Rope Escape for Android review: Not very attractive, but still hard to put down

Currently a Google Play Editors' Choice title, Rope Escape offers its own take on the side-scrolling distance running game. In it, your main objective is to simply travel as far to the right as you can by using your rope to swing from objects, Spider-Man-style.

8.2

Rope Escape for Android

The Good

<b>Rope Escape</b> offers some unique, addictive gameplay that's easy to learn and great for pick-up-and-play action.

The Bad

Graphics aren't so hot. New environments would help break up the visual monotony.

The Bottom Line

Don't let the cheesy graphics fool you. Rope Escape is an addictive and unique side-scrolling runner that is well worth the download.

Rope Escape swings onto Android (pictures)

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While other games in the genre, like Jetpack Joyride, keep the screen moving laterally at a pretty consistent pace, Rope Escape differs in that it can change speeds in an instant. One second you might be hurtling through the sky at a rocket's pace, and another you might find yourself tethered to a stationary tree. In fact, unlike in Jetpack Joyride, you can even move backward. Also, because you can swing to different altitudes, much of the game scrolls up and down as well as left to right. Still, with all of the different movement options, your goal is to travel as many meters to the right as possible.

To start the game, simply tap the screen to catapult yourself into the air. Once you're up, your challenge is to stay there by latching onto objects with your rope and swing from one to the next. One tap shoots your rope out, and another lets go. In order to maintain your forward momentum, you must time your swings (and your taps) just right. If you hit the ground, your game is over.

The lowest portion of the screen is lined with trees, which act as your bread-and-butter swinging platforms. Meanwhile, other potential targets for your rope are flying rocks, zeppelins (which can usually be found flying just above the trees), and even UFOs, if you can propel yourself high enough into the atmosphere. There are also coins you can collect (for buying upgrades) and various special items that can help you in your journey. Rockets give you a quick boost across the screen.

While gravity is certainly your primary adversary in this game, there a still a couple others with which you must contend. Arrows and fireballs are often seen flying through the air, and they can sever your rope. Also, some UFOs have been known to drag you to the left, essentially erasing the progress you've made.

In Rope Escape there are three different game modes. The normal game mode simply has you traveling as far as you can for as long as you can. Time Attack gives you 30 seconds to get as far as you can, and Rope Attack asks you to swing as far as you can with only four ropes. Personally, I think all three game modes are fun and equally addictive.

One thing that should keep you coming back for more is the selection of upgrades. As you collect coins throughout the game, you'll be able to afford new ropes and even new costumes.

As fun as as Rope Escape is, it's not a particularly attractive game. There is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to graphics quality, and the visuals get repetitive very quickly. That said, I would love to see some new, perhaps unlockable, levels in the mix. It would be interesting to bring the rope-swinging adventurer to other environments, like cities or indoor courses, rather than keeping him in the jungle. Also, a wider variety of special items in these new environments would be welcome as well.