Geometry Dash
| Geometry Dash | |
|---|---|
 Geometry Dash Icon | |
| Developer(s) | Robert Topala |
| Publisher(s) | RobTop Games |
| Distributor(s) |
Apple App Store Google Play Store Windows App Store Steam Amazon App Store |
| Platform(s) | iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Microsoft Windows, OS X |
| Release date(s) |
iOS, Android August 13, 2013 Steam December 22, 2014 |
| Genre(s) | Arcade, Music, Platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Geometry Dash is a 2013 mobile game and Steam game developed by Sweden-based developer Robert Topala, and published by his own company RobTop Games. It is a rhythm-based running game which currently has 20 levels. Each level features unique background music. Although the player is not required to complete a level to advance to the next, they increase in difficulty for the most part. Other features of the game that exist in the latest versions are a level editor, map packs, user-created levels, secret coins, user coins, a secret vault and a great variety of icons and game modes.
Gameplay
Geometry Dash uses a simple tapping/clicking system to control different vehicles that react when a player presses anywhere on the touchscreen (space/up key(s) or mouse if playing on the Steam version) and can be held down to constantly interact (on some vehicles). Users cannot control the speed at which the icon is moving, unless it interacts with a speed changing portal. The timing and rhythm are key parts of the game.
The object of the game is to complete a level by reaching the end of it; however, if the player dies to an obstacle, they will have to start over from the beginning.[1] All levels (with the exception of three in the full version - Clubstep, Theory of Everything 2 and Deadlocked) are unlocked from the start, so they can be played out of order. Along the way, the player can collect up to three secret coins in each official level, which are scattered in hidden or challenging areas.
The icon can take up six separate forms, which behave differently with each interaction.[1] Forms themselves can be changed with six separate portals, while the behaviour of these can be changed further with mini portals, and their gravity can be inverted with gravity portals, giving 32 possible combinations of these, all of which can travel horizontally at four separate speeds. Additionally, another type of portal will enter a mode where two icons exist, which are controlled at the same time.
Portals of various shapes and sizes are encountered, which affect the character in many ways. They can change the form, size and speed of the character, activate dual mode, teleport the player and mirror the view There are also jumping devices which can be used; which can be either activated by touching them or when interacting when on them, and will either make the player jump, flip the gravity or both.
Geometry Dash has a dual mode, with 2 different variations, the normal and the 2-player mode, in the normal each interaction moves the 2 icons, in 2-player mode, tapping left side of the touchscreen (or clicking the left side of the screen on Steam) interacts with the first icon, and tapping the right side of the screen (clicking the right side of the screen or pressing spacebar/up arrow on Steam) interacts with the second icon.
Achievements
The game features achievements, these can be unlocked by several ways, such as: getting a certain number of stars, completing certain Demon-rated levels, completing official levels, adding friends, liking or disliking online levels, rating custom levels, etc.; plus secret achievements unlocked though undisclosed means.
By unlocking several achievements, the player is rewarded with certain icons or colors, where they access the Icon Kit to customize their icon. The player can also unlock other customization features, namely a selection of trails behind icons and a secondary color glow around the icon's black border.[2]
Game levels
Geometry Dash features 20 official levels, 17 of which are playable from the start. Each level has rewards when completing them.[1] 3 Secret Coins can be found in each official level, for a total of 60; 10 unlocking Clubstep, 20 unlocking Theory of Everything 2, and 30 unlocking Deadlocked.
The levels start out very plainly decorated, but as the levels get more difficult, part of the difficulty comes from distracting decorations and flashing, rotating, pulsing, and even invisible obstacles and background elements.[2] This is not actually an intended gameplay feature; as more updates are made to the game, more blocks and features are added alongside more levels, with the new blocks being integrated into these levels.
Levels are classified by difficulty, from Easy to Demon; in order of the levels' addition to the game, somewhat but not completely in order of difficulty.
