Review: Critter Crunch

Genre: Puzzle
Number of players: 1 Player only
Price: $9.99 US, $12.99 AU
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch

iTunes Store link: http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=TcgcDr9BHMw&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewSoftware%253Fid%253D284068573%2526mt%253D8%2526partnerId%253D30
iTunes description: “Critter Crunch, winner of the IGN Wireless Best Game of 2007 and IGF Mobile Best Game of 2008 awards, is making its way to the iPhone and iPod Touch! This innovative puzzler allows gamers to take control of Biggs, a friendly forrest dwelleer with an unending hunger for tasty critters. Using his long tongue, Biggs must set the food chain in motion by launching smaller critters into the waiting mouths of larger ones, clearing the screen and filling his belly. This humorous, brain-busting puzzle game is sure to keep you entertained for hours on end.”

Features:

Multiple award-winning “Food Chain” puzzle style: Feed smaller critters into larger ones and watch them pop! The longer your chain, the larger the jewel!

Slick touch controls make playing Critter Crunch a breeze: Simply drag Biggs to move from column to column, and tap him to grab the critters above. Tap again to spit a grabbed critter into the waiting mouths of larger critters above and help to food chain along. Critter Crunch’s drag and tap controls are intuitive, precise and perfectly suited to the iPhone’s touch screen.

Review: I bought the game ‘Critter Crunch’ for the iPod Touch this morning after buying Super Monkey Ball and Crash Bandicoot: Nitro Racer 3D. I am reviewing this game first as I havn’t found a review on the games board yet. As the description says, you move a character ‘Biggs’ along the bottom using the touch screen to drag the character. You then tap Biggs and he’ll extend his tongue to eat a Critter. You then drag Biggs to another column and tap him to spit the critter back out. If you spit a smaller Critter into a larger one, the smaller one disappears and the larger one gets larger. Each critter gets destroyed after eating two smaller ones. If there are a row of larger Critters and one gets destroyed, all the ones touching also get destroyed. This is a ‘Food Chain Reaction’. When you destroy a critter it drops a jewel. Once you collect enough jewels you progress to the next level. If the critters reach the bottom of the screen you loose.

The game has beautiful 2D graphics and a great soundtrack. The sprites are well designed and make funny noises.I have only played it for a few hours and made it to level 13. It is definitely getting harder but it is so enjoyable. I definitely prefer it over Super Monkey Ball and Crash because they have sluggish controls and are difficult to play while traveling. Critter Crunch only uses the touch screen so you can play it anytime. I was going to buy Bejeweled 2 instead but I thought I’d try something new. I’m glad I did because this is a much more fast paced and rewarding game. its too bad not many people have heard about this game as I think it is one of the top 5 if not the best iPhone/iPod Touch game out right now. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Game play: 95% - A twist on puzzle games
Graphics: 95% - I think it looks better than Crash or Monkey Ball - Great Colours
Sound: 85% - Simple but catchy - Cute Critter noises
Value: 85% - At $12.99 AU its definitely worth the price but it would be nice if it was $9.99 AU
Lasting Appeal: 90% - I think you won’t get tired of this one
Overall: 95% - My favorite game from the App Store

If I need to fix anything or you want anything, just leave me a comment!

Thanks - Bkram1