Review: Rafter
January 23, 2010
, Posted by App-reciation Reviews at 2:32 PM
Category: Games
Seller: Emantras Inc.
Price: $ 0.99
Requirements: iPhone or iPod touch, OS 3.1.2 or later
Version: 1.0
Seller: Emantras Inc.
Price: $ 0.99
Requirements: iPhone or iPod touch, OS 3.1.2 or later
Version: 1.0
What's good: Get ready for a smashing good time with Emantras Inc.'s newly released iPhone game, Rafter! This unique and engaging physics puzzler doesn't just let you flick or drop a bunch of shapes and tune their reactions to the tone of gravity - in fact, it takes the typical gameplay to a new level by adding in the ability to draw the pieces for use in the game. A brilliant stroke of creativity, if you ask us, and one that makes for an exciting and thoroughly challenging time. Apart from this innovative feature, the mechanics are what you would expect from a regular physics-driven concept. You'll start out with a straightforward level arrangement where you simply have to draw a normal sized block and let it slide down the sloping ramps to hit the red target, and then, when you get to level six, you'll unlock the option to sketch circles as well - this is useful for stages that require rolling objects in order to accomplish the goal. Play a little longer and you'll realize that the game requires a considerable amount of logic as well as trial-and-error runs. For one thing, the tricky positioning of blocks and gears foreshadows a need for precise drawing sizes and impeccable timing, and for another, the often less-than-accessible target demands a good grasp of how objects interact. What's more, you can't take your time - your score slowly decreases from a hundred as you work out the puzzle and only stops when you've successfully solved it. A cheerful, upbeat soundtrack and sepia-toned drawn graphics that emulates the art style of Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man contrasts nicely and adds something unidentifiably attractive to the atmosphere of the game. Coupled with a flawless physics engine, smooth controls, and engrossing play, things add up to make a neat little package that we can definitely recommend to iPhone gamers! At just $ 0.99, it's a great deal, too, so why don't you go ahead and grab the game on the AppStore now?
Suggestions for improvement: The game is fun but far too short. Add more levels; consider difficulties, gameplay modes, and hopefully more elements (e.g. new block types).
Breakdown:
Graphics - 4.75/5 Creativity - 4.5/5 Gameplay - 4.5/5 Controls - 5/5
App-reciation - 4.75/5
Graphics - 4.75/5 Creativity - 4.5/5 Gameplay - 4.5/5 Controls - 5/5
App-reciation - 4.75/5
Rafter Update Available on the Store with 10 Additional Levels. Check here http://www.punflay.com/rafter-appstore.html