When asked the question—how do you create variety in games—there's all sorts of answers. You can create small diversions, such as bonus stages that spring up every now and then. You can create secrets, or multiple routes to completion so players will be rewarded for due diligence. Perhaps the best way is to create a simple formula and tweak it level to level - so that there's just enough to make a difference. Each of Harbor Master's four levels have a hook that's unique, but they all share the same style of gameplay.

The first stage, Fishing Bay introduces the formula. You have to guide ships to each of the two ports, allow them to unload their cargo, then guide them back out again. You do so by drawing a line which serves as the route that the ship will take - careful, because they won't avoid crashing into each other, and you cannot afford to let ships crash. Once you've played the level and accumulated enough cargo, the second area will be unlocked.

Cyclone Island is an open water sea port, with three docking stations. This map also introduces tornados that throw ships off course, losing their plotted route. Sturgeon Creek mixes things up again with two different cargo colours - four ports this time, but orange cargo must be unloaded at orange ports, and the same with purple cargo. Finally, Cannon Beach has three inland ports, but this time pirates attack and try to steal your cargo. Fortunately you have a cannon to fire at them and destroy their pirate vessels.

Each of these maps provide enough variety to keep coming back to - with statistics for each one that give a brief overview of what your skill level is. You can create multiple in game profiles, and best of all there's a global leader board so that you can see who is doing the best at any given time.

The gameplay can get incredibly frantic. You'll start off with small tugboats, then medium sized carriers and giant sea cruisers make an appearance. Small boats are faster and carry less cargo, so they can be in and out of the dock speedily - whereas the biggest ships will take ages moving onto, unloading, and then off the screen. Challenge builds up very quickly, though it's sensibly balanced so that you won't have too much on screen at once - still, queuing boats can be fiddly to manage, especially when you have three or more faster ships to throw a spanner in the works. Still, the controls work very well.

Graphically, Harbor Master doesn't astound, but each environment has it's own inviting charm, and the blueprints for each level are quite a nice touch. Whilst the sound effects are really good, the one track the game does have is short, and doesn't hold up after repeated listening.

Nevertheless, Harbor Master is a delightful game that has more than enough content for 99¢. It's global leader boards are sure to encourage players to come back and play again, and it makes perfect use of the touch screen. Yes, it's similar to games that have come before it, but there's enough there for us to give it our highest recommendation.

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