Following in the footsteps of Angry Birds and Doodlejump, Whale Trail is the latest gaming app which will have you glued to your smart phone.
Evoking memories of App Store phenomenon Tiny Wings, Whale Trail places you in control of Willow the Whale granted the gift of flight to escape a hideous sea monster Baron von Barry. You are forced to navigate the treacherous skies above the ocean, swooping and climbing to avoid dangerous thunder clouds.
Whimsical premise and names aside, the game is as charming and enjoyable as it is simple and thoroughly engaging. The simple one button control allows you at a touch the screen to bring Willow out of a dive towards the skies above. Pressing down a little longer will cause Willow to loop-the-loop, allowing you to explore other paths in the level to take.
This simple control scheme allows you to navigate a brightly coloured, ever-changing serious of environments complete with rainbows, bubbles (which must be collected to stay afloat) and the dangerous hazards trying to force you down towards the Baron and certain doom. Similar to Canabalt the game is never-ending with the only conclusion coming when the players’ concentration slips and Willow succumbs to one of the obstacles.
From the moment you start the App up the tone is set. An introductory tune sung by Gruff Rhys of the Super Furry Animals starts to play once you reach the menu and that light-hearted charm permeates every aspect of the game.
If you are particularly opposed to the bright colours and overt charm which the game is saturated with then this may not be for you, however, if you like many others are addicted to cheap iPhone games to help kill a commute, then Whale Trail is definitely worth your attention.
