app review: Tilt To Live for iPhone

At first glance, Tilt To Live seems like a Geometry Wars knockoff. This thought is quickly forgotten as it provides its own spin on the genre, and utilizes the iPhone’s accelerometer to challenge the player’s evasive maneuvers. This game is One Man Left Studios’ debut title and showcases the power of the App. Store for unheard of talent.

In Tilt To Live, the player takes control of a cursor that must evade hundreds of enemies ranging from simple red dots, to various other forms attempting to stop your quest for the ultimate high score. Unlike Geometry Wars, the player does not possess unlimited ammo and must rely on power ups generating throughout the map. Thankfully, the choices of power ups are varied: heat seeking cluster missiles, freeze beams, nukes and many more. The game is intelligently designed as it challenges the most hardcore of gamers, while providing the simplicity of pick up and play for the casual gamer. It also helps that within its simplicity the game is visually appealing with bright colors onscreen at all times. Tilt To Live’s melodic music juxtaposes the violence onscreen but is never intrusive on the game play.

The most impressive aspect about this $2.99 game is that One Man Left Studios continues to build upon their hit game. Recently releasing the new Frostbite mode, which brings its total modes to four. In Frostbite mode, the player must eliminate as many falling frozen enemies before hitting the bottom, and reanimating. Previous modes such as Gauntlet carry enemies from right to left. The player must attempt to duck, dive, dodge and collect orbs that supply a few more seconds of precious life. Code Red is a hyper version of Classic mode, which means that enemies immediately go for the kill and think about your feelings second. There is also the inclusion of the aGon system, which keeps record of all unlocked achievements, unlocked weapons and friends’ scores.

All of these modes, and the possibly more to come, turn this frenetic shooter into a must-have. Minor negatives though are the exclusion of any multiplayer modes (hopefully to be remedied in the sequel), and the occasional fickleness of the gyroscope controls that may cause some frustration. With these minor quips said, if you need a healthy dose of adrenaline while waiting in line for your panini, then this game is more than sufficient.

rating: four stars out of five • App Store link

review by Bagner Estrada