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.

Hook Champ on the App Store.

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

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