If you are tired of the same old same old with endless runner games, take a look at the Windows Phone game Octagon. It is minimal in design but by no means is the game without challenge.
You are tasked with guiding a ball down an 8 sided tunnel full of holes, gaps and obstacles to avoid. The game comes with two gaming modes, is available for low-memory Windows Phones and after playing Octagon for the past few days, it comes across as a fun time waster of a game.
Octagon greets you with a rather minimal main menu that holds options to choose between the two gaming modes, access the game's settings and mute the music. The settings page is more of an About page with the developer's credits and options to share the game or contact the developer.
You toggle between the two gaming modes by swiping up or down at the screen. The Classic Mode is a multi-level game where the running courses progressively become more difficult. The Endless Mode is just that, see how far and long you can last before your ball meets its fate.
Game mechanics is the same, regardless of the gaming mode you choose. Your ball rests on a platform that is part of an 8 sided tunnel. You have to roll your ball down the tunnel and keep on the platforms that will shift around the tunnel.
You rotate the tunnel left or right by swiping at the screen accordingly. Swiping up at the screen will jump your ball from the bottom to the top of the screen.
Game play is fast paced and like most endless runners, you will find yourself in trouble if your attention strays for the slightest.
Overall Impressions
Octagon has a minimal (but colorful) design, challenging game play and simple gaming controls. It is a Windows Phone game that is well suited for short gaming spurts or possibly longer gaming sessions. The variety of courses you have to negotiate will test your reaction, concentration and timing. I think the hardest aspect of game play is remembering you can swipe up to bounce your ball to the top of the tunnel to avoid dangers. Your first instinct is to swipe and rotate around to safety when there's no possible way you can get there quick enough.
There isn't much to complain about with Octagon. The game ran smoothly and the trial version gives you access to the Classic Mode, which is more than enough to either sell you on the game or have you look elsewhere. Graphics are minimal and gives the game a 80's arcade feel, which isn't a bad thing.
At last check, Octagon only has one review with a 4 Star review in the Windows Phone Store. We'd rate it in the 4 Star neighborhood as well and if you give Octagon a try, let us know what you think of things in the comments below. Also, don't forget to rate the game in the Windows Phone Store to give the developer a feel for things.
