Risky Rescue for Android

Take to the skies to rescue hapless hikers

Taking the quick three-star missions style of many modern mobile games, Risky Rescue asks you to pilot a helicopter through perilously narrow levels to aid stranded mountaineers.

Precise propeller

Risky Rescue is a game of precision. Starting on a helipad, you have to find each trapped mountaineer. Tapping or holding the left of the screen thrusts you up and to the left, and visa-versa. Releasing the screen sees you descend diagonally in the direction you are facing.

The result of this control method is that you never move straight up or down through the increasingly tall and narrow 2D stages. This forces you to carefully and rapidly feather your inputs, as you weave your way from your helipad pasts each perilous obstacle to rescue increasing numbers of climbers.

It starts easily enough, but soon you are making your way up multiple, increasingly difficult screens. Within a few levels you find yourself descending into narrow gaps between trees to pull out one individual, before trying to pluck another from a moving cable car - meaning you have to get good quickly, or find reserves of patience.

Clear skies

It is clear that the developer knew how punishing Risky Rescue could be, so they have utilized very clear graphics. It is full of bright colors and straight lines. The bottom line is, if it isn't your helipad or a person in need of help, don't touch it - even if it's just a windsock.

Unfortunately, despite the world's clean lines, it occasionally felt like I was hitting items a fraction of a second before I thought I was supposed to. It is hard to say precisely the cause of this, but whether it is an issue with invisible world geometry or just the feel of momentum, it was frustrating

Unlocking additional helicopters only compounds this issue further, changing the speed and feel of movement just as you start to get comfortable with it – though better choppers can help you beat some of the faster level times.

Hovering around the mark

Risky Rescue is filled with promise. The premise is wonderful, with an appealing mix of fast paced levels and skilled gameplay. However, slight frustrations with the controls, and the occasional intrusive advert in the free version, lower its overall appeal.