In Case of Fire Review

By , on June 1, 2011


In Case of Fire
Download on the AppStore
3 out of 5

PROS

  • Easy to learn gesture controls.
  • Simple visuals make puzzle elements easy to follow.
  • New concepts taught as you progress.

CONS

  • No ability to view beyond your character.
  • Some traps feel cheap; catching you out at the last moment to force a reset.

VERDICT

In Case Of Fire challenges you to think quickly on your feet, though some challenges may require a bit of precognition.


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As game types go, the 'puzzle platformer' is often an odd one to deal with as the amount of variation is limited only by how you want to tackle the 'puzzle' part of the equation. While it's possible to add challenges based around logic, attempting to crack the precise sequence of actions required to pass a screen can be just as difficult to overcome. In Case Of Fire (ICOF) by Coin Bump takes the second route as players attempt to rescue someone from a burning building by avoiding the fire and traps in his way.

Instead of traditional virtual-buttons, ICOF uses a gesture system to manipulate the actions of a poor victim that walks automatically (and quite stupidly right in to fire). Swiping along a platform will tell him to start running, while tapping the screen can either direct his attention to stairs or stop and turn him around. With this simple set of actions you'll need to time your movements precisely to run past obstacles such as falling fire, conveyor-belts and locked doors. Various switches and keys can be used to unlock additional paths, while buttons within the level can be manually triggered to change the world (such as activating moving sprinklers).

Although the simple stenciled visuals of the game are understated, they help to highlight important objects in the world, making it easy to grasp the scope of the problem you face with little preparation. Unfortunately players are unable move their view beyond their character, resulting in some levels being replayed over and over as you learn each step in the process instead of calculating your actions ahead of time. 

Completing the 30 currently available levels won't take too long, though there are points at which your progression will halt as require some abstract experimentation to overcome certain traps. Despite this In Case Of Fire is satisfying to finish and worth checking out if you're after a challenging puzzle platformer.

Screenshots

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