Relaxing puzzle games can come in all forms. I’ve played games that are minimalistic, atmospheric, nature-based. It doesn’t matter what the theme is, as long as the mechanics don’t make you want to throw your iPhone at a wall. ORBB is a tranquil puzzle adventure that takes place in the vast reaches of outer space. If you can’t find peace in the never-ending vacuum of space, you’ll never find it.
In this game, players hop from one planet to another, collecting glowing dots that are reminiscent of PAC-MAN pellets. You control a white orb that is always connected to a planets gravitational pull. All you have to do is tap the screen to jump from one planet to the next. When you do, the white orb will zoom across the sky to the planet in its gravitational path.
Just hopping from planet to planet is not enough. Players must time their jumps in order to make a clean capture of the line of dots. If you miss and end up on another planet, don’t worry. You can always catch them on the next rotation.
Even if you miss everything when you make a jump and fly off the screen, you’ll simply end up on the other side of the screen coming back in, which is also similar to PAC-MAN.
As the levels progress, new elements are brought into the picture. Black hole style portals will let you leap from one spot to another. Planet sizes will change. Rotation speed will vary.
The game is completely unchallenged. You can play at your own pace and you don’t run out of health points or chances to replay. However, if you are the type of person who likes to push the competition a bit, you can try finishing each level within the bonus time period. The second counter in the upper right corner of the screen will start out green. If you collect all of the dots while it is still green, you earn a bonus. Otherwise, the universe is your playground.
There are 60 unique levels across five phases. Play at your own pace and either relax at the end of a long day to the atmospheric sci-fi soundtrack, or prepare for a race to be the fastest player around.
ORBB is available on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch for $2.99. Download it in the App Store today.
What do you think of ORBB? Let us know in the comments below.