Top Stories
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 Fat Jump Pro (By SID On)Developer: SID On Price: $0.99 Version Reviewed: 1.2 Download: here Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.Requires iOS 4.0 or later. Located in the Warsow,Poland-SID on an independent mobile application developer has announced a recent update of Fat Jump Pro for the iPhone,iPad and iPod touch.Fat Jump Pro is a fast paced vertical arcade action for the iOS devices.Using the tilt controls the player must guide the jumping,little green hero (a healthy and crispy cucumber) up a never ending series of platforms... |
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Latest Stories
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Wednesday, 4 July 2012
iPad Only App
Cardinal Quest is a fast-paced roguelike that is designed for quick play sessions and for those new to the genre.
The roguelike
is a genre of game that I’ve always wanted to get into: the idea of
having a character that one doesn’t want to die, because death is
permanent, yet through death learning more about the world to eventually
master it. I would love to be the kind of person that is a Nethack expert. However, I was born in the overcaffeinated generation and I demand my games be interesting within minutes. Thus, Cardinal Quest is a great entry point into roguelikes for my blood, which is pretty much straight caffeine at this point.
Players choose one of three classes: the fighter, thief, and wizard,
each with their own strengths. The fighter gets in enemies’ faces to
fight them, the wizard uses abilities and spells to fight from a
distance, and the thief is fast, preferring to strike first. Then, they
descend into the dungeon to try and kill the evil minotaur Asterion.
Levels are randomly generated, with items and abilities appearing in
random order. However, better equipment and tougher enemies generally
appear over time in a regular order, so don’t expect to be fighting
minotaurs in the second room. Still, the randomization means that each
experience will be somewhat different because the different abilities
will force players to adapt in each session. The soundtrack from noted
indie game composer Whitaker Trebella sets a perfect mood for the game,
ramping up as the later levels of the dungeon are entered.
The
thief is probably the most fun to play as, because the Shadow Walk is
so much fun to use. He can use it often thanks to his high speed stat
that the ability determines its recharge rate on. It enables him to
quickly sneak around undetected, but also do great amounts of damage by
attacking while undetected. He isn’t easy to use, but he can be clever
when used properly. Though, learning the game isn’t that hard: a few
playthroughs will get players acclimated to the mechanics.
However, the game isn’t very deep. Players don’t have much say in how
their character is built, and don’t get time to really care for them
because with only 2 lives, the end can come quickly. Still, this is
meant more for bite-sized chunks of play, and this is more for the kind
of person who wants the mechanics of the genre with none of the filler.
The money earned in the game is just there as a score indicator. The
controls could really use swipe-based movement, as while the control
scheme works well on phones, it seems fraught with inaccuracy on
tablets. Inventory management controls make it too easy to accidentally
move around items when just trying to view their stats.
Cardinal Quest is a good snack for those looking for a quick roguelike experience, without expecting anything too deep.
Wednesday, 4 July 2012 0
Universal App
Help Biggy and Biguette destroy the space chickens in this funny base defense game.
From the developer DogBox Studios
and publisher BulkyPix comes a new game all about evil space chickens.
The poultry is trying to steal corn from two primitive yeti characters
known as Biggy and Biguette. It’s up to you to help them control the
turret and shoot the chickens before they destroy the base. This
hilarious 3D base defender game is a lot of fun to play, and the concept
isn’t bad at all. However, the game play itself can feel a little dull
at times.
Chicken Doom starts with a globe similar to planet Earth.
Players must spin it around to select a level. Gamers start with one
unlocked level, and they must acquire points by playing one of the three
difficulty levels in an effort to unlock the other five environments.
All levels may be played either in single player mode or cooperation. In
cooperation, the screen is split in two so each gamer has their own
side of the level to control. This works great for the hard difficulty
mode, which seems almost impossible to beat playing solo—especially when
there are over 10 different types of chickens to battle.
Players have the option to play as either Biggy or Biguette. Biggy’s
Lair lets gamers upgrade weapons like Corn Barrel, Holy Sneeze, Chicken
Burn, The Lightning Strike and Holy Shield via coins that players earn
during the game. Up to four weapons can be utilized at a time. The
achievements section lets players unlock clothing and accessories to
customize their character with everything from a chef’s hat to a Viking
sword.
This is a simple tap-to-shoot game so the controls aren’t overly
complicated. Players with a skilled finger can earn combos to help
increase their score. Left-hand controls are available for those who
need it. My only quibble is that each world slowly spins so there isn’t a
way to control the field of vision, which I thought felt odd at times.
