We had a chance to sit down with developers from Belgian software house Fishing Cactus at GDC to have a look at the latest build of their upcoming gravity-based maze game Equilibrio.
Set in a colorful world the challenge may look simple but Equilibrio tests not only your reflexes but the old gray matter and is in perfect synergy with your iPhone device.
The basic concept of getting your ball to the exit pod to finish the level is turned upside down, literally, as you use your iPhone to tilt the world in either direction. Players carefully, skillfully move the spinning ball through corridors, along ledges to complete levels that are fraught with dangers. Move the ball too fast and it can shatter, leaving you to pick up the pieces and restart the level. Go too slow and the ‘equilibrio’ of the ball will not be powerful enough to spring to the desired spot!
The game features balls made of various different materials, such as rubber, glass, steel, stone, and paper, that each have their own gameplay characteristics. Across the game’s 60 levels, new elements and traps are constantly being introduced, from cannons and trampolines to deadly spikes and acid pools.
Features:
- Six types of balls
- Trophy system, like Xbox Live Arcade
- Three play modes: Random level challenge, Replay ghost challenge, Conquest
- Play against the clock, pick up stars for points
- Outperforming “par" for a level unlocks achievements
- 60 levels
- Possible integration of Facebook Connect in a future release
Have a look at our brief video of the gameplay. The first level shows a “paper" ball which is affected by fans on the field. Tilting left/right provides you with direction of movement and spikes must be avoided.
The developers indicate that Equilibrio will be submitted to the App Store during GDC and should be available for download at a price of $4.99 in the next few weeks. We’ll be taking a closer look when the game goes live.
