Trying to keep up with all of the downloadable games and content that's out there these days is enough to make a person cry. But cry no more, because Download Lowdown is here to help. I'll sift through the good, the bad, and the weird to help you get the most from your game system of choice without leaving your house.
This week I engage in a ninja's favorite recreational activities: climbing really tall trees and floating around in giant mustachios. Don't follow me? That's because you haven't yet played Ninjatown: Trees of Doom.
Game: Ninjatown: Trees of Doom
System: iPhone
Price: $1.99 (Currently on sale for $0.99)
The Lowdown: Ninjatown: Trees of Doom is a vertical scroller for the iPhone set in the Ninjatown universe, created by former EGM editor (and recent 21 Random Qs subject) Shawn Smith. In Trees of Doom, you must guide your cuddly Wee Ninja up the two tallest trees in existence. Why? Only the wizened Ninja Master knows, and he's not telling. Jerk. (My theory is that these trees never end, and the whole thing is some zen parable for our unceasing demand for more from life.)
But enough navel-gazing; let's talk about the game itself. Like other vertical scrollers, you've got one goal in Trees of Doom: make it as high as possible. Take one hit and you fall to the bottom. Repeat until bored.
That may sound harsh, but it's really how Trees of Doom is meant to be played. It's a time-waster, something to while away the minutes waiting for the bus to arrive. And as a diversion, it absolutely succeeds.
Trees of Doom livens up the vertical scroller format with some new game mechanics and a cute cartoony art style. The general setup is simple: Two trees line the length of the screen. Press and hold on the tree the Wee Ninja is on and he'll climb. Tap the opposite tree and he'll jump across. Hit mushrooms for a quick bounce or flick branches to fling the Wee Ninja past obstacles like poisonous sap, blobby red devils, and spear-wielding pig creatures. Helping you out is a variety of bizarre power-ups. Bubble gum provides a temporary shield, for example, while a giant mustachio provides a quick lift to higher branches.
Yes, I said a giant mustachio.
That alone makes Trees of Doom worth the $1.99 price. But even if you're not a fan of floating facial hair, Trees of Doom offers enough variety to justify purchase. And the randomly generated levels mean the experience changes every time you pull it out, even if the basic gameplay remains the same. Waiting at the bus stop just got a lot less aggravating.
What the Touch Arcade commenters say:
Sammysin sounds like he's about ready to propose: "I really really really am in love with this game. *deep breath*"
As a ninja himself, Co2Lninja may be biased: "This game is my new favorite! Everyone with an I device has to get it!!!!!!!"
Owl Movement is poised to capitalize on Trees of Doom's success: "For anyone who is interested, I sell a Ninja based t-shirt by the same artist, Shawnimals, on my website."
