Around the World in 80 Days – take a journey through Bejeweled-style gaming based on the classic novel
by Paul Wilks
Jan 17, 2013 10:08 AM –
Install
Around the World in 80 Days is a colourful Bejeweled-style game themed around the Jules Verne novel that sees Phileas Fogg circumnavigate the globe to fulfill an outlandish wager. The game is beautifully animated and buttery smooth to play. Expect very familiar gameplay with a pleasing twist.
Price: Free plus an optional in-app purchase of the full version for $1.99
Tested on: Nexus 4
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Beautiful animations and graphics!
- Simple gameplay!
- Lots of levels to try in the free version and many more in the full!
- Challenging and fun!
Cons
- Colours are a little over saturated.
- Little diversity in terms of gameplay.
Features:
Around the World in 80 Days is, essentially, Bejeweled with a Victorian theme. As you play level after level of ‘connect-three’ gameplay, you collate various apparatus that go towards the quest. So, things like a compass, notebook, binoculars, etc. There are numerous elements that make it tricky- items which are locked and frozen for example. While you play time runs down via a meter on the right hand side. There are bars on the meter and these indicate how many stars you will earn at the end of each level. The faster you complete the level, the more stars you get.
The game is immaculately developed to the point that gameplay is buttery smooth, bouncy and very responsive. Game boards and menus are very clear and the game follows a distinct narrative that relates to the novel upon which the game is based. Everything is incredibly colourful, perhaps a bit over-saturated at times but very well designed.
Around the World in 80 Days is free to download and you get several levels for free before you are prompted to pay for extra levels to continue the journey. I note, by various comments in the Google Play Store that people are extremely miffed the game isn’t completely free, suggesting that it has somehow tricked them. In my opinion, I think the game is very fair, certainly a premium title that gives you lots of gameplay to try out and, if you choose to, you can get the full version relatively inexpensively ($1.99).
Watch on Mobile
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Around the World in 80 days – Typical gameplay view
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Around the World in 80 days – Gameplay view
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Around the World in 80 days – Different items behave in various ways, such as frozen or locked in place
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Around the World in 80 days – Superb
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Around the World in 80 days – In-play tutorial
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Around the World in 80 days – Rejigged level
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Around the World in 80 days – Puzzle
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Around the World in 80 days – Globe
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Around the World in 80 days – France
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Around the World in 80 days – Item found
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Around the World in 80 days – Level complete
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Around the World in 80 days – Splash page
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Around the World in 80 days – Backstory narrative
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Around the World in 80 days – Level select
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Around the World in 80 days – Pause menu
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Around the World in 80 days – Options
Fun Factor:
If you enjoy these kind of puzzle games, you’ll definitely find Around the World in 80 Days fun. It breaks up the familiar gameplay with a continuing storyline and plot. That said, it doesn’t differentiate much level after level. If you have previously found Bejeweled style puzzlers repetitive at times, Around the World in 80 Days is also going to feel quite samey.
Addictive:
Personally I can take or leave these kind of games as a general rule. However, I was quite hooked by Around the World in 80 Days and played the free level through in one sitting. The learning curve is really good and the game gradually gets more challenging as you progress.
Graphics:
The graphics are very good. Despite the overly bright colours (and I’m using a Nexus 4 which offers a relatively toned-down palette and on less than half brightness) everything is very sharp and smooth. Animations and responsiveness are excellent too and everything plays superbly.
Accelerometer, Vibration & Sound:
The sound is good without being great. Mainly keyboard interpretations if Victorian-style classical music. It works for a game, but sound a bit plasticy if you’re looking for authenticity.