Laser Dog announces Hopiko, another fast-paced platformer for iOS
Indie developer Laser Dog impressed us with Alone, a fast, twitchy runner which launched on the App Store last year. Now, the developer has announced a brand new title called Hopiko, and fortunately for iOS gamers it looks set to become another App Store classic.
Much like Alone, speed is indeed the name of the game in Hopiko: Laser Dog touts the upcoming application as a “hyperspeed platformer,” meaning iOS device owners will need quick reflexes and nerves of steel in order to succeed in the game. Though little information concerning the app has been announced, a trailer for Hopiko has already hit the Web. In it, some small details concerning the title are shared.
From what we can see, Hopiko puts gamers in the middle of a futuristic, dystopic scenario. It seems AI antagonists, dubbed “the Nanobytes” in the app, are threatening the future of gaming (these Nanobytes, based on their appearance in the trailer, remind me a little of the sentinels from “The Matrix”). As such, gamers in Hopiko must jump from obstacle to obstacle, carefully avoiding the antagonistic Nanobytes, in order to complete each level. The speed at which iOS device owners must move in the app, however, appears to make each level a real challenge in Hopiko. “Hyperspeed platformer,” indeed!
Take a look at the trailer and see what you think:
If you can’t see the above video, please click this link.
Plus, the icing on the cake is that Hopiko also features a classic “chiptune” soundtrack, and this soundtrack is already available to download from Bandcamp (it’s free of charge, too, we might add).
If the success and popularity of Alone is anything to go by, Hopiko will do well on the App Store. Indeed, Laser Dog’s first app was well received by both iOS gamers and critics alike; our own Christine Chan, for instance, gave Alone an honorable mention in her “best new games of the week” column.
According to Laser Dog, Hopiko is expected to launch on the App Store in either spring or summer this year. We’ll let you know once it’s available to download.
In the meantime, iOS gamers can take Alone, Laser Dog’s first app, for a spin now: it’s available for $1.99 and is optimized for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
See also: Who ya gonna call? New Ghostbusters iPhone game is in development, Ottocat technology is the brains behind the App Store’s ‘Explore’ tab, and For the first time, the entire ‘Star Wars’ series will be available in HD on iTunes.
