Hoping to capitalize on its success with Air Penguin, Gamevil is out with Skipping Stone, another simple game that may appeal to those looking for the next $0.99 download to keep them entertained while waiting in line.
Gameplay is the complete antithesis of complex – the only command is to tap on the screen. Do this to keep the happy stone skipping along the water. Precisely timed taps keep the action going, while being too quick or slow will drain the power meter and end the game.
While new to the iPhone, Skipping Stone is actually not a brand new game. Gamevil first introduced it to mobile handsets in 2005. According to Gamevil, users have been asking for a “classic experience” with iOS gaming. Given the popularity of retro games, such as Dragon’s Lair and NBA Jam, they are right to head in this direction.
Skipping Stone is drenched with social features. Every score can be tweeted or posted to Facebook. Pop-up notifications encourage players to leave an App Store review or perform other tasks in order to earn more coins. These are the heart of the game because they purchase goodies like the revival stone, which will resurrect the character one time after the power meter has gone dry.
Skipping at first is pretty easy, but a series of storms and other sea creatures soon get in the way. This helps to keep the action from getting predictable or repetitive. However, I found that Skipping Stone was just not as addicting as Air Penguin. There was a greater variety of challenges and differentiation that made it more appealing.
Skipping Stone succeeds at delivering a focused game with clear objectives. It is good for screen smashing and may also be a good buy for small children who will not need much training in learning to play.
Download Skipping Stone from the App Store
On Target:
- Simple concept is well executed
Off the Mark:
- Games who desire greater complexity will lose interest
