App: Whale Trail
by Chris on 20 October 2011
Design studio ustwo™'s latest creation
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Pros
Whale of a time
Design Studio ustwo™ have just launched their latest creation and first real serious game (which is not bad for a studio that doesn’t make games)
Whale Trail tells the story of Willow the Wale, who flies through the clouds collecting blubbles to keep him in the air, whilst avoiding the black clouds (a.k.a Thunder Bros).
Catch enough stars and FRENZY mode will activate giving Willow super speed and invincibility to smash through the evil clouds trying to stop his trail.
This description may sounds slightly kiddy and on the surface it may seem like that. But once you get into it, the gameplay takes over, and all of a sudden the clouds, rainbows and colours all make sense.
With one finger you control Willow, press anywhere to climb higher into the sky and release to drop down. (holding for around 1s will perform a loop da loop, which is great for stalling and planning your route)
Once you get a feel for the response of Willow the game really opens up as you progress through the 7 colourful worlds, with each level containing less blubbles which basically means you can make less mistakes.
The early stages are easy enough for anyone to pick up and play, and get real tough after the 4th/5th world. Which we think will keep everyone happy from the 1 year old with the magazine that wasn’t an iPad to the most hardcore high score hunter around.
Overall a beautiful, simple & down right addictive game perfect for a quick spin on the bus, or a long session when settled down at home.
Buy it here
Trailer here
Watch the awesome making of Whale Trail here
Cons
Whale a bit pale
For 69 english pence you get the full game, no ads or junk like that, but we were a little disappointed to find that there were no unlockable items, characters or game modes.
We think in app purchasing would work a treat here, to help those starting out, and the hardcore score whores who have put a good hour into a trail!
But this is v.1.0, and we have heard there will be regular updates in the near future, so who knows what will appear.
Agree or not? Give us your opinion. Or don't (no-one will make you).