Tadpole Jump is an arcade style game for Android that puts players in control of a Tadpole that wants to jump to the next stage of its development. A tough and challenging game, Tadpole Jump requires players to time their jumps perfectly to make sure that they pass through the obstacles and complete the level. There are 100 different levels for players to work their way through, and each of them becomes more of a challenge than the previous one. With patience and strategy, players of all ages will be able to make it through all of the 100 levels, but players should be aware that this could be a tough challenge for them.
As with other games on Android, Tadpole Jump is just a quick download from the Play Store away. Once installed, there are a few options to choose from on the main menu, which is where players’ high scores will be shown, too.
Tadpole Jump does an okay job of telling players how to play the game, but the main point of the game is to be really easy to play, which is just what Tadpole Jump is. There’s only one control that players need to remember; tap to jump.
Things do start off nice and easy, but the first handful of levels can be deceiving. The object of each and every level is to jump through or around the white obstacles to collect the yellow diamond as well as reach the next platform.
The obstacles change shape as well as speed as you get further into the 100 levels, but the aim stays the same; to jump your jump correctly. Should you fail to do that, it’ll be game over.
Well, I say game over, but in reality Tadpole Jump lets players continue from the level that they were on. There’s no need to start from the beginning, and refreshingly there doesn’t appear to be a “watch an ad to retry”. Although, there are ads in Tadpole Jump, they’re mostly few and far between, which is good to see as well. Players that stick at the game will get to take on some pretty interesting arrangements of obstacles, which make for some challenging and tough levels to work through.
Different shapes are used as well, such as the triangles above, to the huge circles down below:
It’s important to remember that the obstacles in Tadpole Jump are constantly moving and even though they slow down when players tap to jump, timing that jump is pretty much everything to whether or not you’ll complete the level and move to the next.
Tadpole Jump is a good bit of fun for Android, but despite its claims of being a tough challenge, I managed to make my way to level 50 in roughly 25 – 30 minutes or so. Now, this isn’t to say that I didn’t have fun getting there, but I was certainly expecting something more of a challenge, that’s for sure. Aside from the fact that I personally found it a little easy, Tadpole Jump is a game that appeals to everyone and all ages, when playing with my 9-year old sister-in-law, I was impressed with how she took on the challenge gladly. She seemed to enjoy the game, and I can see why; it’s simple, addictive and it is a challenge. That challenge however, doesn’t appear to be all that consistent as I found some later levels even easier than earlier ones, and I think this is down to a lack of attention to detail when organizing the order of the 100 levels and what obstacles are in them. Regardless, for a free and fun Android game, Tadpole Jump has a lot going for it, and it’s complete free to play as well, with fairly unobtrusive ads compared to other games like this.
Ratings
- Speed (4/5) – No complaining about how quickly Tadpole Jump ran, it was speedy and smooth throughout the 50 levels that I conquered.
- Theme (3/5) – While unoffensive, there’s not much to look at here and it could certainly do with a little more in the background and perhaps some different themes.
- Features (4/5) – Tadpole Jump is based around one simple game mechanic, and while that might sound a little easy, it’s a game that will appeal to all ages as a result, and while it might not be too challenging to all players, it can be a tough game.
- Overall (4/5) – As simple, fun games go on Android, Tadpole Jump might not be an overnight classic or anything, but it’s the sort of thing that will appeal to all kinds of players. Especially those looking for a simple and playable game that doesn’t ask too much of its players.
Pros
- Uncomplicated control scheme – with just one rule to remember – makes Tadpole Jump easily-played by all players.
- Tough challenge for players that might not be used to this sort of gameplay.
- Relies on timing – one of the most addictive gameplay mechanics out there – to challenge and thrill its players.
- Doesn’t load up players with too many ads, despite the game being totally free.
Cons
- Didn’t seem that difficult to me, as I completed 50 levels in less than an hour.
- Doesn’t offer too much in the way of replayability and could do with some more levels added.
All-in-all, Tadpole Jump is what it is; a simple and addictive game for Android. It’s well-suited to the mobile form factor, and I can easily see players both young and old getting excited by the challenging gameplay. I might not have found it too challenging, but I’m sure others out there will, and the timing aspect of the gameplay is really, really addictive.