Review: Ultra Deep - Journey To The Center Of The Earth
by Staff Writer
October 28, 2010
Overview
Dive, dive, dive as you attempt to go as low as you can in Ultra Deep. You tilt to move through the platforms with your character always falling down, and try to stay ahead of the the top of the screen that is scrolling down as well. We gave you a sneak peek, and now it’s time for the full review.
Features
The gameplay is casual endless downwards, but has multiple power-ups, and the ability to level up. There are diamonds scattered throughout your descent which you can use to unlock special abilities like diamond attractor, and longer lasting super power. When you fill the meter in game you can tap the screen to become a superhero and plow through platforms. There are power-ups including shields, time slower, and lightning blast. OpenFeint and Game Center are included for online high scores and achievements.
The Good
Ultra Deep is so simple to pick up and start enjoying with just tilting controls. The game moves at a very fast pace as you’re descending with a lot of platforms and spikes to deal with as well as the impending doom of the top of the screen. It really feels like a journey to the center of the earth as you change backgrounds getting closer to the core every 1000 feet. The collectible diamonds throughout the game really give you something to shoot for. The diamonds help you during the game boosting your super power ability, and help long term to buy the various upgrades. All the power-ups and the superhero special ability make it really fun on your descent with so many ways to move quickly.
Though the game is in a repetitive genre, the diamonds and special abilities to purchase will keep you coming back. Not only that, but the game really keeps you coming back just to beat your previous best, and then there are the online high score components. The game has a simple doodle art design that is very nicely polished.
The Bad
Like most casual endless games Ultra Deep does become repetitive fairly quickly as you’re always just trying to go as low as you can. The background changes every 1000 feet, but it’s always the same change. Also similar to the genre as a whole you reach the difficult part of the game, and lose, and then have to restart in the comparatively boring easy beginning.
It would be nice to see an alternate mode for some variation from game to game. The included achievements are basic just corresponding to distance traveled, but some new varying objectives could help a lot. The game only has basic sound effects, with no background music which is disappointing.
