Adventure Time hasn't exactly had the best track record when it comes to engaging and entertaining video games, but the latest entry in the series of mobile Adventure Time diversions, Adventure Time: Time Tangle, is actually quite entertaining. It doesn't shy away from its source material, which as a longtime fan I can appreciate, even if it does end up a little frustrating due to some control problems.
The Good
When time and space somehow get muddled up together, it's time for Finn and Jake to find the Time Totem and beat things up along the way until time and space resume normal operations. That's where you come in. This endless runner finds you traipsing through multiple environments throughout the Candy Kingdom, and you need to make sure your character remains unimpeded by the obstacles that inevitably crop up.
When you are faced with obstacles, you can punch them, jump over them, or simply avoid them by going around. Sometimes you need to collect a set number of items in a level, and sometimes you'll have to go around and pick up a character to bring him or her back around to a different destination. Your objectives will inevitably vary, so there's a good amount of variety.
Completing missions awards you shards of the deus ex machina device that's meant to restore order to time and space. Once you have enough shards, you face off against a boss, and then once that's complete you can zoom ahead to the next area. It's interesting to see mission-based gameplay in an endless runner like this, and that's what made me go back for more time and time again.
The Bad
The missions themselves don't always make sense, and a good chunk of them are frustrating and tedious. Timed missions can be a pain to complete, especially if you've got a mix of frustrating enemies that are difficult to defeat.
Additionally, using the accelerometer as the default control method is extremely touchy. You tilt the deivce left or right to move your character, tap to make them jump, and tap on the left side to punch. The touch controls aren't much better, though you can swap between the two until you find something that works.
The Verdict
Adventure Time: Time Tangle is an ambitious and enjoyable adventure under the Adventure Time banner, taking the trappings of an endless runner and turning it into something with a little more substance. Even if you're new to the Adventure Time fandom, there's something to enjoy about this runner and you'll want to give it a look.
The Good
When time and space somehow get muddled up together, it's time for Finn and Jake to find the Time Totem and beat things up along the way until time and space resume normal operations. That's where you come in. This endless runner finds you traipsing through multiple environments throughout the Candy Kingdom, and you need to make sure your character remains unimpeded by the obstacles that inevitably crop up.
When you are faced with obstacles, you can punch them, jump over them, or simply avoid them by going around. Sometimes you need to collect a set number of items in a level, and sometimes you'll have to go around and pick up a character to bring him or her back around to a different destination. Your objectives will inevitably vary, so there's a good amount of variety.
Completing missions awards you shards of the deus ex machina device that's meant to restore order to time and space. Once you have enough shards, you face off against a boss, and then once that's complete you can zoom ahead to the next area. It's interesting to see mission-based gameplay in an endless runner like this, and that's what made me go back for more time and time again.
The Bad
The missions themselves don't always make sense, and a good chunk of them are frustrating and tedious. Timed missions can be a pain to complete, especially if you've got a mix of frustrating enemies that are difficult to defeat.
Additionally, using the accelerometer as the default control method is extremely touchy. You tilt the deivce left or right to move your character, tap to make them jump, and tap on the left side to punch. The touch controls aren't much better, though you can swap between the two until you find something that works.
The Verdict
Adventure Time: Time Tangle is an ambitious and enjoyable adventure under the Adventure Time banner, taking the trappings of an endless runner and turning it into something with a little more substance. Even if you're new to the Adventure Time fandom, there's something to enjoy about this runner and you'll want to give it a look.
4/5
