I tried the elementals demo.

System Specs

Pentium 4 3.0ghz processor
2gigs pc2700 ddr ram
ati radeon X1650 pro 512 megs of ram

Game reported my system had been detected as not being able to run in high detail.
I find this hard to believe.

Also, beyond being able to select the information bubbles, the game didn't seem functional. I was unable to do anything. The idea sounds interesting though.

It checks how fast it's running in the menu - if it gets an average speed of less than 25 fps, it turns off some drawing methods. As it says, you can manually adjust the detail if need be... however, it turning itself down on your system does sound a bit odd... maybe background processes were affecting the speed?
Incidentally, you're the first person I've had report the detail issue...


Anyway, on to functionality. I am ~95% sure the game wasn't malfunctioning on your computer. I assume you were able to access the map screen and the first tutorial level? If so, you should read the little hint bubbles. This ain't no normal platformer, and the control scheme may take some getting used to. Thus, there are a lot of hint bubbles, especially in the first level - but if you take the time to read them all the game should be easy to control.

But here's a summary:
Left-click and drag activates a selection bandbox. You can select specific Elementals this way.

Right-click and hold opens the Radial Menu. From here, you can select types of Elementals (by moving the cursor over their icons), all elementals (by moving the cursor over the seventh icon counterclockwise), or combinations (by moving the cursor over two icons in sequence - say, fire and water). Releasing right mouse will complete your choice.

Selected Elementals may be moved by left-clicking - they will move towards the mouse cursor.

Selected Combinations may be activated by left-clicking at the desired location - the combination will be placed there, and the required Elementals will move to the target location. Right-clicking will cancel a combination in progress.

I hope that helps.

ok, it was hard to tell how to enter into the levels. I moused over the quads multiple times but never hit the small white spot that you have to hit to enter the level. Perhaps having something be a bit more of a sign that the quads are the levels would be helpful, or just allowing the player to select the entire quad. I know somethings may seem obvious to those doing the developing, but even the simplest thing can be overlooked by a player. I really like the concept a lot.You could really do a lot of great puzzles with the mechanics. The tutorial level is pretty well done too, although the amount of hints could end up being a bit intrusive on the gameplay if there would continue to be so many. Keep us updated on it though. I look forward to checking it out at a later date.

So, larger level select icons/tolerance. Got it.

The number of hints in the first four levels is entirely due to their being tutorials, and having to introduce so many new concepts. In later levels, the player will be left to figure things out mostly on their own - a few hints will introduce the general concept of each new combination, and that'll be it.