Recently, a very popular game has emerged that has taken over web browsers and the mobile universe. We’re talking about Agar.io, a game with a simple objective—survive. Moreover, Agar.io is available in a web version as well as on mobile for Android, iPhone and iPad. Check out my review for the first impressions of Agar.io!
The idea behind Agar.io is both simple and creative: you are a kind of “cell” navigating a “primordial soup” with the sole mission of swallowing everything in your path and growing ever larger—without dying, of course. The twist is that there are dozens of other online players with the same goal, and they won’t hesitate to destroy you.
In terms of gameplay, Agar.io relies entirely on this concept: collide with cells that are smaller than yours to significantly increase your size, while of course avoiding the larger ones so you don’t get “swallowed” and lose the match. Yes, “dying” here is permanent; if it happens, you have to start over (Try Again).
What’s most interesting is that even though the game is very simple, it still includes certain defensive mechanisms for you to use, such as ejecting a small amount of mass to move faster or splitting into more than one cell—a very effective move to “pounce” on that player who managed to escape you for too long. In the web version, these actions are activated by the W and Space keys, respectively.
Although the game originally launched on the web, it is now available on mobile devices as well—a version that truly does justice to the ingenuity of Agar.io. While movement on PC was controlled by the mouse, on mobile you can move your cell by touching any part of the screen, which forms a creative analog directional control that flows smoothly without lag.
Visually, unfortunately, Agar.io falls short in the area of customization. In fact, it hasn’t really focused on visual flair, presenting only colored circles bouncing around on a white screen—nothing that truly impresses, yet that minimalist idea has always had its own charm.
However, in the web version you have the option to choose personalized photos for your cells and even connect with Facebook to earn extra resources—features not available in the mobile version. Also, on both platforms, there’s no background music during gameplay and the sound effects are very minimal. But none of this detracts from the game’s overall appeal.
To play the web version, click here.
Verdict
- Graphics
- Interface
- Entertainment
- Gameplay
- Features
Summary
Agar.io is proof that a good idea doesn’t need a lot to be successful. The graphics aren’t impressive, the controls are very simple, and the soundtrack is outdated. However, the gameplay is very fun and addictive.
Every time you’ve been playing for ten minutes and, due to a small distraction, your cell goes from bad to better, you’ll want to play again, just to get revenge. Agar.io is highly recommended for those who enjoy competitions and for those who have plenty of free time to get involved in this “battle of survival”.
