Game Review: Spectra

From classic arcade titles like Donkey Kong to three-dimensional mind benders like Portal, platforming games with puzzle elements have a special place in the hearts of many a gamer. It still remains one of the most popular genres in gaming, despite the current generation's chronic addiction to hyper-realistic twitch shooters. One could even argue platforming games have received their biggest boost in popularity yet thanks to the ongoing smartphone revolution, which has placed gaming devices into millions of people's hands. One game capitalizing on mobile gaming's admiration of platforming is Spectra and while it isn't a platformer in the traditional sense, the arcade-style game instead creates a compelling experience by taking a simple color-based concept and absolutely running with it.

Like all great arcade games, the premise and execution of Spectra seems stupidly simple at first

Like all great arcade games, the premise and execution of Spectra seems stupidly simple at first: you are a small block that is constantly moving from side-to-side and your objective is to climb up the platforms as high as possible before dying. But here's the wild card--your block can change colors and you can only jump onto platforms that match the color you are. For example, if you're blue the only platforms that are "solid" for you to land on are blue. Don't underestimate the game's apparent simplicity--it will make you scream in fury and frustration if you screw up.

Speaking of frustration, Spectra's controls are fortunately just the opposite. The game gives you two areas of control: the color-chooser on the left side and the rest of the screen dedicated to the platforming action. Also in that area, you have to tap anywhere in order to make your block jump. But the controls are the simple part; the real challenge is how you use them. As your block moves from side to side, you have to make sure that you time your jump right and that your block is the correct color in order to land on the platform. So if you're red and you jump perfectly but the platform is blue and you can't change color in time, you fall and could die. Again, it's difficulty is hard to express in words but trust us, Spectra will make you pull your hair out...in a good way of course. Somehow the game manages to hook you in and bring you back for more sadistic torture.

Spectra will make you pull your hair out...in a good way of course.

Despite the frustrating and thus addictive nature of its gameplay, Spectra does an excellent job of making sure the game doesn't become too repetitive. Every time you start a new game, the level is randomly generated ensuring that you receive a new head-smashing experience every time. Another added element for replay value is the support of leaderboards for local and online.

Yet the honeymoon period had to end sometime and sadly, Spectra isn't perfect. If you couldn't already tell, the game isn't so much the looker you may have been hoping for. It's just ugly--the epitome of design deemed 'functional'. A game so rich in concept and skillful in execution looks no better than E.T. from the heydays of the Atari 2600. But one does have to appreciate the game's willingness to sacrifice aesthetics for functionality, and admittedly Spectra is very easy to pick up and play. So while the retro look is a little too faithful to gaming's early years of trial-and-error, it more than makes up for it with its intuitive execution.

Overall
Spectra is one of those gems that is perfectly suited to today's mobile gaming platforms and would have rocked in a dusty arcade twenty years ago. Its shortcomings in aesthetics tend to make an unfavorable first impression, but once past that you'll be treated to a tricky game that hooks you in and doesn't let go.

	Rating: Great! Spectra Andrew Bunn FREE Version 1.0.0.0
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