The downside to Chicken Doom is that it may feel too
repetitive. Since the game doesn’t require a lot of strategy, it lacks
an element of excitement to keep it interesting. I didn’t feel like this
was a game that I’d want to play for too long at one time.
Overall, Chicken Doom
isn’t a bad egg and is worthy of downloading if you’re in need of
something new to add to your summer gaming library. It may not have that
element of excitement for some gamers, but it’s a nice casual game that
will have you squawking with laughter as you battle the funny chickens.
Are you looking to score a free copy of this game? Head on over to the Bulkypix website to learn how you can earn a promocode by designing an outfit for Biggy or Biguette. The contest ends on July 11th.
Saturday, 23 June 2012
iPhone App
My Laboratory is an element puzzler that puts gamers in charge of creating a brand new world.
My Laboratory
is a fun puzzle game for players of all ages, but it seems to have more
of an appeal to casual gamers and younger players. In this game, the
world has ended and it’s up to you to recreate it with the four basic
elements: air, earth, fire and water. Using these basic elements to
create more, gamers must make a total of 200 elements to complete the
game. It’s simple on the surface, but it requires a sharp mind.
This drag and drop game is easy to pick-up-and-play. Simply drag two
of the tiles from the bottom of the screen to the top to create a new
element. The screen shakes if the combination won’t create an element or
it flashes if the combination has already been made. Gamers must try to
remember all the combinations because it does not save the completed
ones. However, players can double tap on an element to see if they are
missing a combination. The game also provides hints in the form of
stories to help gamers get clues.
Completing
certain elements results in a Game Center achievement. There are 19
achievements in total and a leaderboard for those who like to compete
with friends and others around the world.
While the game is addicting, it can get frustrating and boring after
awhile. Trying combination after combination and not forming a new
element can turn some players away from finishing the game. Adding more
elements or maybe even allowing players to combine more than two
elements would make My Laboratory more challenging. For now,
it’s too similar to other games like it in the App Store and it doesn’t
stand out enough to separate itself from the pack.
To sum it up, My Laboratory is great for those who can’t get
enough of element-style games or those who are avid puzzle fans. The
graphics are adorable and the game play keeps players hooked as they try
to find all 200 combinations. Its low price tag makes it well worth
exploring. Race against your friends to see who can create a new world
Saturday, 23 June 2012 0
iPhone App
Basic to look at but an entertaining trivia game to play with friends.
Trivi.al is setting out to do for trivia games what Draw Something did for Pictionary and Words With Friends did for Scrabble. It doesn’t quite hit the spot as well but amongst friends, it still stands a chance of being quite a hit.
Players
take in turns to answer 3 rounds of questions in order to beat their
opponent. Opponents can be selected either randomly, by username or
through the player’s Facebook friends list. There’s no support for
Twitter friends but it should still provide plenty of outlets for
socially minded gamers.
The questions themselves are quite a mixed bunch of genres. Some will
be quite simple such as a question about popular culture, while others
will test the gray matter such as questions about geology or 19th
century history. Most of the questions are quite heavily geared towards
the US market with the focus on American history and American
advertising slogans tough for non-US gamers to keep on top of.
The more questions answered correctly in a row, the more points are
given. Once the round has been completed for one player, the questions
are handed over to the other player to answer in their own time. Play
continues in that manner for three rounds, until a winner is decided.
The winning player then sees their in-game IQ increased, meaning an
increased likelihood of being pitted against a more talented opponent.
It’s simple stuff but fun to compete against friends with. As a
trivia addict, there’s always that drive to be better. There’s a form of
lifeline system with the addition of power ups but I didn’t find these
overly neccessary and, arguably, detracted from the experience.
While Trivi.al is a little heavily weighted towards US
audiences and far from the most attractive looking of apps, it’s a fun
starting block for an enjoyable trivia experience. In-game chat keeps
the competitive element steady and the free ad-supported nature of the
game will ensure it’s open to all. With the right community, this could
prove popular.
iPad Only App
A fairly run of the mill but reasonable Hidden Object game.
Lost Souls: Enchanted Paintings is one of the more recent
additions to the Hidden Object stable of games on the App Store. Like
many others, it’s far from challenging and it is a little on the
expensive side but there is something quite soothing about playing it.
Continuing the frequently supernatural nature of many Hidden Object games, Lost Souls: Enchanted Paintings
focuses on any parent’s worst nightmare: the loss of a child. A
mysterious painting placed in a child’s room has caused the player’s son
to go missing. Why is it the painting’s fault? Because the boy’s image
is now captured in it and the player must explore various enchanted
paintings to rescue him. Spooky stuff, eh?
