Nanodrops – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: H4 Design Lab
Version #: 1.0 (iPhone OS 3.0 Tested)
Date Released: 2010-01-20
Developer:
Price: 0.00
User Rating:
Loading...
I like it when an iPhone app developer takes an idea for a game that is rather simple but then goes on to execute it in such a manner as though to tell of the developer’s dedication to his or her craft, that however simple the game is in his or her mind, the developer is sure to find ways to make the idea novel. And one way of making this possible is with the visual design, as exemplified by a pick-up-and-play game called Nanodrops.
Nanodrops is a game about, well, nanodrops, which are little drops of an unidentified liquid, that come in three colors: red, green, and blue. Upon launch of a new game, you are shown a trio of nanodrops that form a virtual triangle. Bear in mind the color and position of each nanodrop in the triangle because your goal is to recreate the triangle. The game proper involves nanodrops falling from the top of the screen and a collector situated in the lower middle portion of the screen, suspended just above a sea of the same unidentified liquid that could also be red, green, or blue at the bottom. Around the collector–to its left or right, or on top of it–you’ll find a blinking, semi-transparent thing in the shape of a nanodrop. This is your cue to drag a nanodrop of the right color towards the collector, depending on which position the blinking drop is currently in. Drag a nanodrop of the wrong color to it and the game’s over. Also, the sea at the bottom has a color for a reason: only nanodrops of the same color are allowed to hit it. You can destroy other-colored nanodrops by tapping at them so they don’t hit the sea and end the game as well. Once you have all three nanodrops around the collector, a new round begins where you’d have to recreate a different set of three nanodrops.
The mechanics of Nanodrops are actually quite simple once you get the hang of the game, but like I said, the developer has integrated the rules of the game into a neat piece of iPhone app design work that reminds me a lot of some of the best Web sites and interfaces I’ve seen. The color scheme is slick, and everything in the game just looks smooth and sharp.
No background music is used, but there are several sound effects that in turn remind of the voices of–wait for it–oompah-loompahs. That’s right, oompah-loompahs, as weird as that might sound. The voices may or may become annoying as you play, depending on whether you’re a fan of Roald Dahl’s chocolate-making midgets or not, which luckily I am.
I also found the game’s use of tilt controls rather unnecessary. You can tilt your device to change the direction the nanodrops are going to avoid collisions, but at the moment I see no vital use for said controls as I find it much easier to just tapping the nanodrops to make them disappear altogether. I understand the developer has something presumably good in store regarding the tilt controls, and hopefully other aspects of the game, in future updates.
Quick Take
Value:Low.
Would I Buy Again:Yes. But probably not at the drop of a hat.
Learning Curve:Medium. The "How to Play" section of the app pretty much covers everything you need to know.
Who Is It For:People who like pick-up-and-play games.
What I Like:The beautiful visual design.
What I Don't Like:No background music.
Final Statement:A minimalist pick-up-and-play game that is remarkably well designed.
