TwinSpin Review

Plenty of games use a control system reliant on just one tap. The vast majority of these are simple concepts such as endless running titles. Far fewer involve complex yet fast paced puzzling such as the events seen in TwinSpin.

There's no detailed storyline to absorb, not even a real explanation of what's going on or why. All the player is presented with are two colored orbs - one red, one yellow - connected by a line. These orbs move around at the tap of the screen, propelling themselves around. One tap swaps the dominant orb around. It's a slightly peculiar system at first. I found myself mistapping and going a different direction than I intended but once understood, it's quite flexible.

These orbs must navigate each stage in order to pop balloons or land on certain target spots. It's not quite as simple as that however with obstacles gradually emerging. With the orbs constantly rotating, spiked obstacles are particularly perilous but also barriers that can send the orbs elsewhere.

None of this is explained in any great depth which lends TwinSpin's puzzles to a matter of trial and error. Practice gradually ensures the player gleans what's needed to progress. In a larger game, this might become annoying but the levels within TwinSpin are so brief that the player is educated within seconds as to what needs to be done. It's all pretty intuitive.

This simple yet compelling combination ensures that TwinSpin is worthy of any puzzle fan's attention. It's not quite smooth sailing though. Lack of Game Center support reduces any competitive element. A game such as this would have benefited greatly from achievements. Similar benefits would have come from a 3 star reward system, encouraging players to complete stages in a set time for instance. A game that's so rich in fast paced yet calculating puzzle solving could have really gained from such an addition.

Still, for arcade puzzle fans, TwinSpin is worth a look despite these flaws. The 72 levels build up the challenge suitably so that it's a fun way to spend some time even if there's no way of yet sharing the accomplishments.