IGF Spotlight: e7

e7 is a smooth, side-scrolling 2D platformer set on a hostile planet. As Luke, your mission is to deactivate a bomb on an unknown planet, thereby saving Earth. There are well over 20 levels, and each level features unique obstacles, including various spacecrafts that shoot laser beams down at you in different ways and terrain that can destroy your pod if touched.

The graphics look very smooth for 2D, and the color contrast throughout the different levels make for a very attractive game. While you won't see a whole lot of detail within the game, I did notice a shooting star or two in the background. It was very subtle, but a nice touch indeed.

The controls are simple, utilizing only the left or right keys to move and the down key to jump. However, the controls get a bit trickier once timing and angling jumps come into play, and the spacecrafts become more difficult to beat.

The music featured in this game is one of its better attributes. The relaxing piano keys that loop throughout help set you at ease during gameplay, but unfortunately, it's often drowned out by the excessive sound of wind as you move around the planet.

e7 is the perfect game to get into if you've got some time to kill. It's a simple yet entertaining game to play with a surprise ending (if you get that far.) Although it lacks some depth, it more than makes up for it with a variety of levels that become more and more challenging as you advance. I'm already waiting for the sequel.