Where I found the recommendation for
Rinth Island, I have already forgotten. The addictiveness of the game featured prominently in that review. I've installed it on my iPad last week, and have been playing it ever since.
Rinth Island tells the story of an island that's gotten hit by a serious storm. Your hero is helping to rebuild the little civilization that lives on the beaches of the island, and discovering new parts of the inland as well. You do this by solving gorgeous puzzles where you try to find your way through a maze.
The game blends 3D backgrounds with 2D game play: the puzzle you need to solve is built as a 3D circle, a tube where you need to move up and down, climb ladders, shove crates... You're walking on a piece of rolled up paper. The hero's a funny pixilated guy or girl, making the experience very arcade-like – with the added bonus of a nicer backdrop.
To keep you even longer in the game, there are several forms of gameplay: adventure mode lets you solve the puzzle, or you can decide to collect crystals on your walk, adding another level of complexity to the puzzle, or try a timed version of the same puzzle. You could even create your own levels and share them with friends or strangers.
Rinth Island is a fun little very addictive game. Stuck on a level, I found myself thinking through strategies on my commute to work. It's that kind of game.
Rating: ★★★★
