Geometry Dash

Geometry Dash
Geometry Dash icon
Genres Runner, Music, Platformer
Developer(s) Robert Topala
Publisher(s) RobTop Games
Platforms iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Original release iOS, Android
13 August 2013
Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
22 December 2014
First release Geometry Dash
August 13, 2013
Latest release Geometry Dash SubZero
December 21, 2017

Geometry Dash is a series of five video games developed by Sweden-based developer Robert Topala, and published by his company, RobTop Games.[1] The principal game, Geometry Dash, it is a rhythm-based platforming game which currently has 21 official levels and has more than 40 million online levels made by players. Each level features unique background music. Other features include a level editor, map packs, user-created levels, secret coins, and a variety of icons and game modes, as well as user coins, three shops and three secret vaults in the latest versions.[1]

Gameplay

Electroman Adventures, the 13th official level.

Geometry Dash uses a simple tapping/clicking system to control different vehicles that react when a player presses anywhere on the touchscreen (space/up key(s), mouse, or "A" button when using a controller if playing on the PC version) and can be held down to constantly interact (on some vehicles). Users cannot control the speed at which the icon is moving, the only way to change speed is by touching a speed changing arrow set. The timing and rhythm of the in-game music are key parts of the game, often in relation to each other.

The objective of the game is to complete a level by reaching its end; however, if the player crashes into an obstacle, they will have to start over from the beginning.[2] All levels (with the exception of the three "demon" rated levels in the full version) are unlocked from the start, so they can be played out of order. Along the way, the player can collect up to three secret coins in each official level, which are scattered in either hidden or challenging areas (or both).[3]

The icon can take up to seven separate gamemodes, which behave differently with each interaction.[2] Gamemodes themselves can be changed with seven separate portals, while the behavior of these modes can be changed further with portals, including size portals, which change the size of the icon, mirror portals, which reverse the game view, gravity portals, which reverse the gravity, dual portals, which duplicate the icon, and five different speed arrow sets that change the speed of the icon. All of these features give a variety of ways to play the game. There also are dash arrows to go in a straight line until death or release of your finger (for mobile devices).

If the player completes a level, he/she will be rewarded with icons or colors on main levels, and mana orbs, which can be used to purchase icons, death effects, or trails in the shops.

Levels

Main levels

Geometry Dash features 21 official levels, 18 of which are playable from the start. Each level has rewards for completing them.[2] Each official level has 3 secret coins, making a total of 63. These secret coins are used to unlock 3 demon levels: 10 unlock Clubstep, 20 unlock Theory Of Everything 2, and 30 unlock Deadlocked. (Until Update 2.0, Clubstep required 20 coins to unlock, and Theory Of Everything 2 required 30 coins to unlock.)[4]

These levels range wildly in difficulty; while some can be beaten by anyone, some require thousands of attempts to master and complete. Online levels can get even harder than the official levels, as repeatedly proven by the creators of these online levels. Over time, the "difficulty cap" has risen and risen to reach new heights each update, especially in 2.1, with levels constantly coming out.

Levels are classified by difficulty, from Easy to Demon; in order of the levels' addition to the game, somewhat but not completely in order of difficulty.

The stars represent the difficulty and the number of stars the player gets when completing that level. Also, official levels are worth more stars than custom levels. For example, Demon levels are rated 14 (as in Clubstep and Theory of Everything 2) to 15 stars (as in Deadlocked) for official levels, but only 10 stars in the custom ones.

Geometry Dash has a practice mode that can be used for any level. Checkpoints are available in this mode, allowing the player to restart at checkpoints instead of the very beginning.[5] These checkpoints are marked by green, diamond-shaped gems.

