Good Game Get! Gravity Hook HD

I want an iPad for two games, and as it turns out both of those games happen to be from Adam Saltsman.

Saltsman once wrote in a Gamasutra article about his answer to why he makes games and he says “If you can play it, then you are inherently exploring and learning. You might not be learning things that apply anywhere in this universe except to this particular game, but these are the core processes implied by the Unique Properties of Game.”

The fantastic thing about Canabalt and Gravity Hook HD is that Adam Saltsman’s actions define his words and the games have such simple learning curves and exploration.

Almost to the point that the player begins to think it second nature to be running and leaping across buildings in a monochromatic apocalypse while trying to reach an end that doesn’t exist and in Gravity Hook HD’s case, jumping up, attaching to bombs and floating nodes to try and reach a top which doesn’t exist.

The games themselves are categorically score-chasers with habit-forming one more time play sessions that keep you always keep you restarting.

While both games can be played for free in your web browser, you can purchase them on the App Store for your iOS device. The only reason you’ll want to purchase Canabalt is to have it in your pocket, to play it on the gorgeous iPad screen, or to support Saltsman which is a pretty good reason. It works fine with a mouse click, or your finger tap.

Gravity Hook HD needs to be played on a touch screen. It is the definitive way it’s meant to be played and is indicative of the relevance of touch screen gaming.

Gravity Hook HD is Adam Saltsman and Danny Baranowsky’s new must-have App Store gem, and it proves (once again) that catchy gaming doesn’t need to be pop, nor expensive to create.

The industry could benefit from less ambiguous ideas and more specific ones like Saltsman’s.

Gravity Hook HD’s magic lies within its simplicity.

- Kyle