Hands on with Glyder 2 on iPhone

Like a 747 to a tiny puddle-jumping propeller plan, Glyder 2 promises higher flying, feature-packed gameplay than the inventive original.

By building upon the self-guided play of the first game with new levels, activities, and customisation, it's evident from our hands on that Glyder 2 addresses all our criticisms of the first game and then some.

Eryn's adventure continues with a set of new worlds, opening on the frozen spires of an icy isle. Crystals encircle the towering peaks, as well as within island's massive archways and caverns.

It's an enormous environment, though dwarfed by locations visited later in the game. A gargantuan set of cliffs that open near the finale take Eryn to an altitude that far surpasses the tallest peak in the first game.

Size isn't the only change, as the environments promise greater graphical and gameplay variety. Another new locale, an Egyptian-themed oasis, features a village rendered in far more detail than its counterpart in the Rift Valley level of the original Glyder. Other landmarks such as obelisks and moving artefacts bring life to these settings, too.

Joining these new environments are an expanded set of optional tasks that broaden play beyond crystal collection.

Speed runs return, letting you race between platforms situated within each level. Waypoints that delineate a specific flight path between platforms eliminate any confusion about where to go. Moreover, they enable longer, more complex paths that offer more of a challenge than flying from point A to point B.

Most promising is the advent of objective-based challenge missions. Addressing our complaint that the original relied too much on self-motivated exploration to drive play forward, challenges present specific tasks independent of collecting crystals or speed runs.

In the oasis level, a challenge mission had Eryn helping distressed villagers escape their town. Swooping down to the villagers picked them up, upon which you could glide to the marked location to drop them off.

Incentives are also being offered to revisit worlds that you've previously cleared, even after you've collected all of the crystals and completed speed runs. Finding a key in the oasis level, for example, may work on a lock in another level that grants you a new set of wings.

Scouring the game for these items looks to be worth it, too, as Glyder 2 allows customisation of both Eryn's wing set and clothing.

Each set of wings varies slightly in quality, some boasting greater speed or tighter turning. Additionally, special skills are tied to certain wings. The Albatross set, for instance, possesses a gauge that fills whenever you enter a thermal. That thermal energy can then be used later to gain altitude. Similarly, the Phoenix wing set can store up to five boost crystals for later use.

You're not required to switch wings, since it's possible to complete the game using the default cloth set. Nevertheless, it's a compelling addition, not just because it introduces customisation but because it's meaningful. Swapping out wings isn't cosmetic, it actually has an impact on play.

Expect more wing sets and outfits to try in the weeks following the game's December release, as Glu has pledged to make new items available in free updates. Even better, new levels, challenges, and crystals will be offered as well.

Before the prospect of free content downloads, Glyder 2 justified anticipation by virtue of its ambitious open world design and soothing exploratory gameplay that remain intact from the original.

By introducing a range of new activities, customisation, and levels to be built upon in future updates, it's clear that this sequel will be soaring to greater heights come December.