So begins a fairly formulaic tale of simple puzzle solving and hidden
object gathering. The hidden object side of things is pretty clear and
easy to solve with many spooky and curious scenes to navigate. Even the
hint system is very generous so it won’t take long to negotiate them.
Other puzzles involve a little more thought but they can be skipped
making it almost pointless to pursue them. Some can be quite enjoyable
though despite their simplicity. Another typical trope – piecing items
together to solve a bigger puzzle – features here which again adds to
the simple but pleasant enough experience.
That sentence sums up Lost Souls: Enchanted Paintings
perfectly. It’s never overly gripping or challenging but that genteel
pace keeps things enjoyable for those not fussed about being challenged.
It won’t take long to complete, even for those that spend the extra for
the Collector’s Edition, which makes it a little expensive for what it
offers. But for those checking out the genre for the first time such as
children, it’ll be an ideal introduction to a strangely relaxing genre.
Universal App
Free endless shmup with upgrades, dragons, and a pink-haired valkyrie
The endless shmup with upgrades is nothing brand new, but Dragon Flight
is more like the love-child of an endless runner and a shmup. Shooting
is automatic, and the enemies attack down the screen in wall-like waves.
Play becomes a matter of carving your way through these walls, with
dodging as key to progress as well-aimed shots. So pushing through Dragon Flight is like pushing through Temple Run,
with quick reflexes and stamina both required in equal measure.
Meanwhile upgrades and power-ups help me get that little bit further, as
well as consolidate that all too dangerous one-more-go factor.
If that one-more-go factor is the hook then the bait is simplistic and appealing play, and Dragon Flight
scores high here too. Sliding my dragon across the screen is a cinch,
even if the quick slides sometimes necessary do bring on friction burns.
Power-ups are similarly easy to use, like sliding up to produce a wide
light beam attack. Alongside simple play is a cute retro look with
modern definition. The retro is in the colorful variety of scrolling
landscapes, like the dunes of a desert or the greenery of a dense
forest, and in the bright spectrum of beams that make up my shots. Both
evoke memories of many a classic shmup. Meanwhile the mulitcolored waves
of dragons, as well the chibi image of my pink-haired valkyrie gleaming
with victory at the end of each run, is plain adorable.
On the flip side, Dragon Flight is lacking in variety. Endless
waves of ever-sturdier dragons, however colorul, are always going to
feel monotonous, especially with a dearth in power-ups. It’s maybe
greedy to ask it of a free game (albeit one with purchasable coins for
upgrades), but more power-ups and the occasional boss fights would take Dragon Flight
to the next level. It’s maybe because the foundations of play and
presentation are so solid that the lack of development is a little
disappointing. On a side note, while I don’t doubt its success as a
marketing ploy it’s still a bit low to constantly badger players to
review your game with the
bribe
promise of 5000 free coins for doing so.
bribe
promise of 5000 free coins for doing so.
Sneakiness and monotony aside, Dragon Flight is certainly
worth trying out. It may only keep interest for a few minutes or it
might take over your day, but either way I’m confident most will enjoy
their time with it. It’s free, it has endless shooting, it has dragons,
and it has a cute pink-haired valkyrie. What’s not to love?
Universal App
Move a dancing kitten around to disco beats and
avoid getting shocked while filling up a greedy friend with a constant
flow of electricity.
Disco Kitten
is one of those games that make very little sense until they’ve been
played. Explaining this game feels like explaining one of those
incomprehensible Japanese game shows that is entertaining to watch but
very hard to figure out what is going on. Fortunately, this game is lots
of fun to play even if there isn’t a logical reason for any of the game
to take place. Of course there’s no rule that a game has to make
logical sense to be entertaining, and Disco Kitten proves it.
In this game the player controls a futuristic, robotic kitten named
Punka. Punka has a friend called Bunka who happens to be a giant head
that lives to gorge itself on electricity. Punka’s job is to help Bunka
get all the electricity he needs to fill himself up. And how does a
robot kitten go about collecting electricity for a giant disembodied
head? Why by dancing in front of lightning rod-like statues to transfer
the electricity that they’s collected from lightning bolts to his
friend, of course.
There
are five spots for Punka the kitten to stand in each level and four
electricity collecting statues. Punka can stand in front of any of the
statues or off to the side in front of none of them. Lightning pours
down in rhythmic patterns from emitters above each statue and fills the
statues up with energy. When Punka stands in front of a statue, that
energy is transfered to the big headed Bunka. However, the kitten can’t
be standing in front of a statue while it’s being hit by lightning or
else he will get shocked and destroyed and the player will have to wait
for a new Punka to continue the level. If any of the statues get
completely full of electricity they turn to stone and the level is over.
The player moves Punka around from statue to statue and out of the way
of incoming lightning filling up Bunka with energy until he is full.
Once full, the level is complete.
Disco Kitten is unique to say the least. The eclectic mix of
gameplay, mechanics, visuals and music makes for a game that doesn’t
easily fit into many genres. This one-of-a-kind game is lots of fun and
very challenging as well. Quick fingers and an even faster eye are
needed, but players will find they enjoy it even when they might not be
passing every level the first time.
iPad Only App
A sequel to a fun hidden object game that's a little too close to the original material.
The original Letters From Nowhere
was quite a fun if flawed Hidden Object game. It never deviated from
the tried and tested formula of the genre but it was a cathartic and
relaxing experience. Letters From Nowhere 2 continues this trend and suffers slightly from a lack of ambition but fans of the genre probably won’t be too bothered by this.
The
focus is very much on the hidden object scenes here, with action quite
unchallenging. Players have a straight forward list of items to collect
along with the option of finding a black cat and three stamps in each
stage. It is these optional extras that extend longevity as the other
items are quite easy to track down. They also go on to unlock new game
modes such as the Unlimited Mode which is quite fun to play.
Other puzzles exist too, much like in the previous game, with
challenges such as spot the difference and jigsaw puzzles keeping things
slightly varied. Completing a mirror jigsaw puzzle, for instance, takes
more time than most and is satisfying to finish. A steady trickle of
congratulations stems from the various awards given to the player, such
as when they reach a pivotal moment in the game or complete something
particularly quickly.
Everything about Letters From Nowhere 2‘s design suggests
keeping the player happy but to the detriment of any real challenge.
Consistently, there’s that sense that we’ve been here before. At a lower
price than the first game, this would feel a worthy expansion pack of
sorts, but at the full price of $6.99, it feels like time to wave
goodbye to the world of Audrey and her search for her lost husband.
iPhone App
My Laboratory is an element puzzler that puts gamers in charge of creating a brand new world.
My Laboratory
is a fun puzzle game for players of all ages, but it seems to have more
of an appeal to casual gamers and younger players. In this game, the
world has ended and it’s up to you to recreate it with the four basic
elements: air, earth, fire and water. Using these basic elements to
create more, gamers must make a total of 200 elements to complete the
game. It’s simple on the surface, but it requires a sharp mind.
This drag and drop game is easy to pick-up-and-play. Simply drag two
of the tiles from the bottom of the screen to the top to create a new
element. The screen shakes if the combination won’t create an element or
it flashes if the combination has already been made. Gamers must try to
remember all the combinations because it does not save the completed
ones. However, players can double tap on an element to see if they are
missing a combination. The game also provides hints in the form of
stories to help gamers get clues.
Completing
certain elements results in a Game Center achievement. There are 19
achievements in total and a leaderboard for those who like to compete
with friends and others around the world.
While the game is addicting, it can get frustrating and boring after
awhile. Trying combination after combination and not forming a new
element can turn some players away from finishing the game. Adding more
elements or maybe even allowing players to combine more than two
elements would make My Laboratory more challenging. For now,
it’s too similar to other games like it in the App Store and it doesn’t
stand out enough to separate itself from the pack.
To sum it up, My Laboratory is great for those who can’t get
enough of element-style games or those who are avid puzzle fans. The
graphics are adorable and the game play keeps players hooked as they try
to find all 200 combinations. Its low price tag makes it well worth
exploring. Race against your friends to see who can create a new world
first.
Friday, 22 June 2012
At its Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month, Apple
officially announced that OS X Mountain Lion would launch sometime in
July through the Mac App Store, carrying a low upgrade price of $19.99
for users of OS X Lion or Snow Leopard. Following the conference
keynote, Apple also released a "near-final" version of OS X Mountain
Lion to developers for testing purposes.
MacRumors has now heard from several employees at a third-party
firm offering technical support for Apple products that their company
has imposed a vacation blackout from July 22 through 29, requiring "all
hands on deck" in its desktop and portables division to support an
unspecified event.
