Don't Hold the Fun, Hold the Line

Since the advent of open source, free swap java game applications, we have seen a tremendous number of new games that can be played live on the Internet or downloaded to a cell phone or PDA. Not all these are great innovations however, since the technology is outpacing the minds of many self proclaimed game designers. Yet "Hold the Line" is the kind of non-pretentious, semi-serious game that has just the right balance of challenges and programming intricacies.

Hold the Line reminds me of a traditional double circuit racing game in which the subroutines allow you to control several variables seamlessly. You have a dynamic motion graphic set that really should be standard for all games today, even those given away for free. (Just because a game is free, does not mean it should be worthless.) The sound escapes most of the common pitfalls by modulating in tone depending on how far down the track you have gotten. At any rate, as a free mobile game, you are not going to have great sound anyway, so who cares.

The game is kept simple for a reason with arrow keys and space bar being your controls. Yes, you can change this, but what would be the point?

The playing experience is rich and it certainly stands up to a game that you can come back to without getting bored. My only beef is that it does seem to take a long time to load, which you can avoid by downloading instead of playing live.