Greedy Bankers vs The World Review

With a name like Greedy Bankers vs The World, it’s pretty obvious who is getting the lion’s share of the blame for the current economic climate. Rather than a damning book, or an angry podcast though, this app is actually a puzzle game!

Greedy Bankers vs The World takes an age old puzzle formula, and gives it a bit of a twist. Throughout the game the player will face off against different, rather stereotypical, bankers with the aim of making more cash than they do before the timer hits zero. To get this money the player has to group together gems of the same colour, at which point they will merge into one big block. Tapping this block causes it to disappear, freeing up space on the screen and adding to the total amount of cash earned.

To add to the tension, gems are constantly falling from the top of the screen, potentially ruining a block the player is creating. At certain points a robber will also invade the player’s game, stealing away gems and generally being a nuisance. A further obstacle is then introduced, as pieces of rock are randomly generated on screen, which will cordon off gems and stop blocks being made. These rocks can be destroyed if the player moves a block of gems next to them, and taps it.

There’s so much going on, and it’s down to the player to decide what tactics to use. Only grouping a handful of gems together is quick, but earns less cash, while the more time intensive bigger blocks made out of many gems pay a handsome reward, but may get ruined by gems falling from the top of the screen or a stray rock.

Whatever the player decides to do, it needs to be done quickly because Greedy Bankers vs The World is extremely fast paced. Luckily the control scheme is up to the task, and the gems are moved by simply dragging them across the screen, allowing for blocks to be made speedily.

A big plus in this iPad version is the addition of local multiplayer. With both players using the same device, the game plays out exactly as it does in single player mode, albeit with the option to steal the other player’s gems from right off their screen! This adds yet another layer of madness to the falling gems and annoying blocks.

Greedy Bankers vs The World is an absolutely fantastic puzzle game, injecting humour and personality into a tried and tested puzzle formula. The multiplayer is also one of the best on iOS devices.

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