Side-Scrolling Platformer Lars Gets An Update
by Mike Lata
May 1, 2011
If you are a fan of retro games and 2D platformers you must have heard of the green lizard making his way to the iDevices as a universal app, Lars ($1.99), a couple months back. If you haven't now is the time to try the game out as it got updated a few days ago to version 1.0.6.
The game is quite challenging and offers tons of content. There are over 60 levels to play through and many of these levels have branching paths with almost a Metroidvania form of gameplay. The game controls are a bit funky with a slider, but with a bit of practice it should come as second nature.
You should know that this is a very quirky game because there are coconuts in the game's levels that you can kick and run into that will come crushing down on your enemies heads and damage them. However, these enemies will also use the projectile coconut attacks against you and if you are not careful to jump over these as they bounce off walls, you may hurt yourself. It is kind of like a soccer-based platformer but instead of a round ball, you kick coconuts. You also collect coins, like in Mario games, as part of this adventure.
Some levels have swimming portions as well as high ledges to jump across. There are also all kinds of creatures to defeat and overcome -- ranging from dirty rats to flying bats. It is quite a skill-based platformer that will keep you coming back. The presentation is also well done with a tutorial introducing you the gameplay elements not found in most other platformers (like kicking coconuts).
Lars is currently available on the App Store as a universal app for $.99.
