Review: Pipe Mania
December 31, 2009
, Posted by App-reciation Reviews at 3:27 PM
Category: Games
Seller: Virtual Programming Ltd.
Price: $ 3.99
Requirements: iPhone or iPod touch, OS 2.2.1 or later
What's good: For fans of the classic game Pipe Dreams, you'll be delighted to know that Robosoft Technologies, together with Virtual Programming Ltd., has endeavored (and succeeded) to bring it to the ever expanding iPhone community under the name Pipe Mania, with some graphical and control changes to adapt to the new platform. The core gameplay remains the same - as with its predecessors, your objective is to lay out pipes from the starting point all the way to the drain before the tap is turned on and flooze starts to gush out. Given that you get pieces in an entirely random fashion, you have to master the skill of envisioning a completed pipeline in order to succeed in the game. To add to the challenge, you are scored based on the length of your creation, while points are subtracted for every mislaid or blown up pipe. This effectively forces you to find a balance in order to gain the score necessary to hit the required mark and proceed to more difficult levels. As you reach higher stages, interesting new factors add more layers of complexity to gameplay - obstacles to work your way around, treasures to find, pieces to incorporate into your structure, and attacks that deal massive damage to your pipes, among others. Persevere and you'll also unlock new locations that offer not just a change of setting, but completely different themes ranging from sewer tunnels and train tracks to internet highways and electric circuits. At the same time, earn treasures and trophies to reap your hard work's rewards: concept art, videos, and other game modes that include Arcade, Bonus, and Classic are just some of the goodies you'll discover. With all these exciting features and extras to explore, you'll be tapping away until the early hours of day as you employ puzzle skills and quick thinking to flow through the extremely challenging and insanely engaging world of pipes that's teeming with amusing detail, vibrant graphics, and lively sounds.
Suggestions for improvement: The mystery pipes are a little difficult to place, as by the time you spot the piece you want it to turn into and tap on the icon, you will usually get the next piece instead because the pipes scroll too fast, making it rather unhelpful to use. There's also the (rare) unresponsiveness issue we hope will be fixed with an update.
Breakdown:
Graphics - 4.75/5 Creativity - 5/5 Gameplay - 5/5 Controls - 4.75/5
App-reciation - 5/5
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