iPhone App Review: World of Goo

iPhone App: World of Goo

Developer: 2D Boy

Price: $3

World of Goo is a physics-based puzzle game in which the player manipulates small, lively 'goo balls' into geometric patterns in order to get through dangerous territory. The balls exist in one of two states: rigid forms making up geometric patterns, and 'free' balls that float around in those patterns. After dragging a free ball to a certain distance away from the set structure and releasing it, rigid links form, expanding the structure and giving the free balls more room to move about. In this way the player can build transport structures for moving goo from one place to another, typically a destination pipe. Watch out though - gravity applies here, and an unstable structure is in danger of collapsing to the ground. The single-player campaign offers levels with individual objectives, or the player may take goo balls 'freed' from completing a level into a multiplayer-capable mode where players are free to build various structures without restraints (other than gravity, goo stock and imagination). In all modes, the game proves colorful, charming, fun, and at times challenging - good thing the game offers the stymied player the opportunity to skip problem levels. For the completionist, 'OCD' challenges allow players to retry levels with new requirements, the fulfillment of which demands near-inhuman precision.

Overall, World of Goo is an expansive, thought-requiring and addicting game deserving of its many accolades. Recommended to any player with a little patience and ability to think geometrically. (Reviewed by Graham Rhodes, 5/19/11.)

(An HD version of the app, capable of upscaling to the iPad, is available for $5.)

App Friday: Spring Travel Round Up

App Friday: Spring Travel Round Up

App Review - Flying Poodles

Flying Poodles: A Christmas Story ($1.99 for iPhone; $1.99 for iPad)

Flying Poodles is a storybook app, with a read-it yourself option or autoplay. In either mode, the book is accompanied by music -- a nice touch -- but it becomes a little jarring when you turn the page (a simple finger swipe will accomplish this) and the music suddenly stops while the 'page turn' animation plays. The narrated version of the story is well-enunciated and clear, but users trying to read or follow along with the narration will find that the small text is difficult to see. The text visibility problem becomes severe when the phone is held horizontally. There is no option to zoom in on the text.

The story is a moderately challenging one, with multisyllabic words and some complex sentences. At a minimum, some degree of previous storybook reading experience is recommended. The illustrations are very good and provide the story with life and color. The reading experience itself is bolstered by the use of multiple 'voices,' encouraging young readers to act out the story and become a little more immersed in the experience. Flying Poodles provides a charming story to read, although the small text means good eyesight is a must.

(Review by Graham Rhodes, 3/6/11. He received a free copy of the app for review.)

App Friday: Night & Day Studios Send Their Love

App Friday: Night & Day Studios Send Their Love

App Friday: Moms With Apps Goes LIVE on iTunes!

App Friday: Moms With Apps Goes LIVE on iTunes!

Fox Tale Book Shoppe

I haven't been to the Fox Tale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA, but I try to support all independent book stores. If you go there, let me know!

App Review: BrightKnight Kingdom

BrightKnight Kingdom - Episode 1 - 

Big Party for iPhone

Price: $.99

BrightKnight Kingdom features a kid-friendly fantasy kingdom, drawing in the young player with elements of the real world overlaid onto a fictional one. The game tells a simple story in an animated, comic book style, and scores the player on their proficiency in answering various questions. The tests largely fall under the English and Math categories, with a few involving daily life and matters of personal responsibility. One somewhat problematic task involved tracing a path through a maze. As this particular mini-game lacks responsiveness, and the player is under a time limit, an impatient young player might experience frustration.

The game's integration of storytelling and game play feels organic, as each question and game element comes up naturally through conversations between the game's characters. Each task is meaningful as the young characters go through small trials in planning for a party. Depending on how well the player answers each question and performs each task, the game's ending will change, giving at least a small sense of reward. Overall, BrightKnight Kingdom could be a satisfying and somewhat educational experience for younger players, though it lacks the breadth to keep the user occupied for more than a half hour or so. (Reviewed by Graham Rhodes, 1/23/11; he received a free copy of the game for review.)