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Geometry Dash

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Geometry Dash
Genre(s)Runner, music, platformer
Developer(s)Robert Topala
Publisher(s)RobTop Games
Platform(s)iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Original releaseiOS, Android
13 August 2013
Windows Phone
12 June 2014
Microsoft Windows, macOS
22 December 2014
Spin-offs
  • Geometry Dash Lite
  • Geometry Dash Meltdown
  • Geometry Dash World
  • Geometry Dash Subzero

Geometry Dash is a side-scrolling music platforming game series developed by Robert Topala. It was released on 13 August 2013 for iOS and Android, with versions for Windows and macOS following on 22 December 2014. In Geometry Dash, players control an icon to navigate music-based levels, avoiding obstacles like spikes.

The main game comprises 26 full-length levels created by the developer: 22 are auto-scrolling, and 4 are 'platformer' levels. The game includes a level creation system, enabling players to design custom levels, share them online, and play levels created by other users. Players can collect in-game currency—such as stars, moons, coins, mana orbs and diamonds—from official and user-generated levels or chests.

Three spin-off games accompany the main series: Geometry Dash Meltdown, Geometry Dash World and Geometry Dash SubZero. Geometry Dash Lite is a free version of the main game that includes fewer levels, displays advertisements and lacks the level editor and online features along with various unlockable characters.

Gameplay

Geometry Dash can be played using a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse or controller. Player control their icon by pressing or holding inputs to navigate through levels and reach the end. The level restarts from the beginning if the player collides with an obstacle, such as a spike, sawblade, wall or ceiling. A 'practice mode' allows players to place checkpoints to explore or practice a level; however, coins cannot be collected, nor can progress be earned for normal mode. The timing and rhythm of the in-game music play a crucial role, often synchronising with gameplay.[1][2] In platformer mode, players can move left or right as they choose.

The full version of Geometry Dash includes 26 main levels, 20 of which are available upon installation. Three levels require a specific number of secret coins, which are hidden within official levels and can also be earned through map packs. Additionally, the four platformer levels (three of which are initially locked) must be unlocked by completing the previous ones. Each level rewards players upon completion.[1][3] The full version of the game features the ability to upload and download user-created levels.[4]

Development

Pre-Geometry Dash

The beginning of 'Electroman Adventures', the thirteenth level in the game

Geometry Dash was created by Swedish video game developer Robert Topala, known professionally as RobTop. On 6 June 2010, Topala created his first video game, Bounce Ball Thingy, on Newgrounds, developing it while he was at university studying civil engineering. He later abandoned his course because he became more interested in the video game industry.[5]

Topala decided to work alone, founding RobTop Games in 2012. The first video game he produced under RobTop Games was Boomlings, a puzzle video game released on 5 November 2012 for mobile devices,[6][7] Topala continued to produce video games, including Memory Mastermind (2013) and Boomlings MatchUp (2013).[8][9]

Geometry Dash

According to Topala, the game began as a project that could have moved in any direction. He remarked, 'It simply started as a template with a cube that could crash and jump'; 'There really was no detailed plan'.[10] He previously developed it for the computer but later altered his plan and made attempts to make it a mobile game. Topala was inspired by The Impossible Game and took about four months to create the game and take it to the App Store and Google Play Store. In the beta version, the game was called Geometry Jump but later changed to Geometry Dash. The game is developed on the Cocos2d game engine.[11]

Upon its release, Geometry Dash had seven levels and two game modes.[12] It gained popularity around the world, especially in Canada, where it achieved the title of the most popular paid iPhone app in June 2014.[13] There are four free versions of the game, one being Geometry Dash Lite, which includes 21 levels from the full version, including the tower levels.[3]

Update 2.2

On 14 August 2021, Topala released a sneak peek video of version 2.2, the first major update since 2017, on his YouTube channel. The release date had yet to be announced.[14][15] On 4 September 2022, Topala released the second sneak peek for a level named "Explorers", over a year after the first.[16] Topala released a third sneak peek on 15 May 2023, which showcased additional platformer mode features and a sound effect library for custom levels.[17] On 13 August 2023, as part of the game's 10th anniversary, Topala released a 27-minute video in commemoration. At the end of the video, the release date for 2.2 was revealed as October 2023, making it the first update to be released in more than six years.[18] However, on 22 October 2023, Topala announced via Twitter that the 2.2 release date would be delayed to November due to server and bug issues.[19] Topala later wrote on 26 November 2023 that the release 'may not be doable in November' since he wanted to release the update simultaneously for all platforms.[20]

