Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
the demographic. In contrast to PC-based puzzle games, which usually just involve getting three
objects of a color or shape together, many puzzle games on Android deviate from the classic
match-3 formula and use more elaborate, physics-based puzzles.
Cut the Rope
(see Figure
3-3
), by ZeptoLab, is a superb example of a physics puzzler. The
goal of the game is to feed candy to the little creature on each screen. The piece of candy has
to be guided toward the creature by cutting ropes it is attached to, putting it into bubbles so
it can float upward, circumnavigating obstacles and so forth. Every game object is physically
simulated to some degree. The game is powered by Box2D, a 2D physics engine.
Cut the Rope
has become an instant success, both on the iOS App Store and Google Play, and has even been
ported to run in browsers!
Figure 3-3.
Cut the Rope, by ZeptoLab
Apparatus
(see Figure
3-4
), by Bithack (another one-man company), is heavily influenced by the
old Amiga and PC classic
Incredible Machines
. Like
Cut the Rope
, it is a physics puzzler, but it
gives the player a lot more control over the way she solves each puzzle. Various building blocks,
like simple logs that can be nailed together, ropes, motors, and so on, can be combined in
creative ways to take a blue ball from one end of the level to a target area.
