Gomi [Updated]

8 Worlds, 140+ Levels, 8 minigames and over 12 hours of gameplay. This seems like a tall order for an iPhone game to me, but that’s exactly what Kevin Calderone promises us with Bovinedragon Software’s latest release Gomi.

Update [09/08/09 @ 1.52PM]

Since writing this review, I have been made aware of an issue with Gomi where the achievements are not saving correctly. I have been informed by the developer that an update has already been submitted to Apple that addresses this problem.

I have also been informed that the update will make Gomi compatible with OS 2.2.1 so for those not on OS 3.0 you will soon be able to join the rest of us in enjoying cleaning up the world.

Original Article

If you’re after the next fast paced action arcade platfomer then I’m afraid you’ll need to look elsewhere. Gomi is a platform puzzler of unique proportions and one to relax with as you go about the task of cleaning up the world.

The premise of the game is thus: Civilisation has taken over the world and it’s the gomies job to clean up and make the world beautiful once more. As you roll around each level you can eat everything that you touch (from balloons to supermarkets), you start by only being able to eat the smallest objects, but the more you eat the bigger the objects that can be consumed.  The pace of the game is rather slow, but that’s the whole point, there’s no need to rush things, take your time, relax to the beautiful music and enjoy the visual eyecandy that’s presented to you at every turn.

The game is broken down into 8 different worlds and each world is split into different levels and each level has upto 3 stages, I think you can begin to see just how big this game is. There are a number of different objectives that are used for the stages ranging from collecting a set number of objectives to the Big Eat where you must eat as much as you can within the time limit. The stages are small worlds split into various areas and you can roll and jump between them, each area has it’s own gravity so if you jump close to another area you are pulled onto it.

The controls are a simple combination of tilt to move and touch any part of the screen to jump. Gomi also has special abilities that you can unlock (you unlock a new ability everytime you complete one of the world bosses). I’ve only reached world two so have only unlocked the grow ability enabling me to eat bigger objects and move around quicker.

Your Gomi is also customizable and as you complete more of the game you can select different colours and shapes for your cute little character (exactly how many combinations there are I do not know, though Bovinedragon state over a hundred different Gomi’s including: Ninja Star, Sun and Butterfly).

With online leaderboards for everything and hundred’s of achievements to unlock (of which I have yet to unlock any)there is plenty in the main game that makes me think the 12 hours of gameplay claim may not be such a ridiculous one. In fact the developers say that it will take 12 hours to simply run through every level once, without going back to get the achievements and highscores.

And I haven’t even touched on the 8 minigames yet, I have only unlocked three so far, (one of which is a match three game that I have spent some time playing), and each have a look and gameplay value that beats many stand alone games in the appstore to date.

I really can’t stress enough how big this game is. In fact, I’m scratching my head to think of anything that I want to be critical about in relation to this game, the dedication put in by the developers can be seen pouring out of every little detail within this game. Sure it may not be using cutting edge realistic graphics, but I love it just the way it is. It’s on an introductory sale at the moment so I won’t waste any more of your time reading this. The iTunes links below, click it now!

Current Status: Highly Recommended
Reviewed at: v1.0
Reviewed on Firmware: 3.0.1
Download size: 60.7MB
Released on: 05 August 2009
Retails for: £1.19 / $1.99 (introductory sale price)
Compatible with: iPod touch Gen 1 & 2 / iPhone Classic / iPhone 3G / iPhone 3GS (requires OS 3.0 or later)