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Category: 3D action/adventure
Developer: Pangea Software
File Size: 63.2MB
Requirements: iPhone 2.0 software
Compatibility: iPhone and iPod touch
Version Reviewed: 1.1.1
Price: $3.99
Age Rating: 4+

I suppose Bugdom 2 is about as hardcore as an iPhone game can get right now. Ironic, really, considering it was one of the most lighthearted 3D action/adventure games available on the Mac. But it was also a great game on the Mac (see my Applelinks review), and still one of my favorites from Brian Greenstone and the Pangea Software team. This is why I was so excited to see it had been released for the iPhone. And whereas it does a great job of showing off the iPhone’s gaming capabilities, it’s also a reminder of its limitations.

“The most dangerous road of all is the one called revenge.”

Bugdom 2 features a grasshopper named Skip. Out for a leisurely stroll one day—or maybe he’s running away from home, it’s never really revealed—his knapsack is stolen by a giant bee. Thus begins Skip’s adventure through perilous lands and dangers aplenty to retrieve his lunch. It’s not quite as time-honored as rescuing a kidnapped princess, but, as I mentioned in my review of the Mac version, “I like the message this sends our children. Young girls will not get the impression their sole purpose in life is to be rescued, and both boys and girls will understand the importance and majesty of a tasty lunch.”

Skip will chase down this “bully bee” level after level, running into myriad foes and obstacles along the way. These range from other insects to snakes to lawn gnomes to human hazards; some are simply a nuisance, others are quite deadly. Some are to be fought, most can just be avoided. Of course, you’re not alone. You’re never alone, after all. Sally the Chipmunk is there to provide you with checkpoints if you give her acorns, but her voice is so gratingly annoying that you may risk having to return to the beginning of the level just to avoid hearing her talk. There’s also Sam the Snail who will give you necessary keys and such, but not before you’ve achieved some other tasks. Other power-ups can be found throughout the levels, often by shattering butterflies, curiously enough. Who knew butterflies are made of glass? And that they sometimes contain worker bees that you can save up to launch against ants? The insecta class can be really weird sometimes.

“There is little difference between a long life and a short one. Both are but moments in time.”

The best aspects for Bugdom 2 for the Mac are carried over to the iPhone/iPod touch. First, are the graphics. What was simply colorful and fun on the Mac is quite stunning on the iPhone. Perhaps the size of the screen just makes it seem more “tight,” or perhaps it’s just amazing that the iPhone can handle graphics this good, but Bugdom 2 looks fantastic. It really outdoes almost everything I’ve seen on my Nintendo DS. The 3D worlds are fun to look at and navigate, and the animation is mostly quite smooth…it’s only during some of the busier animations that framerate issues occur. These moments are annoying, but they’re not deal breakers.

Second, is the diversity of the levels. Although you’re mostly running around 3D environments collecting items and kicking things, you’ll occasionally find yourself surfing down rain gutters, flying toy airplanes, racing slot cars and such. Plus, there’s plenty to explore in each level. Although the layouts can get confusing (an onscreen map helps with this), the need for exploration in order to retrieve all possible items does prolong the life of the game.

“Master, forgive me, for I have failed.”

Unfortunately, the iPhone controls do introduce some complications. Bugdom 2 was already kind of awkward to control on the Mac, be it with the keyboard/mouse set-up or a gamepad. On the iPhone, it’s all about the accelerometer; tilt the way you want to run. Okay, simple enough, except that overcompensation becomes a major problem, especially when being attacked by multiple enemies or trying to pinpoint a landing. A button on the bottom left of the screen allows you reorient yourself if you find you have to tilt your iPhone completely out of view in order to achieve the desired action, and you’ll find yourself using this often.

Skip can jump or skip can fly for brief periods (depending upon how many blueberries you’ve acquired), and you do this by tapping the screen (once to jump, twice to fly). So, you’re getting your fingers in the way of the action, and having to hold the phone awkwardly as you try to tap and tilt at the same time. Swipe up to kick (or throw an object), swipe down to pick-up/drop an object. Quite often, you’ll find yourself jumping when you meant to kick, kicking when you meant to jump, and dying when you meant to live.

Pangea must’ve known this would be an issue, as the proximity rules seem to have been relaxed. You don’t really need to be too close to Sandy to give her an acorn, or too close to enemies to do them damage. A better way to compensate would’ve been to make the checkpoints save points. Not having to replay an entire level after dying is nice, but you will have to do so if you stop the game. Considering how long it takes to complete some of these levels, I’m really surprised Pangea didn’t create a better save system. Half hour gaming sessions are fine in front of a computer. It’s rare that I’ll do that on the iPhone.

“You have not failed no one Grasshopper, only your own ambition.”

I wanted to enjoy Bugdom 2 more than I did. Every time I go to play an iPhone game, it’s my first choice. However, the awkward controls would eventually get on my nerves, and I’d have to abandon it for something else. Worse, I’d get interrupted late in a level and have to abandon the game without being able to save my progress on that level. When it comes to bang for your buck, however, Bugdom 2 is a fantastic value. It’s complexity and size will make sure you don’t complete it or get bored with it within a matter of hours, so it’s sure to stay on your iPhone or iPod touch for some time to come. You may abandon it every now and again, but keep it on your iDevice; eventually, you’ll work your way through it, and that’ll make you about as hardcore as the iPhone can…for now.