Droidscape: Basilica Brings Fun Tactical Escapism to iPhone and iPad

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Droidscape Basilica

Droidscape Basilica

Imagine a futuristic world of a new Dark Age where the only hope for humanity is locked away in a massive labyrinth of a space station called the Basilica. In order to free him you need to help a robot named Bishop 7 navigate the space station. It is a puzzle game with a bunch of twists – read on to find out what I thought!

Type of app: Sci-Fi Action Puzzle game

Platform/where to buy: iPhone/iPad; available in the iTunes App Store

Developer: Kyttaro Games

Description:

-Sleek, versatile slider controls!
– Or play with HeadTwister, our experimental head-tracking technology!
-Stop motion animated graphics!
-60 levels spanning 4 radically different worlds!
-Unique gameplay taxing both your mind and your reflexes!
-Graphics and cut-scenes by visual artist Hariton Bekiaris!
-Full soundtrack by acclaimed musician Chris Christodoulou!
-Unlockable secrets!
-Regular updates!
-Sweeping sci-fi story!
-Universal app!

Droidscape: Basilica

Major features:

The bottom line is this – you are simply traversing 60 paths from entry to exit … so how hard can it be? Actually the question might better be how INTERESTING can it be? And the answer even surprised me – the game was challenging, engaging, with a decent story threaded into it, and the game mechanics made it even more fun and interesting to solve each level.

As noted, all you need to do is get from enter to exit before time expires without being caught by the guards. To do this, you help Bishop by tracing a path through the level. Then once you touch the exit, the game switches from ‘trace’ to ‘run’ mode. In ‘run’ mode, you use the slider to control forwards or backwards motion and pace to get Bishop through the level – only this time enemies are moving as well! If you get caught you start again, and this repeats until you completely fail.

But there is more than just enemy avoidance – you also need to collect keys to open doors, gems and energy in order to clear the path and maximize your score. You have a limited time, and Bishop consumes energy as he moves through the level. If you run out of time or energy you also fail. There are power-ups and gems to buy from the Store, and you can use real-world money to buy more in-game coins, but it isn’t required and I never needed to spend actual money to help myself out.

After the introductory levels, you start to get the plot unfolding between areas. At first I assumed it was just a level-advance game, so it was great to see more action and animation and story elements work into the game, making it even more compelling.

Droidscape: Basilica

Ease of use/Overall performance: There are two ways of controlling the game, with a standard touch slider to make Bishop advance or retreat at variable pace, or using HeadTwister, the head-tracking technology. I tried the HeadTwister a few times with mixed results before just returning to the slider. It is billed as experimental, but I recommend checking it out!

Would use again/recommend?: Definitely! I kept returning to this to do better at individual levels, because it all involves minimization and efficiency. You are working with timing, positioning, and avoiding getting caught – and doing it all in the least amount of time with the fewest moves. You will think it is easy at first … until you fail.

There is just a ton of fun and gameplay for $1.99, and with the release week sale of $0.99 it is an absolute steal. Most of us have played something somewhat similar at some point, but the way seemingly familiar elements are twisted and combined to form something unique and different is refreshing.

Suggested changes/wish list for updates: Nothing

Source: Publisher provided review code

Price: $1.99 (on sale for $0.99 for the first week)

Here is the trailer:

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About the Author

Michael Anderson
I have loved technology for as long as I can remember - and have been a computer gamer since the PDP-10! Mobile Technology has played a major role in my life - I have used an electronic companion since the HP95LX more than 20 years ago, and have been a 'Laptop First' person since my Compaq LTE Lite 3/20 and Powerbook 170 back in 1991! As an avid gamer and gadget-junkie I was constantly asked for my opinions on new technology, which led to writing small blurbs ... and eventually becoming a reviewer many years ago. My family is my biggest priority in life, and they alternate between loving and tolerating my gaming and gadget hobbies ... but ultimately benefits from the addition of technology to our lives!