Zen Bound 2 Review: Wins the Award for “Most Unique”

App Name:	Zen Bound 2
Platforms:	iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Publisher(s):	Secret Exit Ltd.
Version Reviewed:	2.0.0
Genre(s):	puzzle
Release Date:	July 21, 2010 (updates)
Price:	$2.99
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It seems there are two types of iPhone gamers, those wanting the same experience they get playing Xbox 360, and then those who want to see the iPhone’s more unique capabilities in action. Zenbound 2 satisfies the latter group, bringing us an experience that is hard to put into words, but captivating when it’s held in your hands. This puzzler will make you think a little differently, and engage parts of your brain normally left dormant when you’re, say, destroying zombies in the latest shooter. It comes to us from Secret Exit Ltd., a development group that has done a great job staying true to the original Zen Bound, while still expanding and beautifying the experience enough to warrant investing in the sequel.

It’s not clear why wooden statues require being tied up, but that is what Zen Bound asks you to do. The POV positions you above the statue, with a rope extending from the bottom of the screen and attaching to the object. But rather than just tying up the teddy bear or creature carved from wood and hovering before you, the task is to drape rope over ever inch of it (or as close to every inch as you can get). This is accomplished by touching the screen to twist and turn the statue in any directional imaginable. The player even has control over the angle of the rope, thanks to the tilt control feature . . . There’s no shortage of statues in need of tying, either. Over 100 levels await, and they are all segmented into different “trees.” You’ll have to conquer the trees of vitality, challenge, nostalgia, reflection, etc., with each level you pass awarding a certain number of flowers that count toward your total.

That brings us to scoring and how it relates to the essence of Zen Bound 2. As you might have inferred from the title, this “game” is not really about competition. The iTunes page for Zen Bound 2 states, “It is a tactile game, with a focus on making rope, wood, and stone look and feel real and believable.” This in mind, the flowers awarded for each level are more just a way of tracking your progress as you advance through the levels.

With that caveat out of the way, let’s get back to the controls. The statues are moved by tapping and dragging on the screen. It’s difficult to explain the movements that correspond to how the screen is touched, but rest assured that it’s entirely intuitive and feels natural in the context of the game. A matter of seconds is all it takes to be in firm control . . . Every time the statue moves, some more rope is let out. The bottom right of the screen displays how much rope is left, and on the left side of the screen you’ll see the percentage of statue you’ve covered with the rope. It’s important to note that, whenever rope touches wood, what looks like spray paint issues out, covering more than just the rope’s width. Thanks to the factor, it’s always possible to reach 100% and be awarded the three flowers that are available.

One could go on for a long time trying to convey what Zen Bound 2 is like; but, by it’s very nature, it’s a game that needs to be experienced to be appreciated. In the same manner as Osmos for iPad, Zen Bound 2 is not a pulse-pounding, action-packed title that’s sure to fuel your competitive side. Instead, it’s laid back, relaxing, and offers plenty of challenge on the harder levels. Try it out if you’re looking for a change of pace—if you’re done shooting things for awhile and want to channel the inner rope-master that’s in all of us. By venturing above the 99 cent price point, the developers opened the game up to high expectations, and luckily Zen Bound 2 doesn’t disappoint. It’s unique, visually stimulating, and somehow manages to feel like good exercise for the brain. Here’s hoping.

Our Score:  4/5

Zen Bound 2 is a universal app priced at $2.99 at the time of this review.

About the Author

Devin Wieland

 

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