iOS Review: Aiko Island

Who doesn't like cookies?  The truth is that everyone does, even Aiko.  No, that's not like "my grandma and your grandma sitting by the fire," that's "Iko Iko" this is Aiko (which is both a plural and singular).   Aiko Island is a fictional place populate Red Aiko and Blue Aiko.  The Red Aiko are your typical evil Aiko, whereas the Blue Aiko are your standard good guy Aiko..  At the start of the game Aiko Island, the Red Aiko steal delectable chocolate chip cookies from the Blue Aiko and thus starts your adventure. 

The truth of the matter is that the story is irrelevant, Aiko Island is like any number of mobile games.  Your task is simple – complete each level by making the Red Aiko go away while making sure the Blue Aiko remain.   This is accomplished by tapping Red Aiko to make them disappear, and when they're a variety which can't be tapped, making them fall through a hole by removing a log or via some other mechanism.  It is, in short, exceptionally similar to any number of iOS/mobile puzzle games, but it is done with enough wit and charm to still make it a winner.

Win a level on Aiko Island and you retrieve a cookie.  Win a level within a set amount of time and you get a second cookie.  Win a level within a specific number of moves and, you guessed it, you get another cookie.  As you progress on your map of Aiko Island from one level to the next you will find that some places remain locked due to your lack of cookies (should you only have gotten one on every level, do and you can open all the levels).

While on the whole exceptionally fun, the game does take a while to get into a groove due to the exceptionally annoying and rather slow tutorial.  This tutorial is built across several of the early levels and, sadly, there is no good way (save by skipping levels and abandoning cookies) to skip it.  Don't progress quite quickly enough on those early levels or make too many moves and you'll find yourself having to watch the tutorial—already annoying the first time out—over and over again.

Article Author: Josh Lasser

Josh Lasser, formerly known as "TV and Film Guy," and complete with a Masters Degree in Critical Studies in said areas, gives his opinions on TV, Film, and Entertainment in general. All of which he does in a shameless attempt to try to get paid to do the exact same thing. …

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