The stars represent the difficulty and the number of stars the player gets when completing that level. Also, official levels are worth more stars than custom levels. For example, Demon levels are rated 14 (as in Clubstep and Theory of Everything 2) and 15 stars (as in Deadlocked) for official levels, and 10 stars for the custom ones.
Geometry Dash has a practice mode that can be used for any level. Checkpoints are available in this mode, allowing for respawning without starting the level completely over.[2] These checkpoints are marked by green, diamond-shaped gems, resembling those from The Sims series.
The lengths of the main levels in the game range from 1:22 to 1:42 minutes.
Custom levels
With the addition of the level editor, owners of the full version of Geometry Dash can create their own unique levels with up to 3 user coins in each level, note that the player must be able to complete his own level with all coins in normal mode in order to ensure that it is actually possible to beat. Usually with the same music already in the game or with custom music from the Newgrounds website.[2]
Each user created level has a unique ID, which can be used to play the level without knowing its name. As similar to the official levels, user-created levels are classified by difficulty, usually rated by the users that play the level. Unlike official levels, they cannot be played offline unless they were previously downloaded. The saved levels are available at the "Saved" folder on the level editor menu. In addition, users can create levels with variable lengths, from tiny (10 seconds or less) to Extra Long (2 minutes or more).
In custom levels 2 extra difficulties are added, NA (un-classified) and Auto (automatic level).
There are also "map packs" which give the player 2-10 stars and a secret coin after completing the 3 levels included in them (2 coins if the map pack is rated Demon).
Gameplay Vehicles
There are multiple vehicles within this game. The standard "cube" form is the one first introduced in the level "Stereo Madness". With it, the player can jump by tapping/clicking. The second vehicle is the rocket ship. The ship is also introduced in the same level as the cube form. Tapping/clicking will make it fly up. Holding makes it go up even higher. The third vehicle is the gravity ball. It first appears in the level "Cycles" and if tapped/clicked it will change the gravity. The fourth vehicle is the UFO. When tapped/clicked it will bounce up then fall again. It is introduced in the level "Theory of Everything". The fifth vehicle is known as the Wave, and was introduced in the level "Blast Processing". This vehicle is a triangular-shaped object that moves up and down in a diagonal line. The sixth and final vehicle is the robot, and is introduced in the level "Geometrical Dominator". The player can jump by tapping/clicking. Holding will make it jump higher. Each vehicle has its own "mini", "normal size" and "dual" versions.
Development and Release
According to Robert Topala, the game Geometry Dash began as a project that could have moved in any direction. He made the remark, "There was really no detailed plan... it simply started as a template with a cube that could crash and jump.[3]" He previously developed it for the computer, but later altered his plan and made attempts to make it a mobile game. Topala was allegedly inspired by Super Mario Bros.-style platformers. He took about four months to create the game and take it to the App Store. Before release, the game was called Geometry Jump. Upon its release, Geometry Dash had just seven levels, which are now currently free to play on the game's free version, alongside three other levels (Time Machine, Cycles and xStep). It would soon gain serious popularity around the world, especially Canada, where it achieved the title as the most popular paid iPhone app in June 2014.[4] There are two free versions of the game, one being "Geometry Dash Lite" which currently (as of update 2.1) includes the first 10 levels from the full version and "Geometry Dash Meltdown" which currently (as of update 1.0) includes 3 levels made to show the 2.0 features to the ones who don't have the full version. On 22 December 2015, RobTop released Geometry Dash Meltdown on iOS. [5]
References
- 1 2 3 "Geometry Dash Review". Softpedia. Andrei Dobra. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Geometry Dash Review". Bio Gamer Girl. E.J. Smith. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ↑ "Smart strategies fuel Geometry Dash’s slow jog to success". Cult Of Mac. Luke Dormehl. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ↑ "Geometry dash top paid app in Canada". Thestar.com. The Canadian Press. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ↑ "RobTopGames official account". Twitter. RobTopGames. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.