If you’re into water physics puzzlers, H2FLOW ($1.99) by Haptix Games is the latest entry into the mix. Differentiating itself from the rest of the pack is the fusion of a few elements from other genres, making it part-action, part-puzzler with water physics tying it all together. Alas, some significant issues with controls, combined with an exceptional emphasis on difficulty may take the game beyond the typical casual audience for such puzzlers. However, endure and you’re left with a satisfying, though challenging, experience.
Combing elements from a few different genres, H2FLOW’s gameplay isn’t quite what one might be expecting if they are familiar with previous physics-based games with water. Yes, there are dozens of missions and they all involve guiding a flow of water towards an exit drain. However, rather than simply placing platforms and mechanisms to guide the flow in an omnipotent fashion (like, say Enigmo), you’re actually guiding a cute little dragon around the map and having him launch bombs, build bridges and throw barriers. Thus, in order to launch a bomb or build a platform you actually have to get your dragon to that spot before you can even do anything. It certainly adds a different element to the mix.
This combination makes H2FLOW one of the toughest puzzle games that I’ve played in awhile. While the variety of tools at your disposal (as well as the inclusion of destructible environments) means that there’s always a possibility of alternate methods to complete a level, most have an obvious means in mind for completion. Regardless, each level involves analyzing all the platforms, pratfalls and power-up collectibles in the level, formulating a priority system and when and where to go in the level, what tools to use, and with what timing. Finally, since all the action involves maneuvering your dragon, the final piece is to get him wherever he needs to go to implement your plan. It’s this last part where H2FLOW falters.
Even after spending a decent amount of time with the game, I just couldn’t get used to the controls. Sure, controlling your dragon is as simple as tapping to move, and launching bombs and barriers is as simple as tapping a button but even those elements had issues from a controls standpoint. There’s no patching AI with movement, so if your avatar bumps into anything while moving directly to the area you tapped, he instantly stops and waits for a new movement command. Also, collision detection is a bit iffy, with the game thinking I’ve hit a wall when I’m pretty sure I didn’t. Finally, there’s no way to control the power and direction of launching items, so you just need to be in the right place and direction to get it right. Unfortunately, the above issues with simple movement means it’s tough to get to that point.
H2FLOW offers supplemental power-ups that provide some assistance in making a mission easier that require currency to purchase that’s earned in-game (and can also be purchased via IAP). While I didn’t have an issue with the IAP options, I thought it was a bit odd that some of the power-ups seemed centered around temporarily addressing some of the issues I noted above (for example, instant teleportation instead of having to deal with movement and collision detection). While I’m not a fan of requiring these sorts of purchases to pass a level, admittedly there should be enough currency to go around with normal replays to pick up what you need.
Control and power-up issues aside, H2FLOW’s penchant for challenging levels is something that I can really appreciate it. Sure, the gameplay borders on frustrating at times, but it’s refreshing to see a game that holds little back in terms of raw difficulty. If you’re looking for a challenge and can handle some pretty tough water physics puzzles, by all means check out H2FLOW.
Uhhh...what's a MOBA again?
Multiplayer online battle arena. Like League of Legends.
Oh ok, thanks.
You mention this but you won't even think about HOC...
I have to admit... I love RTS games and the like but I have yet to find one of these type of games that grabs me in the slightest.
Try heroes of order and chaos.
Have it, tried it, didn't care for it... Thanks for the suggestion though! I think for me it's just the flow of matches and the like... That and the fact that I just don't care for overly competitive online games...
Competitive is the key word. I was a DotA junkie for a long time, and if you crave competitive, that's where it's at. That said, i'm tired of it. The vibe in such games can be sickening, and it tends to rub off on you.
I'll probly check this one out for fun. Maybe it's a little more relaxed.
Well I just tried this for a little bit and its kind of boring.
Sorry to hear that... Try playing co-op with a friend!
If you don't mind it being on PC, you may want to try Smite, as it's the most "different" MOBA I have ever had the joy to play.
Been playing this game for a few months via Austrian appstore... very well suited for the Ipad. Characters are very varied and play very differently, all gesture based. Hope this game does well given its HUGE soft launch period.
Hey Artur - Jason here from the Fates team. Means a lot to us that you like our game so much. Thanks for the kind words!
This game is not only fun but it is just stunning to look at! You should be proud. Amazing game!
thanks Leydz!!
Yaaaaaaa FINALLY! Best MOBA on IOS imo 😊!
It's quite excellent.
Have to try it out. Looks stunning!
Yeah. It's out worldwide. Nice game. Let's see if it's better than HOC
How is match making? HOC was buggy forever and Solstice Arena is 10 minutes of trying to find a game.
In my experience so far it's just been a few minutes, on par with LoL. I couldn't stand HOC, but it seems like this one might hook me.
This was unexpected! I've been dying to play this!! Awesome news. Between this, Monster Hunter, and Civ Rev, I'll be busy on my iPad this weekend!!
I usually don't like MOBA's but I like this one a lot. The characters are interesting and the controls are very smooth. Good job devs!
This game is actually really fun be very well made. I was a little apprehensive about downloading/playing this at first due to other iOS MOBAs I have played in the past. But I was pleasantly surprised!
I enjoyed this game a bit in alpha when there was like 5 people playing haha, but I couldn't stick with it since there was no one to play with, my biggest suggestion was to provide and option besides tapping the screen to move........ And it appears almost a year later you still didn't want to do that. While I no longer play heroes of order and chaos, I don't believe this will be filling that void. I do wish you the best of luck, just because I think think it would have been better with a control stick, it ultimately comes down to how you wanna implement your control scheme. Good luck !! You put a lot if polish and way more heroes than you had in alpha!
Typing comments on a phone = fail....
Hopefully this will hold me over until Vainglory!!
Great game--it's immediately obvious how much work the devs put in to polish this. If you're even a slight fan of MOBAs or curious to see what the hype is about, I'd recommend trying this out.
The servers seem to be getting hammered right now, but that could just be me trying to play from Japan -_-
Our servers had some issues this morning but should be fixed now! Thanks for the kind words
How is F2P in this game? Any pay2win elements or just unlocks / skins like LoL?
The only thing you can spend real money on is unlocks right now.
No skins yet. The only iap atm is for the heroes.
What I've played so far is awesome!!!
Great! I'm loving it. Awesome work by Hammer and Chisel. Would love to see it running smoother on the iPad mini 1 :)