TAP TAP TAP TAPPING YOUR SCREEN
We already reviewed the first title, Tappingo (read the Tappingo review), and now having the chance to review its sequel, it brings up some questions: Is itย better than the first game? Were theย flaws fixed? Was it keptย original? Yes, almost and yes.
GAMEPLAY:
Tappingo 2 is a grid-based puzzle game for the Nintendo 3DS whichย you can consider an easier but original version of Picross.
Once you start aย level, you will see different blocks with numbers and others that are just empty.ย When you tap aย block with a number to any of the four directions, it will expand until it reaches another block or a border. In order to beat the level, each of those blocks need to be on an OK status which is possible afterย it expands many times. The empty blocks just can’t be used.
Like the previous entry, there is a total of 104 levels and all of them are available from theย beginning, being largerย and largerย with the time. It’s hardย to say an average time for each level, but theย furtherย you progress,ย the longerย the levels are.
The controls of the game work well where you use the stylus on theย tactile screen. If you wanted a different control setting, buttons are now compatible with this title, however, using the Circle Pad to move and the A button to perform actions can be slow but still aย nice option for those who wanted a stylus-free option. The menus can only be used with tactile controls though.
One lacking feature is now present: you are able to zoom which isย a great help for largerย puzzles. The back feature is still missing inย this game, so remember to be careful. Makingย a mistake when keepingย a block back will make the blocked blocks keep growing, resulting inย a terribleย disaster.
GRAPHICS ANDย SOUND:
There isn’t a lot toย explain for its graphics – it looks really nice. Thisย time the 3D effect has theย ghost effect (mostly in the largerย puzzles), so unless you play with the buttons, you may notย care at all.
About the soundtrack, it keeps the same original feeling that the first entry had but this time there isย a largerย quantity of songs,ย presenting a great quality. Another thing to add isย they are played randomly, thereforeย you won’t hear the same song over and over in the same puzzles.
PRESENTATION:
The presentation is great featuring a simple but well done manual, a few options, an easy interface, a good tutorial level, a good quantity of levels, and well, most of the flaws from the first game are fixed.
The only missing feature is the chance to share your high score, but it isn’t a “must have” element in this game.
CONCLUSION:
If there wereย flaws, they would have already beenย fixed. Tappingo 2 is an excellent puzzle entry for the 3DS eShop with a great quantity of content for its price tag. If you loved the first entry, you will definitely enjoy this one even more.
