He-Man: The Most Powerful Game in the Universe

Awkward controls hamper nostalgia-powered platform game.
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He-Man: The Most Powerful Game in the Universe
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that He-Man: The Most Powerful Game in the Universe is an arcade brawler game featuring the characters from the 1980s cartoon. While incredibly (and intentionally) campy, the game is loaded with cartoon violence and does have in-app purchases. Players can also share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional.
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What’s It About?
Players control the game through a series of thumb strokes on their touchscreen. Swiping to the left or right with your left thumb moves He-Man through his adventure, while tapping the right side of the screen swings his sword (other attack motions are unlocked throughout the game, such as double tapping to swing overhead). Swiping your right thumb upward is used to send He-Man airborne -- a move that is essential in the game, but doesn't work so well in practice.
Is It Any Good?
The nostalgia that goes with He-Man: The Most Powerful Game in the Universe is undeniable -- and the sense of humor Chillingo has about the game is very welcome (they know exactly how cheesy the franchise is). And as an arcade side-scrolling brawler, it's actually a pretty fun game.
Where it stumbles, though, is the controls, which are often non-responsive and non-intuitive. Jumping is an essential skill, but the action required for the move is not a natural one -- and it only seems to work some of the time. It's a cheap app, so you won't feel as if you've wasted money, but it's not something that will hold your attention for a long time.
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Release date: October 25, 2012
- Category: Action Games
- Topics: Superheroes
- Publisher: Chillingo Ltd.
- Version: 1.0.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 4.3 or later
- Last updated: August 19, 2016
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For kids who love action and adventure
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