The levels aren't linear in Mercury Meltdown Revolution. Instead of beating one level to get to the next, you'll have to beat a batch of levels, aka a Lab, before unlocking the next Lab. So if you're vexed by a particularly dastardly level, you can bolster your confidence by attempting other levels in that Lab before confronting the doozie once more. Also, there's no time limit, though finishing under the par time will allow you to unlock bonus content. These tweaks should help lessen the despair factor present in some of MMR's previous incarnations.
Another feature the developers have worked in to help diminish your mercuricidal tendencies is the minigame menu. Contained therein are 5 games meant to offer a respite from the normal Lab play mode. They are as follows:
Shove
MMR does curling. Aim, set the power of your shot with a meter, launch, then tap to increase or decrease friction as your blob slides towards the target.
Rodeo
Use the same controls as the normal game as you try to keep your blob on the platform while a fan rotates around trying to blow you off.
Race
Obviously. No opponents, though, so it's more of a time trial. (see above)
Paint
Red vs. Blue. You try to paint the arena blue while your AI opponent tries to tag it red. Largest area covered wins.
Metrix
The trickiest and most intriguing of the bunch. The puzzle field is an 8x8 grid with solid blocks interspersed throughout. Into the vacant spaces on this grid you must drop 3 blobs of differently colored mercury at a time, trying to connect three or more of the same color. You can arrange the 3 blobs into whatever formation you choose using the 3x3 staging grid displayed on the side of the main puzzle grid. Takes a bit of work to get the hang of, but provides a fun and different challenge that fits in nicely.
