Leaky pipes are a terrible problem, whether you’re talking literal plumbing issues or using it as a euphemism for poor bladder control. Having suffered from both at various points in my life, I feel I’m in a perfect position to critique LemonQuest’s mobile sequel to the popular Pipe Mania.
It’ll be a familiar premise to many - you place variously shaped sections of pipe on a simple grid, aiming to create one continuous length of tubing between an entry and exit point. All the while, a steady flow of water trickles through, threatening to spill out unless you can get the job done quickly.
Control is a simple matter of directing a cursor with the thumb-pad or equivalent numerical keys and clicking ‘OK’/’5’ to lay the current section of pipe, the next five of which are previewed at the top of the screen so you can plan ahead.
The presentation is far from stellar - in truth the game could have come from any time in the last three years - but it’s functional and there’s enough variety between each of the levels.
There’s ample variety when it comes to modes, too, with four single-player variants and even a Bluetooth multiplayer mode.
Much has been added since the first edition. Pipe Mania 2 features bonuses for passing through special sections of tubing, building loops and building over hidden treasure. There are obstacles to avoid, attacks from rivals to sustain and repairs to be made.
The core experience remains the same though - there’s the same sense of panicky urgency as you get dealt an unhelpful series of pipes, forcing you to make agonising split-second decisions. I’ll make it plain - either I’m rubbish at the game or it can get cruelly tough at certain points.
The truth probably lies somewhere in between. There’s little doubt that frustratingly random difficulty spikes are built into the very fabric of the game, and if you’re not willing to persist and hit the ‘Retry’ button on regular occasions this clearly isn’t the game for you.
If you are, though, then the initially steep learning curve will level off and you’ll get plenty of reward from Pipe Mania 2.
Pipe Mania 2
At times punishingly tough, Pipe Mania 2 yields its fruits slowly. Those who get hooked into its flow, though, will get swept away by its tense appeal
Jon Mundy
Jon is a consummate expert in adventure, action, and sports games. Which is just as well, as in real life he's timid, lazy, and unfit. It's amazing how these things even themselves out.