App of the Week – Whale Trail

By Sarah Combs:

Help Willow the Whale escape the evil Baron Von Barry! (Although, really, how evil can he be with that name?)

Willow the Whale has taken to the sky to avoid his nemesis Barry, and you have to guide him through perilous clouds and sunny skies to help him escape. There’s something about helping a whale fly through the sky that is both endearing and oddly exhilarating. The colors, sounds, and characters within this game make Whale Trail simply too adorable for words.

Whale Trail is kind of Mario-esque in that it’s a side-scrolling game where you avoid enemies and hit power ups and rewards along the way. You help Willow the Whale fly through the magical world of Rainbow Land, where there’s danger around every corner (or behind every sunbeam). Which seems odd, in a place called Rainbow Land…

You collect Blubbles (no, not Bubbles, Blubbles) as you do loop-the-loops and smash into the unfortunately mis-mannered Thunder Brothers, all the while meeting new characters and making new friends along the way.

There are two modes: Classic and Challenge. In Classic Mode, you’re able to endlessly travel through different worlds, overcoming new challenges as they come. In Challenge Mode, you work to unlock the stars in these short little fun levels. There are 64 different levels within Challenge Mode, so it’s guaranteed to keep you busy for a while. There’s also a bonus Frenzy Mode where you can just go nuts and start smashing the Thunder Brothers like there’s no tomorrow.  

Game play is super simple. You just press and hold anywhere on the screen to make Willow swoop upwards in his flight, and release to have him coast down. You press and hold to complete a loop-the-loop (which is particularly fun!). The controls are simple enough for kids of any age to play, but the game is engaging and challenging enough to entertain parents as well. Or even grandparents for that matter!

The sound track by Gruff Rhys of “The Super Furry Animals” completes the delightfully carefree experience of Whale Trail. Everything from the smooth user interface to the beautiful graphics makes this app a must for any family.

Whale Trail is recommended for Toddlers, Kids, Tweens, Teens, and Parents (Ages 2 and up) for universal whale fun. Find screenshots, reviews, and family-friendly ratings for Whale Trail and more of the best Android apps at Famigo.com.

Developer: ustwo
 
Compatibility: iPhone, iTouch, and, iPad (iOS 4.1 or later) and Android 2.3 and up
 
App Category: Arcade & Action

Price: $0.99 on Apple and $1.99 on Android

Famigo Family Rating: 5 out of 5 stars