During GDC: 'GodFinger' is Live in Canada - Hands On Preview For The Rest of The World
by Staff Writer
March 15, 2010
The biggest thing I've noticed thus far about GodFinger is how closely it fits together with We Rule. Both games are very similar with We Rule a macro kingdom building sim where you can't interact with you minions. GodFinger is like a micro version as though you zoom in on your kingdom, and now can control all of your minions.
In GodFinger you have a 2D planet that you can rotate 360 degrees, and the inhabitants walk around the circumference. You begin with one person, and each level you gain gives you one new person. Each new person is a nonbeliever when they arrive, and consequently don't do anything. To convince them you have to perform a wonder with each new person looking for a different wonder.
Wonders include rain, sunshine, lightning, terraform, flood, etc. Once you perform the desired wonder the person now becomes your follower, and will do whatever you desire. To perform wonders you need mana which you begin with a stock of 10, and replenishes over time. You can increase the rate of earning mana by dragging followers to worship you at your totem.
Coins are the main currency of the game, and you earn them in many different ways. The easiest way is to build different buildings, and have your followers work them which generates coins. Each building is powered by a different wonder, meaning you need mana to power them. Your followers can only work when they have energy, and if they run out they're exhausted, and you need to rest or replenish them.
When you run out of mana you need to generate more through worship, or wait for it to replenish which is about a ten minute interval. If you can't wait there's another unit you can spend which is awe. Awe allows you to buy coins, special abilities, and of course mana. Awe though, can only be purchased using actual money, and not virtual currency.
This is another freemium game published by Ngmoco, so you probably want to know more than anything how the in app purchases work. Well the purchasable item is awe which currently comes in three sizes 35 points for $2.99, 200 points for $9.99, and 750 points for $29.99.
The game is geared towards the social aspect, and again Plus+ friends play an important role. You can make every follower on your planet into a mystic which means you can link them to a Plus+ friend. Once linked the follower will earn an extra 20% which will be sent to your Plus+ friend or vice versa. Friends can make you a mystic, and you'll earn coins without doing anything. Also you can send and receive gifts including coins and mana to connected friends. If you would like to make me a mystic, my Plus+ user name is mactds.
Actually playing the game is very similar to We Rule. The game is all about leveling up by earning experience points to increase the size of your planet, the number of followers, and your abilities. All of your decisions impact the entire experience. You can choose to water your planet so it's flourishing in green, or leave it as a desert. You can care for your followers, leave them to die, or even electrocute them.
As your powers increase you can reform your planet using terraform, flood crevasses for fishing, and overall customize the look of your planet. GodFinger is absolutely beautifully designed as seen by each of your followers to the sway of the grass on the planet. There are many types of buildings to put in, and Push notifications are included to alert you about the many different happenings on your planet. Overall it's similar to We Rule to have the mentality of jumping in for a few minutes taking care of a few things, and then exiting.
You can play this game fully without ever spending a cent, but if you want to level up quick, money is the best way. Also the game is different then We Rule in that you don't get more awe on level upgrades like you do of mojo. You begin with ten, and won't get more unless you buy more. Furthermore some of the buildings can only be bought with awe which can restrict the game, but at least there are no ads.
Other notes from meeting with Ngmoco at GDC include the fact that We Rule has received its first update as they continue the beta test in Canada. The update fixed numerous bugs, and more importantly fixed displaying large friends lists of kingdoms. Still no word on release, but once it is, most of the problems should be worked out.
Regarding the iPad, We Rule and God Finger are being retooled for the device, and will be coming, but no clue on how far out. This is definitely good for We Rule which feels cramped on the iPhone. If you can't wait for GodFinger or We Rule you can get a Canadian account now, by following the how to.
