If charm and whimsy were the defining traits by which we evaluated games, “Botanicula” would get a perfect score. Those elements carry the game a long way, but the rest of the credit goes to developer Amanita’s clever implementation of old-school adventure game concepts, like hunting for clickable objects on screen or finding the right item from one place to use at another location. Amanita gives these simple (some might say tired) mechanics fresh life through puzzles that walk the fine line between being easy and difficult.

When a lone tree seed falls into the branches of its parent tree, only the inhabitants of that tree have the wherewithal to get this new life into the soil before a menacing spider creature devours it. Five friends — Mr. Lantern, Mrs. Mushroom, Mr. Poppy Head, Mr. Feather, and Mr. Twig — come together to get the job done. In an unusual twist, players control the entire group of bizarre heroes. Each mouse click sends the eclectic group skipping off to a new location. Sometimes, only one of the five has the unique skills needed to gather a well-protected feather, pluck a distant flower bud, or save a baby chestnut and return it to its mother.

Most of the puzzles along the adventure are intuitive and offer a unique twist. One forces you to shake your mouse back and forth to scatter the seeds of a dandelion. Another demands you tilt the frames of paintings in the background to see what’s hiding behind them. Even later in the game most of the interactions remain simple, but the more advanced puzzles still require significant consideration and thought.

The enchanting world of “Botanicula” brims with personality and humor. Like an extended Pixar short film, no words or writing are needed to communicate emotion or the childlike narrative.

Instead, a wonderful score of strange sounds and nonsensical voices combine with an ecosystem of creatures and plants to create an unforgettable environment. Like the best fantasies, “Botanicula’s” world is grounded in human feelings and easily identifiable character motivations, so when the game shoots off into wild flights of fancy and surreal imagery, the player is happy to go along for the ride.

As delightful as “Botanicula” is at times, it goes wrong in a few important ways. A handful of puzzles are based on trial and error, and they don’t reset after departing the area. This means you can make things worse for yourself just by experimenting.

A few other situations require too much mouse agility for a game that is otherwise about careful thinking and observation. Finally, presumably in an effort to make the latter levels feel more advanced, navigation between areas becomes maze-like. Moving between screens becomes more distracting and frustrating than it is enjoyable.

By its nature as an exploration-focused adventure game, “Botanicula” has a deliberate pace, and the lack of direct control over character actions might irk some players. Old-school adventure gamers are in for a treat, however, and should absolutely put this on their playlists. If those same gamers are ready to pass their enthusiasm on to the next generation, “Botanicula” also seems tailor-made to be enjoyed by a parent and child.

‘Botanicula’

8.25 (out of 10)

PC, Mac, Linux

Amina Design

No ESRB rating available.

Gaming gadgetry

in need of a USB port? Try the 12-port USB hub

I’ve thought for some time that the most important connection in life is with a USB. The 12-port Satechi USB 2.0 Hub confirms my thinking.

The packaging states you can chain together up to 127 USB devices, which is crazy but if you have that many, go for it and let me know how it works.

In my case, after connecting it to the included DC power supply and then to my desktop Mac I was able to charge, sync and use a card read, USB fan, an iPhone and iPod simultaneously.

The hub measures 8-by-1.25-by-1 inches and is designed like a power strip with a USB cord extending from one side for connection to an open port. The DC port is right along side of that.

On top are 11 USB ports for connecting your device along with a pair of power switches with blue LED indicators to control six USB ports each. The 12th USB port is on the far side.

No software is required to work the hardware, which is rated to provide data rates up to 480Mbps and is designed to work with Mac and Windows operating systems.

Details: www.satechi.net ($29.99)

— Gregg Ellman, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

HANDHELD GAMES

The editors of Game Informer Magazine rank the top handheld games for May:

1. “Mortal Kombat” (Vita)

2. “Resident Evil: Revelations” (3DS)

3. “Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack” (Vita)

4. “MLB 12: The Show” (Vita)

5. “Rayman Origins” (Vita)

6. “Kid Icarus: Uprising” (3DS)

7. “Escape Plan” (Vita)

8. “Lumines: Electronic Symphony” (Vita)

9. “Super Stardust Delta” (Vita)

10. “Dillon’s Rolling Western” (3DS)

— McClatchy-Tribune News Service