It's safe to say that just about every kid growing up has had dreams of flying. A stylish hang glider is usually the next best thing. Glu lets you indulge in your soaring dreams with Glyder, setting you loose in a world built for flying with an unlimited number of lives and no enemies to hinder you. It's almost like an R. Kelly song... "I dream about it every night and day..." ah, never mind.
Glyder is a simple game, with a simple backstory. Eryn somehow got lost and ended up in a different dimension with her handy dandy glyder -- we don’t think Glu likes the letter 'i' -- and now you must guide her home. Luckily, this dimension is different than most fantasy worlds in that it's not brimming with undesirable monster types. It's quiet and beautiful, full of waterfalls and soaring heights, with endless ocean and sky -- a good reason to spend your time flying.
Goals are defined right off the bat: Collect crystals, land on platforms, use thermal vents to climb and fly using the accelerometer. It's no secret that accelerometer-driven games often raise red flags, so much so that many avoid them entirely. But whatever they did over at Glu, they did it right. Eryn and her glyder respond seamlessly to every movement, and the handling is so easy and smooth that it starts to feel like you are, in fact, flying.
Eryn begins in Rift Valley, which is surrounded by five other locations. The goal is to collect the three types of crystals scattered throughout the world, using only the thermal vents and boost tokens to aid you. Achievements provide your other goals -- think Xbox 360. If you have the patience for them, you may find yourself doing some crazy things to add to your awards, like flying for 12 minutes straight without landing or making it from one platform to another in a limited time. The range of achievements definitely adds some appreciated variety to the title.
Glyder is a beautiful game, and its well-executed use of the accelerometer is unsurpassed. Despite a thin plot, the game’s graphics and soothing flight (own music an option) make for a fantastic ride.
3 Comments
I pretty much bought this game the day it came out and absolutely love it!
This is by far the most fun I have had on my iPhone yet! I am a huge fan of platformers and Glyder adds a totally unique twist to the genre. Everything in the game is executed with precision and elegance. The ONLY loading screen is when you first boot the game up - after that the world seamlessly graces the touch screen.
Improvements: I honestly do not have many gripes with this instant classic but...
1. Storey is non existent. Include some cut scenes and story development. Maybe some voice acting.
2. Graphics are awesome... but... spatial perception needs to be improved while in close proximity to objects. Shading needs to be improved to increase realism and allow the user/player a better "feel" of how close they actually are to something.
Controls: 5/5
Graphics: 4.5/5
Fun Factor: 5/5
Sound: 5/5
Conclusion: Awesome game hands down! The closest game(s) I can relate Glyder to is a cross between PILOT WINGS and MARIO 64. So if you like huge, open ended, sandbox games pick this one up! This IS a premium game at a discount price of $1.99! Buy it now before the price goes up!
I think that a SILVER AWARD is a slap in the face for this MASTERPIECE! Easily a 10/10 Platinum Award. This game sits atop my favorites for the iPhone. Easy to pick up and almost impossible to put down. Glyder is like crack dispensed from your iPhone!
tim
sorry... I copied my iTunes review and pasted it in the comments section of pocketgamer.co.uk... and copied it directly to here... disregard the part about platinum awards and stuff.
Dunno what all the hype is about. I bought this game based on the positive reviews that it had and I thought that the game was okay. Nothing special, just okay.
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