Review: Castle of Magic
by Staff Writer
June 24, 2009
Update
Castle of Magic finally got the update treatment, and it's the best update it could be. Now the game saves your level progress, so when you come back it picks up at the most recent checkpoint rather than having to restart the whole level. In my initial review I stated: "The worst part of the game is the save system which is practically nonexistent". After testing it out, the save system works perfectly, and it does in fact pick up at the last checkpoint you reached. The new save system moves Castle of Magic to one of the three best Platformers in the App Store. This is now a Must Buy, so if you haven't picked it up yet, now is the time.
Overview
Castle of Magic is a platformer using a virtual d-pad, and a couple action buttons to maneuver five magical worlds. The story is pretty basic with you and your friend, Jenny, playing video games until their console breaks down, so they go to the beach. Once there, a gap in the universe opens pulling you and Jenny in. Once there, you meet the evil magician Nefastax who takes Jenny. You become a magician and have to follow him through five magical worlds to rescue her. Along the way you will have to fight enemies, use magical powers, and transform into different characters to make it through the challenges Nefastax puts in your way. Castle of Magic seems to be a culmination of the greatest platformers in video game history. The enemies and intricacies of the worlds are similar to Mario, the health meter is based on purple jewels like the rings of Sonic, the level selection and progression is akin to Crash Bandicoot, and the graphics are comparable to Spyro. Combine the gameplay with the beautiful visuals and outstanding audio and you have a real winner.Features
The best feature is simply being a deluxe and intricate platformer for the iPhone. Included are five worlds to explore with three levels and a boss in each world. Each boss stage requires five of the same action to defeat them rather than the typical three. During the game you collect purple jewels for points and health, as well as magician’s hats for extra lives. Each level has three star orbs to locate that are hidden very well in most of the levels.
When I first played through I thought there were only five worlds, but then after completing them, it only opened the inner castle with five more levels and a final boss, definitely a great surprise. The inner castle’s levels are much longer and much more difficult, each falling under the respective themes. The themes include: forest, pirate, cake, ice, and space, all with theme specific and intricate backgrounds and elements.
Also included are varying upgrades depending on the world you’re in. You become a hunter in the forest, a swordfish in the sea, a fatty with the cake, an Inuit in the ice, and change magnetism in space. The controls are simple with a d-pad, a jump button, and a magical attack button. You tap the jump button for one jump, again for a double jump, and then hold to glide.
The Good
Most of Castle of Magic is excellent beginning with the 3D graphics. Each of the worlds is extremely colorful and intertwined with the theme. The backgrounds are nice and change as you progress in the level. The animations are great from the different magical attacks you have, to the enemies bursting out smacking on the screen. The 3D worlds are simply spectacular and may be the best seen on the iPhone. The sounds definitely add to the magical experience with a different appropriate soundtrack for each theme, with a little variation for each level. The boss stages have different songs that increase in speed and intensity as you are closer to defeating them. Most aspects of the controls are good with the jumping and magical attack button working perfectly every time. The D-pad works most of the time, but has occasional problems seen in The Bad below. Maybe the best aspect of this game is the true traditional platforming experience that provides one of the most fun experiences in the App Store. The game has deep levels with many secret areas to explore with plenty of collectibles along the way. Not only do the levels have plenty of length, but also included is a score for each level as well as a star system to collect. The levels have some replayability to collect all of the goodies, and better your score.
The Bad
The worst part of the game is the save system which is practically nonexistent. If you’re in the middle of a level and receive a call or need to access another app, you’re level progress will be lost. When you come back you have to start the level over, which is really a problem with the length of most of these levels. The game saves the number of lives you have, the number of jewels, as well as overall game progression, but any level you’re in, you have to begin again. Comparing it to the best iPhone platformer, Rolando, this game falls short as it lacks the brilliant isave feature that brings you back exactly where you left off. Another problem with this game is the d-pad which works most of the time, but has occasional problems. The problem is when you’re trying to jump a long distance, and you’re pressing left or right, it often picks it up as down on the d-pad and it does a ground pound. In playing I lost numerous lives when I’m trying to leap across a gap, and instead of moving right, he stops and does a ground pound straight down the gap. Try the free version to test the controls.
The final problem is that it's way to easy to get lives so most of the time I had 20 lives stockpiled, so you never worry about losing.
The Verdict
Finally a traditional platformer has arrived in the App Store. I’ll put this as lightly as I can: Castle of Magic is an outstanding game, and one of the best in the App Store. The graphics and sounds are top notch, and the quality of the gameplay rivals console classics. It is one of the most fun experiences for the iPhone, and the amount of polish is rarely seen. This is a must have for any platformer fan, and its simple controls and wonderful style can appeal to anyone. Castle of Magic is great in almost every way, and if you can handle dedicating time to play it then pick this up. With such deluxe levels, only the lack of a save system holds it back from the ranks of the top tier platformers in the App Store, and getting the highest recommendation.
