Dracula HD on iPad Review

The uses for the iPad are varied, and range from use as a simple media device, an eBook reader, or for interactive games. Sometimes, someone thinks of joining a few of these uses together and we get something that's new and remarkable. Dracula HD takes this idea and brings the tale of Bram Stoker's vampiric count to the iPad with style.

Not quite a book, but also not a game, this interactive graphic novel of sorts is a perfect fit for the haunted tale of Count Dracula and the weary traveller visiting his haunted castle in Transylvania. Page by page, the story unfolds (this is obviously an abridged version) along with fantastic art which sets your imagination in motion as you read. Another spellbinding aspect is the background music/effects that accompany each page. Honestly, I'm the type of person that usually likes to read in silence, but since this is more like a visual experience the audio is very welcome, as it is well orchestrated and appropriate!

As you read along, some of the pages are interactive. A glass might shatter if you touch it, the mirror on the wall might move if you lean your iPad left or right. It's these little touches that really bring the app to life. This is basically the equivalent of a 21st century pop-up book, only better because you're not going to tear off the little flap that lifts the barn door as on a traditional paper pop up book.

One downside, and this is really a shame, is that the app often does not remember on which page you finished last when you leave it. If you don't read the whole thing in one sitting, you'll have to flip back through all of the pages in order to reach the one you were last on. There really should be some sort of bookmarking feature.

The only other disappointment I have with this app is something that is not inherently it's own fault. Once you've read through, experienced the story, graphics, effects and interactive bits, that's it, there's little to no replay or reuse value. Unlike a regular book, which you may pick up and read again, read certain chapters of, or use for reference this 'novelty story' doesn't quite work the same way.

With that being said, I still think that this app is worthwhile, and I hope that there are more Interactive Graphic Novels and suchlike in the future of the iPad.

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