I recently downloaded and installed Dig Dug Remix for iPhone the other day. I remember really liking this game when I was a kid. Heck, I was a sucker for just about anything that let me drop a coin in a slot and see 8 bit video dance around. Dig Dug was one of those games that was fun to play, easy to learn, but difficult to master. I thought getting to play a classic on my iPhone would be great.
Turns out the game is actually two games in one...one is the original Dig Dug as you (might) remember it, the other is a slick graphic/gameplay upgrade. They both basically play the same as you remember the original. Pretty sweet...or so I thought...
Then I had to control it. OMFG are the controls bad! It uses an on-screen d-pad that doesn't react well at all. It is borderline unplayable at times. Forget careful timing or last-minute saves...it ain't there. I am hoping in later versions the controls might function better. I realize that trying to emulate the functionality of a real hardware controller via screen interface is difficult, I really do. However, I am of the opinion that if you can't make it playable, then maybe you shouldn't make the game at all. Just my two cents.
Anyway, at least it was only $5. :-(
Print | posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 9:55 AM