Sir Benfro’s Brilliant Balloon Review

By , on April 9, 2012


Sir Benfro’s Brilliant Balloon
Download on the AppStore
4 out of 5

PROS

  • Inventive and mood evoking landscapes and creatures.
  • Relaxing and delightful music to accompany you on your balloon journey.

CONS

  • It never feels like you have total control of the balloon.
  • The fireflies and their banter can get annoying.

VERDICT

A unique presentation coupled with a simple game mechanic. If you'd like to take a balloon trip through an alien land of wonder, this is your game.


  • Full Review
  • App Store Info

If the art style of Sir Benfro's Brilliant Balloon were to have any comparison, it would probably be to children's books like 'Where the Wild Things Are' that visually painted an alien world of both wonder and a little foreboding. Sir Benfro is off to explore new places and chart the exotic creatures that inhabit them, and it's up to the player to guide him through his journey safely.

Sir Benfro travels by way of firefly filled balloon. Their lights propel him along, but every so often one  finds its way to freedom, so to keep going, you need to collect more fireflies placed around the level (obviously they are more scarce on the harder difficulty). Bumping into the land or any of the creatures will jettison clumps of fireflies, so like any good explorer knows, it's best to observe the wildlife than try to interact with it. Floating along is controlled by a simple touch. Holding your finger will cause the balloon to soar and letting go will cause you to descend. Working your peaks and valleys into a rhythm will speed you up, and furiously tapping will slow you down. While this works fairly well, you never feel like you have total control of the balloon. Not to a complete detriment, but it is a concern.

Now the art style was mentioned before and the presentation is one of the selling points of this game. Progression through the levels is often led by a desire to see what strange and wonderful landscape and wildlife awaits you next, while the music softly accompanies your journey with its soothing and delightful tones.

Sir Benfro's Brilliant Balloon is more than just a game with a goofy title. The gliding gameplay may be all to familiar to iPhone gamers, but the unique presentation is enough to sell one on what's on offer here. This gets a recommendation.

Screenshots

Screenshot 1 of 10 Screenshot 2 of 10 Screenshot 3 of 10 Screenshot 4 of 10 Screenshot 5 of 10 Screenshot 6 of 10 Screenshot 7 of 10 Screenshot 8 of 10 Screenshot 9 of 10 Screenshot 10 of 10