SimplePhysics Review

Developer: Andrew Garrison
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.1
Device Reviewed On: iPhone

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Overall Rating:

The game actually only features four levels in total, but it lacks enough depth and challenge to justify the small number of stages. Each level features a similar challenge – successfully build a specific structure that can sustain and pass a stress test. The levels challenge you to build a tree house, rooftop, ferris wheel and skyscraper. After you've built your structure, it must pass a stress test to ensure structural integrity. Your tree house must be able to hold four 50-pound children, your roof top 50,000 pounds of snow, your ferris wheel complete two rotations, and skyscraper withstand 300 MPH winds. On top of all this, each project must be completed within a budget.

While the game is quite challenging, it does have a solid tutorial level that will help you get started. Furthermore the game's interface is well-designed and easy to use. There is a stress test screen that allows you to target specific points of your structure and find weaknesses in the overall design, allowing you to increase the chances of passing the level's final test.

There is also a leaderboards screen, so you can compete with other plays to build the best possible structures.

For the most part, the physics system in SimplePhysics is good. During my playtime with the app, there a couple of instances where the results of a test seemed a little questionable. But most of the time, the physics behave realistically.

I reviewed the game on my iPhone. I can imagine the title working considerably better on the iPad, since the device offers a larger screen and would make designing your structures that much easier of an experience.

SimplePhysics is an original effort – one that I can't help but appreciate for the combination of creativity and challenge it offers. Definitely worth checking out for anyone intrigued by the concept of the app.

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