Application Review: Glow Hockey and Glow Hockey 2

https://market.android.com/glowhockey (Glow Hockey)

https://market.android.com/glowhockey2 (Free Glow Hockey 2)

http://www.amazon.com/Natenai-Ariyatrakool-Glow-Hockey-Pro (Paid Glow Hockey 2)

Glow Hockey and Glow Hockey 2 are good looking air hockey type games. Glow Hockey 2 is basically completely the same as Glow Hockey, except it has a multi-player feature that lets two players play against each other on the same device. Glow Hockey 2 also comes with another tablet theme and the ability to unlock more features by buying the "full version". However, considering air hockey is one of the simplest games around, I'm not sure if any extra themes or features are really necessary to improve the game experience.

The regular Glow Hockey/Glow Hockey 2 interface is very clever and exciting to look at, making these games unique amongst other air hockey applications. There are even options to change the paddle and puck colors between red, yellow, green and blue, so that you or your opponent/the computer can choose their favorite colors.

Both games have four different difficulty levels for a variety of play, ranging from Easy to Insane with Medium and Hard in between. And, as I stated earlier, Glow Hockey 2 allows a multi-player mode where two people can play against each other on the same device.

When playing the game, the motions are very realistic and the paddles are quite responsive. The only complaint that I had was that while playing on a tablet I had to touch the "paddle" lower than where its image sat on my screen in order to properly defend my goal. This was a little annoying because I would sometimes accidentally open up a menu feature when trying to defend my goal.

There are a few small ads at the top of the screen on the menu pages but they were hardly noticeable and none of the ones that I saw were offensive in any way. It does also give you the options to turn off the sound and vibration features in an effort to save some battery life while playing the games.

Overall, both games were fun and appropriate for all ages. Glow Hockey 2 (the free version) was definitely the better of the two, just because it has all the same features as "Glow Hockey", but with a multi-player function too.

Both games are very, very simple and easy to use. Advertisements did not get in the way of functionality. The directions and options were also extremely easy to understand.

Both apps are great in value because they are free. But, the "Glow Hockey 2" app outweighs the original "Glow Hockey" app because it is basically the same exact game but with a few new features, and the ability to upgrade to the paid version (if desired).