'Fantastic Contraption' Physics Puzzler for iPhone
posted by arn on January 23rd, 2009 11:40 PM EST in $2.99, Puzzle, Simulation, iPhone games, iPod touch games
inXile Entertainment (the developer of Line Rider) has released an iPhone version of their popular Flash game Fantastic Contraption [App Store].
The game plays similarly to other physics based games such as Crayon Physics but involves more resources to build a machine to propel the target to the goal:
In Fantastic Contraption you build a machine from simple parts to move objects to a goal. There’s physics involved but don’t worry, just press “Start” and watch what happens! The simple controls and step-by-step tutorial will have you building fantastic contraptions in no time!
The iPhone version includes a build-in editor that allows you to both upload your levels and download new levels from around the world.
The developers have provided us with this trailer video:
You can try the web version for free at FantasticContraption.com. Some initial impressions from TouchArcade forum user Kamazar have been very positive:
The game focuses on getting this pink wheel into the goal area. You do this by building contraptions. There are wheels, both power and unpowered, and water and wood rods.
…
The ability to download levels in awesome. Haven't tried it yet, but the potential…… if you're the puzzle/physics type of guy, go for it. It's near perfect. All that I'd like in the next update are improved graphics and the undo button.
There is an ongoing discussion thread.
App Store Link: Fantastic Contraption, $2.99 (introductory price, normal price appears to be $6.99)
This is an AWESOME Flash game–really nothing like Crayon physics, more like playing with Legos. It wasted endless hours of my life… and I didn't even touch the user levels yet.
If the iPhone version is half is good, it's worth more than just $7.
Buying now!
Still not on the Canadian AppStore
Really? Is on the NZ store already. Have it downloaded. Looks like it's time for me to do a real clear-out of my iPhone Apps again. I'm full! Damn this screen-limit. Roll on iPhone OS 3.0 ..I want sub-folders!
no way! =O we play this on the internet at school, this is a great release
The $3 price, a few levels of the flash game, and the fact that you can download other peoples levels is what convinced me to buy this.
Check the demo first see if this is your cup of tea!
It's $2.99? Really? Last night when the thing went live on iTunes it was $6.99. I mean…I could've sworn I saw it at that price. Regardless, downloading ASAP. Thanks for the heads up.
@ spiffyone
It was $6.99, but they dropped it right away. There was some drama about it if you check first couple pages of the thread.
This is definitely a must buy game for $2.99. I got hooked on the online version when someone in the forums mentioned it and said it should be ported. The downloadable levels really make it great too.
Some of the later levels seem to be literally impossible… but I thought that about some of the first 20 until I figured them out!
the first level, the tutorial might have a bug, the stop button doesn't work, but at least you can hit the skip button to bypass it, hope there aren't any other bugs, or maybe it isn't a bug, but not working because they dont explain its function till level two…
Hi mek,
Yup, you're right…it's not a bug. The tutorial is really meant to hold your hand and only let you interact with items at certain times. The first tutorial allows you press "Start" once you've created the initial contraption, but doesn't let you press "Stop" ( don't worry though, you will have created a contraption that will succeed to get to that point ). The second tutorial will have you press the "Stop" button at certain points and the final tutorial gives you full control after explaining some last points about the game.
Hope that helps!
regularkid-
are you planning any updates soon? i love this game, but it does need some interface tweaking. an undo button… plus it has an annoying habit of moving my objects over by a few pixels when i lift my finger from the pod. makes some level that require precision really tough.
one of the best games I've played yet, and I've played a lot