Tiki Totems 2 Review

By , on January 28, 2011


Tiki Totems 2
Download on the AppStore
4 out of 5

PROS

  • Physics based puzzles with a fun Boom Blox-style twist.
  • Multiple modes with a unique feel for each.
  • Currently 208 levels; custom levels also shareable.

CONS

  • Timing-based puzzles can be frustrating due to the 'randomness' of physics.
  • Levels only shareable via email; no community based sharing service.

VERDICT

The original Tiki Totems did amazing things with nothing more than basic blocks; the addition of new block varieties, shapes and additional physics elements only gives Tiki Totems 2 more depth that's explored over 208 levels and three fun modes.


  • Full Review
  • App Store Info

Physics puzzlers are hardly in short supply on the App Store and trying to jostle for a front-seat in that crowd takes a special game that out-shines its opponents in some key way. Tiki Totems 2 by spokko doesn't just try to stand out by having a lot of levels, or several unique gameplay modes, or clever puzzle designs, OR a level editor to share levels with friends; no, instead it combines all of these in order to explode to the front of the pack.

The basic gameplay will be familiar to fans of physics puzzlers as you attempt to land an object (in this case, a totem) safely while destroying other blocks on the screen. However instead of attempting to do so in a minimum of clicks or time, you need to demolish every block that isn't a stone to succeed. This changes things dramatically as you need to consider the best order to not only ensure the safety of your totem, but also to make sure complex blocks made of glass or 'magic' aren't left sitting high and dry at the end.

It often feels as though these sorts of games are channeling the madness present in Boom Blox on the Nintendo Wii, but for the first time in a while I honestly felt as though I was playing a puzzle version of Jenga - one false move and I had to restart the whole process. Two additional modes change up the pace by requiring you to move the totem to a specific location and another requires two separated totems to be joined together again. With 64 levels in each mode; 16 levels in the tutorial; and 16 slots available for custom levels, it's hard not to feel like this is some sort of Puzzle-Christmas.

While not necessarily the most mind-bending of challenges, Tiki Totems 2 is incredibly addictive as you tackle each new level almost immediately in an attempt to see how removing just a single block affects the whole puzzle. If you enjoyed games like Tumbledrop or Saving Private Sheep, this is definitely for you.

Screenshots

Screenshot 1 of 5 Screenshot 2 of 5 Screenshot 3 of 5 Screenshot 4 of 5 Screenshot 5 of 5