If my arm was twisted and I had to describe
BADLAND by Frogmind as quickly as possible,
I'd describe it as a darker and even more
disturbing take on the Lemmings concept, but
with flying Furbies.
It's not perfect, but game doesn't exactly
jive with conventions as you throw caution
to the wind and smash, stab, crush, and slice
hundreds of clones in an attempt to reach
the all-important exit tube.
And you'll do it all with nothing more than
a single finger.
By tapping or holding, you'll cause your little
creature to flap its wings and move forward.
All you need to do is to get to the end of
the stage with one creature in-tact, but this
grossly underestimates the challenge ahead
as you face explosive plants; crushing platforms;
spinning blades; rotating gears; mine-deploying
guns; and even mechanized spikes ready to
pierce anything that comes near them.
In order to survive you'll need to change
and adapt - something that is made easy thanks
to various power-ups that modify the physical
properties of your creature.
These range from something as simple as modifying
its size and weight, to far stranger changes
including changing how sticky or bouncy it
is and even turning in to a near invincible
'square' shape.
However, this isn't enough either - many of
the obstacles throw out hazards at you in
such quick succession, that one creature would
find it entirely impossible to survive.
As such, the last trick up your sleeve is
the ability the 'clone' your creature, with
every single one synchronizing to your taps
and holds perfectly.
This means you can solve some puzzles with
a sheer mass of numbers, while in others you
can take two, to even three different directions
at the same time.
It's so easy to find yourself lost in the
flow of a stage as you eye up the next silhouetted
area for the power-ups you need (and any traps
the game is trying to spring on you).
Occasionally this is broken up by an unforgiving
'gotcha!' moment, but it doesn't occur enough
to ruin the otherwise incredible experience
of finishing the game.
And did we mention it has up to four-player
local multiplayer?
Up to 12 stages can be unlocked for players
to race to see who can survive the longest.
It's manic and extremely fun, though definitely
better suited to the iPad and not the extremely
tiny iPhone screen.
Better still, those who can't get enough of
BADLAND can try to complete up to three missions
per stage, with requirements including collecting
all the power-ups on the stage, to finishing
with multiple clones.
BADLAND is, quite simply, a solid and very
unique experience.
The atmosphere of its pseudo-techno infused
world makes it foreboding and is further emphasized
by the understated sound design and music.
This is a title that feels right at home on
the iOS platform, and is a real treat for
those sick of the endless series of clones
dominating the App Store.
