At first glance, Trucks & Skulls might come across as a clone of the very successful Angry Birds.  Those making that assumption though are going to miss some key features that set this title apart.  While there *are* similarities between the titles, there are also differences that legitimize giving this $0.99 title a second look.

Game play is simple.  Launch six different types of trucks at a target with the intent to blow up all the skulls.  Like Angry Birds, this is done by selecting the force of the launch and its angle.  You do this my adjusting the position of the controller that is located just under the top end of the ramp.

There are multiple types of trucks.  Some use brute force.  Some have explosives.  And, like Angry Birds, a tap on the screen post-launch and with the proper timing is required in order to be successful on each level.  This game adds a twist with the addition of lava pools though and anything that hits them is destroyed.  A trailer showing the game in action is available on YouTube.

With over 120 levels in three different initial “episodes”, the developers didn’t sit around after the initial release.  Not only did they recently come out with an update with a whole new set of 15 levels, but the game offers something that I haven’t seen in other games of this genre…you are offered custom levels that can be installed as web links opened in the game.  I see this as a great way to possibly open up level creation online in the future.  Some of the help information seems to suggest sharing custom levels with/from friends, so it will be interesting to see where this is going.  Another thing that sets this title apart is that it has an option to allow you to create screenshots for sharing via Facebook, Twitter, Email, or saving them in your photo library.

I am kinda at a loss when it comes to making any suggestions for this game.  The graphics are excellent.  With leaderboards and Game Center rankings, along with sharing screen shots and possibly levels, the developers of this game seem to have thought of everything.  It even has the separate volume controls for music and sound effects, something that I really like and notice when it is missing.  The game even has a nice zooming in and out feature that makes it nice.  As such, I have no problem at all recommending this title.  I’d give it just as high of a recommendation as Angry Birds.  So if you are tired of shooting birds at pigs and want something a bit more macho, try shooting exploding trucks at skulls balanced over lava.  You won’t be disappointed.