PlayStation Mobile, Inc. has been quite busy lately. We recently heard that Run Sackboy! Run!, will arrive sometime this month for Android and iOS devices. In the meantime, you can check out the latest offering from PlayStation Mobile, Inc. called Entwined Challenge. It is a tunnel-type runner, with a compelling story shared between two characters. It is visually mesmerizing, aurally pleasing, and has controls that are easy to operate.
Entwined Challenge was created by Pixelopus. Pixelopus is a small team within Sony, that is made up of recent graduates from Carnegie Mellon's E.T.C. (Entertainment Technology Center) and San Jose State University. The game first launched on PS4, PS3 and PS Vita as Entwined. Fortunately for us, the game is now available on Android too, in a new format, that was considered the Challenge Mode from the console version. What is the game about? Even that is intriguing. "Experience a tale about a bird and a fish that are in love, but can never be together. Guide them both simultaneously over the course of nine unique lifetimes on a journey to unite their souls." - PlayStation Mobile, Inc.
The game has you controlling two beautifully, light-rendered creatures, a bird and a fish. They are on opposite sides of the screens, just outside of where both your thumbs will rest on the screen. The goal is two allow the two separate entities to fly through shapes that correspond with their unique color. You simply move your thumbs up and down to control the bird and the fish. At some points, you are required to bring the bird and fish together, to make it through a color that they make together, if they were blended. In this case, their separate colors are blue and orange. At times you have to fly through a shape that is green. Bringing them together allows you to fly through that color. You can only make three mistakes as you fly through this beautifully swirling environment. The game is all about obtaining a high score.
The different levels in the game encompass, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. At the start of the game, it recommends the game be played with headphones. The reason is because it is an integral part of the experience. The soundtrack was created by Sam Marshall. It is incredible. I did a quick check to see if the soundtrack was available to purchase, because it is that good. So far, no luck on that end. The game has many items to unlock that give you the behind the scenes involvement from the original Entwined game that was released for PlayStation.
Entwined Challenge Features:
- All new scoring system and online leaderboards to challenge your friends.
- All new unlockables with never before seen concept art, behind the scene sketches and videos.
- All new touch control scheme specially designed for touchscreen devices.
- 5 Uniquely designed levels based on the Asian elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal)
- No 'in app purchases.' One time purchase price gets you everything in the game!
If you are looking for a game that is fun to play, has an easy learning curve, beautiful graphics and memorable music, you should really download Entwined Challenge. The game is $.99 with no in-app purchases. The game is not integrated with Google Game Play Services. It does have leaderboards for the different levels, but it is only implemented through your FaceBook account. Hopefully Google Game Play Integration will happen in an update. Pixelopus has created a game that will stay on your mobile device for quite some time. It is rare that a game can be this fun and calming at the same time. Screenshots don't do this game justice, you have to see it in action. Check out the video for the PlayStation version just to give you an idea of how visually stunning this game is.
Google Play Link: Entwined Challenge
