Down the Hatch! A tilt-control game of devouring all the sweets you can in a skydive descend
by Paul Wilks
Sep 27, 2012 12:21 PM –
Install
Down the Hatch! is an accelerometer-controlled action adventure as you control a little Imp named Stinky as he plummets the depths of the netherworld in his search for tasty treats. Steer him around the screen and be sure to avoid all the various baddies as they try to catch him. Featuring thoroughly absorbing action, good sound and intuitive controls, it’s a tricky game to put down!
Price: $0.99
Tested on: HTC One X
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Cool stylized graphics!
- Good sound!
- Addictive gameplay!
- Intuitive controls!
Cons
- After a fair amount of play, it does feel a little repetitive.
Features:
Down the Hatch! is a casual gamers dream. It’s incredibly easy to play, immersive and challenging all at the same time. The game immediately reminded me of a game I reviewed many many months ago, Skydiver HD, where a plucky and smart-ass skydiver falls to earth avoiding all kinds of aircraft, birds and helicopters (I incidentally downloaded the free version of that game again to compare and it’s well worth a revisit!)
Stinky is accelerometer controlled, but the movements you need to make are subtle and thankfully will not see your throwing your device around. You guide him ever downwards, eating cakes, donuts and pies as he descends. The underworld he inhabits is teeming with baddies, each of which can harm him significantly, so it’s important to avoid them. As the levels progresses (you do get the occasional break!) this gets harder and harder.
There is something so incredibly immediate about Down the Hatch! that makes it such a simple and absorbing game to play. Even as a reviewer I’m not sure I can put my finger on what it is- in fact it’s probably a combination of things. These would include the rather detailed graphics that are incredibly responsive and colourful. The sound too is pretty good and, although a bit too jazzy in places, it isn’t annoying and compliments the game well. The movement is sublime, making perfect use of the tilt controls in your device. Gameplay becomes quite instinctive and lots of fun.
http://youtu.be/kwUuiFcnl2k
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Down the hatch – Gameplay view (1)
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Down the hatch – Gameplay view (2)
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Down the hatch – Gameplay view (3)
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Down the hatch – Gameplay view (4)
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Down the hatch – Eat donuts and cakes
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Down the hatch – Cakes and pies!
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Down the hatch – Avoid the magnets
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Down the hatch – Avoid baddies
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Down the hatch – End of level
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Down the hatch – Shroom town
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Down the hatch – Sewer central
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Down the hatch – New high score
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Down the hatch – Trophies
Fun Factor:
Down the Hatch! is brilliant fun and a genuinely entertaining casual game. You’ll experience plenty of near-misses, satisfying achievements and high scores. There are lots and lots of obstacles and enemies to avoid so every time you play it feels somewhat different from before. However, after a few tries it can feel a bit repetitive. I find it’s a nice game to play casually, in short bursts, to keep it feeling fresh.
Addictive:
It’s fundamentally very easy to play and can become very engrossing. There are a number of trophies you can win so it can also bring out the competitive side in you.
Graphics:
I felt there was quite a contrast between Stinky, his treats, the enemies that attack him and the obstacles he has to avoid, compared with the background. Stinky et al look incredibly detailed, with exceptional design and use of colour. The background images, however, while serving a purpose, aren’t quite as slick.
Accelerometer, Vibration & Sound:
The use of the accelerometer in-game are out of the world, perfect use of tilt controls. Your device vibrates when Stinky enters a new level which feels a little unnecessary but certainly not a problem. The music is very good and the sound effects commend the gameplay really well.
Tags:
Accelerometer,
Android App,
Android Apps,
Android Game,
AndroidTapp.com App Review,
Casual,
Down the Hatch!,
Down the Hatch! Skydiver HD,
Skydiver HD,
Tilt Control
Categorised in: Arcade & Action
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