The APPera

We have praised and called Illusion Labs the master of physics and design when it comes to iPhone gaming. With their next game, they prove worthy of the name we have given them.

Sway ($4.99)

With its first platformer, Illusion Labs (in association with Ready Fire Aim), went with comic themed UI and super sticky lizards. Yet again, they managed to introduce a game that is both fun and unique, and control implementation that extends the iPhone’s capabilities.

Let’s Get Swingin

The object of the game is to collect stars while swinging sticky lizards off walls. There are a total of 15 levels so far: 7 Heavy Metal, 4 Grassy Green and 4 Sandy Beach levels to be exact. New characters get unlocked after successfully completing special levels.

Spikes, bigger wall holes and distance, and even boxes are introduced later in the game for added difficulty.

Check out some screenshots:

Medals are awarded per the amount of stars you collect and the time frame of which you complete the level.

Control + Tutorials

You control the game with multiple gestures and combinations with two fingers. Moving your finger diagonally up and down makes the lizard swing. You then release that finger and touch the screen on the opposite side of device to stop swinging and anchor your guy to the wall. Sounds confusing? Yeah it is. The tutorial and practice should help you with it a LOT though.

Illusion Labs tutorial videos are always top notch, and we guarantee you their tutorial here does not disappoint.

Comic Relief

It seems that Illusion Labs thought formal themed games are getting a little too overused so they went for fun and campy. All through out the game starting with the intro page:

Sway boasts with very colorful comic book like font and layout. The move is somewhat risky, but it all pays off. as the theme blends perfectly with the game and gives Sway it’s own attitude.

Navigation In Cruise Control

We thoroughly enjoyed the menu navigation wittiness of Touchgrind when we reviewed it. Good thing they implemented somewhat of a similar scheme in Sway. From the character picker where you simply scroll to select characters:

…to the very crafty level pickers:

and the level introduction screens:

Overall, we cannot have enough of Sway. We even think Illusion Labs should pony up some $$$ to produce little lizard stuff toys because they are so cute. We know we’d want a little lizard sticking off our cars or office windows.

More than their design breakthrough here is their achievement in implementing another control scheme that elevates their name above the rest. With the iPhone lacking any physical control pads, it is amazing how Illusion Labs keeps coming up with intricate controls that just abuses the device of it’s own capacity.

We bet if the iPhone could talk, they’d be floored by where Illusion Labs takes the device. ANOTHER MUST BUY!

Related posts:

1. Sway Lite Is OUT!!! (WIN TOUCHGRIND COPY!)
2. Labyrinth 2 Demo’d On “BigPad”, iPhone Version Updated!
3. Sway Update Is Out! Swingers Rejoice!
4. Labyrinth 2 Review: Welcome To The New Era of Labyrinth Games!
5. Touchgrind: Duuude Skate For The iPhone!