SpiderRider Z: Mild Fun, But a Little Buggy

Despite SpiderRider Z’s fun concept, cute graphics, and expansive gameplay, there are some “buggy” little problems that need to be addressed. But if you can look past the control issues, SpiderRider Z (iTunes Link) may have enough going for it to keep you coming back for more of its quirky arachno-centric gameplay.

SpiderRider Z starts out with a thinly veiled rip-off of the opening theme to Joss Whedon’s “Firefly,” with a few small changes to the lyrics. And with that inauspicious start, we knew weren’t weren’t in for the most innovative of iPhone games.

You play as a spider trying to trap and kill bats and reunite with your lady love. Gameplay is simple: tilt the screen to move your avatar, and use the lines of spider silk you create to trap the bats and cut your game screen into smaller pieces.

Unfortunately, the game doesn’t have very responsive controls, and you’ll often find yourself tilting it so far to simply move forward that you can no longer see the screen on your phone. If only the controls were improved, this game would have all the appeal of a classic retro arcade title.

But it’s not all bad news. One thing that’s refreshing about SpiderRider Z is the in-game store, which requires no real world cash to access, and features plenty of useful power-ups. In-game stores where your only chance to buy things is to build up experience in the game itself is a feature that’s getting more and more rare in iPhone games these days.

Another great feature is the sheer amount of content. For only 99 cents, you get 100 levels. And while the game isn’t terribly innovative, it does have replay value. It’s not perfect, but if future updates address the laggy, non-responsive controls (and ditch the Joss Whedon homage in the opening), SpiderRider Z would give you a lot more bang for your buck.