Tomten: Video Android App Review
There we were, waiting desperately for a decent Holiday-themed action title to waltz onto our Android device when out of nowhere, Tomten by developer Johan Sanneblad dropped onto our phone. The app packs all of the Christmas joy and puzzling we’d been hoping for, with the addition of some cute graphics, simple controls, and a brilliant missions system. Best of all, the app is only a dollar in the Android Market, saving us some money on our seasonal cheer to spend elsewhere—without cutting corners on our Yuletide joy! For our full thoughts on this superb Christmas game for the Android platform, check below beyond the break!
Concept and Gameplay
Tomten for Android
As stated, Tomten is best put somewhere between a physics-based action game, a la Angry Birds, and a ye olden tunnel racer, like those arcade titles you used to play back in primary school. The game’s central mechanic has players racing across the country side in Santa’s sleigh, dishing out presents like hotcakes to the homes below. The presents must be dropped precisely to land exactly on the chimneys for a point and time bonus. Sadly, this isn’t nearly as easy as it sounds. The gifts drop with a uniquely parabolic trajectory that makes their exact placement quite difficult. That being said, we hardly feel like complaining: The added challenge is more than enough to peak our interests.
However, we did have some concerns about the app’s replay value. We wondered if the central mechanic might become tiresome after as little as thirty minutes of gameplay. Thankfully, the developers thought we might think that—we think. In addition to the excellent present bombing sequence, players must also meet three missions per stage, earning additional upgrades, time bonuses, and point awards in the process. These quests add an incredible amount of richness to the package, and make Tomten easily worthy of a month’s morning commutes.
Design and Graphics
During our time with the app, we also managed to get our hands on the iOS edition of Tomten. With that in mind, we have to admit we like the crispness of the Android edition more. Either way, Tomten looks amazing on both screens, bringing along a set of hand-drawn and cutesy animations that absolutely nail the seasonal mood. We loved the town animations, which keep the scenery lively. Likewise, we also found ourselves quite enamored with the simple controls. With only two buttons (one for Santa’s sleigh, and another for dropping presents) the game takes only seconds to learn, but hours to master.
Overall Value
Best of all, Tomten costs a scant dollar in the Android Market. At that price, even Scrooge would be happy with the value of the app. As far as we’re concerned, this is the only physics-based Holiday game you’ll need all season, and with such engaging graphics, a brilliant mechanic, and so many missions to work through, Tomten is easily worth its weight in reindeer poop and gold.
Android Apps Review Details: Tomten app is free. This app requires Android 2.0.1 and up. You may download Tomten from the Android Market. A small expedite fee was paid by the developer to speed up the publication of this review.
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