iPhone hidden gem of the week: Zen Bound

David Swan
Sunday, 12 July 2009 16:21

Your IT - Entertainment

The soundtrack, courtesy of 'Ghost Monkey' and available as a free download with every purchase of the game, complements the mood extremely well and pushes Zen Bound far and above its more expensive and popular App Store counterparts. The entire game shares in this peaceful mood, from the game's opening screens to its credits.
 
Of course, it's not perfect. Zen Bound at times suffers due to a lack of urgency, it soon becomes apparent that the game is not so much a 'game' as it is a toy, a vivid, ethereal toy. Those with a short attention span might be quickly bored, and the game also lacks variety seen in other games. These are minor quibbles though, and if you have any doubt or uncertainty a free 'lite' version is on offer.
 
Whoever thought of the idea of creating an app where the player covers wooden dogs and Buddhas in rope must be either extremely creative or a raving lunatic, but somehow it works. And it more than works; Zen Bound is one of the App Store's defining apps.
 
One of the most exciting things about this very special app is what it bodes for the future. Zen Bound challenges the very notion of what a "game" is, and is supposed to be. You won't find anything like it on the Xbox or Playstation; Zen Bound highlights everything that's great about the iPhone App Store, even down to its price, a steal at $5.99. You, and your stress levels, deserve it.