PocketFullOfApps

Hook Champ($0.99) is a new platformer recently released for iPhone and iPod Touch. The basic idea of the game is to use your grappling hook to swing through and complete the level as fast as possible without getting eaten by the monster chasing you, or else come to some other unfortunate demise. Inside a cave, searching for treasure, you must rack your grappling skills to beat the numerous amount of levels in this game. Also included, is a shop, where you can upgrade your grappling hook, rope, shoes, shotgun(which is used for shooting the monster chasing you if he gets too close for comfort), and also, many stylish hats, which as everyone knows, if you are going to go treasure hunting, you always want to have handy. In order to purchase things in the shop you must collect coins in the levels. Springs will send you flying through the air if you fall to the ground, but they are only located in certain places, adding to the difficulty of the game. Every level lasts about one to three minutes, which keeps you interested longer. Also, global high-scoring is an additional feature to the game, which will keep you going again and again to beat other players high-scores.

The graphics are excellent, giving a retro feel that will get you into the game instantly. The pixelized-look gives a great feel to the game, and is, in my opinion, a major plus.

The controls are very well done. By tapping and holding the bottom left of the the screen you run to the left, and vice versa.  By touching a wall on the screen, the grappling hook will pull you towards it. By swinging through the level, you can travel quite fast. In the bottom of the screen are two buttons that may be unlocked if you purchase the powerups. Rocket shoes will propel you upwards a short ways, and the shotgun is used by a press of a button in the middle of the lower screen.

The gameplay is done extremely well, and I would not change it one bit. It has a ton of replayability, keeping you going for another go. Each level is very well thought out.

Final Score:

Graphics: 9

Controls:10

Gameplay:10

Sound: 8

Overall: 9

This is an excellent game to purchase and you will definetly like it if you like grappling hooks, platformers, and awesome games. Adding to all the awesome reasons for buying this game, is the fact that you have grappling hooks. They’re grappling hooks. Why would you not want to buy it?

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=334626134&mt=8

Screenshots:

Tags: 99 cents, 99cents, 99¢, Hook Champ, Review