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REViEW: Hungry Helga HD (iPad)

Posted on 22. Oct, 2010 by admin in Featured, Review

Hungry Helga by Grid Monsters

Hungry Helga is a fast-paced action game for the iPad (and soon the iPhone) that tests a player’s ability to keep a demanding Viking woman happy.

Players assume the role of Captain Kjirk, whose sole purpose in life is to keep Helga fat and happy by feeding her fish. If Helga doesn’t get fed fast enough, she’ll throw a fit that will quickly destroy Kjirk’s ship, ending the game.

THE DETAILS

The words

Right from opening Hungry Helga, the landing page graphics jump right out at you. Beautifully rendered with enough spice not to overwhelm. It’s always good to open up a new app and start off on the right foot.

Inside the game is more than a little mad… and thankfully we have the video to show off what is really happening.

Controlling a Viking Boat (captained by Kjirk) you must drop cannon shots onto schools of fish swimming below. The first mate will then diligently scoop the dead fish up in a net and fling to Kjirks wife, Helga, who conveniently always has her mouth open.

If you don’t feed her enough, she does her nut, and smashes the boat… so feed her well, and fast. There’s a bar at the bottom of the screen showing how fat/thin she currently is, so you can monitor her emotions i.e. if she gets thin, she gets a tad mad.

She’s not all bad thought. If you manage to keep her fat, a halo starts to form around her immense body. When it starts spinning you can tap it and she releases her special powers. These include such things as a lightening bolt of electrocution, a ‘sunlight death beam’ (??) and bonus ‘ghost’ fish.

Moving the boat is controlled by tilting or flicking. Cannon shots (three at a time) are done by tapping. I personally prefer the tilt-tap method.

One of the things that makes this game great is the gameplay progression. From what I just describe you might think that’s it… and for a lot of apps that would be.

However Hungry Helga introduces sharks eating your fish, seagulls diving on your fish, icebergs blocking your path and even the added emotion of different weather types all tie up nicely in a tight package. Sounds are excellent and never overbearing, just the right touch to help with game immersion… and that’s not all.

The schools of fish get progressively harder, faster and seemingly more intelligent. The devs have done a wonderful job juggling this aspect of the game, making it challenging enough to go beyond a simple tilt and tap experience.

To sum up; well-crafted, engaging and great to look at… expect to see this on Apples store front (… there I said it…can’t take it back now).

Sidenote: I have never hated seagulls more than in this game. Trying to hit the sneaky sods with cannon fire is exasperating.

Tags: Game, Grid Monsters, HD, iPad, iPhone, iPod

Reviewed by: admin

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