Although the App Store is still full of freemium games like Angry Birds, Apple is pretty great when it comes to highlighting some of the more unusual titles that pop up on iOS — from the M.C. Escher gorgeousness of Monument Valley to the nihilistic weirdness of Sometimes You Die.
The company continues that trend with its latest pick for App of the Week, which would normally set you back a couple of bucks, but can be downloaded completely free of charge for the next seven days. It’s Dark Echo, a uniquely twisted puzzle game by RAC7 Games — and I’m here to tell you it’s excellent.
Check out the trailer and a description below. Trust me, if you like unusually minimalist puzzlers, you won’t be disappointed.
Dark Echo takes as its premise the old horror movie adage that what makes us scared isn’t what we see but, crucially, what remains hidden in the shadows.
The game therefore puts you in control of a character who finds themselves in a pitch black hallway. From here, you must find your way around via sound — with the sound waves showing up as colored lines which bounce around the black screen. Tapping loudly has the effect of revealing more of the map, but also of alerting enemies to your position. Tapping quietly reveals less, but also allows you to move around more stealthily.
Explaining any more than this would spoil what is truly a unique game-playing experience, but if you’re looking for a fun (cheap!) way to while away the weekend, this is most assuredly it.
Just remember to wear your headphones for the full effect!
