Portabliss: Continuity 2 (iOS)
Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Continuity 2!
If student-developed Flash game Continuity's unique blend of tile-puzzle swapping and platforming was too much for your brain to process, you might want to go explore some other corner of the internet for a while. Look! Here is a video of a duck. Isn't that nice?
Continuity 2: The Continuation stacks so many other components on top of the already-confusing formula that even its most cerebral players will likely suffer a meltdown during one of its 50 levels. Switching panels to make a path between points A and B might not be the most taxing exercise -- but doing so while also manipulating gravity and building mechanical circuits is a lot for one measly brain to handle.
The latter activity requires you not only to line up entrances and exits as you move between panels, but also connect machines to switches and power sources by attaching a series of multicolored wires. It's not the hardest nut to crack, but it does demand a bit more consideration when rearranging each level's constituent pieces.
The smartest addition to the formula is the gravity-shifting, which is achieved by tilting your particular iOS device on one of its four sides. This ability, which is only afforded after completing two of the game's six worlds, requires you to think of each level not as a linear path from entrance-to-key-to-exit, but rather, a completely traversable maze. You can go anywhere you want, so long as the panels line up, and your landing zone isn't covered in life-ending spikes.
Scattered across each rotating obstacle course are coins which serve as checkpoints -- a welcome addition for some of the later, more perilous levels. Collecting every coin on a level unlocks an achievement, which players can also earn by beating each level's designated lap time. These achievements don't really have any tangible benefits -- but then again, do any?
Continuity 2 is my very favorite kind of puzzle game. It's only got a small handful of core mechanics, but none of its 50 levels require you to use those mechanics in the same way. Each puzzle requires a satisfying mix of investigation and twitchy navigation to complete, making Continuity 2 something of a mobile heir apparent to the Portal 2 kingdom. I can't think of a stronger endorsement than that.
Continuity 2: The Continuation is available from the iOS App Store for .99 as a universal App. We're always looking for new distractions. Want to submit your game for Portabliss consideration? You can reach us at portabliss aat joystiq dawt com.
