Geometry Dash | |
---|---|
Genre(s) | Runner, music, platformer |
Developer(s) | Robert Topala |
Publisher(s) | RobTop Games |
Platform(s) | iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Microsoft Windows, macOS |
Original release | iOS, Android 13 August 2013 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS 22 December 2014 |
First release | Geometry Dash 13 August 2013 |
Latest release | Geometry Dash SubZero 21 December 2017 |
It was the experience in developing puzzle games that helped him as he developed Geometry Dash over four months, along with the inspiration from platformer games he grew up playing such as Super Mario Bros. And more recent iOS titles including The Impossible Game, BIT.TRIP RUN! And Super Meat Boy. Topala credited the community following of.
Geometry Dash is a series of five video games developed by Sweden-based developer Robert Topala, and published by his own company, RobTop Games.[1] The principal game, Geometry Dash, is a rhythm-based platforming game which currently has 21 official levels and a game creation system with more than 50 million online levels made by players. Each of the official levels features unique background music. Other features include 'map packs', secret vaults, gauntlets, featured levels, levels in the 'Hall of Fame', daily levels, weekly demons, quests, creating, scores of players based on stars, creator points, and between friends, and a variety of icons and game modes.[1]
Gameplay
Geometry Dash uses a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse or controller (depending on version) to control different vehicles that react when a player presses anywhere on the touchscreen and can be held down to constantly interact with certain vehicles. Users cannot control the speed at which the icon is moving. The timing and rhythm of the in-game music are key parts of the game, often in relation to each other. The objective of the game is to complete a level by reaching its end. If the player crashes into an obstacle, they will have to start over from the beginning.[2] The player-character can take up to seven separate forms, which behave differently with each interaction.[2] The vehicle the character takes is changed by seven portals, each of which is a different color. The behavior of these modes can be changed further, such as reversing the game view or adding a second player-character.
There are 21 official levels in the full version of Geometry Dash, 18 of which are unlocked from the start. Each level grants rewards upon completion.[2] Each official level has 3 secret coins, which are used to unlock the three locked levels.[3] Levels are classified by difficulty, and each difficulty give a certain number of stars depending on difficulty.[citation needed] Players can play the levels in almost any order.[4] Players can also earn achievements which may be exchanged for rewards.[5] Players may also utilize a shop, where they can spend an in-game currency called 'mana orbs', collected through completing levels.[citation needed]Geometry Dash has a practice mode that can be used for any level which allows the player to restart at manually or automatically placed checkpoints instead of the very beginning.[5] A level cannot be officially completed on practice mode, though completion can lead to certain rewards. The paid full version features the ability to upload and download user-created levels.[6] The player must complete their level with all coins in normal mode in order to ensure that it is possible to beat before it can be uploaded. Changes after the verification will render it unverified.[5] The difficulty setting is determined by Robert Topala; the creator of a given level, its players, and moderators capable of sending levels can influence this decision.[citation needed]
Development
According to Robert Topala, the game 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'.[7] He previously developed it for the computer, but later altered his plan and made attempts to make it a mobile game. Topala was inspired by 'The Impossible Game' and he took about four months to create the game and take it to the App Store and Google Play. In the beta version, the game was called 'Geometry Jump', but was later changed to 'Geometry Dash'.
Upon its release, Geometry Dash had just seven levels, which are now currently free to play on the game's free version, alongside six other levels released in later updates in the full version. It soon gained serious popularity around the world, especially Canada, where it achieved the title as the most popular paid iPhone app in June 2014.[8] There are four free versions of the game, one being 'Geometry Dash Lite' which currently (as of update 2.2) includes the first 13 levels from the full version.[3]
Soundtrack
The Geometry Dash soundtrack is by several music artists, including ForeverBound, DJVI, Waterflame, DJ-Nate, F-777, Dex Arson, and Morgan David King.[9] In addition to the official songs, usage of most songs on the Newgrounds music portal is also available. Since it is common for users to abuse the portal to upload songs not made by them to use in Geometry Dash, RobTop implemented a manual approval system to prevent this, where he would choose what artists' works are allowed to be used in-game.[10]
Reception
The game has opened to generally positive reviews from critics. Softpedia complimented the game's style and challenge that it brings up, saying, 'While it can get a bit frustrating sometimes, you can always complete the stages using the practice mode and then jump into the many different user-generated levels.'[11]148Apps gave the game a positive review, stating, 'Geometry Dash provides all of the challenge expected from an “impossible” game while also making it more accessible to newcomers.'[12]Geometry Dash has also been listed by the reviewer Chris Morris on the website Common Sense Media by as a child-friendly video game that parent could let their children play on, stating that the game was a 'good way to handle frustration', and that 'Families can also talk about rhythm and the joy of dancing in time with music'.[13] On the App Store, Geometry Dash was ranked second for the app's Top 10 Paid iPad Games and seventh for Top 10 Paid iPhone Games in the year 2018.[14]
Other editions
For Geometry Dash World, Gamezebo praised the game's captivation and decent gameplay styles, though the reviewer noted that it was not the 'most interesting game' in existence.[15] Gerson Noboa from AndroidGuys praised the Geometry Dash spin-off, stating that, 'Geometry Dash World is a worthy addition to your game arsenal. Thanks to tightly connected graphical and sound elements, the game provides an awesome, integrated experience that is rarely seen in Play Store games'.[16]
Spin-offs
Geometry Dash Meltdown
On December 16, 2015, RobTop announced a spin-off game called Geometry Dash Meltdown, which was released on December 19, 2015 for iOS and Android. Currently (as of update 1.0) it includes 3 levels (featuring the songs of F-777) with new icons from version 2.1 made to showcase the 2.0 features to those who do not own the full version.[17][18] As of December 10, 2019, it is on the Apple Store, but currently not available for the Google Play Store.
