Apple Puzzle Platformer of the Month: They Need to Be Fed

The Apple Gaming App market is inundated with games, both good and bad. Sure, you have probably heard of Angry Birds, Plants vs Zombies, or even Cut the Rope, but have you tackeled They Need to be Fed yet? Check out this top indie platformer this month on your iPod, iPad, or iPhone!

The story behind They Need to be Fed is in itself quite interesting, kind of a indie game designer fairy tale. Basically, the website Yo-Yo Games held a game design contest for their custom Game Maker engine. It's a sweet custom make-your-own-video-game program and is available for free, with a "professional" version also for sale. The designer of They Need to be Fed, Jesse Venbrux, entered the game in Yo-Yo's contest and took first place, winning $1000 in the process. The game was eventually ported to the Apple mobile app store, for the iPad, iPod and iPhone. It also was ported to the Sony PSP, thanks to an arrangement with Yo-Yo Games. Finally, it is available for free to play on the Yo-Yo Games website. It's received glowing reviews online, from TouchArcade, Joystiq and several other game websites.

Gameplay has a relatively simple, albeit interesting, premise. Players take control of a little 2d character that must jump across the obstacles, collecting all the diamonds along the way, to the very end where a monster awaits. Players complete each level by jumping into the monster, allowing it hungrily devour them. Sort of a morbid touch, but the title describes it aptly. Along the way, players have to dodge a large assortment of traps and obstacles, including lasers, spikes and much more (I don't want to ruin it for you). There is 7 game worlds with some additional surprises along the way. Plus, there is a bonus for finish each level without getting killed partyway (there's "respawn" points on some of the more difficult levels).

The core of the game is built around a cool 2d gravity system. Sure, everything is floating, but once you jump off you can't die from just falling. Instead, you get pulled into the gravity of the nearest platform, be it a balls, cube, or whatever else is available. Controls are quite simple, with a left, right and jump button. Using these took a little while to adjust to on the iPod Tocuh (no tactile feedback like a on a keyboard or Nintendo DSi) but they respond nicely, even on an older iPod model. Deaths can be a little frustrating at times, but solving the puzzles and beating each mission is super satisfying. It's an excellent light platformer and sure to please fans of this genre. At first, it isn't too hard to pick up, but the game provides a nice balance between difficulty and easiness, helping keep you coming back for more.

The musical score for They Need to be Fed is quite well done too! It adds a wonderful touch to the environments and was obviously well planned out, thanks to the work of Jake Almond.

They Need to be Fed is available for Apple mobile devices like the iPod, iPad and iPod Touch for $0.99 on iTunes, definitely worth it. There is also a They Need to be Fed-Lite version available for free on the Apple Itunes Store, with less game worlds. Check out my pick for the top game of January 2011 today!