Reviewed: December 23, 2010
Reviewed by: Mark Smith

Publisher
Osao

Developer
Progressive Media

Released: December 6, 2010
Genre: Platform
Players: 1

5
6
5
6
5.5

Game Info:

  • 11.4 MB Download

    App Store Price: $2.99

    		•  Pixeline and the Jungle Treasure is the latest platform game to arrive on the iPhone to bring a bit of Mario-flavor to the holiday season. With simple controls, charming characters, and addictive gameplay, this side-scrolling romp will keep you busy for hours and hours.

    This is arcade gaming at its purist with 23 levels of running and jumping and climbing, and all full of environmental hazards as well as deceptively cute and deadly monsters. Using some magical shape shifting abilities, you’ll get to play as four different animals, each with their own specific skills to get past these fiendish levels

    Controls are simple with a slider bar on the left to control forward and back movement and a jump button on the right. Jump to ledges and platforms to collect coins or bounce off the heads of enemies to eliminate them. Other specific action button will also appear next to the jump button when active. Don’t let the cute blonde girl, the hearts, and the charming music fool you. Pixeline is suitably challenge for both boys and girls and gamers of all ages.

    My only problem with the iPhone version of the game (the version I was given to review) is that the screen is too small and the control slider is too fidgety for some of the more precise moves you’ll need to make in the game. Even as early as the third stage I was dying repeatedly trying to make one stupid jump, but with my fat thumb I’m either moving at full speed or not at all. Sadly, the game ultimately became unplayable for me.

    The only reason I’m scoring the game as high as I am is; one, the game is designed for younger gamers who hopefully have smaller fingers, and two, the game is also available on the iPad. I played a bit of the iPad version and it played much better with its bigger screen, larger control area, and more precise inputs.

    Both versions offer colorful and delightfully charming graphics and some fun platform-style music that gets annoying really fast. It only took two levels before I went into the options and turned it off. The sound effects were more than enough for me.

    So given the choice, if you have an iPad and want a good old-fashioned Mario-style platforming adventure then check out Pixeline and the Jungle Treasure, but leave the iPhone version alone unless you, or whoever is going to be playing, has small fingers and infinite patience.