Posted by Ryan Johnson on 04 7, 2010

Superfall

Categories: Games, | 0 comments | |

Ever wonder what it’s like to fall into a bottomless pit? Now you can find out first hand with the zany rag doll and obstacle infused free fall game Superfall. Created by Craneballs Studios, this game is all about who can fall the furthest. Armed with your trusty rag doll, it’s your job to navigate the lifeless little dude downward while trying to avoid as many limb tearing obstacles as you can. Two things determine how far you can fall: getting your rag doll stuck, and having it torn to pieces. The better you are at avoiding these scenarios the farther you’ll fall and the more points you’ll rack up.

Avoiding obstacles in this game is no cake walk; they’re everywhere! There are platforms that can stop you in your tracks, Lego-like platforms and obstacles that crumble when you make contact, windmill and gear-like obstacles that beat, grind, and redirect, spiked and funnel-like passageways, wind from all directions, pinball-like bumpers, black holes, and more. There are even traps positioned strategically around each level, marked by a skull and cross bones, that if you fall into are hard to get out of. Once stuck, a small green light will appear in the top right of the screen prompting you to shake your iPhone/iPod touch to flop your rag doll around. You better get to shaking because you’ve only got 3 seconds to get free before your game is ended.

To make the game more interesting there are a few extras built into the game that can make it both easier and harder. For example, you can hold your finger on the screen to invoke time warp, which basically slows the game down. This is an extremely important feature because it significantly reduces the amount of damage you incur. You’ll want to use this consistently yet sparingly because it takes a while to recharge if you use it all. Additionally, scattered throughout each level there are bonuses and punishments. You can boost your experience by collecting stars, protect your head by collecting ice, and help keep your rag doll in one piece by collecting health. On the flip side there are flames that set your head on fire and drain your energy, and alcohol bottles that make you angry and reverse your tilt controls (tilt left to move right), increasing the likelihood that your rag doll will get beaten up. There are also disguises that randomly change your rag doll which depending on which one you get can be a good thing or a bad thing. Some dolls are much flimsier than others.

Superfall offers 3 unique levels, and over 30 different rag dolls that you can earn and buy. The more experience points you earn the more cash you have to throw around on new rag dolls. Each rag doll offers a unique look as well as differences in function and sturdiness. The more expensive the rag doll, the sturdier and better it is. Just to give you an idea, the cheapest rag doll is 500 points, and the most expensive is 99 million. You gotta be a playa to get that bad boy! I really like the variety of rag dolls the game offers. I think it adds the incentive needed to want to keep playing the game time and time again.

Overall I enjoyed Superfall. The graphics, sounds, menus, tutorial, and game-play are all good. The ability to earn and buy tons of zany rag dolls is perfect, but from a game-play perspective I feel like it’s real close to being money, but there’s a little bit of an excitement factor that’s missing. Personally I would like to see more levels, with more unpredictable predicaments and bonuses. I’d also like to have the option to hear in-game music, and to listen to music on my iPod while playing. Currently it has neither. As it stands today Superfall is a decent game and provides moderate entertainment value, but should probably offer a little more for the price. I think some will love the game and others not so much. One things for sure, it’s worth trying out to see for yourself. Make sure to checkout the free Superfall Lite version if you’d like to try it before you buy it.

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