What do get when you combine the
iPhone’s touch screen and accelerometer with a fancy new physics engine all
wrapped up into one game? The answer is the newest game developed by Hudson
Software entitled Aqua Forest. This game showcases the power of their new
physics engine called OctaveEngine. This engine mimics how liquids, solids, and
gases behave and interact with the objects around them. The combination of the
hardware and this new engine allows for a game that is really innovative, the
only problem is the lack of gameplay it provides.
Aqua Forest has a couple of options
to choose from: free, puzzle, web, and help. Free mode is a big sandbox mode
that allows players to create their own physic simulations. They will have many
tools at their disposal to do this. Players will also be able to save their
creations to share with their friends.
The puzzle mode is the real meat of
this game. There are five different puzzle modes (Tilting, Touch, Drawing,
Warm/Cold, and All Functions), and each mode has 10 different scenarios. The
scenarios range in difficulty; earlier levels will have players moving a ball
around the field avoid various traps along the way. Later levels have players
moving a body of water from one area to another, but they will have to convert
it from a liquid to a gas state, and then back to a liquid to reach the goal. It
is this difficulty level that will keep players around trying to complete all 50
challenges.
Pressing web takes players to the
developer’s Web site to get more information about the game. The help menu will
tell players everything about the game, from what each icon means to help solve
various puzzles. It is highly suggested players check this section out first as
there is no “in-game” help other then this menu.
There are a few things that many
players will have issues with. The first is the lack of tool description. While
players are in the midst of a puzzle they will have various tools to get it
solved. The problem is there is no description for each tool. The only way to
find out is by getting out of the puzzle, going to the home screen, and clicking
on the help button. There should be a way to just hold the tool down and a brief
description shows up.
Another issue players will have is
that the frame rate will get really bad at times. The more objects players use
in the puzzle the worse the lag will become. At times the game will come to a
near standstill for a few moments before it resumes a normal framerate. Players
will also have issues with the unfriendly navigation of the puzzles section.
Above each section is the work “tutorial” so it will take a while for players to
realize that this is the actual puzzle part of the game. There has to be a
better way of grouping the puzzles together, and the naming scheme of the
navigation.
The last thing that will annoy
players is the cost of the game. This game can be summed up as an expensive (for
the customer) tutorial and technical demonstration for the new physics engine.
It is a shame because this game does have potential to be a lot more than it is.
Aqua Forest can be purchased on the
iTunes App store for $7.99
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Gameplay: 5.0
This is the main problem with the game, the
engine is great and fun to play with, but there are not enough puzzles to
warrant the purchase price.
Graphics: 9.1
The graphics are simple, but get the job done. The area where the game scores
well is the physics engine that makes everything simulate gracefully.
Sound: 8.0
The music is gentle and relaxing to listen to.
Difficulty: Medium
Most of the puzzles are very easy, toward the end there are a few brain
busters.
Concept: 8.0
Players will really enjoy testing out the various physics-based puzzles
in this game.
Overall: 5.0
Aqua Forest is nothing more than a technical showcase of the new
OctaveEngine. While it is fun to play around with the tutorials it is not worth
the $7.99 entrance fee. Although I can’t wait to see what full-fledged games
make use of this really good physics engine!
