peg with the first ball this time, and I got a good rim bounce on it as well. That gave my score a good boost so it wasn't a problem reaching the pro target.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 59 blue - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 1, but with 10 more red pegs, 175k on the pro target, and all pegs now needed.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 402,180

• A 94% clearance, so not a million miles away. It's probably possible without power ups, but a laser ball will certainly help a lot, so I think I'll take one.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 557,040

• Only a 90% clearance that time, even with the laser ball. I just didn't seem to get any luck with my ricochets. The balls kept finding paths between all the pegs to disappear off the bottom having only taken out two or three pegs. The score was better though, but that was down to the laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 871,930 

• I activated the laser ball with the first ball again, but this time I got two extra rim bounces with it which helped quite a lot. I had a bad sequence in the middle which left me with quite a lot of pegs still to get with only two balls, but I kept it together and put a good run of catches together at the end.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 61 blue - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 4, but with 10 More red pegs, 275k on the pro target and all pegs now needed. Bonuses were a problem before so this pro target could well be a problem.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 531,070

• Only a 90% clearance despite getting an early laser ball, and a good rim bounce with it. Maybe I tried to pick off too many single pegs. The angles are quite awkward, on the whole, and I missed a lot of catches. Maybe I should have taken more early ricochets while there still plenty of pegs to aim at, then worried about the pro target later.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 715,950 

• That was better. It took two or three attempts to get to the yellow peg, but I got another good rim bounce with the laser ball. Then I went for a few ricochet balls while picking off only the safer catches.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 73 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, 175k on the pro target, and all pegs are now needed. Level 5 was quite tough as the structures were tricky to break into. I think I may add a grenade ball to help with that.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball & Grenade Ball. Score: 815,380 

• I think that was the right set of power ups to choose. I got another good rim bounce with the laser ball, then used the grenade to take out the bulk of one of the remaining structures. Then it was just a matter of carefully picking off what was left. There were a few fortunate catches in there, but most of them were played for.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	94	Reds	10	-	425k	1	454,090	454,090
2	25	94	Reds	10	-	425k	1	555,910	555,910
3	25	118	Reds	10	-	450k	1	539,250	539,250
4	25	96	Reds	10	-	375k	1	436,000	436,000
5	25	108	Reds	10	-	450k	3	589,740	428,390
6	45	118	Reds	10	-	600k	3	1,170,750	819,346
7	40	94	500k	9	-	700k	4	838,520	562,392
8	35	94	All	10	-	600k	3	871,930	610,383
9	35	96	All	10	-	650k	2	715,950	623,510
10	35	108	All	9	-	625k	1	815,380	815,380

Board 58: Colossal Tropics

We have a picture of an enormous statue standing on a tropical beach. The statue towers over the palm trees next to it.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 99 total - Pro target 625k)

The first design features a load of curves which all appear to be in line with the launcher, so this one really ought to be a doddle.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 771,650 

• I missed several catches off the opening curves which was a little clumsy, but I still had plenty of balls left after taking them all out to play the remaining pegs one at a time to earn the points I still needed for the pro score. A very straightforward starter.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 92 total - Pro target 450k)

This design features vertical columns of pegs, with a few round pegs between them and above them.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 537,980 

• Actually not that difficult. All those vertical pegs make for pretty easy catches on the whole.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 139 total - Pro target 475k)

This design is a repeating pattern of stars and boxes. It makes for a lot of pegs, so picking the red ones out from among all those blue ones might be tricky.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 384,760

• As I thought, it was tricky to negotiate all those blue pegs to get to the red ones. I'll give it one more go then add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 397,580

• I took an unnecessary risk at the end there. I only had two red pegs left and about 8 balls as I'd been making a whole load of lucky catches. I took the purple peg off the side wall, knowing there was a chance the ball would rebound into the reds. That's exactly what it did, then it fell into the 10k bucket. Annoying, as with all those shots in hand, I could easily have reached the pro target otherwise.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 190,730

• The yellow peg was too hard to get to. It took nearly all of my balls to get there, taking out way too many pegs with not enough bonuses.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 496,020 

• It took quite a few balls to get through to the yellow peg again, but I made a lot of lucky catches, so I still had quite a few balls left when I got there. Again, I took out the last red peg before I was ready, when I still had lots of balls in hand, but this time I managed to accumulate enough points from final bonuses to get me over the line.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 100 total - Pro target 650k)

This design consists largely of curved lines that follow the outlines of the statue, the rocks, and the forest in the background. There is also a sprinkling of single round pegs as well.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 405,600

