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Have you ever played a simple game on your iOS device that was frustrating but you just couldn’t put it down? CUBES is one of these games that I recently played. The goal of this falling simulation game is to “tilt to move and avoid to live.” While CUBES is basic, trying to survive as long as possible is what makes it addicting.

Games like this must not only have an addictive element, but they must also captivate gamers with both visual and audio effects. CUBES succeeds by keeping the game interesting with stimulating visuals, like blurry and pixelated cubes, that make the game even more challenging. Also, the upbeat music by a Scottish band known as Popolo works well with the fast-paced game play.

As the intro screen states, players must tilt their device to avoid the flying cubes. It might sound simple, but the cubes fly at fast speeds. I found myself ducking and dodging to no avail. I’m sure I looked ridiculous, but it was impossible not to get into the game.

Players are quickly drawn into the game when they fail in the first few seconds. It’s impossible not to try the game again and again since one game doesn’t last longer than a couple of minutes. CUBES comes complete with a Game Center leaderboard integration. George Buckenham, the developer, states that there are three achievements in the game — but he refuses to tell anyone what they are. He does say he’ll send a postcard to the first player to get all three, so I can only imagine how difficult they are to master.

While I couldn’t put CUBES down, there were a couple of minor issues I had with the game. The first is that I didn’t know how to play the game based on the simple two phrase introduction screen. I eventually figured out that you must place the cube into the black box for the game to start, but I was completely lost from there. It took a few instances of dying immediately before the introduction screen actually sunk into my brain. A better intro would help those like me who don’t catch onto subtle hints well. Also, adding Game Center achievements that aren’t virtually impossible would really help the replay value.

Overall, CUBES is a highly addictive and impossibly hard game that will have players of all types on the edge of their seats. It’s an endless good time and well worth the $0.99 price tag.