Full Review

Everyone remember Bloons? No, not the popular tower defense game, the other one. You know, the monkey who uses darts to pop a series of balloons for no discernible reason? Well, it's been over two years and that game has finally gotten a sequel. For those of you who have been waiting for more primate popping pandemonium, let us tell you what the sequel has in store.

Players of the original should feel quite at home, and new players should realize that the first title had such shortcomings as well. Yeah the control is not really the best on the block. Stretching your finger out will provide direction and the power at which you unleash the dart. After the mayhem ensues, the arrow stays put in case you want to replicate your throw or make small modifications. The fault is really with the feel more than the mechanics. Aiming and throwing seems very slow and plodding, especially since the arc of the dart and your initial chuck sometimes relies on a blind throw and trial and error. Resetting the level is easy enough (along with skip and solution options), but it would do the game experience better if your throws felt like they had more weight behind them, pun not-withstanding.

But then the game does seem to be geared towards a younger audience with its bright balloon popping fun and monkey protagonist. Part of the enjoyment might be flinging your darts around willy-nilly. This is actually backed up by the most enjoyable part of the game, which centers around the power-up darts and some of the puzzle themed levels. The three pronged dart attack, the boomerang, the swarm of bees; all of these are quite fun, and can make up for the feeling of helplessness that accompanies the dart throwing. The level design is not the greatest but some levels that require a little bit of strategy can give a feeling of satisfaction on completion, and any level that features the rubber bouncing blocks is bound to delight.

So really not too much has changed from Bloons to Bloons 2. The art is a little sharper, and the levels and power-ups are a little more inventive. A recommendation to fans of the original, but there's probably not enough here to entertain most iPhone gamers for very long.

App Store Info