Pros: “Sir Benfro’s Brilliant Balloon” is a beautiful game, with visual references to Edward Gorey’s illustrations, Maurice Sendak’s children’s books (especially “In the Night Kitchen”), and the collage style of Terry Gilliam (his work with Monty Python). The game play is simple and engaging, but I found myself frequently distracted by the aforementioned (and to be further, and frequently mentioned) stunning artwork. The player collects fireflies that populate a balloon, which rises when the screen is touched, and lowers when released. This premise may remind you of the LucasArts platformer, “Lucidity,”(where the player also collects fireflies in an ambient environment), but I thought that this simple game play of one “button” more reminiscent of the eloquent simplicity of That Game Company’s “Flower.” The game play of “Sir Benfro" is not as profound as...

Cons: “Sir Benfro’s Brilliant Balloon” is not for everyone; some may find it boring if they (shock, horror) do not like the artwork.

Pros: “Sir Benfro’s Brilliant Balloon” is a beautiful game, with visual references to Edward Gorey’s illustrations, Maurice Sendak’s children’s books (especially “In the Night Kitchen”), and the collage style of Terry Gilliam (his work with Monty Python).

The game play is simple and engaging, but I found myself frequently distracted by the aforementioned (and to be further, and frequently mentioned) stunning artwork. The player collects fireflies that populate a balloon, which rises when the screen is touched, and lowers when released.

This premise may remind you of the LucasArts platformer, “Lucidity,”(where the player also collects fireflies in an ambient environment), but I thought that this simple game play of one “button” more reminiscent of the eloquent simplicity of That Game Company’s “Flower.” The game play of “Sir Benfro" is not as profound as “Flower,” but it does establish a calming, and engaging tone.

The environments are dreamscapes, sometimes industrial, sometimes organic, but always monochromatic with pops of odd colors and the occasional flying fish and swimming bird. “Sir Benfro’s Brilliant Balloon” is a great example of game as art; it is a participation in surrealism.

Cons: “Sir Benfro’s Brilliant Balloon” is not for everyone; some may find it boring if they (shock, horror) do not like the artwork.

Pros: Sir Benfro, emphasis on the fro, is one slick little dude. He rides a balloon powered by fireflies and floats through psychedelic worlds filled with flying fish and light bulb critters. If that doesn't sound awesome enough to get you to plop down the $0.99 for Sir Benfro's Brilliant Balloon, then... well, I guess read on. Sir Benfro's Brilliant Balloon is a game that stands a cut above the rest of the iOS vomit stream of sub-par games. While the gameplay isn't anything revolutionary, the detail put into this game makes all the difference. From your first 10 seconds of experience with Sir Benfro's, you already know you're playing something special. The amazing surrealist artwork makes you feel like a kid again, jumping into your favorite book, "Where the Wild Things Are." Couple that with the mellifluous soundtrack and inventive characters, and Sir Benfro's becomes a portal to another...

Cons: The gameplay is simple, so if you're expecting something more, you may be disappointed.

Pros: Sir Benfro, emphasis on the fro, is one slick little dude. He rides a balloon powered by fireflies and floats through psychedelic worlds filled with flying fish and light bulb critters. If that doesn't sound awesome enough to get you to plop down the $0.99 for Sir Benfro's Brilliant Balloon, then... well, I guess read on.

Sir Benfro's Brilliant Balloon is a game that stands a cut above the rest of the iOS vomit stream of sub-par games. While the gameplay isn't anything revolutionary, the detail put into this game makes all the difference. From your first 10 seconds of experience with Sir Benfro's, you already know you're playing something special. The amazing surrealist artwork makes you feel like a kid again, jumping into your favorite book, "Where the Wild Things Are." Couple that with the mellifluous soundtrack and inventive characters, and Sir Benfro's becomes a portal to another time and place.

My advice: Pick up this game and take a trip back to your childhood. At $0.99, you won't regret it.

Cons: The gameplay is simple, so if you're expecting something more, you may be disappointed.