• Only one red peg left, but I was struggling both for points and catches. I'm not in the mood for perseverance, so I shall go straight for the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 660,640 

• Well, I meant to add a laser ball, but forgot. As it happens, I didn't need it. It looked far from promising at one stage, but I managed to pull it back in the endgame by making lots of catches, some of them by the slimmest of margins. I had to take it all the way to a total clearance to squeak in by just 10k.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 89 total - Pro target 500k)

This design looks tricky. There is a big, unmoving, vertical barrier just to the right of the shooter, then one large box and four small ones to the left, plus a few single round pegs. At the base of each box is a teleport that deposits the ball at the top of the right-hand section.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 366,450

• Five red pegs left and plenty of points short. This is too tricky to be attempting without power ups. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 601,110 

• The yellow peg was quite easy to get to, so I triggered the laser ball quickly. I shot it straight into a teleport, and got a good bounce on the right-hand side. I managed to take out all the red pegs on that side bar one, but that was quite close to the top so it went pretty soon after anyway. Then it was just a matter of picking off the remaining reds on the left-hand side and making sure to earn enough points for the pro target.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 139 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more reds, one less ball, and 125k on the pro score. I needed the laser ball last time, so I'll certainly need it here.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 625,950 

• I was struggling for points all the way through. The final red peg was flat and central, and I still needed 70k for the pro target, so I took the chance that by firing straight down I could take out the last red peg, and the flat blue one beneath it, and land in the 100k bucket. It worked.

Level 7 (Clear 40 red pegs from 92 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k)

The same design as level 2, but with 15 more reds, one less ball and 175k on the pro target. I found level 2 quite easy so I'll try this with any power ups to start with.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 602,890

• I got a decent score, but I still had a lot of red pegs left. I felt I missed a lot of catches that I should have got, so I think it's worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 510,900

• A lot of red pegs left again. I think expecting to be able to take out 45 red pegs one at a time is probably too much. I think I need to reduce the number with a laser ball to have a decent chance at this one.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 724,980 

• The laser ball took out a big chunk of the pegs, and what was left could be taken out one or two at a time. I made a total clearance in the end.

Level 8 (Clear 35 red pegs from 89 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, and 100k on the pro target. I'll try for a similar approach to that of level 5 - try and use the laser ball with a decent bounce to clear out the bulk of the right-hand side, then concentrate the remaining balls on the pegs I can see.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 636,990 

• I re-used the same technique that worked so well on level 5, and it worked a treat again. It took a couple of goes to get through to the yellow peg, but the laser successfully cleared all the red pegs on the right-hand side in one go, leaving me free to tackle the boxes on the left. I got a bit lucky at the end as I hadn't really intended to finish when I did, but a 100k final bucket bonus carried me across the line.

Level 9 (Score 600k with 40 red pegs and 59 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 725k)

The same design as level 1, but with 15 more red pegs, two less balls, and 100k more on the pro target. This is now a score based level, and quite frankly, it looks like a doddle.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 558,320

• Missed a few too many catches at the end. It's easy enough to remove all the curves, but more points are still needed afterwards. I'm sure I can improve substantially on this effort though.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 672,560

• A lot closer to the pro target that time, although I missed several of the catches off the curved sections, so there's still plenty of room for improvement.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 928,060 

• Quite comfortable that time. I only made one or two mistakes off the curves, and then I made sufficient catches off the remaining pegs to secuire the pro score. I carried on anyway for the total clearance just for the hell of it.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 65 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 4, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls, and a paltry 25k on the pro target. All pegs are now needed, not just the red ones.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 733,980 

• Not too hard with a laser ball. Although I had a couple of pretty lucky catches with the very last ball which I only got by the skin of my teeth. I managed to find an entirely new path for the laser ball. I shot it too late and only caught the rim of the bucket. It bounced low across the screen, caught the rim again, bounced back again even lower and disappeared. This level has quite a lot of low pegs, so I got 38 pegs and scored just over 385k with it.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	99	Reds	10	-	625k	1	771,650	771,650
2	25	92	Reds	10	-	450k	1	537,980	537,980
3	25	139	Reds	10	-	475k	4	496,020	367,272
4	25	100	Reds	10	-	650k	2	660,640	533,120
5	25	89	Reds	10	-	500k	2	601,110	483,780
6	40	139	Reds	9	-	600k	1	625,950	625,950
7	40	92	Reds	9	-	625k	3	724,980	612,923
8	35	89	Reds	9	-	600k	1	636,990	636,990
9	40	99	600k	8	-	725k	3	928,060	719,646
10	35	100	All	9	-	675k	1	733,980	733,980