Developer: Nibble Games
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 4
Nibble Jump uses some very typical iOS gaming tropes alongside its indie style graphics. Combined, though, it makes for a fun if simple experience. It’s the kind of game that’s easy to drop in to in order to complete a level during a short break.
Players take the role of Nibble the rabbit as he hops his way around various levels in order to find fruit and vegetables. Controls are simple with Nibble jumping continuously and the player’s input affecting the direction he takes. Tilting is the sole choice for control method but it works reasonably well. It all sounds a lot like Doodle Jump and its basic structure is quite similar. Each level introduces a new obstacle for Nibble to traverse such as perilous spikes or awkward to negotiate platforms. Springs quickly play a vital role to progression and it can occasionally be fiddly to line up Nibble just right to be propelled skyward by one. There’s a steady and gentle pace to proceedings though with no time limit affecting matters.
Collecting carrots or fruit means more points for Nibble which can be used to buy upgrades such as a power up to reduce the damage that Nibble takes. The rabbit doesn’t have a health bar but damage does affect how many carrots and points are lost at any one time.
It’s all simple yet pleasant stuff. There might not be a great urge to play for hours on end but it’s an enjoyable enough way to spend 10-20 minutes at a time. Once players do reach the end, there’s not much replayability but at the budget end of the pricing scale, this isn’t a huge problem.
Nibble Jump won’t set the gaming world on fire with its revolutionary approach to things but it will entertain. Sometimes that’s all that’s needed and at a keenly set price, it’s worth a look for fans looking for another Doodle Jump style fix.