Can Knockdown 3 Review

I went back for a "quick go" of Can Knockdown 3 before writing up this review. That was a mistake. Not a mistake in terms of sheer enjoyment and pleasure, but in terms of good time management. Quite a while later, having beaten my Endless Mode score, I've come back to this review. Can Knockdown 3 is one of the most enjoyable games I've played all year and I don't just mean on iOS either.

Its predecessor was great fun but lacked some really compelling structure. The physics were there, but not the constant urge for more. Can Knockdown 3 has combined the wonderful physics with a level based experience, encouraging players to keep on going until they've 3 starred everything possible. That's an idea that's been done to death on iOS but it's one that works so perfectly for this game.

Things start out simple, like they always do, giving players the time to adjust to the physics engine and appreciate the virtual weight of the ball. In particular, it's handy to learn how to throw a slow ball, as well as a power ball, decimating everything in its path. Can Knockdown 3 isn't unrealistic, though. There aren't any ridiculously over the top power-ups or space aliens getting in the way. Can Knockdown 3 is all about throwing a series of balls at cans and nothing more.

It could be boring, but it's not. Mostly because, once the player has got the hang of things, levels start getting harder. Swinging obstacles rock to and fro in front of the cans, switches need hitting first to open up a path, toxic barrels can be knocked and cause a huge score penalty. It's all relatively small things like this but obstacles that make a heck of a difference to the player's plans. Completing a level and gaining one star is often quite easy, with plenty of balls available to help the player progress. To unlock the next 20 levels, though, a certain number of stars must be gained first. Therein lies the reason to return to stages and improve.

Can Knockdown 3 has a near perfect difficulty curve as not once did I feel cheated while playing. It wasn't that it was an easy game to play, but it is a very fair one. Once all the stars have been collected in one section, an Endless Mode unlocks. While it's not quite as addictive as the individual levels, it's still all too easy to lose time to.

I truly can't recommend Can Knockdown 3 enough. It's exceeded my expectations massively and is a fantastically simple yet addictive title.