Game Reviews

Shark Dash

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| Shark Dash
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Shark Dash
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| Shark Dash

One of the things I really miss about being a kid - aside from the fact that I didn't have to do proper work and could play football all day long - is the splashing, bubbly, toy-strewn adventure of bath-time.

So you can imagine my glee when I loaded up Shark Dash for the first time. Sure, it has a superficial plot about naughty ducks kidnapping your girlfriend, but it's best described as a wholly accurate representation of bath-time in the McFerran household circa 1985.

Wash behind your ears

A physics-puzzler at heart, Shark Dash involves collecting all of the ducks on each level. To do this, you must grab your shark and pull him like a rubber band. As in Angry Birds, you have to tug in the direction opposite to the one you want your razor-toothed pal to fly in.

Naturally, being a bath toy, your shark has certain bouncy properties that allow him to rebound off the side of the bath. On later levels it's vital you make full use of this talent, as the challenges become harder and harder to solve as more variables are introduced.

Objects native to the bath environment - such as sponges and soap - begin to clog up the aquatic setting, and even later in the game you're expected to fling not one but two sharks around the tub. It's here that your understanding of rubber toy physics will be tested to the limit.

Shark tale

Shark Dash was already a fine game on iOS and Android, and now it boasts support for Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play, although the actual execution is subtle to say the least. Shark Dash is predominately controlled using the touchscreen, and that hasn't changed here.

The only real difference is that you can move the camera around by using the Xperia Play's analogue touchpads. It can actually be quite useful at times, especially when you're trying to set up the perfect shot and you don't want your digits obscuring the view, but on the whole it doesn't really add a great deal to the game.

Disappointing Xperia Play functionality aside, Shark Dash remains just as well-presented, challenging, and downright addictive as it ever was. Puzzle fans should definitely take a bite.

Shark Dash

Shark Dash's Xperia Play functionality is somewhat lacking, but thankfully the core gameplay is enjoyable enough for you to overlook this minor issue. This is yet another top-notch physics-puzzler and serves as a viable substitute for Angry Birds
Score
Damien  McFerran
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.