Don't Hit the Spikes is an arcade game for Windows Phones and Windows 8 devices where you are tasked with moving a game piece around and avoid hitting the spikes and other dangers that are drifting around the gaming screen.
Graphics are minimal, game play challenging and Don't Hit the Spikes has two gaming modes to keep things interesting. You also have unlockable characters and the game is available for low-memory Windows Phones. Don't Hit the Spikes makes a nice first impression and comes across as a nice gaming title to help you pass the time.
Your main menu with Don't Hit the Spikes offers up options to view the help screen, mute the gaming sound, visit the game's shop where you can unlock additional characters and jump into game play.
The game has two gaming modes. The first and primary game mode is a level based mode where you move around a character (a square looking emoticon) to avoid a series of spikes that will drift across the screen. The other gaming mode is a survival-based mode (a.k.a. Spike Mode) where you switch roles and play the spike. In the Spike Mode you'll have to guide your spike around the playing field and take out as many characters as possible. The danger? You have to keep your spikes clear of a pair of green balls that bounce around the screen.
Game controls are simple. Just tap and slide your finger around the gaming screen to guide your character or spike around. In the level based mode yellow diamonds will pop up from time to time that you will want to collect by running over them with your character. Spikes will enter from the sides of the screen and drift randomly across the playing field. Should your character make contact with the spikes the game is over. The longer you survive, the further you advance in levels and the more difficult survival becomes (spikes get more numerous and move faster).
Controls are similar with the Spike Mode. Tap and slide your finger around the screen to move your spike. The goal is to hit as many characters as possible that will appear on the screen. The challenge comes into play with bouncy balls that you will need to avoid. The longer you survive, the more intense the ball's bounce will become.
The diamonds you collect or earn during game play can be used to unlock additional characters that are available in the game's store. Most of the characters are slight variations of the game's starting character but with slightly different expressions or colors. The gaming store presents things with a hint of mystery in that only the price of the character is showing. You'll have to make the purchase to see what is hiding behind the price tag.
Overall Impression
Don't Hit the Spikes is a Windows Phone and Windows 8 game that isn't very complicated. The minimal graphics work, game play has enough challenges to keep things from growing stale and overall, Don't Hit the Spikes isn't a bad time waster of a game.
While I found the game to be fun, I don't think I could sit down with Don't Hit the Spikes for an extended period. With shorter bits, the game can help you pass the time though.
There were times that my fingers got in the way resulting in my character getting blindsided with a spike but that just adds to the challenge of the game. This isn't as common of an occurrence with the larger screens of tablets.
All in all, while Don't Hit the Spikes lacks a lot of bells and whistles it is not a terrible title to have in your gaming library. At last check the game only has one review and a 5 Star rating in the Windows Phone Store. I think a 3.5 or 4 Star rating might better suit Don't Hit the Spikes and if you give the game a whirl, let us know in the comments what you think.
- Download Don't Hit the Spikes for Windows Phone (Free)
- Download Don't Hit the Spikes for Windows 8 (Free)
