Full Review

Editors Note (Nov 9, 2011): This update has been a long time coming, though some may feel it should have retained this score from the get-go. Unfortunately the reviewer had completely overlooked Muffin Knight's inspirations, resulting in a retraction and in a first, a minor score change that bumped it from a 5 to a 4. As each update adds to the roster of champions and arenas to battle in, Muffin Knight steps further and further away from its roots to forge a path on its own and deserves a place on any arcade gamer's iOS device. (Final Score: 4.0 -> 4.2)

Editors Note (Sep 5, 2011): It seems that I'm getting a bit forgetful in my old age and one should point out that Muffin Knight isn't as wholly unique as I first believed considering it has taken much of its gameplay (and weaponry) from Super Crate Box by Vlambeer. This release is not without its merits however as the upgrade system, including game-changing unlockables add some creative spark to the mix. With that said it would be poor form for me to keep the score in-tact and as such it has been brought down from its lofty peak, though it still remains a solid game worth buying if you're a fan of SCB.

You'd think that after playing over a thousand iOS games it'd be harder to find games that feel unique and fun, especially in genres like the Platformer, given its sordid and over-used history in the 90s. In fact I'm often more surprised than not at the creativity of developers, but Muffin Knight by Angry Mob Games certainly takes the cake (and that's the yeast of the jokes you're going to have to endure).

The premise is simple, if a little strange - the amusing animated introduction tries to make things clear. You've been magically enchanted in an attempt to return all the pastry goods that have been scattered across the landscape, with each one transforming you in to one of over a dozen unique characters.

Each of the eye-popping cartoonish levels is essentially an 'endless' arcade game, pitting you against a constant stream of increasingly challenging monsters that act as obstacles to your main objective of collecting muffins. Each of the characters you transform in to has a unique power (from simply firing arrows, to dropping unicorn 'mines' and even punching them in the face) that can subsequently be upgraded with points earned as you level up.

Unlocking new levels is performed in one of two ways - either by blunt force (by reaching a target 'level' on your character) or by skill (by collecting a target number of muffins in a single round). As such, skilled players are rewarded with easier leveling (as later levels provide experience bonuses), while those less talented at the game aren't punished by being unable to progress - quite frankly it's an ingenious system and one that deserves as much praise as the game itself.

Should you feel bored smacking around simple AI characters you can up the challenge by facing another player in a local multiplayer match, but it would have been great to challenge friends on Game Center online as well.

Its one Achilles Heel is its control system, which despite customization options can fail to register touches at critical points due to its smallish buttons. It's a minor quibble and one that shouldn't stop you from enjoying what is otherwise an amazingly fun game in Muffin Knight.

App Store Info