Review: Bounce On 2: Drallo's Demise
by Staff Writer
March 29, 2010
Overview
Bounce On 2 Drallo’s Demise has rolled into the App Store, and the platformer looks to build on everything from its solid original. The game has a simplistic story with about three cut scenes picking up from the original where Bounce and Bob (the keys) have to make it through the land of lost toys to defeat Drallo, and rescue all the lost toys. You embark on a journey through three different environments with each one having 15 levels.
Features
You begin in the floating ruins then head to space on the orbital platform until finally reaching Drallo’s Fortress. Each of these places has 15 levels, and each level has multiple keys to collect. You enter one level going to collect all the gems, and then a different key in the same level has a new path to defeating a group of enemies. In total there are over 100 keys to collect, and three boss battles. Also included are special bonuses called Phobic coins with one hidden in each level, made for those looking for an extra challenge. Bounce On 2 features Plus+ for online high scores of the time taken for each level as well as 20 achievements. Four power-ups are included giving you shield, ninja, parachute, and fireball.
The Good
Bounce On 2 is classic platformer goodness where you roll along jumping across platforms as well as jumping on or over enemies. The set up is very similar to the original super Mario Bros. where you progress in 2D space facing all kinds of obstacles. It’s also intertwined with Super Mario 64 giving you multiple paths in the same level to achieve different goals, in this case keys rather than stars. Each key in a level plays differently by giving you different objectives from collecting jewels, to defeating a group of enemies, or rolling an entire path to the key at the end. It changes up considerably from level to level, and especially environment to environment giving you all new challenges with higher difficulty curves. The power-ups are essential in some parts just to make it through with the double jump of a ninja, gliding of a parachute, or flying extra lengths with the fireball.
Team Phobic has done a lot with the visuals from the first to the second, and it improves the whole experience. Now there are 3D effects with many of the doors and objects in the environment. Plus there are new lighting effects and interactive items in environment.
All of the 2D art is gorgeously highlighted by the intricate backgrounds in each of the three environments. Bounce is a lovable character with a simple high pitched voice, and occasional eyes looking out at you when you come to a halt. Multiple soundtracks are included that vary by environment and level that improve the bouncing experience.
There is a ton to do in this game even if you just collect just enough keys to defeat all three bosses. That in itself will make it well worth it, but then you’ll want to collect all of the keys. You can then go for the Plus+ high scores and achievements.
The controls work well, though they’re not perfect. The tilting mechanic is great as it’s the same speed no matter how far you tilt, and being able to adjust the height of your jump by how long you hold is exceptional. The controls don’t allow for pinpoint precision in difficult jumping runs, but the touch controls don’t allow for the same smoothness as tilting.
The Bad
The game isn’t without its faults. As you’re progressing through the game you’ll come to many levels where it just seems like a war of attrition trying to memorize the path rather than taking it as it comes to you like a usual platformer. You’ll die multiple times, and then just try to make it to each checkpoint in the game after you know where each enemy is in your path. Another note is that the game always points you in the right direction so there isn’t much challenge in figuring out what to do, so it’s a tedious roll to the finish. Arrows point you along, and then you reach checkpoints never once using your head to figure anything, but rather mindless tilting and tapping.
A rather annoying problem is one touch death which is just so frustrating when dealing with enemies that can’t be killed. Some enemies you can jump on to destroy, though there’s no incentive to do so, while others you have to simply avoid. You’re rolling along, and one mistake, and you’re back at the beginning or most recent checkpoint so you’ll end up rolling through the same areas over and over.
The game saves your overall key progress, but not in level progress. If you reach a couple checkpoints, and have to exit for any reason you’ll be playing the same part over again when you bounce back in.
