Great puzzle-platformer from popular developer Nitrome
Some of the App Store’s most popular titles are puzzle-platformers. We love the likes of Badland, Unmechanical, and Limbo; the apps’ quick-fire, jump-in-jump-out mode of gameplay perfectly suits Apple’s handset. Nitrome brought both the impressive Platform Panic and Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage to the App Store some time ago, and fortunately for iPhone owners the developer is back with Gunbrick – its latest puzzle-platformer for iOS.
Controlling your Gunbrick is simple enough: a horizontal swipe will move the brick left or right.
Optimized for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and available on the App Store for $2.99 (£2.29), Gunbrick puts an interesting spin on the typical puzzle-platformer genre. You see, instead of running or jumping through each of the app’s 30 levels, Gunbrick puts gamers in control of a 2-D block which can roll, blast enemies into smithereens, and even fly through the air.
On the other hand, tapping on the screen will see your Gunbrick fire off a bullet.
You control your own Gunbrick in the game using simple virtual controls: a swipe horizontally rolls the brick left or right, and a tap on the screen will have Gunbrick shoot its gun. Gamers will need to be trigger happy in the application for a number of reasons: countless enemies will present themselves, and will be in need of explosive annihilation; walls and blocks will need to be blasted through in order for players to progress across levels; and, lastly, gamers will need to use Gunbrick’s gun in order to fly upwards towards higher platforms.
You can fly upwards by shooting your bullets against the ground.
This control setup is simple enough, but iPhone owners may find themselves getting a little frustrated with the repetitive nature of the swipe-to-move mechanism. The solution to this may not necessarily be clear, but by swiping and holding, you can employ continuous movements – keeping the gameplay fluid.
The app’s first few levels are easy enough to complete, but the difficulty level soon increases.
On a more positive note, the 16-bit graphics of Gunbrick are gloriously retro, as is the app’s “chiptune” soundtrack. There’s also a fairly engaging linear storyline for players to unravel as they move throughout the course of the application. Each level gets progressively harder, too, meaning you’ll need to invest some time in order to reach the end of Gunbrick and to discover the conclusion to its storyline. Anyone concerned about the app’s $2.99 price tag should rest assured that Gunbrick isn’t the kind of game you’ll complete in one sitting.
You’ll need to travel overground and underground in order to complete levels in this fun, engaging app.
Besides its impressive graphics and soundtrack, Gunbrick’s gameplay is really very satisfying. To begin with, you’ll be able to enjoy blasting through waves of enemies in order to reach the end of the app’s initial few levels. From here, however, more advanced tactics will need to be employed for players to succeed. Though the in-game Gunbrick features a gun on one of its sides, on the other side of the brick is a shield; as such, when enemies ramp up their fire players can switch between modes of attack and defense easily.
All in all, Gunbrick is a fun, entertaining puzzle-platformer that iPhone owners should really enjoy. It offers the perfect blend of retro features and new elements, and we’re big fans of the app.
Price: $2.99 / £2.29
Version: 0.5
Size: 26.7 MB
Developer: Nitrome
Platform: iOS Universal
