DOT5URBO by ustwo

The hallmarks of the DOT games from ustwo are simple but addictive gameplay mechanics and devastatingly stylish visual design. I’ve enjoyed all the DOT series games so far, but the latest is probably my favorite.

DOT5URBO is a runner / “wall of death” game, where the player must flee a spiked wall while collecting items and avoiding spikes. Rather than jumping, tapping the screen causes you to flip from running on the ground to running on the ceiling. Hitting the spikes on the ground or ceiling causes the player to start lagging back; hit enough of them and the death wall catches up to you. There’s also an invincibility powerup that allows you to destroy spikes for a limited time. Combine this with speed, combos, and achievements, and we have a very addictive little package.

While the game is a lot of fun, what really shines here are the visuals. The menu screens are solid black, with bold, striking, and colorful text and icons. The sprites are mostly geometric shapes in solid colors, brought to life with subtle animations and particle effects. Text for level completion, point earning, and achievements is as striking as the text in the menus. The visual design is all very clean and streamlined yet never feels stiff or static.

The game is available free on the App Store, with an in-app purchase option to get rid of ads. It’s worth checking out.