On 20 December 2023, Topala announced the update's release via Twitter with the message 'check steam' and a clip from Avengers: Infinity War.[21][22][23]

Reception

The game received generally positive reviews from critics. Softpedia complimented the game's style and challenge that it brings up, saying, 'While it can get a bit frustrating sometimes, you can always complete the stages using the practice mode and then jump into the many different user-generated levels'.[24] 148Apps also gave the game a positive review, stating, 'Geometry Dash provides all of the challenge expected from an 'impossible' game while also making it more accessible to newcomers'.[25] Geometry Dash has also been listed by the reviewer Chris Morris on the website Common Sense Media as a child-friendly video game that parents could let their children play on, stating that the game was a 'good way to handle frustration' and that 'families can also talk about rhythm and the joy of dancing in time with music'.[26] On the App Store, Geometry Dash was the second-best and seventh-best selling iPad and iPhone game in 2018, respectively.[27]

Spin-offs

Year Video game Platform Ref(s).
2012 Boomlings iOS, Android [7][28]
2013 Memory Mastermind [8]
Boomlings MatchUp [9][29]
Geometry Dash 2013: iOS, Android;
2014: Microsoft Windows, macOS
[30]
[31]
Geometry Dash Lite iOS, Android [32]
2015 Geometry Dash Meltdown [33][34]
2016 Geometry Dash World [35]
2017 Geometry Dash SubZero [36]

Geometry Dash Lite

Geometry Dash Lite is a free version of the game with advertisements and gameplay restrictions. Geometry Dash Lite includes 21 levels, including the tower levels, but does not offer the option to create or play custom user-generated levels. It also has a significantly more limited selection of character customisation options, lacking many icons, colours, and other character effects in the full game.[37][38]

Geometry Dash Meltdown

On 16 December 2015, Topala announced a spin-off game titled Geometry Dash Meltdown,[39] which was released on 19 December 2015 for iOS and Android.[40][41] It includes three levels featuring songs by F-777. The game showcased new icons and features in levels added in version 2.0 of the original game.

Geometry Dash World

On 21 December 2016, Topala announced a second spin-off game titled Geometry Dash World,[42] saying that it would come out on the same day. It includes two worlds with five levels each, introducing features that came to the original game later in update 2.1.[43][44] It also features a selection of levels created by other players.

Gamezebo praised the game's captivation and decent gameplay styles. Although, the reviewer noted that it was not the 'most interesting looking game out there'.[45] Gerson Noboa from AndroidGuys said that 'Geometry Dash World is a worthy addition to your game arsenal. Thanks to tightly connected graphical and sound elements, the game provides an awesome, integrated experience that is rarely seen in Play Store games'.[46]

Geometry Dash SubZero

On 12 December 2017, Topala announced a third spin-off game titled Geometry Dash SubZero,[47] which was released on 21 December 2017.[48][49] Geometry Dash SubZero’s levels all contain features present in update 2.2, despite the release date being years earlier.[50]

