Saturday Morning Lit

I actually owned the original version of this game from back when it was available on the Nintendo Wiis eshop, so you can imagine my surprise when I see that not only had Lit been ported to iOS, but that it had traded in its dark and creepy art style for one that would make Cartoon Network proud. Being a fan of the original game, downloading this game for free was a no-brainier.

As it turns out, the visuals arent the only thing that have been simplified in the iOS version, the gameplay has been dumbed down to suit touch screen based gameplay. Like in the original, you play as Jake, a heroic, if not moody and sarcastic, teen who must rescue his girlfriend when his high school is overrun by darkness and the monsters within it. However, instead of being able to move in any direction, iOS Lit is played on a grid.

To progress through the game, you must create a trail of light using windows, lamps, TV, and more to reach the exit, because touching the dark areas of the room is an instant death. Jake must use different tools to clear a safe path through the 16 different rooms, avoiding monsters and darkness itself, and do it as fast as possible (if you want the good ending, that is.)

But how does it compare to the original? The short answer is that its much shorter, much easier, and is missing a lot of content, like several light mechanics, boss fights, and voiced bits that emphasized the story (which is largely ignored in this version). However, this game is free, and currently doesnt ask for any money in any way, which is refreshing, though small ads will play at the top of screen. Interestingly, they kept the original creepy music tracks from the first game, and they clash jarring my with this games lighter art style.

When out of the context of its original game, Lit is a fun though fleeting little puzzle game with charming artwork and simple puzzles that dont require too much thought to solve. If youre anything like me, youll spend an hour or two playing through the game, and ab extra few minutes to get the best scores and ending.

Bottom line: good presentation and some smart puzzles are enough to keep you playing this rather shallow game, recommend playing.

Crooked Muse about LIT™