Rope 'n' Fly 2 - iPhone Time Waster
Rope 'n' Fly 2 [iTunes link] is an example of a casual iPhone game done right. The gameplay is incredibly simple: you tap on a building to shoot out a rope and attach it, then tap again when you want to release it. The goal is to use your swinging momentum to move forward in the game, but also to increase your altitude since you are constantly falling.
For such a simple game, there are a surprising number of game modes to choose from. Timed modes, distance modes, even silly ones like "how far can you get with only one rope?"
But what really enhances the game is the high score and achievement functionality that is powered by OpenFeint, a social platform for iPhone game makers and players. Rope 'n' Fly 2's gameplay is solid, but very simple and repetitive. OpenFeint brings achievements, high score tracking, leader-boards, and the ability to compare your scores with friends playing the same game. In Rope 'n' Fly 2, this means it will tell you when you've successfully completed an achievement like flying more than 200 meters.
I love that you can pull up Rope 'n' Fly 2 quickly, and have a fun gaming session that lasts only a minute or two. For a price of $1, this makes it the epitome of a casual game. If you're not interested in tracking your score, or any of the slight variations on gameplay, you might be satisfied with Rope 'n' Fly 2 lite [iTunes link], a limited version of the game.
