Dark Nebula for iPhone/Touch Review

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Labyrinth style games are nothing new to the iPhone.  You know the games where a ball or marble rolls on the screen and is controlled by tilting the phone like it is a table.  This style of games are fun, but are usually the same.  Move the ball around avoiding the holes and reach the end of the maze.  Dark Nebula takes this idea, puts a fresh, futuristic style and adds a new class of obstacles.  As the developer puts it, “it’s like a labyrinth game but on steroids.”  Check out the review after the break.

The current release of Dark nebula is Episode One.  Ten challenging and fun levels are included which should take about an hour of gameplay to finish.  This is great as a casual gaming experience since once a level is complete, taking a break is possible until there is time to play later.  Levels have no time limit, but faster times are rewarded when assigning star rankings.  The goal is to finish each level with a gold star.

The game’s graphics are amazing.  The puzzles are detailed and extremely polished.  The sounds are just as good.  Together, they combine to bring a PC style gaming experience.  The dark, futuristic feel is successfully represented.

Controls are simple.  Move the character around the puzzle by tilting the screen.  Dark Nebula has the best controls of all labyrinth style games I have played.  Stopping and maneuvering carefully crafted bridges are easy.  The controls are good enough that anyone can pick the game up and be successful on the first try.

Working through the levels will bring increased difficulty.  Getting through the levels will take some planning and timing to avoid the obstacles.  Moving walls, spikes and lasers will test your skill and nerve as you move though each level picking up canisters and trying to finish as fast as possible.  Dark Nebula is fun, addictive, and beautiful!  I highly recommend trying it out.  Get the game here in the app store for $.99.  I will be keeping an eye out for Episode Two!

What I like: Beautiful graphics and fun addictive gameplay.  The controls are awesome!

What could use improvement: I wonder if Episode Two will be a different game or an upgrade for the current release.

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About the Author

Travis Ehrlich
Travis is a high school teacher and coach in a small South Texas town. His love for gadgets began at a very early age, and he has been a cross between a jock and a geek for most of his life. He has two boys and a wonderful wife who lets him be a gadget freak. He is a Mac convert and has drank the whole pitcher of Kool-Aid! He is also an avid guitar player and loves the outdoors, especially hunting with both a bow and rifle.

3 Comments on "Dark Nebula for iPhone/Touch Review"

  1. rwenderlich | January 20, 2010 at 6:18 pm |

    Nice review. When I first saw the video for this a while back I thought it looked way too hard, but glad to hear that it’s actually approachable :]

  2. Travis Ehrlich | January 20, 2010 at 6:33 pm |

    The game is very approachable. It actually trains you as you go. The controls make it doable. I just finished level 8 which was the first level that took me several tries to complete. Of course I was playing on a school bus on the way to my game last night.

  3. I really like the game as well. I also much prefer the gameplay in this to, say, Super Monkey Ball, which I found basically impossible. But then, I’m a spaz with lousy small motor control.

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