Continuity 2: The Continuation Review at Slide To Play

For all the sub-par Flash games on the internet, there are a few hidden gems that offer some incredibly unique concepts. A prime example is Shift, with the ability to flip between negative and positive space. Continuity 2: The Continuation is the latest big thing to come out of Flash games, and for good reason: From a design standpoint, it’s perfectly executed.

The best way to describe Continuity 2 is as a mash-up of run-and-jump platformers and tile-sliding puzzles. Each level is made up of tiles that can be moved into any adjacent open space. Your character can move between any two tiles that have matching sides. The goal is to manipulate the tiles so that you can pick up a key and reach the exit.

As you progress through the game, new mechanics are brought into play. These include the ability to rotate the character 90 degrees in any direction by turning the device, and switches that have to be activated to open distant doors. You’ll also have to freeze your character in mid-air, then move the tiles around in a way that allows him to land. The nearly flawless level design always feels challenging.

Each level has three medals: one for completing it, another for collecting all the coins, and one for finishing the level with all the coins under the goal time. While you can easily beat the 50 included levels in about an hour or two, the medals do add significant replay value. However, there’s no special reward for you besides self-satisfaction.

Continuity 2 would be perfect if it wasn’t weighed down with imprecise controls. Tapping either side of the screen makes your character walk, swiping up makes him jump, and double-tapping zooms out so you can arrange tiles. We did have some problems with these controls, like zooming out by accident, or jumping when we didn't mean to. Early on, this doesn’t pose a problem, but later in the game the inability to make small, precise movements becomes a frustration. At least when you die, you're brought back to the last coin you collected.

Continuity 2 is a great game that, at $.99 for universal support, puzzle-platforming fans shouldn't miss. Before you buy it, give the Flash-based original a shot to try out the fun tile-sliding gameplay mechanic.