Galleon: Dawn Hands-On Impressions

The creator of Tomb Raider, Toby Gard, is sick and tired of being tarred by cheap Croft knockoffs and frustratingly mediocre platformers; his new project, Galleon, is intended to clean house and reassert dominance over the adventure genre. Galleon: Dawn, from 8bit Games and Digital Bridges, will be the first installment in a two-part mobile series. The main character is the piratical Captain Rhama Sabrier, and he is just as good with swords as Lara Croft is with guns.

The three immersive gameplay environments include a town location, a volcanic island, and an uninhabited island (well, uninhabited except for a bunch of slaves in a pit, that is). Exploring the levels will reveal new swords, each more powerful than its predecessor. And when you’re done flattening pirate thugs and solving the multitude of puzzles scattered throughout the levels, you can take a break from your swashbuckling and save the governor’s daughter.

The animation stands out in its current state, engendering a very smooth playing experience. Timing your attacks in order to avoid being hit is initially very peculiar and at times frustrating. However, the sharp expansive background environments and easy learning curve make this visually smooth application one to watch for.