[Featured App Review] Hyperbowl
Jun 26, 2010 by Dennis Fan
Hyperbowl by Technicat is a 3D bowling game adapted from an original PC version available on the iTunes App Store for $2.99. (iPhone, iPod and iPad)
First impressions? There are 4 iPhone OS Hyperbowl apps (all by Technicat). 3 individual lanes, and this app which has all lanes. All 4 apps have this bland black and white icon that makes it impossible to tell from one another. The graphics when you first open the game kinda suck and there is no music in the menu, just a cliche sound effect. As you know, first impressions mean everything.
“This authorized version of HyperBowl recreates the arcade feel of the original attraction game that debuted in the Sony Metreon a decade ago. Swipe the screen to push the bowling ball around the diverse worlds of the Classic, Roman, Forest and High Seas (iPad-only) lanes. Enjoy the scenery, but remember to head for the pins!
Play 1-4 players in the original Arcade mode or on the Scoreloop social gaming network for leaderboards and challenges.
MacLife listed HyperBowl as one of the Greatest iPhone Apps of 2009 – “Sure, there are a lot of bowling games for the iPhone, but none of them match the legacy that HyperBowl has. The gameplay feels organic, with its beautiful outdoor themed bowling lanes.”
SlapApp.com – “HyperBowl definitely portrays a retro arcade feel that’s consistent with the original, and offers a uniquely different game-play that other traditional bowling apps simply do not offer.”
The lanes are also available individually on the App Store:
* HyperBowl Classic
* HyperBowl Rome
* HyperBowl Forest
HyperBowl is a trademark of Hyper Entertainment, Plc.
Yappler-Tags: 3D, bowling, fantasy, Unity, Scoreloop, Classic, Rome, Forest, High Seas, Fugu Games”
This is indeed one of the better bowling apps in the app store, but I wouldn’t say it is the best.
The gameplay is indeed not bad but the UI needs some serious fixing. I wanted to try 4 player on 2 different occasions but it selected 1 player too quickly and I ended up reopening the app (no pause). It may also be a little confusing and hard to use and may take some time to get used to.
I did like how they made the lane selection. It was pretty cool and all for show but for long-time players, may get annoying. The themed lanes had amazing sound effects and made the game pretty cool.
One thing I also didn’t like was that you had control of the ball the whole time during play which made it too easy.
Let’s score it up!
Graphics: 3/5 – Retro, 3D could be fixed.
UI: 2/5 – Confusing and glitchy.
Gameplay: 4.5/5 – Best bowling game.
Creativity: 2.5/5 – iPhone OS adaptation.
Sound: 5/5 – Awesome sound effects.
Controls: 3/5 – Like I pointed out, full control of bowling ball.
Difficulty: 2.5/5 – See “Controls”.
Length: 3.5/5 – Many lanes, 4 players.
Entertainment: 5/5 – See “Gameplay”.
Value: 5/5 – Worth it.
Total: 36/50 or 72% – See “Entertainment”.
- Dennis
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Related posts:
- [Promo Codes] Hyperbowl
- [Promo Codes] Hyperbowl Rome 06/02/10
- [Promo Codes] Hyperbowl Forest 05/30/10
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