For a game that requires a single input (be it an elbow, a nose or, more likely, a thumb), "Canabalt" is surprisingly addictive. I've written about it before, when it was in Flash form, but late last week the game released on on the App Store, and since I picked it up I haven't touched anything else on the device. I won't couch it: "Canabalt" should be bought by anyone with an iPhone or iPod Touch.
At $2.99, the game comes in at a bit of a premium, especially when you consider that the Flash version is basically identical and, for that matter, free. The price actually made me hesitate a bit, until I realized how much enjoyment I had gotten out of the Flash version and how much I want to reward creative indie developers in their wacky pursuits.
I'm glad that I did. I've probably put in a good two hours into "Canabalt," despite the game only having one level and basically repeating the same experience over and over again. You're just running increasingly faster to the right, and tapping the screen to jump when an obstacle appears. It's hard to describe what I find so compelling about such a simple experience, but it trumps every other one-button iPhone game I can think of, with a combination of great animation, music and presentation.
The game also restarts itself with a single tap anywhere on the Game Over screen, which is a devious way to force you into one more game. Currently my high score is right around 7800m, but I'm hoping to break 10,000 later today. The developer has stated that an update with online leaderboards is forthcoming, but the potential for expansion (with new levels...imagine a jungle setting!) also makes this one an easy pick.
So yeah, $2.99. You won't regret it. And if you do, we're not friends.
Comments