De Blob

Developer: THQ Wireless Inc.
Price: $6.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.4

Graphics / Sound [rating:4/5]
Game Controls [rating:1/5]
Re-use / Replay Value [rating:4/5]
Overall Rating:

De Blob is an interesting pseudo 3D top-down scroller that suffers from some annoying user interface elements and a lack of iPhone design. Overall, De Blob is a good game that just needs some interface fine tuning.

The basic idea of the game is that you, as the blob, are going around the city painting the buildings various colors -- the larger the building the more points you get. You need a certain number of points to progress to the next level. There are combos, and special buildings that you can only paint a certain color for extra points. In addition there are enemies trying to stop you. When you are caught you must clean the paint off at a water pool and get moving again before the enemies catch you.

You have the opportunity to gain extra points in mini-challenges during each level. They are self explanatory.

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There are two methods of playing -- you can opt for story mode or go to an individual level and try to beat your best times. The game does do a good job of explaining what all of the controls are and how you play the game. There are many options and methods of play and each is well documented.

On the upside this is a pretty well designed game -- it is unique and interesting and has lots of levels to complete.

Now, the downside -- the controls are not very well implemented. The tilt control is absolutely horrible. If you turn it off you are presented with a dialog at the start of each level asking you if you want to turn it back on. There's one of those annoying interface design issues.

There are other bad design issues as well -- there's the menus that are way too small for a finger to accurately press. Then there are the yes/no buttons at the bottom of the screen like you would have on any boring old normal cell phone. Ick.

In the end, this is a pretty good game. There are just so many little things that need to be cleaned up to make this a true great iPhone OS game. At this price, and compared to other popular games, you would expect more fine tuning. (note that this game was originally released at $9.99) If you've liked this game on another platform or it seems like your kind of game, give it a shot. Otherwise I'd say wait and see if they clean things up a little.