Bike Baron Review

Monday, October 24, 2011

Bike Baron Review

at 7:08 AM

Bike Baron Review

By Michael Halloran on October 24th, 2011
Our Rating:

:: DANGEROUSLY ADDICTING
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

An exciting and addictive bike game. Clever gameplay, fluid graphics and challenging levels make Bike Baron an instant classic.

Developer: Mountain Sheep
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.01
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 4S

Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

I have played many an iOS game, but it seems like there are fewer games out there that can hold my attention and keep me entertained. This may be a result of my gnat-sized attention span, but I am very excited when a game does come around that hooks me in and doesn't let me go. Bike Baron is one of those games. From the moment I picked it up, I haven't been able to put it down. From the zany graphics to the clever gameplay, Bike Baron is one of the most addicting games I have played in a while.

The purpose of Bike Baron is to help the Baron and his sidekick cat safely navigate through some treacherous and technical terrain on their motorcycle. Players must control the Baron's speed carefully to avoid obstacles and exploding barrels of fire. Oddly shaped ramps and loops can throw the Baron off his balance so players must also help him lean and shift his weight to land safely. There are 40 levels in the game, each having a greater level of difficulty than the last. Each level has three goals and a star is awarded every time a goal is completed. One star must be cashed in in order to advance to the next level. After all stars from each difficulty level are available a secret "Joker Baron" level is unlocked.

The controls are very basic and I was able to get the hang of the physics of the game quickly. The arrows on the left hand side of the screen control the Baron's lean forward and backward and the right hand side is home to his gas and brake peddles. Holding the left or right arrows will cause the Baron to perform back and front flips over gaps filled with exploding barrels. As players control the Baron through the obstacles, cheers and shouts from an unseen crowd erupt as he fearlessly tackles each level.

With 40 levels included, it's a relatively short game and I wish there were more available initially. However, the adventure can still continue with the custom level creator. Players are given the opportunity use their creativity to construct their own obstacle courses for Baron to ride. There is also the option to download the most popular user-generated courses using codes from the developer's site.

Overall this is a very solid game that is sure to be one of the top games in the App Store. The graphics are smooth and the gameplay is challenging and addicting. Bike Baron is only $0.99, which is a very fair price for such a well-made game. I've loved all the levels so far and I am excited to see if the developers release more levels in future updates.