Labyrinth 2, the sequel to one of the original and most popular iDevice games, has been released by Illusion Labs and is quickly climbing the app store charts. Bringing several new game elements and extremely polished gameplay, Labyrinth 2 should easily roll over any and all competitors.
While the original Labyrinth was strictly about avoiding the holes found throughout each level, Labyrinth 2 kicks it up a serious notch or two by incorporating tons of new devices, including bumpers, doors, fans, lasers, ball splitters, ball shrinkers, cannons, and plenty of other objects that increase the challenge, as well as the fun. There are 21 included level packs, but one of the most exciting aspects of the game is the online level editor that allows gamers to put their creativity to the test, either for their own enjoyment or to share with other players. The gameplay is wonderfully smooth and allows for manual calibration so that you can play in any position. There is even an option for a ghost mode whereby you’ll see a ghost ball replaying your best effort while you play any previously completed level. Absolutely everything about the game elicits a positive response.
Graphically, Labyrinth 2 is up there with the best of them. From the shine of the silver ball to the realistic wooden boxes to the way the devs make the menus look like an aged box cover that you pulled out of your parents’ basement after 30 years in storage. There is no backing soundtrack, but you can play music from your own library if you choose. Sound effects are plentiful and add a lot of character, whether it is the ball knocking against the wood or the screaming sirens that accompany the swirling red lights. Controls are spot-on. If you are steady enough, you can stop the ball on a dime or carefully wend your way through any obstacle. In many cases, you won’t pass the level unless you do. The framerate is silky.
Labyrinth 2 has a fun achievement system that also allows you to unlock different balls to use in the game. There is a multiplayer mode that allows up to 4 players to compete against each other. Replay value is huge, due to the classic nature of the game and the growing community willing to pump out user-created levels for all to play. These level packs are rated by the community and downloaded directly from the game. There are a few labyrinth games in the app store, but this one has leapfrogged them all in one enormous bound. Labyrinth 2 is a premium game and, as such, demands a premium price of $4.99. This is one of those 5-Dimple games that not only lives up to the hype, but exceeds it by a large margin.
Labyrinth 2 gets our AppSmile 5-Dimple rating:
