Steamscope is a simple, yet challenging, game released for the iPhone and iPad. The
concept and gameplay are easy to learn and only take a few minutes to grasp. Travel down
a series of tubes in a first person view and make it to the end without touching any objects
throughout the level or you’ll die.
In Steamscope your travel direction will be controlled mainly on an in-game rail system. You’re only able to move yourself; left, right, up or down to avoid the objects that are scattered within the tubes. As you dive deeper into the tube network of Steamscope, the levels will challenge you with simple puzzles to master. The majority of the puzzles need to be completed in order to open the entrance ways to the next section. The puzzles must be solved before the rail system causes you to crash into the closed entrance ways.
There are a few items that you can use to help you through the game, such as the Tesla
Cannon. The Tesla Cannon allows you to pick up items and move them around to solve the
puzzles or fight the bosses of the game. You can slow down your speed in the game with the
brake to help pass a tight spot. Braking is limited, so use it carefully until you find the brake item to refill the braking meter. Collect coins throughout the tubes to reward yourself with 1ups.
Steamscope Game Controls
Steamscope can be played by using two types of control options, tilt control or thumbstick
control. Both methods of controls are responsive in relation to moving your on screen
positioning. However, I found the tilt controls to be very troublesome. When playing with
the tilt controls, the game will take a few seconds to calibrate its position. The problem is the
iPhone or iPad needs to be laying flat on its backside to get a true neutral position. Any slight
angle will cause you to be stuck in a permanent movement in the direction of the lean. This will happen every time you die and start over.
In order to use the tilt control option, you have hold the device awkwardly level while looking directly over the screen to keep it at a true neutral position. The thumbstick control is my weapon of choice for Steamscope. It does everything right, that the tilt control doesn’t. It doesn’t matter how you hold the device landscape or portrait or even at an angle. The best thing I liked about the thumbstick control, which other games that use this same method fail at, is the positioning of where the thumbstick controls are kept. You place your thumb anywhere on the screen and Steamscope will generate the control dial where the device sensed the touch. So the hand used and position is fully personal to the player! Do it anywhere and you’re in control.
