Orbitum is a forthcoming hypnotic one-touch iOS arcade game for fans of masochistic dodge-'em-ups
Abyssal escape
Orbitum may not be quite as hard as Super Hexagon (but then, what is?), but it is significantly more hypnotic.
This quickfire game from Joan Mad Run developer Happymagenta is as simple as it is punishing.
You play a photon that orbits on rings that are slowly getting pulled towards the black hole at the centre. If you get anywhere near that hole it's Game Over.
To avoid getting sucked in, then, you have to tap the screen to jump up to the next ring. That may sound easy - surely you just keep tapping regularly? Of course, it's never that easy.
Orbitum is a game about balancing. If you don't tap you'll die in the black hole. If you tap too much then you'll reach the just as deadly outer red rings.
This means you have to hold out in the middle. To make matters worse, there are red shapes travelling on some of the rings that will also kill you instantly.
However, the green shapes can be collected for extra points. The blue ones send you into Hyper Jump. It feels like cheating, a little.
With the rings constantly and endlessly being sucked into the middle it becomes hypnotic to play. It's a swirling abyss and you can't afford to take your eyes off it.
It helps that you're encouraged by the computer AI in the game to test your skills to their limits. Not a lot, mind you, but it does aid in your determination.
If you're into challenging arcade games that require your utmost attention, Orbitum is worth a consideration.
It will be available to purchase for 69p / 99c for iOS on July 2nd.
