Overview
An innovative combination of Pong, Brickbreaker and pirate monkeys that is likely to make tossing coconuts your new favorite leisure activity.
Gameplay
The Caribbean-style background music and tropical cell shading set the tone from the opening screen for this fun, and easy-to-use game.
Gameplay is pretty basic and involves bouncing coconuts between two monkeys, who slide along either side of the screen. Movement is controlled by swiping your fingers along the edges of the screen to drag the monkeys around and redirect a coconut at any combination of items that lie between them (like I said, Pong meets Brickbreaker… with monkeys).
Why are the monkeys launching coconuts at blocks, coins and pirate ships? Who cares?!
While the first levels are simple, the game quickly increases in difficulty, challenging you with multiple coconuts and special items and challenges. And the game has more than enough levels to keep you playing, even during phone conversations (that's right, I did it).
The interface is very user friendly and functional. After tapping through a simple main menu page, users can select one of two memory slots to store a new game, then are presented with the ultimate dilemma: choose your monkey, male or female.
Then you have the ability to pimp your monkey (meaning, dress it up with clothing options that you can buy based on the amount of points you have earned).
The actual game is very functional as well, allowing you to pause and exit the program, or even shut off your iPhone if you want, and still return to the same exact spot where you left off. Receiving calls is also not a problem. Chimps Ahoy! will automatically pause the game when the call comes in.
Review
If you’re a little more low profile with your gaming and don’t want to be seen twisting and turning your iPhone through the air like some tripped out raver, then this arcade-style app full of fun is just for you.
That’s not to say that it is less exciting or challenging than some of the other motion-based gaming hits out there. In fact, Chimps Ahoy is likely to become your new favorite time-killer, with its unpredictability and array of levels.
It also feels and sounds great. And howling chimps and flying coconuts are just the beginning! The game’s soft colors and smooth animation go well with the Caribbean-style music to create a game-playing atmosphere that is comfortable and bound to keep you entertained whenever you have time to kill.
It is easy to leave the app without ruining your continued gaming experience later on.
Chimps Ahoy! is priced competitively with other games, but is easier to play than most and does a great job of entertaining. It should rise on the top downloads rankings.
The only problem that I noticed: my monkeys weren’t gliding as smoothly as they should have been at some point. Was that due to the app or to my dried out thumbs? I don’t know if we’ll ever know the answer.
Summary
This game feels great and is easy to enjoy. Well worth it.
