8bit Doves was just one of many games created during Nitrome Jam 2014, but I’d say it was easily one of the best. With its GameBoy-esque art style and simple two-button controls, it also had pick-up-and-play appeal, while not being without challenge. But that was then, this is now, and the much-improved mobile version is finally available!
Trapped in a 4-color pixel world, your only means of escape involves going sailing through the sky, accompanied by… doves? Well, hardly the strangest backstory ever for an arcade-style game, and hey, if it ain’t broke. The doves are mostly for bragging rights (and achievements, I’m sure) though, as levels can be cleared with or without them.
In fact, given the crash-prone nature of its protagonist, I’d almost recommend prioritizing flying towards the exit, leaving the doves to fend for themselves instead. Even a single collision forces a level restart after all, and based on the trailer (along with the game jam original), things do get significantly more difficult later on. Trust me, you don’t want to almost make it through a hazardous environment, only to then get squashed between moving walls because of a dove or two.
Doves have taken roost in your prison and though you don’t know it they are the key to your survival. The Doves subconsciously inspire dreams of flight, so take to the skies through the mazes of your imagination and find the exit.
Now, as far as controls go, pressing down on either side of the screen causes him (her?) to steer in that direction. A simple enough system for sure, and after taking it for a test run flight on my iPad 2, I can confirm that it’s also without any issues.
Unlike the jam version, this port does come with a price tag attached. Chances are the additions will be worth the $2.99 though. For starters, the viewable area has been modified from portrait to landscape, taking up the entire screen (even on iPhone 5, as shown above) instead. There are also a lot more levels over the original’s eight, now spanning three rather differently themed worlds. Oh and achievements, because, why not?
8bit Doves is available on iOS (iTunes), Android (Google Play), Kindle Fire (Amazon) and Windows Phone (coming soon), completely IAP free.
