Hundreds of games are being regularly released on the iOS App Store, which puts a lot of pressure on developers and companies, but it also increases the competition. This is something that gamers can benefit from, since freshly released games tend to bring a lot of free content in order to capture your attention. However, reviews like this one can help you differentiate aggressive free-to-play games that come with annoying payment models that ruin the experience, in contrast to games that are offering hours of addictive entertainment, without hidden fees. One of those games, named Does Not Commute, is the perfect example of how we get to play amazing games practically for free.
Does not Commute has found its way onto the front page of the iOS App Store and you must have noticed its neon-like icon in case you browsed the store during the last week. After playing this game for a couple of days, I can see why Apple decided to display it. Continue reading to learn more about what things you can expect from this game, as well as if it’s worth downloading it on your iOS device.
The graphics in Does Not Commute is simply stunning. It features the angled perspective that actively moves with your character, along with polished 3-D models, followed by active and vibrant environments. What I particularly liked is how detailed each level is, since it takes time and effort to beat every single level. As you will see later in the game, each level is thoughtfully designed to offer high levels of complexity. However, the chaos of its concept is nicely balanced out with skillful play. In other words, many levels are going to be challenging and perhaps visually overcrowded, but every single design decision has its practical role, which is the biggest strength of Does Not Commute.
The main goal of this game is to drive the car from point A to point B, or in other words, your mission is to transport a series of characters from their homes towards their workplace. Each level is split into different parts, so you will start with one driver and their car, but once you complete this route, another character shows up. Controlling each new character will clash against previously played routes, which adds to complexity. This is so-called temporal paradox. Since every level consists of at least 10 different characters, and since you have 60 seconds to meet the goal for all routes throughout the level, it is clear how challenging this game can get. Since the game is all about making it to the end with time left, you will be able to pick some bonuses. However, you will need to work hard to get those, since they are usually hidden in deceptively simple paths. Many of those are not visible in plain sight, forcing you to replay the whole level. Thankfully, Does Not Commute comes with the practice mode. This isn’t available right from the start, but this is a completely free feature. The Practice Mode can help you improve your game, so you can avoid making big mistakes and crashes, saving you some time when you’re going into a new level. On the other hand, you can decide to skip this if you like the game’s unpredictable character.
When it comes to the game’s gameplay mechanics, each car has its own set of characteristics, so its weight and handling will affect speed. In case you do not plan the path accordingly, you will start crashing into buildings, trees, and poles. Lucky for you, you can use one of three boosts: speed, armor, and traction. Beware that each give you a benefit, but comes with their own drawback. For example, the speed boost will negatively affect traction. Overall, Does Not Commute brings amazingly accurate simulation, especially for an iOS game. In fact, during my not-so-successful levels, I never felt like the game is working against me, so I had to figure out what I did wrong and return for another try.
Does not Commute brings authentic gameplay, as well as nicely designed levels that are not too difficult, but certainly not too easy as well. It also features very charming environments, and it is clear that creators have put a lot of effort in every single aspect. This brings us to the question of why and how this game is free of charge. Well, even though there are no in-app purchases or aggressive ads, you will encounter “checkpoints” later in the game, which require a payment of $1.99 to resume from those points. This means that if you don’t pay to fully unlock this game, things will get even more difficult as you progress through the game. Since each time you crash a car you will lose a second of your time as a penalty, having checkpoints can help you minimize mistakes. What is important to highlight is that you can finish the game on your own terms, even though this will require a lot of practice. However, if you really like the game and you actually get to those complex levels, paying $2 seems like a good idea to support the game’s developer. This seems like a very fair way to pay for Does Not Commute, and the price of $2 feels like a bargain.
If you are looking for a new game for your iOS device, I highly recommend checking out Does Not Commute. This is one of the best additions to the App Store in a while, and I am sure you are going to love it, especially if you play it on your large-screen iPad.