Speculation naturally turns to OS X Mountain Lion as the event in question, although some potential customers may be hoping that new iMac and/or Mac mini hardware could arrive at the same time. Apple scheduled just such a simultaneous hardware/software launch last July, introducing new MacBook Air and Mac mini models alongside OS X Lion.
Speculation naturally turns to OS X Mountain Lion as the event in question, although some potential customers may be hoping that new iMac and/or Mac mini hardware could arrive at the same time. Apple scheduled just such a simultaneous hardware/software launch last July, introducing new MacBook Air and Mac mini models alongside OS X Lion.
Friday, 22 June 2012 0
Steve Jobs was a frequent guest at All Things D's annual D Conference, appearing six times
with D hosts Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg. After he passed away last
year, Swisher and Mossberg felt it was important to have a session honoring Jobs and his legacy.
They asked Dr. Ed Catmull, who worked with Jobs for years at Pixar, as well as Larry Ellison, the legendary CEO of Oracle who was one of Jobs' closest friends, to appear and reflect on Jobs' life.
They asked Dr. Ed Catmull, who worked with Jobs for years at Pixar, as well as Larry Ellison, the legendary CEO of Oracle who was one of Jobs' closest friends, to appear and reflect on Jobs' life.
Dr. Catmull also did a separate one-one-one interview
with Kara Swisher. He discussed the history of Pixar, computer
animation, and shared some fascinating stories about his experiences
working with Jobs at both Pixar and Disney.
Earlier today, Instapaper developer Marco Arment published his thoughts
on a potential timeline for upgrades to Apple's iMac and Mac Pro lines,
initially suggesting that the need for an ultra-high resolution
5120x2880 Retina display (either inside the 27-inch iMac or as a
standalone display) is likely the most significant hurdle to major
updates for those lines.
With ABC News having reported in May that Apple was planning to bring Retina displays to its next-generation iMac line and suggestions of updated models potentially being right around the corner, anticipation has been high for new Retina iMacs. But shortly after publishing his speculation, Arment is now hearing that while the next iMac update will come later this year, it will not include Retina displays.
I’ve now heard from multiple sources that while an iMac update is indeed coming this fall, it will not have Retina displays.
Arment
describes some of the issues surrounding Retina displays at the size
needed for the 27-inch iMac, including production yield and insufficient
bandwidth, but it is unclear why Apple would wait until the fall to
update the iMac if those issues will prevent Retina displays from being
included in that revision. Even without a Retina display, updated iMac
models could take advantage of Ivy Bridge processors, improved graphics
chips, and USB 3.0, and those upgrades could be included in a new model
any time now.
As we noted earlier today, vacation blackouts at a third-party technical support firm are hinting at a release of OS X Mountain Lion in late July, and it seems possible that Apple could follow last year's trend of a simultaneous hardware/software launch by introducing new Ivy Bridge iMacs and perhaps Mac minis alongside Mountain Lion. That speculation is, however, yet to be supported by any specific rumors or evidence.
Following the keynote at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month, company representatives were initially quoted as saying that updated Mac Pro and iMac designs were due "later next year", but the company moved to clarify those remarks as applying only to the Mac Pro, suggesting that iMac updates will come ahead of that timeframe
As we noted earlier today, vacation blackouts at a third-party technical support firm are hinting at a release of OS X Mountain Lion in late July, and it seems possible that Apple could follow last year's trend of a simultaneous hardware/software launch by introducing new Ivy Bridge iMacs and perhaps Mac minis alongside Mountain Lion. That speculation is, however, yet to be supported by any specific rumors or evidence.
Following the keynote at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month, company representatives were initially quoted as saying that updated Mac Pro and iMac designs were due "later next year", but the company moved to clarify those remarks as applying only to the Mac Pro, suggesting that iMac updates will come ahead of that timeframe
Universal App
Passable game that doesn't score.
When my husband and I were dating, one of my fondest memories is kicking
past the random piles of socks and pizza boxes to enter the sacred
space of his mancave, where we goofed away precious hours playing
International Superstar Soccer on an old school Nintendo 64 console.
I have limited hand-eye coordination. Sports are not for me, sadly.
Despite the current mitigating factors (career, pregnancy, mortgage,
adulthood), I indulge my occasional fantasies as a glamorous,
dewy-skinned and fresh-faced soccer star. No matter how firmly we deny
it, superstar fantasies rarely fade.
Soccer
Superstars 2012 by GAMEVIL is disappointing in its execution and
delivery. These days, a gamer of almost any skill expects movie quality
graphics and design that typically come free with the slick games widely
available.
