By Brad Cook
If video games had existed during Isaac Newton’s lifetime, he might have been inspired to assist with the development of Slyder Adventures, in which you simply rotate the environment with your click wheel (or by turning your fourth generation iPod nano) and let gravity take over. (The headline of this article was taken from Lord George Gordon Byron’s 1821 poem “Don Juan,” in which he says of Newton’s famous epiphany with an apple: “A most natural whirl, called ‘gravitation.’”)
Guide Slyder and three of his friends — Boffo, Sparky, and Unger — through over 150 levels spanning four worlds. In Exploration mode, play at your own pace, discovering all a level has to offer. Chomp on food, such as cheese, milkshakes, and ice cream cones, for points. In Timed mode, race against the clock to reach the goal before time runs out, or lose a life. Scarf up cherries for points and look for clocks that each add two precious seconds.
Simply Engaging
Of course, you won’t get to the end of each level without having to navigate past a few obstacles. Collect keys that open like-colored doors and press switches that open others, but only for a few seconds. Various types of goo slow you down, while spinners produce a disorienting effect if touched. Steam and fire vents, electrified walls, lava, and robots of various types take away a life if you make contact. You start with three lives and earn a new one every 10,000 points, so it’s important to collect as many goodies as possible.
In the end, Slyder Adventures proves an adage that’s nearly as old as gravity: The simplest concepts often make the best games. Once you give this one a whirl, we bet you’ll agree.
Tips and Tricks
- If a speed boost arrow completely fills your path, it will only let you go one way, so you can’t return once you pass it. However, if you need its help to break some bricks and you fail the first time, simply return to the arrow and rotate the screen as soon as you touch it, so that you achieve maximum acceleration as it pushes you the other way.
- Don’t touch “Goal” too soon; sometimes you’ll find more goodies nearby, particularly ice cream cones, which net you the most points.
- When you use a jump pad, you can’t use the one on the other end to return to your previous location.
- If you come across food or other items that are enclosed in blocks with orange spots, look for a way to slip under those blocks.
- Higher levels in Timed mode are tough to complete before the clock hits zero, but some out-of-the-way clocks aren’t worth going after, because they take longer to reach than the two seconds they add to the time limit.
- Not sure where to go? Those arrows point the way. In Timed mode, they’re accompanied by numbers that decrease as you get closer to the goal. The cherries in Timed mode also typically mark the most direct path to the finish line.
iPod Games FAQ
Do you have questions regarding any of the iPod games available from the iTunes Store?
A Carefree Adventure. Those large round objects are bumpers; sometimes they come in handy, sometimes they get in the way.
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- Site: Slyder Adventures
- Publisher: Apple Inc.
- Developer: Sandlot Games
- Genre: Action
More iPod Games
System Requirements
- Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or Windows 2000
- iPod nano (3rd and 4th generation only), iPod classic, or iPod (5th generation only). Not playable on your computer, other iPod models, iPod touch or iPhone. Please check which iPod model you have.
- iTunes 7.5 or higher required to download (games cannot be played in iTunes)