Review: Volcano Planet
by Matt Fox
August 5, 2009
Overview
Volcanic activity has reached critical levels and you are the only one that can save the planet from total annihilation. Using touch-screen controls, spin the planet around and find the erupting volcanos before the planet explodes. Tap the volcanos to make them go down, but be fast before the gas builds up or else it's game over.
Features
The game features local and internet high scores so you can keep track of how well you stack up against the competition. There are Gas Suppression bonuses awarded for fast and accurate taps, as well as when a flying saucer zips by to check things out too. Tap the saucer and gain a Gas Suppression bonus as well.
The Breakdown
The Good:
The game has a very unique and original concept about it. I think that is what I liked most about it. It's a little weird, but it also doesn't take itself seriously either. Which works great and suits the type of game that this is very well.
The graphics and sounds/music are all done very well here and fit the game nicely. I also enjoyed the musical notes that play when you extinguish a volcano. Once you finish the level, you get to hear the music that you created. Very cool addition here.
The Bad:
The controls are not very responsive in this game at all. You need to spin the planet around to find the erupting volcanos in order to put them out. As things progress in the game, there are a lot more volcanos to extinguish at the same time. You need to spin the planet fast, but the problem is that it doesn't stop very well and you end up over or under shooting your target.
Since time is a factor, this gets annoying really fast. Add that to the non-responsive tap controls as well. Let me explain that. You need to tap the volcanos and flying saucers. But sometimes you tap them and they don't respond, especially when the planet is in motion. You will find yourself dying more times than you'd like.
The Verdict
This game is fun and it does have a very original concept behind it, but is that enough? If a game has less than stellar controls, for me that's the clincher in whether I keep the app or delete it. This one? It got deleted.
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