Saving Private Sheep really couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Just before leaving for E3, I found a review code in my inbox, and hoped that, at the very least, the game might serve as a nice distraction while waiting at the airport or after my handheld systems’ batteries died on the plane. I wasn’t sure what to expect, since the title seemed to imply some sort of military gameplay, such as tower defense or real-time strategy. Instead, I found a very silly puzzle game that was light on actual battles, but still surprisingly addictive.

It is a time of war, and the shepherds have gone off to defend their country, leaving all of the sheep at the mercy of vicious wolves. Tired of the situation, the sheep decide to fight for themselves, dropping into foreign lands via parachute. The few story moments are told through cut scenes made to look like old film reels, and though there’s no animation or voice acting, it’s still a nice touch. However, like most puzzle games, the plot in Saving Private Sheep isn’t really necessary to understand, and you’ll soon find yourself trying to get a good score on each level without even remembering the game’s premise.

There are seven different operations in Saving Private Sheep, each containing fifteen to twenty levels. Each level tasks the player with getting all of the sheep safely to dry land by ridding the area of obstacles that stand in the way of this goal. The controls are simple, with the player only having to touch an object to make it disappear. The game starts out very easy, with most of the levels in the first operation able to be completed in seconds. Before long, the game introduces new challenges, such as explosives, wolves in sheep’s clothing, metal platforms and boxes that cannot be broken, and other aspects to add variety to the gameplay. Physics also come into play as more complicated elements are brought in, adding another layer of strategy to the deceptively deep game. The challenge level is soon increased dramatically, making the harder levels very satisfying to complete.

Some of the most addictive puzzle games in existence are based on a simple gameplay mechanic, and Saving Private Sheep is no exception. Though the first operation didn’t really have me convinced that this was a must-have iPad game, I soon found myself sneaking in a few minutes whenever I could, like while I was waiting for press conferences to start. Furthermore, each level awards gold, silver, or bronze medals based on not only how quickly you complete each mission, but also how few boxes you are able to break in the process. Going back and increasing my bronze and silver medal scores became my focus after completing the game’s 100 levels, and missions that may be a piece of cake to beat while breaking three boxes could be a lot harder losing only two.

Saving Private Sheep has a lot going for it in terms of presentation, with some nice animation within the game itself. You will see bombs explode, sheep fly, wolves curse you as they fall to their deaths, and other objects swing and teeter precariously. In the background, a flying sheep might pass by, or you may observe a cow being abducted by a UFO. Small touches like those are really appreciated, and offer even more humor in an already silly title.

Unfortunately, the game wasn’t without technical issues. Saving Private Sheep did crash a few times, and though that’s not the first time I’ve experienced such an occurrence on the iPad, I still find it pretty annoying. On one occasion, all of the level’s sheep were clearly on solid ground with no wolves in sight, but for whatever reason, it wasn’t registering that the level had been completed, and I had to start all over again. These instances were few and far between, but there’s nothing like a technical mishap to take you right out of a game.

I was surprised by Saving Private Sheep in just about every possible way: first it was by the gameplay, then the strategy involved, and finally the ever-increasing complexity. Overall, this is one of the most enjoyable titles I’ve found on the iPad so far, and I found the puzzle mechanics interesting and satisfying. The game is also available on the iPhone for 99 cents, but it really benefits from the iPad’s larger screen and better graphical capabilities, making it well worth the $3.99. Don’t be fooled by the early ease of Saving Private Sheep; it won’t be long before you’re completely sucked in, trying to save each and every sheep from death and destruction.

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Saving Private Sheep HD iPad

iPad