Icycle: On Thin Ice

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Wikipedia

Icycle: On Thin Ice
DeveloperDamp Gnat
PublishersChillingo (iOS, tvOS, Android)
Damp Gnat (PC, Mac)
ProducerChris Spencer
DesignerReece Millidge
ProgrammerReece Millidge
ArtistReece Millidge
ComposerStilton Studios
PlatformsAndroid, iOS, Windows, macOS
ReleaseNovember 2013 (iOS)

May 19, 2016 (tvOS)

May 2017 (Android)

October 25, 2017 (Windows, macOS)
GenreAction-adventure
ModeSingle-player

Icycle: On Thin Ice is a 2013 indie action-adventure video game developed by Damp Gnat and published by Chillingo. It is the sequel to the original 2009 browser game Icycle. It was originally released for iOS in November 2013.[1] It then got a release for tvOS on May 19, 2016,[2] Android in May 2017,[3] and for Steam on October 25, 2017.[4]

Plot

The game revolves around Dennis, a naked cyclist, going on a journey to unite with the love of his dreams within a frozen post-apocalyptic world.

Gameplay

Dennis travels through different locations, with the goal to avoid every obstacle on the way as the environment changes.[5] Each level is split into several checkpoints from where the players can continue their attempt.[6] In the iOS version, there are two direction buttons that control the movement, and a button that allows Dennis to perform jumps - holding it for a certain amount of time makes him leap higher.[7]

Unlike the first game, the players can use an umbrella to slow down the fall.[8] Ice cubes collected in various places can be spent in the shop for clothes, accessories, vacuums to suck in ice cubes, umbrellas. vehicles, and more. Completing missions for each location can give you ice cubes as a reward and spend on them to simplify a mission. All 80 missions completed unlocks the option to play the original Icycle game.[9]

Development

Similar to its predecessor, Icycle: On Thin Ice was inspired by the BBC Micro game Daredevil Dennis with the opening section of the level "Window Shopping 2" serving as a direct homage.[10] Several levels intended to take place inside Dennis's dreams allowed Millidge to experiment with environments away from the icy setting, taking inspiration from the works of René Magritte and Charley Harper.[11]

In 2020, Icycle: On Thin Ice was delisted from iOS, tvOS, and Android devices due to Electronic Arts ceasing Chillingo’s publishing operations.[12] While a possible return was teased, as of September 2025 the game is currently only available on PC and Mac via Steam. When asked about a possible console release, Millidge expressed interest but stated that the game’s engine had issues that prevented it.[13]

Reception

Icycle: On Thin Ice received "generally favorable" for the iOS version, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[14]

Awards

List
Year Award ceremony Category Result Ref
2013 E3's Into The Pixel Artwork Winner [15]
2014 Tabby Best Action-Adventure Finalist [16]
Develop Indie Showcase [17]

References

  1. ↑ "Icycle: On Thin Ice". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  2. ↑ Renaudin, Clément (19 May 2016). "The deliciously quirky platformer Icycle: On Thin Ice is now out on Apple TV". Pocket Gamer. PocketGamer / Steel Media. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  3. ↑ Renaudin, Clement (2017-05-19). "[Update] The amazingly weird and unique platformer iCycle: On Thin Ice is finally out on Android". www.pocketgamer.com. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  4. ↑ "Icycle: On Thin Ice". SteamDB. Archived from the original on 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  5. ↑ Pugliese, Tommaso (16 December 2013). "Nudi e felici". Multiplayer.it (in Italian). Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  6. ↑ Hilliard, Kyle (11 December 2013). "Icycle: On Thin Ice Review". Game Informer. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  7. ↑ Slater, Harry (28 November 2013). "Icycle: On Thin Ice Review". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  8. ↑ Zarembsky, Ilya (3 December 2013). "Icycle: On Thin Ice is a helluva game, but it's not the one it thinks it is". Kill Screen. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "'Icycle: On Thin Ice' Review – A Strange, Beautiful, Lonely Trip". Touch Arcade. 2 December 2013. Archived from the original on 11 October 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  10. ↑ The Making of Icycle – Origins & Evolution. YouTube. Damp Gnat. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  11. ↑ The Making of Icycle – Tools & Inspiration. YouTube. Damp Gnat. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  12. ↑ "Sadly… Icycle: On Thin Ice is no longer available for iOS, tvOS or GooglePlay due to publisher closure". Facebook. Icycle (Damp Gnat). Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  13. ↑ @dampgnat (29 November 2023). ""It worked well on AppleTV, so it's certainly suited. Unfortunately there is no pipeline for the engine to work on any console, until tech finds a way around it 🤞"". X. X. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  14. ↑ "Icycle: On This Ice Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2025-06-08. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  15. ↑ Cowan, Danny (2013-06-04). "Into the Pixel announces winning entries in E3 art exhibition". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  16. ↑ "2014 Winners, Users' Choice and Finalists - The Tabby Awards /Consumers". The Tabby Awards /Consumers - The Tabby Awards /Consumers. 2014-08-06. Archived from the original on 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  17. ↑ Farokhmanesh, Megan (2013-06-24). "Indie Showcase finalists announced, will feature Icycle: On Thin Ice, Tengami and more". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-12-08.