Do Not Fall is a cute action puzzle game where you play as Pipi – an adorable, long eared rabbit on a mission to mix various drinks for your pleasure. The game is seen from a top-down perspective like Bomberman and each level is suspended in the air with no safeguards. The levels in ‘Mineral Water’ – the first of seven drink worlds – is spent learning the controls and game mechanics.
Each level is comprised of Lego-like blocks that vanish when Pipi walks across them; they respawn after a short time. Solid blocks are the only sections in the level where you can stand without falling, but they are far and few between. The object is to collect various nuts and bolts (which are used as currency) and gold keys to unlock doors. Mineral World starts off as a simple introduction; there are no creatures or obstacles that stand in your way.
The gameplay is fast-paced and requires quick thinking as you dash and jump your way around the suspended platforms. Each level is a puzzle that requires the player to decide which path is the safest to travel. If you move to one side of the level to obtain a key and don’t leave an escape route of untraveled blocks, you will trap yourself in a corner and fall to your death. This is just one of the many hazards in Do Not Fall; the later levels introduce rolling spike balls, bulls and bouncing sheep, among many others.
The game becomes progressively more difficult as enemies are introduced. As you collect the required items to reach the faucet to mix your drink, rolling spike balls will block your way from reaching certain areas. The only way to deal with these enemies – and to make them fall off their platforms – is to walk on any adjacent blocks that surround them. Sheep also pose a challenge as they jump quickly and usually appear in groups. Unlike the spiked ball, enemies like the sheep (and later the bull, for example) are difficult to make fall off their platforms, so it’s better to avoid them if possible.
If a level is too difficult to complete, you are given the option to skip to the next level by spending any nuts and bolts previously collected. The price of skipping a level increases the further along you are in the game. Additionally, the game grades your performance by giving you a rank. If you collect all the items present in the level and complete the available challenges (which range from collecting a certain number of keys to killing a certain number of enemies ), you will receive an ‘A’ ranking and a score bonus. Failing to meet the level requirements will result in a poor ranking.
Do Not Fall includes an Art Gallery, five unlockable characters and multiplayer modes that accommodate both online and offline play. Unfortunately, no online matches could be found during the time of this review. However, offline multiplayer supports up to four players, allowing you and three friends to compete head-to-head in six different arenas.
Do Not Fall manages to impress with its challenging levels and unlockable content. While the lack of an online community is disappointing, the single-player experience – and the offline multiplayer mode – more than make up for it.
Mike Pittaro
Platform: Playstation 3
Developer: Xpec Entertainment
Publisher: Xpec Entertainment
ESRB: E (Everyone)
Price: $9.99
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |   |
| Cute 3D graphics and animations. | |
| Sound | |
| Pipi's squeaky voice grows on you over time. | |
| Gameplay | |
| Fast-action gameplay and challenging levels. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Do Not Fall is an entertaining platformer that can be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. | |
