Review: Cliffed - Plus Video

Update

Cliffed has got two updates since we looked at it. 1.0.1 brought a nice improvement adding four difficulty modes for single player mode with online high scores for each type. Now you can get a different challenge from easy to expert, amping up the speed sooner if you choose (like a quickplay mode). 1.0.1 added two new unlockable characters, and 1.0.2 added three unlockable christmas characters. This gives you more unlockables to shoot for, and reason to keep playing. Overall the two updates are nice, and enhance an already should buy, but not enough to change the overall score.

Overview

Cliffed is a brand new game from IUGO who are the brilliant minds behind the Toy and Spy Bot games, Star Hogs, Zombie Attack, and Freeballin’. Cliffed is a stylized version of the classic game where you race to the bottom by going through the gaps in each platform. It’s a 2D scrolling racer, where the screen is constantly moving downward, and you try to stay below the top or you’ll be Cliffed. There are multiple unlockable characters to race with, and even online multiplayer.

Features

Cliffed features 12 unlockable characters. You unlock each new character as you reach a new speed up level in single player mode. Your goal is to make it as far as you can, and your score is based on the number of platforms you get through. Online high scores are provided to show your cliffing skills off to the world. Online multiplayer is included allowing you to race against three other people live. Whoever reaches 1000 first, or the last person standing wins. You earn one point for every win, and there is an online ranking system. The controls are easy enough. There are left and right buttons on the respective sides of the screen to move your character. Double tap a direction sprint in that direction.

The Good

Cliffed has a very simple premise, but it’s done oh so well. It’s extremely fun, as you're frantically moving to the gap to make your way downwards. Most platforms have boulders obstructing your path, and sometimes you will need to spring to the left side, and come out on the right side. It takes awhile for the game to get really difficult, but once it does, it takes all of your concentration not to slip up, or you’ll be cliffed. The online multiplayer really makes this game standout. Anytime anywhere you can race against up to three other people in real time. It’s even more fun as you see the other players sprinting down in front of you, or catching up and taking the lead. Persistence also pays off, as players may stumble in front of you. The game is designed nicely from the detailed platforms and boulders to the great character art. Each of the 12 unlocakable characters is uniquely designed, and has their own pros and cons in the game. The left and right buttons are cracked, and highlight when you tap them, which I just loved. The soundtrack is a great to listen to, and goes nicely with the hectic racing theme. It gets a bit repetitive, but it has a lot of depth to play for awhile. The controls are so simple that you’ll never once think you just react.

The Bad

Sadly there is no save system. If you’re in the middle of a game, or exit for whatever reason, you’ll have to start all over. The game is also repetitive, it’s the same gameplay mechanic every single time. Obviously the online multiplayer helps out tremendously as it’s never the same thing twice. Also the online high scores give you something to shoot for. I would liked to have seen more varied obstacles instead of just the boulders. Also, in game it would have been neat to pick up upgrades. Especially in multiplayer it would be great to pick up items to use against your opponents.

The Verdict

Cliffed is a great casual game, and finally race to the bottom isn’t a bad thing for iPhone devs. This is easily the best of its kind, whether you’re finding gaps racing downwards or upwards. It's a super fun game, that becomes exceptional with the live online multiplayer. The game is repetitive, but the unlockable characters and online high scores will keep you coming back fro more. It's a nicely designed game in every aspect, and a should buy for $1.99.

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