‘Hook Champ’ Review
Introduction/First time booting the application
Just by looking at the icon of Hook Champ, you see how the graphics are. Either you like them, or you don’t. But even if you don’t like the graphics, you might like the game for the controls! When you first boot the application, a black screen shows, and this cat-like creature flies across the screen and it shows ‘Rocketcat Presents’ and then shows the main menu. The main menu shows Hook Champ in gold, and it has the developers Twitter, Settings, OpenFeint, and Play. (The Settings menu will be described later on). If you have seen Indiana Jones, imagine Hook Champ as the escape after Indie takes the stone!
Graphics
The graphics in Hook Champ are 8-bit. Those graphics really bring back memories to some people who still own the classic gaming systems. And for those who are new to 8-bit graphics, you either like them or hate them. They are graphics that can easily be made into designs for avatar icons, or even Animal Crossing patterns. The designs off of the 8-bit graphics work out well, for what situation you are in. You play as Jake, who is partnered with a woman named Gunny. You must use Jake’s grappling hook to steal an idol (varying from 4 different types- Stone, Bronze, Silver, and Gold) and give it to the Shop Keeper nearby. With the 8-bit graphics, the idols are well designed, Jake has various (and numerous!) hats to wear, all with a different design and description.
Sound
The sound effects and music in Hook Champ really suits the game. The main menu soundtrack is techno, and it adds to the 8-bit graphics effect. There is also the map menu screen music, which is (assumed) by the same artist. There are also sound effects for the chaser, your shotgun, rocket boots, and even you hook. With all these sounds and music tracks, they really add to the experience.
Controls
The controls in Hook Champ are what really make the game. The background story is mainly written in the graphics section. To add onto that, you use Jake’s grappling hook to stay off of the ground. You can tap on the ceiling to hook onto it, and swing across the scrolling map. When you start off a level, you steal the idol from a pedestal, and a chaser is trying to kill you. You must hook your way back to Gunny at the end of the cave! You must swing by hooking onto the ceiling and staying off the ground, to be quick on your feet! In the beginning of this review, I wrote that the Settings menu will be covered. The Settings menu has quite a few options. First things first, you can change your name in-game for the local scoreboards. Then you can change the UI display, Turn Sounds or Music on or off, Turn Weekly Submitting scores on or off, To show the best lap ghost, what type of ghost you want, if you want the intro chatter, using the Speed Fix, and to either replay the intro or the ending (once you beat the game of course!)

Replayability/Summary
The replayability of Hook champ is quite good. Besides taking the time to beat the game through once, you will always be wanting to get the highest global score, and to get all the achievements integrated into OpenFeint. Even then if you beat the game, get all the achievements, and get the highest scores possible (which is possible, but the leaderboards are reset each week in-game to let others have a shot at the number one spot) the game still gets updated with new content. The latest update added a cross over with Minigore from Mountain Sheep, adding a whole new set of levels to play. There are currently 36 levels to play from, ranging from lava and water themed to a space theme. Hook Champ is available in the App Store for $2.99 with two DLC characters (one being a funtional character, one being a comestic character, both for $.99) available for download. If you have $2.99 left in your bank, and you loved the lite version, then go out and buy Hook Champ.
Rating
Out of 5, Hook Champ get a 5; For 8-bit graphics, unique controls, and even a great slew of sounds to go with it.













