As a frequent business traveler and Palm Treo user/addict, I am always looking for some mind-numbing game to pass the time while waiting for the plane to board, standing in the airport security line, or shuckin' and jivin' in the 'people mover' at Dulles Airport (will they ever finish that monorail?). So when a friend of mine 'beamed' me a copy of Bike or Die (you can pick it up at Handango) I figured I'd give it a whirl and kill two birds with one stone...Solitaire and Monopoly are getting tired.
When I first saw the graphics, I thought "oh no, I'm wasting precious RAM on a game circa Odyssey2 (between Atari, but not quite Colecovision)." But despite, the cheesy stick figure graphics this game can be quite addicting.
The idea behind Bike or Die is deceptively simple, yet the game play most definitely is not. Simply maneuver your bike over all obstacles and capture the flags to move on to the next level. But maneuvering over the obstacles isn't as easy as it looks. When I first tried the game I though that it was mountain biking so I attempted to move quickly through the level. This just caused me to crash into and off of nearly all of the obstacles. Once I realized that this was about trials riding and not mountain biking I eased off the gas a bit and began to use a little finesse. Ahhh...success at last.
Now, to be sure, some of the moves defy the laws of physics, but there is a tutorial that walks you through the gameplay. Most of the moves can be conducted with the rocking switch on your Palm or Treo device, but you will need your other hand to press the buttons to change directions. The game also comes with a freely downloadable module that allows you to design your own levels. Evidently there is quite a cult following developing around the game as there is even an online hall of fame where you can compete with other players and post recordings of your best runs through the various levels.
So if your like me and need a diversion from the frustrations of business travel or you finish your copy of Dirt Rag in just two or three visits to the bathroom, Bike or Die may be just the game for you.
