Zip—Zap in IOS

Stuff that moves. Anyhow.

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Site Score

96/100

Zip Zap is physics-puzzler perfection. Developed by Philipp Stollenmayer, it takes the complex concept of mechanical linkage and distills it into a single, intuitive action: tap to contract, release to expand. You control various 'erector-set' style joints, and your goal is simple: get your little metal creature to touch a white circle and stay there for three seconds.

It sounds easy, but the level design is brilliant. One moment you're a simple inchworm crawling across a gap; the next, you're a complex swinging pendulum or a spring-loaded catapult. The 'feel' of the physics is weighty and tactile. There are no timers, no scores, and no stars—just the pure satisfaction of figuring out the movement. It’s a meditative yet mentally stimulating experience that belongs on every phone.

Reviewed on: Wed Sep 04 2024
Dinsun Avatar

Dinsun Review

Dinsun here. This is what mobile gaming should be. Zip-Zap doesn't waste your time with stories, tutorials, or shops. It gives you a piece of metal, a goal, and lets you figure it out. The physics are incredibly satisfying—there's a real 'weight' to the hinges that feels authentic. I found myself obsessing over the timing of a single 'zap' just to get that perfect swing. It’s elegant, it’s clever, and it respects the player’s intelligence. At my age, I appreciate a game that gets out of its own way and just lets you play. It's the digital equivalent of a high-quality desk toy.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

  • Brilliant minimalist design
  • Perfect touch controls
  • Fair and clever puzzles
  • Could use even more levels
  • Some later levels rely a bit too much on luck

Technical Report

Performance: Flawless; the physics engine is incredibly robust.

Accessibility:
  • One-tap gameplay
  • Clear visual contrast

Audience Fit

Buy if: You enjoy logic puzzles and appreciate clean, functional design.

Skip if: You need a narrative or flashy explosions to stay interested.

Similar Games:
  • Kami
  • Hook
  • Zengrams

Reviewer Context

  • Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative critic
  • Hardware: iPhone 13
  • Playtime: 6 hours
  • Status: All levels completed

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 2.11Tue May 22 2018

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

+ small improvements


Touch to contract.

Release to let go.

Bring the clumsy mechanical beings home.

· · ·

over 100 levels

no ads

no in-app-purchases

»brilliantly designed« – gamezebo

»a lot of heart« – pocketgamer

»clever« – toucharcade

»excellent« – macstories

»absolute joy to play« – platformalist


Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Touch to contract.

Release to let go.

Bring the clumsy mechanical beings home.

· · ·

over 100 levels

no ads

no in-app-purchases

»brilliantly designed« – gamezebo

»a lot of heart« – pocketgamer

»clever« – toucharcade

»excellent« – macstories

»absolute joy to play« – platformalist


Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5 with 4836 Counts
Age Rating 4+

Screenshots

Zip—Zap screenshot 1Zip—Zap screenshot 2Zip—Zap screenshot 3Zip—Zap screenshot 4Zip—Zap screenshot 5Zip—Zap screenshot 6

Zip Zap is a minimalist physics game where you control mechanical hinges with a single tap. The objective is to navigate your hinged structures to reach the goal. With its realistic physics engine and over 100 handcrafted levels, Zip Zap offers a unique, toy-like experience that is both challenging and relaxing. No ads, no in-app purchases—just pure, clever puzzling.

Features

1

Brilliant one-tap physics gameplay

2

Over 100 levels of increasing complexity

3

Tactile, toy-like mechanical feel

4

Minimalist and clean visual design

5

Completely premium experience with no ads

Tips

Promotion Videos

Zip—Zap: Chapter 1 Basic Movement Walkthrough & iOS Gameplay (by Philipp Stollenmayer / Kamibox) - YouTube

Related Videos

Recommended Links

Zip-Zap Review - Simple, satisfying physics

A deep dive into why Zip-Zap's simplicity works.

Review

News on this game

Game Design Deep Dive: Creating a one-touch platformer in ZIP ZAP

"I began to strip everything away that could lead to a problem, and ended up with the bare movement of the muscles" - Philipp Stollenmayer,...

Game Developer - Sun Jul 16 2017

Game Day: Zip Zap

Zip Zap, by Philipp Stollenmayer, combines physics and timing in a unique and lighthearted puzzle game.

MacStories - Fri Dec 16 2016

Gameplays

Q&A

The game does not have a hint system, but there is no penalty for failure, encouraging endless experimentation.

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