They Need To Be Fed 2 review (iOS / Universal)

10 word description: 360 degree action/puzzle gravity platformer sequel. 50+ levels. 2 Modes.

10 word review: Clean visuals, atmospheric sounds, compelling gameplay, great controls, fun game.

You will like this if you enjoy: Original TNTBF, Soosiz, action/puzzle platformers with an emphasis on skilful control and timing.

The good news: Distinctive, clean visual style with subtle, effective animations and convincing but fun physics. Audio is atmospheric and appropriate. Controls are very good, although custom button placement (particularly on iPad) would be nice to have. Gameplay is splendidly designed with a continually escalating challenge and a variety of game elements that work really well together. Plenty of content with an Epic mode that unlocks after collecting all the crystals in normal mode (including the X levels). No IAPs.

The bad news: My 4th gen iPod Touch overheated while playing this, to the point where I got a full screen warning telling me to wait until it cooled down before using it. Admittedly I was in the car, parked in direct sunshine, on the hottest day of the year so far which, being in Britain, probably was not that hot.

Arcadelife verdict: I never really got into the original TNTBF, which is my loss I suppose, but I’m really enjoying this sequel. The combination of short-yet-satisfying levels (with considerate checkpoints in normal mode), responsive and reliable controls, clean, clear graphics, and the wonderfully unrestricted feeling of the 360 degree gravity is a triumph of touch-screen gaming.

Unlike the majority of iOS platform games, a genre that TNTBF2 definitely fits into, this is not a game that is “only for platform fans” and I’m confident that I can recommend it without caveats to anyone who wants a good-looking, challenging skill-based game.

Arcadelife rating

Presentation – 9/10
Visuals – 9/10
Controls – 9/10
Content – 9/10
Fun – 9/10
Final rating – 9/10

ANOTHER EXCELLENT GAME!

Rating categories explained here.

Version reviewed by Arcadelife is 1.1

Bit Ate Bit website link

Arcadelife played and reviewed this game on:
4th gen iPod Touch (iOS 6.0.1)
4th gen iPad (iOS 6.0.1)
1st gen iPad