Review: Hippo High Dive

Overview Hippo High Dive was just released in the App Store, and we gave you a sneak peek. Now it's time for the in-depth review giving you the good, the bad, and of course the verdict. Hippo High Dive is developed by Imangi Studios, and was originally conceived at the i360 dev conference in a 10 hour iPhone game jam session in Denver at the end of September (see the prototype photos here). The premise is simple, guide a hippo through flaming hoops until you land in the pool at the bottom. Each game provides a higher dive with more flaming hoops. A hippo as death-defying, high-diving artist extraordinaire, ironically amusing. Features The game is set up so that you dive a certain number of meters to begin with, and work your way to higher dives. Each successful dive allows you to progress. To control the hippos descent you use the tile controls of the accelerometer. The game is set up so that there is one flaming hoop per 10 ft, so a 500 ft. dive has 50 flaming hoops to navigate through. You have three lives, and if you miss a hoop that’s one life. If you touch part of the flaming hoop your hippo gets charred, and that’s half a life. As you're descending, the hoops alternate randomly between large and small hoops, obviously with smaller ones tougher. Also, as you're dropping a red indicator is at the bottom of the screen shows where the next hoop is positioned. Occasional extra life bonuses are included to pick-up on your descent. Online high scores are included using imangi's servers just like for Harbor Master. The categories included are: highest dives, perfect dives, total dives, hoops extinguished, and times signed. Also a detailed list of your personal stats are included, and you can tweet your high diving greatness after a game. The Good Hippo High Dive has a lot going for it. The gameplay is the reason to pick up this title, and it will keep you coming back for more. This game is the very definition of casual pick up and play, and it's entertaining too. It's always fun to dive from higher dives giving you more challenge with each dive you complete. The game always has a higher difficulty level each time you play which is quite unique. The controls felt good, and are reminiscent of skyburger/scoops just controlling a hippo. This game is really addicting that will have you wanting to go again, and again, and even one more time. I can't say enough how great it is that there are actual goals for this type of game. We know about papi jump and doodle jump that only provide endlessness. It's so much better to actually make it to an end, and in this case a big splash in the pool. Every time you open the game there is a goal to achieve rather than just survival mode we've played tons before. The hand drawn art style is simply superb. This game feels just like a doodle in your notebook that you make into a flip book. Everything is finely detailed from the hippo to the stars, clouds, and mountains in the background. As the hippo is hurtling towards the pool it's colored in style is moving adding to the flipbook feel, and even jiggling a little (since hippos are flabby). Also great to see is the charred hippo that then is recolored as the blue hippo we know. Also included is another great circus theme soundtrack from imangi. The sounds are straight out of the circus with calliope music, and drum roll. The theme of a hippo high diving is just great with the added enjoyment of flaming hoops. The Bad Really not much to dislike. The game does have the same basic premise every time, and the actual gameplay doesn't change, it's just increasing in difficulty. Rather than critiques, these are more like suggestions. It would be great if there were more bonus pick-ups like the extra life. It would also be neat to get hippo special abilities or bonus points. Achievements are always welcome too. The Verdictsp Hippo High Dive is another high quality game from imangi, and at the top of the casual game category. After playing quite a few more times since the sneak peek I can still say that every time I play this game it brings a smile to my face. The gameplay design of constant increasing difficulty couple with the artwork design make this game great. Hippo High Dive is a unique idea, executed wonderfully, and if you're a casual game fan this is a perfect choice. For only $0.99 this is a should buy.

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