S&S Mobile Review: Dynamite Jack

Title: Dynamite Jack
Format: iOS, Mac, PC, Linux
Release Date: May 10th, 2012 (Mac/PC/Linux), August 9th, 2012 (iOS)
Publisher: Phil Hassey
Developer: Phil Hassey
Price: $2.99/ $4.99(iOS,Mac,PC,Linux versions all bundled together)
ESRB Rating: 9+

            Like stealth? Like explosions? Then you're going to love Dynamite Jack.

Welcome to Dynamite Jack!

STORY:
      Dynamite Jack's story is very shallow and unexplained, although very unique. You control a space marine, cleverly named Jack, attempting to escape from the alien, troll, laser, and robotic spider infested Anathema Mines. Armed only with his trusty flashlight and an unlimited supply of remote-detonated bombs, Jack has to sneak and blast his was out of the mines and back home.

GAMEPLAY:

Map Editor

      Dynamite Jack's gameplay is essentially split in to two. The "main" mode is a top down, stealth based game. The "secondary" mode is a building mode, in which you get to create your own unique map and share it with the Dynamite Jack community. In the main mode, you control Jack, attempting to escape the alien-infested Anathema Mines. In each level you have to locate your flashlight and bombs, and sneak your way past the aliens to reach a portal that signifies the end of the level. There are also sometimes extra obstacles like doors that can only be unlocked by specifically colored keys, or cave walls that need to be blown up. At the end of each level your score is calculated by how much time it took and the number of deaths. Dynamite Jack also has a large slew of GameCenter achievements available. Dynamite Jack was also a very visually pleasing game. Many levels had intermingling neon lights that created a unique, retro color palette. 

CONTROLS:

Level Select Screen(iPad)

      Personally I thought the controls for Dynamite Jack are mediocre at best. To move you can either use the on screen d-pad or drag a line to determine the path you want Jack to follow. Two on screen buttons are provided for toggling Jacks flashlight and setting bombs. The controls weren't as bad on the iPad because the buttons are spread further apart and your fingers don't block the screen as much, but the iPhone/ iPod controls really frustrate me. The buttons were very tiny and close together. I often found my self almost completely blocking the screen trying to fumble with the controls.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

      Dynamite Jack is a great stealth-based iOS game but is unfortunately held back by a poor control scheme and rather high price point. My favorite part about the game is the level builder and the online sharing features. Hopefully the community flourishes and really brings something new to the game.  If you're really into stealth games I'd recommend Dynamite Jack, but don't go in expecting too much out of it.                                                                                                             S&S Rating: 7.5/10