Wreck-It Ralph iOS Review

Movies based on video games and video games based on movies suck. For the most part, this is a fact that has brought almost as many gamers together as the petition to boot Michael Bay off the Transformers franchise.

Perhaps this is why it’s surprising then that the iOS game, Wreck-It Ralph, obviously based on the movie of the same name, isn’t altogether bad. Packing three separate mini-games into the one title, Disney Interactive Studios has thrown the ‘less is more’ mantra out the window in favour of the video game equivalent of a gloriously aromatic buffet. But just like a buffet, not everything on the menu is going to go down well.

First on the list is Fix-It Felix – a title that will be instantly recognisable to fans of Disney’s animated movie. Operating almost identical to its portrayal on the big screen, you control Felix as you aid his neighbour’s building from the destructive Ralph. Dodging deadly projectiles, you will navigate the front of the building, repairing each broken window, until you are eventually able to throw Ralph to the ground and start the process again. It’s a simple premise and one that should fill that nostalgic hole in your video game heart. Later levels are truly challenging and thankfully pay tribute to the difficult nature of retro games.

Sugar Rush: Sweet Climber on the other hand, the second game on offer, is without doubt the weakest link in the package. All too similar to your standard Doodle Jump clone, you will be forced to steer your new pal Ralph upwards and onwards with some good old fashioned titling. Eating candy will raise your overall score, orange soda can be used as a booster and particular jellies as a makeshift trampoline.

That’s honestly all there is to say about Sweet Climber. Due to an incredible lack of depth, most (like myself), will lose interest after about five minutes. But if quick bouts of score chasing or the colour pink is your thing, well then you’re bound to get sucked into the game’s insanely cute aesthetics.

Last on the list is Heroes Duty – not a bro-shooter rip off like you might expect, or that the movie suggests, but instead a twin stick shooter. As the fearless Calhoun, you navigate the same basic stage defending all sorts of alien scum. As each level progresses the number of enemies increases, as does the difficulty for dispatching them. The odd weapon drop does occur, but most of the time you will be forced to rely on twitch-based reflexes and smart movement. It breaks no new ground, and pales to some of its competitors, but that doesn’t prevent it Heroes Duty from arguably becoming the most enjoyable game within the package.

ATTACK OF THE FIREFLIES!

For those of you with an inquisitive index finger, a quick swipe to the final screen of the menu will reveal that more games are indeed on their way to help bolster the game, with the first cab off the ranks appearing to be some variation of Turbo Time. That said however, it remains to be seen whether these additions will be given to you free of charge, or transformed into in-app purchases, but it’s more than likely to be the latter.

Wreck-It Ralph will offer you nothing new, that much can be guaranteed. But regardless, although all three of the mini-games are pale versions of the titles they so obviously draw ‘inspiration’ from, for the measly price of 99 cents; it’s rather hard to complain. You’ll always have an avenue to pass the time and you can never complain with that.