Sway Review
Since the app store opened I’ve been waiting to see something that is truly the first “This Can Only Be Done On The iPhone” game. With Sway by Illusion Labs I think my search is over!
Just a few minutes with this game and you know that you’ve got something that is only a blast to pay… something that is not only a game that you MUST show your friends… something that is not only a game that will have you playing for hours before you put it down… but something that could only be done on this device. There is no way this could be ported from anything else… nor is it going anywhere else.
For iPhone/iTouch gamers… we have a game that we can call OURS!
Sway’s storyline is that an evil wizard has somehow blown up the world and you have to swing around on the pieces of this shattered world to reach goals and rescue your friends. Okay, not the best storyline, but I think if you broke down Super Mario you’d be a little disappointed in the story, and it did all right.
It’s Sway’s controls that will have you laughing and crying at the same time. Using your thumbs you control the swaying figure (you start with a lizard, but unlock others along the way… cough couch Ninja! cough cough). Each thumb works a separate side of the screen and each is controls a hand of the creature. This takes a little getting used to, but after a while you’re swinging around like Tarzan.
A lot of strategy goes into when to let go with one hand and catch with the other. And that’s where the “crying” part comes in. This game make look cute, but it’s a real work out and can get very hard at times. I hated every time a miss touch with my thumbs caused Lizzy to fall to an agonizing death.
Graphically this game is incredible. Don’t let the cartoon graphics fool you. Once you start to look at your creature winging around you’ll see that the developers have nailed the 3D look of it perfectly. You’d swear that the thing is about to swing off the screen.
And the physics that go into the little guy (gal?) are incredible. It’s like the Rag Doll physics that many of the Next Generation consoles are using in their games, but you’ve got it in the palm of your hand. The doll moves exactly as it should as you swing it back and forth, trying to reach the next piece of wall.
Sound also give the game a polished feel… but what would you expect with a game that has put this much work into everything else. I’ll be hearing Lizzy’s screams every time I try to go to sleep for a while… Damn my thumbs!
The game is played like most platform games where you start at a location and have to reach the goal in order to start the next location. Along the way there are check points that will allow you to start from when you fall (Lizzy… NO!) and I was thankful for every one of them.
At the end of the level you’re given a medal for how you did… or a sucker if you just completed it without doing well enough for a medal. I’ve had fun going back to try and get rid of all the suckers that littered my path the first time through things.
This is really a game that you have to play for a few minutes before you realize that you’re loving it. The $5 price might scare some (though I can’t see why… it’s very cheap for the fun you’ll have), and I think that the game could really benefit from a Lite version. Then people can see the great game play and they’ll be grateful to only spend $5 for a game this good.
Time to get into the swing of things. Grab Sway and… Grab Some Wall!
The Good
A perfect example of a “iDevice Only” game
Controls are very fun to use
Unlockables! (Ninja!)The Bad
Can be frustrating at times
I want more
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Category: Editors Choice Awards, Games
i have a question: are free apps only given out once (even if there are more than 1 winner) or could they be given out at any time?
looks like a really fun game and is very unique. the gameplay looks rly fun and addictive. one aspect of the game that really stands out is the character of the game. it has nice cartoony graphics and cute animal characters that give it a lot of personality, something that many other games are lacking.
this game looks rly cool and after reading this review i think i might buy it (if i don’t win it)
Congrats to Catango the winner of the app!
this game has been hyped for a long time and it seems to have satisfied everyone. People say its short but im sure there are more levels on the way. Great looking game.
ive been waiting for this game to come out for a long time. now that its out, it looks better then i thought. looks awesome!
this game looks really really good! Its amazing what people can come up with on an iphone.
This game looks like insane fun. The ragdoll swinging is out of the ordinary.
I could certainly practise some ragdoll physics with this game.
Thanks for the review.
ok, this is probably one of the best games i have played on this device. The controls and graphics are stellar, there are few bad things i could say about this game. It is short, but the devs says that in the next update, there will be added levels and additional gameplay tweaks.
Wow, this game looks awesome! Thanks for the review! I might have to swing around iTunes and check Sway out. It is really cool to see a game designed just for the iPod Touch / iPhone.
i dont really mind if it is short. If its a lot of fun and really innovative, it is still probably worth it.
Hmm, the ragdoll reminds me of my childhood..
This game keeps the gamer going because the idea of unlocking a new character ninja sounds fun enough.
$5 I need to consider because most of the people says it is a pretty short game. Swinging around the walls is fun but is there any place the ragdoll will get stuck from moving to the next wall?
ive read alot of reviews saying its too short, until they add some levels i dont know if its worth $5
wow! i didnt know stuff this cool could be on the iphone but i guess companies come up with awesome ideas. Sweet looking app!
It looks like the mechanics would be very similar to Toy Bot Diaries, no? I’m very interested in this one even though their videos are kind of annoying with that cartoony finger.
I think it looks very good as well, but im not getting the Toy Bot Diaries feel more like Little Big Planet?
I’ve been waiting for this one
(you start with a lizard, but unlock others along the way… cough couch Ninja! cough cough)
^^^
Nice
Man, I just love the games that Illusion Labs has put out. iPint, Labyrinth, Touchgrind, and now Sway. They’re really becoming true innovators on iPhone gaming and I’m really looking forward to the games they put out.
looks super fun…super fly!
GAHAHA looks so fun!!
Sounds fun, interesting, a good use of controls, and challenging
this game looks really sweet!!!!
I have this game sniped. Looks cool, but not sure if I’ll like it. Hopefully a Lite version comes out soon.
Thanks for the review. You guys rock!
This looks very good. It seems very polished. I’ve been considering getting this game.
noice looking game! 15 levels isnt that much but for a large amount of fun i bet its great.
5$ for only 15 levels
I don’t think it’s worth it
Well, you have to realize that the devs will probably send out updates with more levels. They wont have you paying for those. I think it is a good deal if you consider they may be hard working and generous devs. Also, the more people buy, the more they will be motivated to add lots of things in free updates.
But there is always a chance that they aren’t working on new levels
If they do announce they are making new levels then I’ll get it
I kind of agree of not buying it for what you think it might have, because the developers may never add levels, or if they dont get the funding, they will stop updating it…
so you should consider buying it for what it is, and any updates are extra perks..
still looks like a good game
Sway looks very polished and it’s controls are unique from other apps presently in the store. I do agree that the controls look like they take some getting used to.
I think the learning curve would be pretty small. The game does away with buttons by just using both sides of the screen. Seems pretty neat.
amazing looking game! The idea is fantastic and executed well.
wow its amazing what an iphone can do!
This game looks awesome!
The controls look a bit hard, but the graphics and gameplay seem to make up for it!
Along with the fact it is made by the creators of TouchGrind,
AMAZING!
i saw videos thia games looks that great as touchgrind …
i want it please please please!! …
its really great graphic fun exiting and you have to use your brain!
Looks like a nice game, but it seems too short…I’m not sure if I’ll get it at the current price.
It looks like this platform may finally be getting some games worth showing to friends. Its rare for a game to come out that wouldn’t make me embarrassed to pull out my iPod while my friends are playing their PSP’s or DS’s. Look forward to seeing what happens with this one.
I really want this game!!!
Wow this looks so cool and innovative. If I don’t win the free app I’m def buying it.
Same as
Wow yeh looks like little big planet!! Looks great!!
this looks very very good
first i thought “stupid game”
then i saw that its from the same developers as from touchgrind
and then i saw the cool new gameplay and
now…….
I WANT THAT GAME!
I actually wasn’t really interested in this game when it was first announced.. Or even after it had come out.. but after reading this review, I’m thinking i may want to try it out.
Hot damn I want to try this game.
Nice review Bob. This is a really great looking title. It’s nice to see such polished titles in the app store after seeing so many half-done ideas.
Wow, this looks REALLY good! I think there are others that are iPhone-only ( chuck the ball, trace, etc.)
You know it reminded me slightly of Little Big Planet for the iPhone. Unlockable characters, level design, and Adorable characters. Not on the same level of course but i get that vibe from it!
I actually also thought of Little Big Planet. The character design seems reminiscient of that game. Either way, It looks quite cool.
Games that are designed for the iDevice is where it’s at!!!
Best looking game on the iPhone? There’s no doubt about that. Now I’m curious if the gameplay (and gamelife) is on the same level…
The Game Play is definitely there. So far the Game Life is there but I’ll need more than a week with it to be sure. But even with the time I’ve had with it (and the fun) I’d say that I’ve gotten more than my monies worth out of it… and, yes, I did buy the game.
Yeah same here bob. This game is just great overall. It is a strangely unique platformer.
this game looks amazing
like i said before i have been waiting for appversity’s review before possibly purchasing this app
thanks for a thorough review