Custom levels

In addition to the 21 official levels, the game also has custom levels. To access these custom levels, the player must have the full version. Notable objects that can be used include blocks, rings, jump pads, portals, spikes, and user coins. Coins that are verified can be collected for new icons, or they can be used to unlock the vault.[6]

The player must be able to complete their own level with all coins in normal mode in order to ensure that it is actually possible to beat. A level can be verified in separate attempts such as completing a run through in one attempt and then collecting coins in another; however any changes made to the level will make it unverified. These levels can either have the same music already in the game or custom music from Newgrounds.[5]

Each user-created level has a unique ID (The ID is lower if the level is older), which can be used to play the level without searching its name. As similar to the official levels, user-created levels are classified by difficulty, which is decided by RobTop, by players or "level mods" who can send a level to RobTop to be rated. Unlike official levels, they cannot be played offline unless they were previously downloaded.[7]

Achievements

The game features several achievements, which can be unlocked in several ways, such as collecting a certain number of stars, completing demon rated levels, completing official levels, adding friends, liking or disliking online levels, rating custom levels, etc.; plus secret achievements unlocked through undisclosed means.[6]

Achievements can also be unlocked by collecting shards, which can be obtained from daily chests, from demon chests or by completing the respective shard's gauntlet.[7]

By unlocking achievements, the player is rewarded with certain icons, colors, or trails. The player can also unlock other customization features, namely a selection of trails behind icons, a secondary color glow around the icon's black border, and death effects.[5]

Secret Vault

The game features three secret vaults as of the 2.11 update. The first one can be unlocked by getting 10 silver (verified) user coins, the second by getting 50 diamonds, and the third with an emblem obtainable from the shop hidden the treasure room (in turn obtainable with 500 diamonds).[7]

They display a screen with a text box where you can input codes that can be found from deciphering tricky riddles and unlock secret achievements, which unlock new icons, trails, etc.[7]

Games

Geometry Dash Lite

In the Lite version, players cannot access certain features that are in the purchased version. For example, players cannot access user created levels and create their own levels, the main levels only reach Electroman Adventures, it does not have the daily chests, players cannot create an account, the three shops are not accessible and players can't access the subfolder of Shards of Power. Also some achievements and customizations of vehicles that cannot be obtained.[4]

Geometry Dash Meltdown

On 16 December 2015, RobTop announced the newest spin-off game called "Geometry Dash Meltdown", which was released on December 17, 2015. Currently (as of update 1.0) includes 3 levels with new 2.1 icons made to showcase the 2.0 features to those who do not own the full version. RobTop released "Geometry Dash Meltdown" on iOS and Android, on 19 December 2015, a day later he released it for iOS.[8][9]

Geometry Dash World

On 21 December 2016, RobTop announced the newest spin-off game called "Geometry Dash World", saying that he would leave on the same day. Currently (as of update 1.0) includes 2 worlds with 5 levels in each world, new 2.1 icons, a shop, a new vault, daily quests, levels & rewards, and secret chests made to showcase some of the new 2.1 features that were included in the update for the full version.[10][11][12]

Geometry Dash SubZero

On 12 December 2017, RobTop announced the newest spin-off game called "Geometry Dash SubZero", which was released on December 21, 2017. It consists of 3 levels, and adds new icons and triggers such as Camera Controls.[13][14] It is currently the latest stand-alone game released by RobTop.[15]

Development

According to Robert Topala, the game began as a project that could have moved in any direction. He made the remark, "There was really no detailed plan... it simply started as a template with a cube that could crash and jump".[16] He previously developed it for the computer, but later altered his plan and made attempts to make it a mobile game. Topala was inspired by "The Impossible Game" and he took about four months to create the game and take it to the App Store and Google Play. In the beta version, the game was called "Geometry Jump", but was changed to "Geometry Dash".

