A Closer Look at ‘Touch KO’

We gave some quick impressions of Touch KO immediately after its release, but have since been able to spend some time to play through the game. As we mentioned before, the game offers an impressive looking boxing game for your iPhone.

Touch KO‘s multi-touch controls are surprisingly comfortable and an in-game tutorial walks you through the moves. Tapping either the left or right side of the screen punches with that arm, and different gestures like swiping towards the center lets loose a hook, while swiping upwards throws an uppercut. Holding your thumb on either side of the screen blocks with that arm, and tilting the iPhone makes you dodge. The controls are rather easy to pick up and contribute to a rather immersive experience once you get comfortable.

In fact, I’d say that Touch KO’s controls are one of the best aspects of the game. In contrast, while the main boxing competitor in the App Store, Iron Fist Boxing [$3.99], seems to have “deeper” controls, I was never able to get as comfortable with its four-quadrant portrait oriented system. Ironically, though, Touch KO’s control’s simplicity has been one of the criticisms of the game as there are no body shots or lower punches possible.

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The game does have great controls, a high quality look and feel, and a lot of potential, but experienced gamers are finding the game to be too easy in its current form.

App Store Link: Touch KO, $2.99