References

  1. ^ a b "Geometry Dash Review". Softpedia. Andrei Dobra. 9 January 2015. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  2. ^ Rota, Michele (31 December 2023). "Music Syncing as Intermedial Translation". Sound Stage Screen. 3 (1). doi:10.54103/sss18678. ISSN 2784-8949.
  3. ^ a b "Geometry Dash: Best tips, tricks, and cheats!". imore.com. 7 May 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  4. ^ "The Version 2.0 Update For 'Geometry Dash' Just Hit The App Store". toucharcade.com. 26 August 2015. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  5. ^ Dormehl, Luke (27 June 2014). "Smart strategies fuel Geometry Dash's slow jog to success". Cult of Mac.
  6. ^ "Boomlings by RobTop Games". XDA Developers. 5 November 2012.
  7. ^ a b Caplan, Lisa (24 May 2012). "Boomlings Review". 148Apps.
  8. ^ a b "Memory Mastermind by RobTop Games". XDA Developers. 17 January 2013.
  9. ^ a b Conner, Chris (23 March 2013). "BoomLings MatchUp! – Review". iPhoneGamerUK.
  10. ^ "Smart strategies fuel Geometry Dash's slow jog to success". Cult Of Mac. Luke Dormehl. 27 June 2014. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  11. ^ "Cocos Game Showcase - August 2021". 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  12. ^ "11 Years of Geometry Dash Game Design History - 30 Images". Version Museum. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  13. ^ "'Geometry Dash' top paid iPhone app in Canada". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. 24 June 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  14. ^ "Geometry Dash Update 2.2 Sneak Peek". YouTube. 15 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  15. ^ Fore, Gray (15 August 2021). "Geometry Dash Will Get Its First Update In Four Years". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Geometry Dash Update 2.2 Sneak Peek 2". YouTube. 4 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Geometry Dash Update 2.2 Sneak Peek 3". YouTube. 15 May 2023.
  18. ^ Schomer, Matthew (13 August 2023). "Geometry Dash Gets First Update In 6 Years This October". DualShockers.
  19. ^ @RobTopGames (20 December 2023). "check steam" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ @RobTopGames (26 November 2023). "Hey everyone! Progress update: All levels and major ..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Nelson, Will (20 December 2023). "Geometry Dash update seven years in the making smashes Steam records". PCGamesN. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  22. ^ @RobTopGames (20 December 2023). "check steam" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ^ Lane, Rick (21 December 2023). "Game receives huge free update following 10th anniversary and instantly quintuples its previous player-count high". PC Gamer. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Geometry Dash reviews for PC". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  25. ^ "Geometry Dash reviews for iOS". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  26. ^ "Geometry Dash App Review". commonsensemedia. 20 June 2014. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  27. ^ Crecente, Brian (4 December 2018). "Apple Names 'Donut County,' 'Gorogoa' Top iPhone, iPad Games of Year". Variety. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  28. ^ Rasto (7 November 2012). "Boomlings Review (Android)". AndroidEntity.[permanent dead link‍]
  29. ^ "Boomlings MatchUp by RobTop Games". XDA Developers. 5 February 2013.
  30. ^ "Geometry Dash by RobTop Games". XDA Developers. 13 August 2013.
  31. ^ @RobTopGames (22 December 2014). "Geometry Dash is out on Steam!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ^ "Geometry Dash Lite is out". XDA Developers. 15 September 2013.
  33. ^ Nelson, Jared (16 December 2015). "'Geometry Dash Meltdown' Trailer Released, Coming December 19th". TouchArcade.
  34. ^ "Geometry Dash Meltdown Review: Squarely A Challenge". GameZebo. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  35. ^ "Geometry Dash World Review: It's A Mad World". GameZebo. 1 May 2017. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  36. ^ Linares, Iván (26 December 2017). "Vuelve el juego de plataformas más simple y musical: Geometry Dash Subzero".
  37. ^ "Geometry Dash Lite - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Geometry Dash Lite". App Store. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  39. ^ Geometry Dash Meltdown Trailer, 16 December 2015, archived from the original on 25 April 2021, retrieved 25 April 2021
  40. ^ "Geometry Dash Meltdown". App Store. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  41. ^ "Geometry Dash Meltdown - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  42. ^ Geometry Dash World!, 21 December 2016, archived from the original on 28 September 2022, retrieved 25 April 2021
  43. ^ "Geometry Dash World - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  44. ^ "Geometry Dash World". App Store. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  45. ^ "geometry Dash World reviews for iOS". Metacritic. 16 January 2017. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  46. ^ Noboa, Gerson (1 May 2017). "Geometry Dash World (Review)". AndroidGuys. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  47. ^ Geometry Dash SubZero Released!, 21 December 2017, archived from the original on 28 September 2022, retrieved 25 April 2021
  48. ^ "Geometry Dash SubZero". App Store. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  49. ^ "Geometry Dash SubZero - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  50. ^ Nexus [GD] (21 December 2017). Geometry Dash: Sub-Zero | ALL LEVELS (All Coins) | Geometry Dash [2.2]. Retrieved 18 November 2024 – via YouTube.
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