Gem miner for Android Games is reminiscent of the Mr. Driller series. You dig deeper and deeper trying to excavate different ores such as coal and gold. This is done in return for in-game money in which you can reinvest in newer and better equipment so you can search for longer and find more and more items.
Getting ready to dig deep.
Gameplay wise the Gem miner game is good with the different items being made available adding some depth and longevity to the game. The different ores that are available also add to the game with their varying monetary values. Also the use of a stamina bar which ensures the character must come back to the surface at intervals to save the progress. This adds a nice break to the gameplay and fits in nicely with the shop system to buy better equipment. The different challenges are also a good change of pace for this Gem miner game.
Graphically the game is clean and sharp with the blocks and backgrounds being nicely coloured. Other touches add to the game like the animation of the miner’s feet scurrying along and the darkness quickly enclosing on the character when entering the mine. The presentation is also of a high quality with welcome features such as three save slots (like the old-school Zelda games)
All of this however is ruined for me by a sub-standard control system which is difficult to use on both the touchscreen and the trackball, when tapping towards the direction you want, the game sometimes has a mind of its own and decides to go another way, when using the trackball because of the games slow pace you find yourself going to far or mining the wrong block.
If only he had a pokemon that knew the Flash TM.
Here is a video about Gem Miner:
AndroGamez Score – 4
Price: Free
Overall this should have been a good game but is ruined by the control scheme. The ideas that are implemented are well though out and this would have been a game that would have turned into an addiction for a fair few people, and if someone can look past the controls then they would find a good game underneath, it’s just a tough task doing so.
