We don’t write about many iPod games here at the ‘Lab, but today we’re making an exception — if only because I have wasted so much time playing TouchGrind that I need to get something productive out of it.
TouchGrind is a skateboarding game for the iPhone, and it’s probably the most addictive game I have played since Desktop Tower Defense. Don’t expect some crazy, Tony Hawk style jump-fest — Touchgrind has a physics engine so real it can be just as frustrating as riding a real board. It’s also controlled in much the same way as a real skateboard, with two fingers replacing the usual two feet.
In fact, anyone used to fingerboards — those miniature finger controlled skateboards — will feel immediately at home. I used to have one years ago and the learned muscle memory works great with the iPhone version.
So, how does it work? First, there is the usual training session, in this case an empty park in which you can cruise around an pop ollies with no time limit. First, choose a board (there are two at the beginning of the game and curiously I found the advanced one easier).
Control is pretty easy. You put two fingers on the board — one on the tail and one elsewhere. The board then rolls off. Take off the front finger and you slow down. Steering is achieved by pushing both "feet" to one side — the board tips and turns. Then, tricks. These are simple in theory but you’ll need to practice until your fingers do what they are supposed to.
The ollie: This is the basic "jump" of skateboard. In the real world you kick your back foot (toe) down on the tail and the front flips up. You then slide your front foot forwards and the back of the board pops up. Simple, but very, very hard to learn. In Touchgrind, you do the same with your fingers, almost. Lift the front finger and then the back to ollie. It’s all in the timing, and if you get things right you’ll get some decent air.
Next, shuvits. These spin the board. Lift the front finger and then slide the back one left or right. The board should do a 180º spin. Then we come to flips. These spin the board on its long (front to back) axis. First, slide the first finger left or right off the board, then release back finger. Then do it again. A lot. These simple moves can be combined into almost any street-skating trick.
The amazing thing about the game is that it feels very much like you are in control of the skateboard — the feeling that there is a real board under your fingers is quite uncanny. The only problem is the view. Because you need to keep your fingers on the board, it fills the screen. This in turn means you can’t see anything coming, which makes negotiating obstacles tricky. In any mode (Practice, Jam Session or Competition) you can hit the magnifying glass which freezes the game and zooms out, but you still have to zoom back to continue play.
Success in the competition mode, which involves scoring points against the clock, unlocks more courses and better boards, although noobs will be happy (and stuck) on the lower levels for some time. As a quick, pick up and blast game, it can’t be beat. I prefer it to Monkeyball, my previous favorite time waster. And best of all, it’s only $5.
Product page [Touchgrind]
Post a Comment