Simplistic controls are a staple in creating a competent iOS game these days, seeing as how Angry Birds (Free) soared to heights never expected, in part due to its easy pick-up and play format that anyone can enjoy.
While This Could Hurt ($0.99) capitalizes on this trend, it’s nearly to a fault to where the game is almost too much on autopilot, leaving you yearning for more control of your fate in the long run.
In This Could Hurt, your main goal is to get to the end of a winding path, avoiding any and all of the obstacles along the way. You’ll have to dodge spikes, fire holes, shooting darts and more. Your only control when it comes to not being hit by these obstacles is when your character stops, as he will continue on down the path automatically otherwise.
This automatic control, only allowing you to control when the character stops, has both positive and negative connotations. It’s good because it doesn’t require any complex maneuvers and allows you to even play with just one hand, but it also weighs the game down a bit in a way that can be frustrating. Without having total control, your character will jump right into harm’s way, with much of it feeling totally out of your hands.
With more control over the character’s movement, you’d be able to turn, jump, or change direction to avoid the obstacles. The saving grace for the one-button approach is that it may allow you to achieve the time goals a bit easier, if you can somehow master it.
Spicing up the gameplay a bit are the power-ups you can buy in the in-game shop if you’re feeling up to it. These power-ups can be bought with acorns you can either earn by playing the levels, or (you guessed it) by purchasing them with real money. The acorns are definitely cheap enough if you choose to go that route, at least.
Unfortunately, the power-ups only last for one use, meaning you will have to buy them over and over if you want to keep using them. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it does make the game a bit more challenging in a way that seems fair.
Despite its flaws, This Could Hurt looks absolutely stunning on any device you play it on (Universal apps continue to be fantastic). It also helps that there’s four different level themes to choose from (three must be unlocked), each with their own unique obstacles to overcome and conquer. The game also sounds great, with a full soundtrack to accompany each level and theme.
Leaderboards round out the feature set nicely, providing you additional incentive to use those acorns to boost your previous times and take on your friends.
This Could Hurt isn’t quite what we’d been hoping for when it comes to the next generation of iOS platformers. That said, the game still plays great and you could still get at least several hours of enjoyment out of it, just set your expectations accordingly.
Ugh, hope it doesn't get pulled. Although they do seem really litigious.
Although Considering that the official companion app to Skyrim still isn't even available in the Uk store, Zenimax can shove it. This dev is providing what they have neglected to provide for international customers
Well go figure... ZeniMax are a bit retarded, the whole Scrolls thing, taking down a bunch of Skyrim theme videos on Youtube (because they really do hurt them, it's not like it'll work like advertisement) and now we have this...
Oh, and trademark on Fus Ro Dah? Sigh...
Question: is the map in the game something drawn by the creator of the app, or is it a scanned version of Zenimax materials? Because if he used something from Zenimax in his app then it was only a matter of time.
Not scanned. hand drawn.
If "Dragon Shout" isn't trademarked then cool - call ZeniMax's bluff. It'll get tossed out of court.
How about ZeniMax just BUY his app technology, hire the dude as a consultant and release it officially. Obviously it's a great app and only enhances your game for players. Why kill it?
Because it's competing with the officially licensed Skyrim Map app that they make money off of.
I don't see any Skyrim maps dev'd by Zenimax or Bethesda.
you mean the one that is only available if you buy skyrim from steam? THAT one? what about console players?
Seems like the most successful franchises embrace community stuff. Look at everything Star Wars or Blizzard could fully shut down if they wanted to.
Much ado about nothing. The app is up and will remain up.
Hey Pete,
Can you ping me privately possibly? Been trying to get a hold of the right people about this.
Thanks Pete. Please help the Dev if you are able!
Pete... You write this comment hot on the heels of the developer being told he's infringing copyrights and should remove his app - so which is it? You say "Much ado about nothing", but obviously it's not "nothing" if he's receiving allegations of infringing copyright.
ZeniMax isn't exactly doing its "best" if they are doing something stupid like going after Notch for the scrolls thing. Best is attacking people who are ACTUALLY hurting their brand. ZeniMax is wasting money and creating bad PR for themselves. I guess they want to be like EA>
This is pretty stupid given how much he tried to reach out to them during the development. It must be frustrating it took them this long to finally come down from their ivory tower.
I'm not entirely sure they will take it down. they didn't order a cease and desist. and apple has been nice about it. I won't take it down until they tell me to...and they haven't yet.
How bout this, If Zenimax makes you take this app down, I'll never spend another dime on any game or product they have anything to do with. its ridiculous that they even tried to get a copyright infringement on an app that is free, and only helps people. If i were you i wouldnt take it down even if they got on their knees and begged me, all they did is fu*k up their PR credibility. Get outta here Zenimax.
it wasnt free for a lot of the time it had a iap purchase to be able to see what other useres were adding to the map..now its free. i wonder had it remained free all along would this have even happened.
About the Mojang thing, that was Zenimax protecting themselves because Mojang wanted to trademark "Scrolls", which in turn could make Mojang able to sue Zenimax for "The Elder Scrolls" (there has been similar cases, so it's very understandable Zenimax had to do this) . This could be something similar.