Upon its release, Geometry Dash had just seven levels, which are now currently free to play on the game's free version, alongside six other levels released in later updates in the full version (Time Machine, Cycles, xStep, Clutterfunk, Theory of Everything, and Electroman Adventures). It would soon gain serious popularity around the world, especially Canada, where it achieved the title as the most popular paid iPhone app in June 2014.[17] There are four free versions of the game, one being "Geometry Dash Lite" which currently (as of update 2.2) includes the first 13 levels from the full version.[4]

Soundtrack

The Geometry Dash soundtrack is by several music artists, including ForeverBound, DJVI, Waterflame, DJ-Nate, F-777, and MDK.[18]

Reception

Softpedia complimented the game's style and challenge that it brings up, saying, "While it can get a bit frustrating sometimes, you can always complete the stages using the practice mode and then jump into the many different user-generated levels."[19] 148Apps gave the game a positive review, stating, "Geometry Dash provides all of the challenge expected from an “impossible” game while also making it more accessible to newcomers."[20] Geometry Dash has also been listed by the reviewer Chris Morris on the website commonsensemedia by as a child-friendly video game that parent could let their children play on. Saying that the game was a "good way to handle frustration", and that "Families can also talk about rhythm and the joy of dancing in time with music".[21]

Other editions

For Geometry Dash World, Gamezebo praised the game's captivation and decent gameplay styles, though the reviewer noted that it was not the "most interesting game" in existence.[22] Gerson Noboa from AndroidGuys praised the Geometry Dash spin-off, stating that, "Geometry Dash World is a worthy addition to your game arsenal. Thanks to tightly connected graphical and sound elements, the game provides an awesome, integrated experience that is rarely seen in Play Store games".[23]

References

  1. 1 2 "Track of the Day: 'Geometry Dash' by Robert Topala". theatlantic.com. August 24, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "Geometry Dash Review". Softpedia. Andrei Dobra. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  3. ↑ "Geometry Dash Tips, Tricks and Cheats". gazzettereview.com. August 5, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Geometry Dash: Best tips, tricks, and cheats!". imore.com. 7 May 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 "Geometry Dash Review". Bio Gamer Girl. E.J. Smith. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  6. 1 2 "The Version 2.0 Update For 'Geometry Dash' Just Hit The App Store". toucharcade.com. 2015-08-26.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Geometry Dash Cheats, Tips, & Tricks Guide 2018". appinformers.com. May 12, 2017.
  8. ↑ "'Geometry Dash Meltdown' Trailer Released, Coming December 19th". toucharcade.com. 2015-12-16.
  9. ↑ Christiansien, Tom (December 31, 2015). "Geometry Dash Meltdown Review: Squarely A Challenge". gamezebo.com.
  10. ↑ Noboa, Gerson (May 1, 2017). "Geometry Dash World: A short but exquisite musical adventure (Review)". androidguys.com.
  11. ↑ "Geometry Dash World expands on the frantic music-runner gameplay of the original". androidpolice.com. December 26, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Geometry Dash World Tips, Cheats and Strategies". gamezebo.com. January 2, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Geometry Dash SubZero", Pdalife.ru. Review on Android and iOS. (in Russian), 22 December 2017, retrieved 5 January 2018
  14. ↑ Aubrey, David. "Geometry Dash SubZero tips and tricks - How to clear "Press Start"". Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  15. ↑ "'Geometry Dash SubZero' is the latest stand-alone expansion for RobTop Games' Geometry Dash series". androidpolice.com. December 22, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Smart strategies fuel Geometry Dash's slow jog to success". Cult Of Mac. Luke Dormehl. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  17. ↑ "'Geometry Dash' top paid iPhone app in Canada". Thestar.com. The Canadian Press. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  18. ↑ Geometry Dash, 2013
  19. ↑ "Geometry Dash reviews for PC". Metacritic. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Geometry Dash reviews for iOS". Metacritic. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Geometry Dash App Review". commonsensemedia. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  22. ↑ "geometry Dash World reviews for iOS". Metacritic. January 16, 2017.
  23. ↑ Noboa, Gerson (May 1, 2017). "Geometry Dash World (Review)". AndroidGuys. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
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