Thumper: PocketE dition
Rhythmic gymnastics isn’t just an Olympic event
$4.99 From Drool, thumpergame.com Made for iPhone, iPad Needs iOS 11 or later
A chrome space beetle follows a never-ending track into neon oblivion, twisting, turning, leaping obstacles, firing off shockwaves. A hit, be it from an enemy or the wall, strips its shields; a second will destroy it.
This is Thumper, a game of precision and violence that’s finally made it to iOS after an acclaimed run on PC, on console, and in VR. In many ways it’s an ideal mobile game, with its blend of endless runner and rhythm game mechanics.
It didn’t have to be this hard, though — any mistimed tap or sweep is punished, and you’ll restart frequently until you’ve learned the tracks. If not for this, the pulsating rhythm of the game would be hypnotic. You’ll get better with practice, and maybe that’s the point — constant repetition to achieve a state of blocking out everything but the beetle, the track, the music, and backgrounds that recall the work of Jeff Minter.
Sadly, the outside world intrudes too often: iOS Thumper may have gained touchscreen and motion controls, but it has lost some responsiveness, meaning play can be frustrating.
Thumper’s already had a patch to introduce motion-controlled laneswitching in later levels, so a tune-up of the touchscreen might not be out of the question. Until then, the feeling of being lost in the psychedelic void may remain tantalizingly out of reach.
The bottom line. With hypnotic visuals, this game should work well on mobile, but it can feel unresponsive and just too hard at times. Ian Evenden
Solid