Aqua Forest is a physics simulation game and sandbox powered by the OctaveEngine and developed by Hudson Soft. The game consists of two basic modes of play, free and puzzle. In puzzle mode players have access to 50 scenarios which usually involve moving water from one location to another. In the free mode players can use tools similar to those found in an image editing program to create their own physics simulations. Aqua Forest retails for $7.99 and is available for the iPhone and iPod Touch from Apple’s iTune App store.

Aqua Forest is nothing if not impressive. The graphics and accompanying music are understated and compliment the mood and pace of the game nicely. Whether playing in free or puzzle mode the star of Aqua Forest is the Octave Engine. This 2D-based multi-physics engine uses a particle-based physics system to calculate all sorts of objects including solid materials, elastic bodies, plastic bodies, fluids, and gas. In addition to simulating the reactions between fluids and solids Aqua Forest takes into account the touch and tilt controls of the iPhone or iPod. Tilting the screen or swiping you finger will act on objects in various ways. The physics engine is very impressive and does a great job of making you feel like your playing with real water. The question is, “Is playing with water a game?”

The free form sandbox mode of Aqua Forest is interesting and impressive but feels nothing like a “game.” There are no lives, no objectives, no score, no time and no levels. You simply play around with the tools creating simulations you find interesting. It’s definitely cool, but definitely not a game. The puzzle mode in Aqua Forest is the closest thing the application has to a game mode and even that’s a bit iffy. The puzzle mode has 50 different scenarios which feel much more like tutorials then they do game levels. Honestly, I never really understood weather the “tutorial” heading was the tutorial or if all the scenarios underneath the heading were the tutorials. Regardless the puzzles can pretty much be thought of as an in game instruction manual. They are impressive and interesting, but not really what I’d call fun.

Even if playing around with a simulation engine sounds like your cup of gaming tea, Aqua Forest has some problems which may affect your enjoyment of the experience. First, the simulation frame rate can get very laggy at times. Second, the puzzle menu system looks horrible making no attempt to look foresty, peaceful or serene. Third, the tools are not labeled and require you to read the slightly helpful in game documentation or visit the website. Lastly, the price of Aqua Forest is borderline ridiculous.

Aqua Forest is basically an expensive tutorial and demonstration for the OctaveEngine. It’s not a game and should not be sold as a game. Sure, its impressive and really shows off some of what the iPhone can do, but its not very fun and definitely not worth seven bucks.

By: Aaron Robbins