Staying Together | App Review

Clever gameplay hides behind the cute graphics in this platform puzzler

Staying Together
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Publisher: Naquatic
Reviewed On: iPhone
Cert: 4
Available On: iPhone,Android

I must admit, the name of this one almost put me off altogether. It just seems a little ...twee. But the game itself, although a little cutesy, is actually quite clever. Instead of one character to control, there are two. At the same time.

That may sound simple, but it’s not. Tap on the jump button and both will jump, but move in either direction and the other character will move in the opposite direction. That in itself takes some getting used to, but then you have to factor in the obstacles that each face.

It works like this: each character is presented in a split screen. You goal is reunite them in the centre, where there is a big glowing circle. Along the way, there are collectibles such as pieces of a giant heart.

The problem is that one character may start two steps away from a fatal drop, while the other could be under a row of spikes. That means you’ll need some precise manoeuvring to get both out of danger and to safety.

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Ultimately, this is a game about tactics that requires a bit more thinking than its cartoon exterior belies. It’s frustrating and satisfying in almost equal measures; completing each puzzle feels like an achievement but you’ll need a good sense of timing and some serious precision to get through it.

And if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can try the Hardcore setting, which unlocks when you earn 20 hearts in each world (ie all of them). Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist