Babel Rising: Cataclysm Review

The original Babel Rising was one of the early big successes on the App Store upon its release in 2009. Being able to play the bad guy, or should I say bad god, made a pleasant change for gamers more used to being forced to be piously good. Sure, it was a little samey but electrocuting minions trying to build a tower never really got old.

After sidestepping a direct sequel to pursue an Endless Runner spin-off and a 3D version of the game, we come to Babel Rising: Cataclysm, the nearest we've come to a 'proper' sequel. Is it more of the same? Yes, to an extent. Is it more fun? Oh yes!

You're still making those poor minions suffer as they attempt to build an impressive tower, but this time there's a structured game experience in terms of missions, 40 in all. In each case, players must complete certain challenges as well as gain stars to unlock new levels. Challenges consist of quite typical things such as reaching a set multiplier score or completing a level perfectly. Alongside these, levels have objectives such as gaining a specific score or surviving for a certain length of time. Ultimately though, gameplay consists of the same thing: destroy the humans.

Babel Rising: Cataclysm tries to keep this interesting by providing a variety of different powers. These powers are unlocked through coins gained from earlier completions. Powers are quite basic at first, such as a lightning bolt or finger squash but they gradually become more fiendish. Locust clouds and tsunamis are possible later on in the game, once enough coins have been acquired. While, at first, things might feel a little simplified, the game really comes into its own when more powers are available so it's worth pursuing. They all have their gesture for unleashing them too, such as a swipe downwards for lightning or a finger tap/stomp to crush a minion.

This is where it becomes quite obvious that Babel Rising: Cataclysm is an ideal stress reliever. It might take a little while to get going but once it does and some upgrades have been unlocked, it's quite fun despite its repetitive elements.