Previously known as ‘Good iPhone Games’, ‘iPhone Games iLike‘ is Sarcastic Gamer’s resident iPhone game feature, where many a title for the touchy, feely device are discussed in a banterous (if only that was a word) and informative manner. Oh and thanks to Ploogle for helping an unimaginative blogger come up with a snappy title.

Sway is a game all about tossing a helpless little bestial doll around various different environs. Wannabe Tarzans, adrenaline junkies and those who are partial to a bit of perilous flinging, will find much to like in Sway…if they can work past the game’s shortcomings.

Sway doesn’t have much of a story to speak of. In fact, it can all be explained in one screenshot. Observe!

The rest of the game, though, is fantastic (most of the time), so let’s focus on that. The basic objective in Sway is to fling a fantastically cuddly animal across a two dimensional level with a checkered goal marker acting as the gold at the end of the rainbow. The bottom left corner of the iPhone controls the creature’s right arm, and the bottom right controls the left arm. It may sound counter-intuitive at first, but, trust us, it definitely works. When you touch the screen’s corner, the respective arm grabs tightly onto the level and, by moving your thumb (or finger, if you so choose) from side to side, you cause the little critter to sway. When you have enough momentum, lift your thumb from the touch screen and the little guy will soar across the level until you touch the screen again, upon which the grippage will resume*. It’s a bit confusing at first, but within a few minutes you’ll be swinging around like no tomorrow.

Look it's a frog!

Unfortunately you may never see that tomorrow, because in Sway you die…a lot. In fact, you’ll see the “OH-NO!” screen so many times, you may eventually want to eat your own shoes (I know I did!) The problem is that the control regions in the corners of the screen are so small, you often find your thumb scrolling all the way off, meaning our animal friend loses his grip and plummets to a premature end. The game tries to help by occasionally placing circles in the bottom corners and not making you recollect any items, yet it’s not really enough and your first hour with the game will be highly exasperating.

But do trudge on because after you get around the control issues, a really fun (and incredibly well polished) game emerges. The graphics are gorgeous, despite the odd bit of slowdown, the music is veritably tropical and the 22 levels, numerous unlockable characters and burning desire to get a top time in each and every stage will keep you going. Let’s just hope you don’t consume too much footwear.

*If you’re having a tough time visualizing this, think of gripping things in LittleBigPlanet and throwing yourself around with the left analog stick.