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This next game gives line drawing genre a fresh twist, throws monkeys (in space) to result in an addicting game.
Monkeys In Space: Escape To Banana Base Alpha ($0.99)
Streaming Colour Studios’ first iPhone game attempt in Dapple might’ve arrived a little too early for its time (level of sophistication and pricing), but Monkeys In Space can definitely become a crowd favorite…
Controls
Mutlitouch. The main difference Monkeys In Space has over its other line drawing counterparts is that monkeys can be chained together for combos and maximum points. This and the fact that the space stations are constantly moving.
To do this, simply take any monkey and attach it to another similar colored monkey then drag to the space station when you’re ready. This is pretty much all there is for controls… simple and works. Oh:
Gameplay
The setup is very much like Harbor Master or Flight Control and the like. Return enough monkeys to their space stations and unlock the next level. There are three different maps as of the first version.
Each map comes with different difficulties. The monkeys can float anywhere on the first map, the second earth alters gravity of the stations and the last map, asteroids (which you cannot hit) are introduced.
The trick of the game is that you must chain monkeys together for faster scores. Say you attach three monkeys then drag them to the station, your score will be calculated as 1+2+3 instead of 1+1+1.
The game is OpenFeint enabled for which you can upload your scores and unlock achievements. Monkeys In Space also lets you switch the game’s own soundtrack to any of your iPod’s tunes!
Suggestion
More maps of course, first and foremost. What about introduction of a third colored monkey? That’d be insane I presume. Also, I hope Streaming Colour updates their OpenFeint connectivity with new versions of the platform which allows challenges and such.
Conclusion
The game is sweet, direct and addicting. There isn’t anything left to be said. If you’re a fan of this genre, I think you’d really like how Streaming Colour switched things up a bit.
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Nice write up.
Frankly I am surprised at how much I like this game. It has that flare that keeps bringing you back for another round.
Although the first level is pretty straightforward I keep dying trying to get huge chains. It's always when I'm trying to move a bunch of red monkeys grouped (I tend to chain the red one because they're smaller) and out of nowhere comes a yellow one straight at me.
The gravity on the second level is a nice twist. I'd like to point out that it also affects the monkeys, not just the stations. Yeah, gravity pulling your chains together. Again I stick with chaining the red ones and this time leave them in the center of the screen where the gravity hold them relatively in place.
Third level: Asteroids. Pain in the asteroids (yeah I know… how cliche). Need to play more. I've got single digits here.
I agree that additional levels are always welcome. I hope they get tons of purchases to justify creating them.