These days , keeping up with game can be a full - time job . So how do you separate the signal from the noise , the wheat from the stubble , the Temple Runs from the Temple Jumps ? permit us to aid by regularly take a game You Should make for .
It ’s rarefied to find a nomadic game that ’s as simple , refined , and free as Gree ’s new side - scroller , El . El is an effortless take on the side - scroll flying game with beautiful artwork and a strongly move plotline .
You play as El , a young male child who arouse up in a mysterious , “ block prison , ” and “ fly off in lookup of purpose ” with the help of a wizardly umbrella . The game uses simple touchscreen grease monkey — to launch the umbrella and uprise El into the air , you tap and nurse the right side of the screen . To pull wires the wind and create a potation , you snarf side - to - side on the left side of the filmdom . Although most levels can be completed without much draft - employment , it ’s a utilitarian technique if you ’re concerned in avoiding tricky obstacles and minimize damage to your case .
El is n’t your typical fluid game : For one thing , it ’s altogether uncompetitive — the levels are only moderately ambitious , and there are no bonuses awarded for completing the secret plan at a higher difficulty . While El may not satisfy your lust for competition or endless gameplay , it ’s perfectly worth a look for the following rationality :
The simple , yet powerful storyline : I’m not ordinarily a fan of plot - driven games , since I opt challenge and mystifier to interactive level . But El does an excellent job of balancing its poignant plot line , which is told in a series of wordless , plastic film - style cutting - scenes at the ending of each level , with moderately challenge gameplay . El ’s fib take on you through a depressingly realistic narration of Leslie Townes Hope , help , and find one ’s purpose in spirit .
El tells you a account without Word , even if it ’s about red ink and war .
The secret plan is only 12 grade long , including a quick tutorial tier and a dim-witted finale . As you toy through El , you ’ll see why the game limits its militant vibration — the pointedness is for you to take flight through the account , rather than focusing on beating prison term limits or give it through unscathed . El does feature a life meter , however , in the form of a top - down opinion of an open umbrella , which diminishes each time you tap and hold up to open your umbrella and fly . Hitting obstacles , such as birds and trees , will shrink your m more quickly , while pull in burn plumage will offer you extra flying major power . There are no bonuses for void obstacles or collecting feathers — only take a crap it through to the final stage of the level matters .
Thoughtfully designed : El has a clearly indie feel , and it ’s free , but that does n’t intend the developer skimped on graphics , sound , or overall refinement . El , other quality , and foreground obstacle ( birds , bombs , and edifice ) are represented as shadows silhouetted against ombre watercolor backdrops . Each level features a dissimilar , full detailed landscape for El to fly through — one level has trees and rock’n’roll constitution , while another is a battleground full of tanks and earth - mounted machine guns .
Even the menu has been attractively designed .
El ’s soundtrack , which consists of eight separate raceway that order from alone and laid-back to melodically upbeat , labialize out the entire experience . The music is improbably atmospheric , and each raceway can be played separately from the game ’s medicine instrumentalist ( located on the main screen door ) . It ’s clear that Gree pass plenteous time perfect the game ’s visuals and music to offer an encompassing experience .
myopic and fresh : El will take up less than an hour of your time — it certainly is not Candy Crush Saga . But not everything has to declare oneself ( seemingly ) interminable level to be interesting . El has to be short , because it relies on amply steep you in its dreamy , water-color world . The game is much more powerful because you’re able to play it in one sitting and see the total tale blossom without interruptions .
The plot may be short , but it ’s storyline is one you ’ll need to visit again .
Although El is over in what seems like the blink of an middle , that does n’t have in mind you ’ll never come back to it . I finish up El in about 30 transactions , but I ’ve play it a few time through since . It ’s surprisingly relaxing to toy a game in which you ’re not rush against the clock or attempt to out - build your Facebook friends , and El ’s soundtrack arrange you in an almost reflective state . El wo n’t end up being your go - to secret plan for killing time ( that spot ’s reserve forWords With Friends , and you have it away it ) , but it ’s definitely worthy of a speckle on your habitation screen .
Developer : GreePlatform : iOS(Universal)Price : Free
