Experience puzzle platforming bliss with iBlast Moki 2 HD

Are you looking for the next Angry Birds-style app, that will have you hooked and begging for more? I’ve found mine, and it’s called iBlast Moki 2 HD ($2.99).

iBlast Moki 2 is the sequel to the critically acclaimed, if not widely known, iBlast Moki. This second title shines much more brightly than its predecessor, and not just because of a new coat of paint. The mechanics, graphics and level design editor have all been upgraded in this iteration, making it more accessible and an all-around better product.

The basic premise in this game is to transport the Moki characters to a portal in each level. The main devices used to move these Moki around are bombs. While this might sound violent, the bombs never hurt the characters, but simply act as a propulsion device to get the little round guys (or gals) moving. As an improvement from the original game, there are a few new bomb types that add a great deal of variety and depth to the game. The first two, speed and bounce bombs, seem to be borrowed from the console and PC hit Portal 2. (I mean borrowed in the most flattering sense.) When these bombs explode, their contents are splashed on surrounding surfaces, and will cause the Mokis to accelerate or bounce respectively when they come in contact with the stuff. The third, and maybe most tricky-to-use, bomb is the sticky bomb. When it detonates, it leaves a green splatter that the Mokis will cling to. Quite often the stuck character will then need to be “unstuck,” and a regular bomb can make quick work of this task.

The feature of iBlast Moki 2 that really shines for me, is the timing aspect.  Each bomb used can be delayed to detonate precisely when you want it to, using a spinning-dial-type timer. This timer will click in 1/20th-of-a-second intervals, and sometimes just a single click one way or the other, will be enough to solve a difficult puzzle. I absolutely love this mechanic, and it made me want to keep fiddling with each bomb’s settings in order to climb the leader board.

The graphical and audio presentation are both top-notch for an app of this type, and I was glad to hear the composers from the first game were on board for the second, as the musical score is excellent. This is a rare app. I usually turn off the music five minutes into a game. There’s very little to find irritating in this app. I highly recommend it.

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