On the Precipice of Supremacy- Edge Reviewed

Platform: iPhone, Developer: Mobigame, Publisher: Mobigame


Recently Resident Evil 5 has
taken a lot of flak for what some have called an outdated and awkward
control scheme. I can definitely see both sides of that issue. While I
tend to prefer tactical realism in my gunplay, there is something to be
said for the challenge faced when the player is placed in an
uncomfortable situation and essentially told, “Deal with it.” 


Edge is an iPhone/Touch action/puzzle game that poses the question, “What if Marble Madness had
been more like Cube Madness?” No longer do you have the agility of a
sphere. Instead you take the role of a Cube that probably wouldn’t
quite get the joke behind the idea of cavemen inventing square wheels.
You must roll your cube. Yes, roll it around strange slightly
Escher-esque landscapes floating in what seems to be an infinite black
void. It’s awkward shape means it’s slow, clunky and can get somewhat
stuck in narrow trenches.

Still, our adventurous little cube
is not without its talents. Because of its shape, its able to hang
slightly off of ledges on its edges and, in some cases, temporarily
cling to or climb walls. Due to to its shape, its able to utilizes
traction the way that arrogant little marble never could. This means Edge is still very much an action game, with emphasis on reflexes and timing, but also more of a puzzle game than Marble Madness is.

The
goal in each level is simple. Make it to the goal in the shortest
amount of time, using as few lives as possible (you have infinite
lives), and collect all the prisms you can along the way. Where Edge
really shines is in its level design. The levels move and change around
you, sometimes helping you, sometimes endangering you. In a sense, the
levels are your enemy as well as your friend. It’s a bit unnerving and
makes for an interesting gameplay mechanic. The isometric 3D
perspective is also used trickily at times. You may not always be able
to see your cube, but the map will help you figure out what to do.


Aesthetically, Edge looks and sounds a lot like a game from
Nintendo’s Art Style series. Simple, often moving, structures made up
of cubes with the appearance of dull grays contrasted with surfaces
that quickly cycle through multiple colors. The contrast of sterile
versus garish actually makes for very pretty visuals. The music…
well, take a listen! The entire soundtrack
is available on the website. There’s almost exactly an hour of synth
music with styles from trip hop, to chiptune, to more ethereal
Vangelis-like pieces.

The one notable complaint I have with Edge
is it’s controls. This is a case of an iPhone/Touch game that may have
benefited from an actual gamepad. It’s fair to say this game may have
fared better on another platform. That said, the options offer three
different and competent control methods, the default being my favorite,
and while they may take getting used to, they work fairly well.
Navigating your cube is supposed to be a bit unusual, so it can be
somewhat forgiven.

Edge isn’t the definitive
iPhone/Touch game and it isn’t revolutionary, but it’s a solid and
pretty game with a good amount of content (over 40 levels) with a lot
of room for replay, especially with online leaderboards. For an iPhone
game it’s a bit on the pricey end at $4.99 USD, but if you were a fan
of Marble Madness, Edge has got some cool moments and innovative level design that will deliver a similar yet surprising experience.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

21 comments

  1. Didn’t they add some levels just recently. I don’t remember hearing about 40 of them?

  2. Has anyone heard about the rumored premium app store?

  3. Good review, TideGear, I was thinking about buying this one.

  4. Can you rotate the screen is the game, to get a better view?

  5. I’ll pick up if it ever goes on sale.

  6. Anyone reminded of Intelligent Cube?

  7. The music is really good! thanks for the link. That made me purchase the app after listening.

  8. I’ve heard good things about this app. I haven’t even seen a screenshot beyond this review.

  9. Agreed the soundtrack is excellent.

  10. I bought the game when it had 26 levels. I’ll have to make sure it’s updated.

  11. TideGear (Adam Milecki)

    Oh! Yes, you can. Touch with two fingers and rotate.

  12. TideGear (Adam Milecki)

    Haha, that game rocks. There`s a cool PSP version that didn`t come out in NA but it`s import friendly.

  13. I downloaded the demo and bought the full game, thanx

  14. Ok, I was afraid you couldn’t now. Now, I’ll be picking it up.

  15. Did you make it to any of the leaderboards, tidegear?

  16. A level creator would seal the deal for me, even if I had to play a dollar ot two extra.

  17. Graphics look ok, I think textures might help the game.

  18. Adam Milecki (TideGear)

    I’m in the top 100 of some of the stages if that counts? Haha…

  19. Desert did you play this one also?

  20. Not bad, considering thousands of people probably own the game.

  21. I bought this and really dislike the controls. Move the cube is fine, but it gains momentum too fast ,sending me off the edge sometimes.

    Actually, moving the cube is a pain sometimes, I take several swipes before it responds.