Tobe & Friends Hookshot Escape: Pint-Sized Vertical iOS Action

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Originally released across Steam in 2011, Tobe & Friends Hookshot Escape is an endless vertical platformer – and my latest addiction. Thanks to a four unique characters and deep customization system, Tobe & Friends is a lengthy, rewarding experience, with simple controls but deceptively strategic gameplay.

In other words, this platformer from Secret Base is packed with content, a perfect title for anyone who needs a little more action on their iOS device.

The concept is simple: stay alive as long as possible, and don’t fall off the bottom of the screen. Each of the four playable character brings their own abilities into the mix: for example, Tobe uses a hook similar to the protagonist of Hook Worlds to propel himself upward. Another character can fly, and the other two have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Many platformers in the endless genre rest their laurels on a signature character with the ability to make some visual changes, and the added strategy and varied gameplay of multiple characters is welcome.

Tobe & Friends simple controls translate well, even to the less-than-favorable position for video games in portrait mode. The placement of the controls will make survival near the bottom impossible for large-fingered gamers, but this is a small issue, and doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the game. Running and jumping, collecting gems and traversing the landscapes of the four different environments is a joy regardless of the position of the controls – which are smooth and responsive, a requirement for any platformer.

Nothing about Tobe & Friends is very flashy, but the amount of unlockable items and abilities allows players the freedom to cater characters to their game playing style few platformers even attempt to do. The customization and presentation combine with the fantastic controls for quite an enjoyable experience, a game any fan of hardcore platforming action will enjoy.

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Contest Closed