

Price: FREE

Version Reviewed: 1.0.7

App Reviewed on: iPhone 5



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Developer: Backup Entertainment Price: FREEVersion Reviewed: 1.0.7App Reviewed on: iPhone 5Graphics / SoundGameplayPlaytimeReplay Value

Spinlanders is a bit of a timesink of an RPG, and I mean that in a good way. Its casual nature means you’ll find yourself dipping into it for a few minutes and then continue to be drawn in far longer than you anticipated. It’s not particularly clever exactly, but it offers just what you need to be compelled.

Playing an adventurer as he wanders from quest to quest, attacking monsters along the way, isn’t a very new concept but how Spinlanders deals with combat is. Much like a casino game, you spin a set of slots to see what comes up. Match 3 in the middle and you inflict some damage, and possibly gain some gold or armor points along the way. Of course, that means that Spinlanders is pretty random in its execution but you do have some help at hand.

You can use special gems to hold particular slots or inflict a max spin attack, utilizing all of the slots. These gems can be gained through completing quests and other bits and pieces in the game, but they are also purchasable with real money. There’s always that sense that Spinlanders would really like for you to spend some money, but you don’t have to, with there just enough to keep you safe without. Coins are gained at a steady pace, enabling you to unlock upgrades and progress further, although again you can always buy these.

Crucially though, Spinlanders is pretty fun so you won’t begrudge paying something towards it if you so choose. At times the action feels a little slow to unfold (the impatient part of me wished I could skip some of the animations), but its simple yet compelling way of unlocking upgrades and bonuses keeps you keen. Ultimately, it’s good, clean fun and a surprisingly effective combination of genres.