

The constant squeaking of the bicycle, the howling winds, and Dennis’s bewildered cries do a wonderful job of providing an audio landscape of a frozen apocalyptic landscape. There’s a total lack of music outside of the intro, but it’s in favor of the sound effects, which really convey the world well. The audio design in the game is fairly minimalistic, but it serves to feed the sense that you are alone in the world. There are some small, detailed animations you could miss on occasion, but seeing them adds a great sense of flourish and engrossment into the world. The animation is slick and fluid, even on older hardware. The colors are bright and vibrant, conveying a sense of whimsy amidst total desolation.

Icycle: On Thin Ice has a wonderfully unique visual style to it. You may want to circumvent the time it takes to earn everything, and that’s fine, but you never feel forced to spend money to progress. Even after playing through the entire game, though, I can confidently say it’s never really needed.

You can purchase a huge bulk of ice blocks using real money.
ICYCLE ANIMATIONS UPGRADE
You can also upgrade your bicycle, umbrella, and even get a vacuum to help collect more ice blocks.Īs with virtually every Chillingo game, there’s a pay element players can choose to use. Clothes are included in this (funny hats, shirts, and boots), but oddly enough, he’s never able to find pants. These can be used between levels to buy various knick knacks and upgrades. Dennis can collect ice blocks as he traverses the levels. The game has a currency system, believe it or not. The levels also have multiple objectives, so there’s a significant bit of replay value in each level. It’s one of the game’s strongest elements. The screen can change wildly in front of you, keeping the platforming interesting without ever feeling overbearing. Nearly every level has a dynamic aspect to it that keeps you on your toes. There are 20 levels to work through and each offers something unique. No goombas here, but Icycle is better for it.

Jagged icicles, heavy falling objects, ice flows that push you ever faster through increasingly tight spaces, and more stand to keep you from progressing. The only things you’ll have to worry about now are environmental hazards that stand in your way as you work to your next objective. Unlike Mario and his adventures, there are no enemies or powerups in Icycle: On Thin Ice. In terms of control, it feels mildly reminiscent of a Super Mario game. In midair you can press and hold the jump button again to deploy your umbrella. The controls are incredibly straightforward. You’ll controller Dennis as he rides his bicycle across the frozen landscape with nothing to aid him but an umbrella he found to slow his fall. Icycle: On Thin Ice is a puzzle platformer. After a brief daydream, he sets out to explore and see what he can find in this forsaken world. How did he get here? Where is everyone else? Where are his clothes? He’s awoken to an ice age, naked as his name day, and the only other thing available to him is a children’s bicycle. Dennis has survived, deep asleep in his cryogenic chamber. For all intents and purposes, the world we once knew is now no more. How does the sequel, Icycle: On Thin Ice, hold up? Will you lose yourself in time playing it or should it have stayed in cryostasis? Now, Damp Gnat has brought out the sequel to Icycle, a puzzle platformer that has you cycling (literally, on a bicycle) through environments, simply trying to survive. Chillingo are no strangers to bringing out unique games that few others would be reticent to touch.
