Pitfall (review)

For the past couple of weeks I have been trying out the revamped version of Activision’s “Pitfall”.  Pitfall originally debuted on the Atari 2600 back in 1982.  30 years later I can safely say that it has a new look and feel to it.  Pitfall is available for the iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad.  It costs only 99 cents on the iTunes App Store, though sales tax may apply.

To give you an idea of what this game is like, if you ever played the “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” bonus levels where you are running down a tube avoiding bombs and collecting rings, Pitfall is a bit like that; only your character looks kind of like "Indiana Jones".  Also while collecting bars; you also are tracked for how long you run in meters.  The distance meter is nice as you can see the furthest your friends have gone as you pass by.  This game is linked up with Apple's "Game Center", so you also collect points for playing.

The game itself is fairly simple.  There are no on-screen controls like with some games.  You use swipes to control the running man.  You swipe up to jump over holes and ground obstructions.  Swipe down to roll or slide under rock arches, trees, bridges, etc.  You swipe left and right to have the running man jump left and right as you run down paths picking up silver and gold bars.  Tapping the screen will make your character crack his whip, which is handy for dealing with bosses like poisonous snakes.  "Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes?"

Do realize that the game is fairly fast-paced.  Your character does not have the ability to stop.  You have to be quick in seeing what hazards are up ahead and make the right move.  Once you hit a hazard, you are sent back to the beginning of the level, of which for me has been level 1.  Yes, it is that fast and complicated.  You do have the ability to start at Macaw checkpoints after running 2000 meters.  You have a limited number of tokens to use those checkpoints, of which a Macaw parrot carries you to the checkpoint and drops you where you left off.

The more objects you collect, the more you can spend at the store to be able to get armor against bosses or speed improvements.  You do have the ability to buy diamonds with real money that can be used for upgrades, but I think it's better to just play the game to get as many diamonds as possible for each level you gain.

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This game is really fun, though it can be frustrating at times.  But just like all other games, the more you play, the better you will get at the controls and reaction times.

I could give a lot more details, but I think it's better to let you find them out.  If I told you all the good stuff, there would be no surprises for you. :-)

Have fun and geek out!

PITFALL!™ - Activision Publishing, Inc.