Continuing my obsession with mobile gaming, I decided to give another game from developer/publisher ngmoco a play through. Maze Finger is a free download from the App Store, so there is no risk at all in giving it a try, right? When I think of free games, they are usually deserving of their title. These games usually include advertisements to annoy you so much that you want to pay for the game or the game is so basic that it isn’t even worth your time. None of these things apply to Maze Finger.

Just as the title suggests, Maze Finger consists of you tracing your finger through some simple, to somewhat complex mazes. You have a “sand like” timer on each side, when the timer runs out, you fail. The player must complete five stages of mazes per level in the allotted amount of time. The game includes 200 levels and 1000 unique mazes, so there is quite a lot to master here. The player has a total of 2 lives to try to go as deep into the game as possible.

Maze Finger starts out with a simple marker on the screen. Once you put your finger on this marker, the game begins and the timer starts, but there is a bit of planning involved before you even put your finger on the screen. In most of the levels there are blocks that flash on and off that are intended to impede your progress. If you run into these blocks, the marker under your finger detaches and you must regain control. This is intended to slow you down and burn through your time, that is why you must scope out when the blocks are flashing so you can start your maze accordingly. You can also be detached from your marker if you touch the walls. A combination of speed and agility is required to tear through the mazes. On the completion of each stage you are given a rating indicating how fast you completed the stage and a score dependent upon the rating. Indicators are placed within the mazes to help or harm you. If you run into a flashing skull and crossbones, you die, a lightning bolt will increase your energy to assist you in making it through the stage in time. The game play is fairly hectic and the markers are self explanatory, so a steady finger and a bit of common sense will go a long way.

The colors and effects are very pleasing to the eye. The lightning effects that connect your marker to the timer are not only neat looking but they serve a purpose. Since the marker is located under your finger, when it detaches it would be somewhat difficult to recognize. The developer’s solution to this problem was to put lightning bolts connecting the marker so when it detaches they go away and you are aware of what is happening. The sound in Maze Finger is pretty standard. The game has a robotic, technoesque theme. The music is very upbeat and the robotic voice telling you to “touch to go” is hard to get out of your head.

So the game has tons of mazes but there isn’t much variation in gameplay. It’s a game called Maze Finger, what do you expect? The biggest question is, could there have been some implementation of the accelerometer? It just seems like when ngmoco created their other game, Topple, they had a mindset of creating something that utilizes all of the features of the iPhone/iPod touch. I am not reaching for something to complain about, I just think there is room left for additional gameplay variations whatever they may be.

The scoring system is just fine but once again, like Topple, we have the silly challenge system where there is a preset message with your high score that you can email to friends and foes alike. Just give us a high score system already.

I think achievements are the best thing since sliced bread and I am overly joyed at the fact the ngmoco finds it necessary to include them in their games. Since the replay value in most mobile games is fairly low, achievements force you to go back and play again just to attain them. They have a control over us, it’s a disease.

The small quirks like the scoring system don’t take away from the game itself. Maze Finger is one of those free games from the App Store that should actually be worth something. Yes, I just said a free game should cost me money. The game is so polished that it almost seems unfair that I get to play it without someone, somewhere, getting financially compensated. On second thought, I will just appreciate anything that is free.

Overall: 7.5 out of 10

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