Hello there! I'm DG, and this is the first of what I hope will be a long series of articles to help you navigate the cluttered mobile game marketplace. While you can download a lot of shovelware for $0.99 a pop, I'll be directing you to the best games that are out there, as well as when they go on sale. We'll kick off the series with a review of one of my favorite new iPod/Phone/Pad games, called Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP, or the so much easier to remember S:S&S EP.
If ever I needed to make an argument for games as a form of artwork, alongside such recognized mediums as painting and writing, this humble game would be one of the ones I would point to. The game features beautifully stylized 8-bit graphics which give the game a fresh and unorthodox appearance. The characters appear somewhat simple, which adds to the subtle mysterious atmosphere of the game.
The game boasts its music as a major selling point, and rightfully so, as the creative and catchy BGM and sound effects are just as important as the game's visuals both in gameplay, and if you want to get the most out of the game's story and environment. Which you will, because the music is awesome.
Speaking of story, Sword and Sorcery has a very enticing and minimalist one. You are greeted by an unidentified man in a suit before beginning the game, an ominous start. You then take on the role of the wondering Scythian, a warrior monk on a grave quest that remains undisclosed to the player. You are given next to no backstory, so the exploration is up to you. By wandering through the strange and ominous woods, and befriending a household of locals, you will become more familiar with the characters' situations.
You will spend the majority of your time in Sword and Sworcer doing point and click style puzzles. Unfortunately, while Sword and Sworcery excels in the art department, it lacks somewhat in gameplay. You will spend a fair bit of time wandering the woods wondering what you are supposed to do next, and the puzzles tend to be arcane at best. Breaking up your puzzling and exploring adventures is the occasional combat, which would be a simple timing minigame if it was not executed so elegantly. When an enemy approaches you, you tilt your device 90 degrees to initiate combat, which, while no big deal on a phone, is a bit irritating on an iPad depending on the type of case you're using. By watching your enemy and blocking and striking at the correct times, you slay the mysterious beasts that haunt the local wilderness. The combat is not repetetive because it is not overused, and so is always a welcome twist in the pacing of your traveling.
The other main downside to the game is that even though its on a mobile device, this isn't really the kind of game you can pick up and play for a minute on the bus. The gameplay is slow paced, and you really need to be in an environment, preferably with headphones, where you can see, hear and appreciate the subtlety of the game.
Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP is a rare gem of a game and a beautifully crafted artistic experience that I highly recommend.
Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP
Apple App store
$2.99
Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery E.P. Review
