Like its predecessors, Adventure Worlds puts you in control of a glyder, letting you peruse the 3D environment by tilting your phone. It's very easy to control flight, and subtle movements registered perfectly. This is definitely one of the best motion-controlled experiences I've had on the phone. But, in case you run into problems, there's a quick on-screen button you can tap to recalibrate the motion sensors. Almost immediately, you'll be able to fly through caves looking for gems, run through rings in a race, and boost higher in heat streams, aka "thermals."
Mechanically, Glyder does everything pretty well. But, it doesn't do anything extraordinarily well, either. For example, the graphics are serviceable at best. And while there's a lot to do, it doesn't feel like it per se. Some will get utterly absorbed by exploring the environment, searching for the hundreds of collectibles scattered around the various worlds. Others, will be disappointed by the lack of danger, and the lack of excitement that comes with it.
Adventure Worlds is a leisurely, solidly constructed game that offers a good distraction for the mobile on-the-go gamer. But at the end of the day, that's all Glyder amounts to: a distraction, and not a truly engaging world of adventure like its subtitle promises.
See also: Windows Phone 7 launch games reviews hub
This review is based on a retail Samsung Focus provided by Microsoft and AT&T.
