A review from the Touch Arcade forums

[headkaze]

This is a review I found on the Touch Arcade forums.

HIDDEN GEM ALERT

I now see why the dev of this game asked why there wasn't a front page review for it yet. It definitely deserves one.

Very cool and unique ball-rolling platformer/adventure game. In Jungool you play as a ball, a mask-like character of sorts, on a mission to retrieve a bunch of sacred tribal masks, rescue fellow jungle goers, and restore peace to the jungle by defeating whatever evil that awaits. The gameplay involves guiding, rolling, and bouncing a ball through the environments, each level having a specific task you must complete such as collecting things and special items, and defeating or avoiding enemies. Solving mini puzzles is a big part of the gameplay and is often required to interact with obstacles in the environment or to figure out a way to get to where you have collect something. In some levels on occasion, you take on some cool bosses and have to figure out the strategy to defeat them. (Usually the levels in this game are short and the boss fights are quick though, that's just the way the game is designed I guess, maybe so it has more of a casual appeal to it.) Once the task for whatever level you're on is completed a portal will open up for the ball to enter and advance onto the next level. The game isn't super heavy on the puzzle solving, I think of it more like mini puzzle solving for each level, but it's still engaging and each level's puzzle is unique from the last one so it adds some diversity to the levels and keeps things more interesting than just rolling the ball around repeating the same stuff.
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The graphics and effects in this game are downright cool, very artistic, much more stylish than what you'd typically see on the i-device for a platforming game. Unique in a good way would be the right way to describe it. There is a background story and a jungle theme to the game, the story is mostly told through breaks in between levels. The creative graphics, good sound effects, and tribal-like background music all add a fitting and deep atmosphere to the theme and story. Most importantly though, the gameplay is enjoyable, and even a bit quirky and funny at times.

As far as the controls go they're standard and for the most part pretty good, You move with a D-Pad and the ball seems to respond tightly to your command. It may take a small amount of time for your thumb to adjust to the size of the D-pad, making the ball feel wobbly at first from sliding slightly too far left or right. But once you get used to the D-pad controlling the ball, guiding it feels more natural and precise. There is also a jump button in the game to enable the ball to hop to different platforms or on get on top of things. (Another '3 point' control option without a D-pad is available that is still all touch control, it does work but overall I found the more traditional D-pad and jump button in the corners a little easier to use after getting used to it, so I stuck with that option..)

While the physics in this game are normal. the ball movement is a little different in certain situations in relation to it. The ball rolls tight when controlled as if it's partially able to stick to the surface it moves on, and the ball has enough strength to grip on edges or brake and go slow down hills at a controlled pace, it can even climb up steep hills at your directional command. While momentum is not always needed to roll places, physics are normal and still apply when the ball moves without being controlled. I suppose a better way to look at it would be that the ball is an actual live controllable character with its own strength and power to do things instead of simply just a ball rolling around like normal.

Anyway, this is a well made game and anyone looking for a solid unique platformer... I can't recommend this one enough.

At first glance of the screenshots this may look like just another ball roller with just enticing graphics added in, but after you play it you'll find it's even more than that. A unique experience all around, and a quality game that I recommend to all, even at its current $4 price. There's only a handful of platformers in the store I consider quality and this is one of them. Since this game hasn't gotten a lot of attention yet it may become a true hidden gem. Very impressed with this game and how immersed I was playing it.


A few cons:

Hard to avoid danger or enemies at times

Takes a little while to get used to the sensitivity of movement/controls and to be more precise.

Levels are a bit on the short side but still enjoyable to play through nonetheless. Maybe an update will add a few more? I'm still satisfied with what there is though.

[Sokurah]

Cool. That's a really nice little positive review. Let's hope it'll get the game onto the front page.

[Lobo]

Finally someone to actually play the game and say something about it (and along the way restore my faith in people, country, owls and the ways of Bushido).
Danke Schön unnamed warrior!

[flash]

I hate them nasty Owls...

But, apart from that....

[sverx]

HIDDEN GEM ALERT

hopefully no longer hidden

[Lobo]

I hate them nasty Owls...

Don't hate, Skate!

[spacefractal]

Best review, I enjoyed reading that post . So close he wrote the orignal name of the game, about that he wrote about the music. hehe.