Developer: PlayfulArt
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.4
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 4S
Puzzling Penguins 2 is a sequel to the popular Puzzling Penguins, which may not come as much of a surprise.
The game features a new isometric view, which gives players a new angle from which to guide those loveable little penguins from A to B, with B being the icy waters in which they wish to reside.
Now, obviously things are not quite as easy as that, else this would be possibly the most boring game ever to grace iOS – and there are some very bad games vying for that title already!
In order to guide the penguins to their goal, gamers must negotiate obstacles along the way, as well as try to collect gold stars in the process. The more gold stars a player collects, the higher their score. With me so far?
Those obstacles can also be used as a means of redirecting the penguins, and by “can be used” what I actually mean is, “will be used.” See, once a penguin is set on its course, it will not stop until it hits something. At this point, players can set them off once more. This mechanic makes those obstacles into both a hinderance and a useful part of the gaming world.
Puzzling Penguins 2 features 63 unique levels, with more on the way according to the game’s developers. After a couple of hours of play I found myself tested lightly, with the early puzzles suitably simple in order to help players get used to the mechanics of the game. Later levels, however, do begin to test the old grey matter a little more!
The usual Game Center support is present, should gamers wish to pit their wits against their friends, too.
Puzzling Penguins 2′s App Store page suggests that the game is currently on a “60% off” sale, though there is no indication as to when that will end. At its current price I would not hesitate at recommending it, so if anyone is on the fence right now, I suggest they hit that “Buy” button soon.
The only negative I can throw at Puzzling Penguins 2 is the lack of a proper iPad version. Yes, gamers can blow the iPhone one up onto the iPad’s 9.7″ screen, but that is far from ideal. Would it really have taken that much more work to make this a proper universal app?
Negatives aside, Puzzling Penguins 2 is a charming little puzzle game, and will keep gamers’ attention for a good while.