Mobile Gaming Month: Fruit Ninja

Game; Fruit Ninja
Platform: Android
Developer: Halfbrick Studios
Release Date: 17th September 2010

Designed specifically for touchscreen devices, Fruit Ninja challenges players to score as many points as possible by slicing fruits which appear onscreen whilst simultaneously avoiding bombs. There are three gameplay modes; Classic, Arcade and Zen. In Classic mode players must slash every fruit that appears onscreen, as missing a fruit will use up one of three lives. Hitting a bomb will instantly end a game in Classic mode. In Arcade mode, players have 60 seconds to reach a high score; missing fruits has no impact on score, but bombs subtract 10 points and clear all fruit onscreen. Finally Zen mode has no bombs and so allows players to focus on getting combos and slicing fruit. Missing fruits in Zen mode has no impact on overall score either.

The touchscreen controls are responsive and work well with the game's mechanics; there's enough challenge to keep players engaged, but its easy enough for anyone to pick up. There's a level up system in place which is driven by XP earned from each turn and completing various challenges, 3 of which are set at the beginning of each turn and remain until cleared. There's also a virtual currency in the form of starfruit, which is earned each turn and used to buy upgrades, as well as new dojos and swords.

Before each turn, players can choose to use starfruit in order to make things easier for themselves. Upgrades include 3 chances at hitting bombs before game over in Classic Mode, extra time for hitting peaches in Arcade and Zen Modes, and extra points for hitting strawberries. These upgrades are neither crucial to gameplay, nor too expensive to use frequently, thus allowing players to use them as they wish within games. There is the option to spend real money on starfruit or special event dojos/swords, but none of this is necessary for progression.

As for the range of unlockable dojos and swords, most if not all are easily affordable with the starfruit earned from simply playing the game, and can help towards getting high scores. A favourite dojo of mine in game was the 'Great Wave' Dojo which features a random chance of a 10 fruit mega-wave appearing every now and then, thus contributing to the overall score, especially if sliced in a combo.

Graphically the game looks good and is easy to understand and play; bombs can be quickly identified and avoided and each fruit has its own distinct features. The variety of dojos and effects in arcade mode is nice, but could have been expanded further in the time since the game's release. Musically the game isn't too bad, featuring an attempt at 'japanese sounding music' behind menus and more simplistic drumming behind the actual game.

Overall Fruit Ninja is a fun and addictive experience which really shows off the best of touchscreen gaming as a whole. With little point in investing actual money into the game, thanks to its generous use of in game currency, it can be enjoyed without too much grinding or replaying of the same sections. My only real complaint is that after a while the XP challenges set repeat, and end up focussing on Arcade and Zen modes rather than classic. If you're looking for something to waste a few minutes, or even hours this is a good choice.

Rating: 84/100
Grade: B