Geometry Dash Custom Icons
Geometry Dash World
On December 21, 2016, RobTop announced the newest spin-off game called Geometry Dash World, saying that he would leave on the same day. Currently (as of update 1.0) includes 2 worlds with 5 levels in each world, new 2.1 icons, a shop, a new vault, daily quests, levels & rewards, and secret chests made to showcase some of the new 2.1 features that were included in the update of the full version.[19][20][21]
Geometry Dash SubZero
On December 12, 2017, RobTop announced the newest spin-off game called Geometry Dash SubZero, which was released on December 21, 2017. It consists of three levels.[22][23] It is currently the latest stand-alone game released by RobTop,[24] and the first to offer some features of update 2.2, including new icons and triggers such as camera controls, which are not yet released on the full and original version of Geometry Dash. The new features can be accessed through hacking into the editor, in which it can be seen that they were not finished at the time of release. Many triggers use the 'Color' trigger graphics, and some do not display correctly. As of January 23, 2020, it is available on the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.
References
- ^ ab'Track of the Day: 'Geometry Dash' by Robert Topala'. theatlantic.com. 24 August 2017.
- ^ abc'Geometry Dash Review'. Softpedia. Andrei Dobra. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ^ ab'Geometry Dash: Best tips, tricks, and cheats!'. imore.com. 7 May 2017.
- ^'Geometry Dash Tips, Tricks and Cheats'. gazzettereview.com. 5 August 2017.
- ^ abc'Geometry Dash Review'. Bio Gamer Girl. E.J. Smith. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ^'The Version 2.0 Update For 'Geometry Dash' Just Hit The App Store'. toucharcade.com. 26 August 2015.
- ^'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 iPhone app in Canada'. Thestar.com. The Canadian Press. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^Geometry Dash, 2013
- ^'Geometry Dash + Newgrounds – RobTop Games'. robtopgames.com. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^'Geometry Dash reviews for PC'. Metacritic. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^'Geometry Dash reviews for iOS'. Metacritic. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^'Geometry Dash App Review'. commonsensemedia. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^Baptiste Su, Jean (4 December 2018). 'Apple Unveils 2018's Most Popular iPhone And iPad Apps: Fortnite, YouTube, Minecraft And More'. Forbes. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^'geometry Dash World reviews for iOS'. Metacritic. 16 January 2017.
- ^Noboa, Gerson (1 May 2017). 'Geometry Dash World (Review)'. AndroidGuys. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^''Geometry Dash Meltdown' Trailer Released, Coming December 19th'. toucharcade.com. 16 December 2015.
- ^Christiansien, Tom (31 December 2015). 'Geometry Dash Meltdown Review: Squarely A Challenge'. gamezebo.com.
- ^Noboa, Gerson (1 May 2017). 'Geometry Dash World: A short but exquisite musical adventure (Review)'. androidguys.com.
- ^'Geometry Dash World expands on the frantic music-runner gameplay of the original'. androidpolice.com. 26 December 2016.
- ^'Geometry Dash World Tips, Cheats and Strategies'. gamezebo.com. 2 January 2017.
- ^'Geometry Dash SubZero', Pdalife.ru. Review on Android and iOS. (in Russian), 22 December 2017, retrieved 5 January 2018
- ^Aubrey, David. 'Geometry Dash SubZero tips and tricks - How to clear 'Press Start''. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^''Geometry Dash SubZero' is the latest stand-alone expansion for RobTop Games' Geometry Dash series'. androidpolice.com. 22 December 2017.