This week, I had the opportunity to preview Pinch 2 HD by Coatsink Software, an iPad sequel to Pinch, which was released mid-2010 for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Although this was not a release build and a couple of bugs still do exist, I was impressed. Pinch 2 HD is a solid puzzle game with attractive graphics and fun, challenging gameplay.

In this game, your objective is to move all the Norbs (nanobots represented by colored discs) through a maze of rooms and passages to the exit. You’ll do so by tapping on each Norb and dragging it wherever you want, and you may move more than one Norb simultaneously—of course, with more than one finger. Norbs may merge if you place one on top of another, and if they’re of different colors, it will result in a bigger Norb of a blended color. Getting all the Norbs to the exit isn’t such a simple affair as you progress up the levels. Many obstacles will be in your way, from locked gates and secret passages to locked Norbs and gaps in the floor. To get through, you’ll have to maneuver the Norbs strategically. For instance, moving a Norb over a switch can trigger gates to open and close, while merging Norbs can make one big enough to safely move over a gap in the floor. Sometimes, certain doors may be too small for a bigger Norb to pass through, so you’ll have to separate it into smaller Norbs. Although the instructions to break up a big Norb ask for you to pinch it, I actually managed this by pulling the Norb apart with two fingers. True pinching shrinks the game screen, which you may sometimes need to do to view the entire game floor.

Once I discovered how to separate Norbs, I thoroughly enjoyed the game. The puzzles make you think, and if that’s not already enough of a challenge in itself, racing to the exit and beating the best time for each level will put your ultimate Norb-maneuvering skills to the test. I look forward to playing with Pinch 2 HD again when it’s released on the App Store. It certainly looks like it’ll be a must-buy for puzzle lovers.

Video Trailer

Tweet