Soccer Superstars 2012 confuses from the start. The home screen is a
fine point of entry, but the font is difficult to see on my iPhone.
Chubby anime boys with lots of fearsome attitude invade the screen while
Love Boat-ish muzak plays with shrill, unnerving force.
The plump anime cherubs are cutesy with gruff, exaggerated
expressions, but my foray into attempting soccer keeps getting
overridden by pop-ups that asks me to purchase more stuff. I like the
option to choose brown, white, or alien skin. (I chose alien, for the
record.) I select spiky hair for my players and name my team, but the
screen continues to prompt purchasing.
Overall, the edge Soccer Superstars 2012 seems to be aiming for falls
flat. It’s generic and passable, yet it lacks polish. Too many
complicated arrangements and possibilities that fail to complement a too
simple design concept, which is difficult to access.
The bland graphics seem outdated–and not in a fantastically hip,
retro way. A lackluster and addled mix of dull coloring and shallow
screen depth are thrown together in a potluck mash-up that smacks of
video game design circa 2000.
After working furiously, I am finally able to actually play soccer as
the character I created. I flick the tiny ball with my virtual foot,
and the posey anime girl with headphones remarks, “No! No! That is not
right. TRY again.” I feel frustrated, and I continue to think that if I
picked up Soccer Superstars 2012 knowing nothing, I would be absolutely
lost and abandon play immediately.
I want to like Soccer Superstars 2012. I want to give it a chance. I
want to hear a throng of my adoring public cheering me into a swift net.
But, like actual soccer, the journey to that ever-elusive net remains
too arduous for me, not swift enough, and altogether elusive.
Suffering through killer plyometric workouts and dropping weighty
fists of cash for brand name cleats may have to wait. For now, I can
rest my aching pregnant bones on a cushy leather sofa and watch The
World Cup.
Universal App
A classic game with an action twist.
Originally released in the late 1970s for arcades, Snake is about as classic as classic can get. However, Call of Snakes
proves that a great, new game can emerge by simply adding a single
feature to a classic. It turns out that all this game needed was some
extra firepower.
The standard Snake rules still apply. Players move across a
grid, avoiding obstacles while trying to make their line as long as
possible. Touch an obstacle or part of one’s own line and game over.
It’s a solid, enduring foundation and its uncomplicated input
requirements make it ideal for touch controls. However, Call of Snakes
puts a novel twist on this formula. Instead of controlling an actual
snake, players control a line of soldiers shooting at obstacles that
shoot back. Now, players must not only avoid enemies but also find ways
to take them out. Growing one’s line becomes even more important as it
increases health and attack power. This addition not only makes the
gameplay more strategic but more action-packed as well, an impressive
feat.
Players have access to different commanders each with their own
strengths and weaknesses. Some are suited for long-range sniping while
others can zip around the battlefield faster than anyone else. When a
commander dies though, players must either pick a new one or wait a few
minutes for the commander to respawn. While it’s nice that this forces
players to experiment with different play styles, if all the commanders
die before one respawns, the player must wait before they can even play
the game at all. Still, money earned from successful battles and combo
chains can keep commanders healthy so players never have to reach that
frustrating point.
Besides, the game has an aggressive, infectious energy that makes it
pretty hard for anyone to stay mad at it for too long. The cheesy rock
music and lovingly rendered pixel art give off a punk, retro-gaming vibe
like something out of Scott Pilgrim. The fifty missions that
make up the campaign take place across parks, beaches, forests, snowy
plains, and cities and they are all a joy to experience alone or during a
multiplayer match.
Call of Snakes works so well because it improves upon
something old and proven while maintaining and even amplifying what made
the original so beloved in the first place. It’s the best kind of
remix.
Universal App
Asphalt 7 offers the same core gameplay as Asphalt 6, but with stunning new graphics.
We
all know what happens when, say, superhero movies start doing tons of
sequels. There will be better special effects, more star power, more
gloss. But that doesn’t mean it’s anything new. Fun? Absolutely! But,
it’s hard to keep the plot fresh. Gameloft’s latest version of their hit
arcade-style racing franchise, Asphalt 7: Heat is no
different. The game looks absolutely stunning – particularly on the
latest generation of iOS devices – and there are some new locales,
tracks and tons of awesome cars. If one has played Asphalt 6, however, there’s nothing really new. Still, at $.99 it’s worth picking up, especially if casual racers appeal.
There are 15 tracks spread across some pretty fantastic looking
locations around the world. If some look familiar it’s because they have
appeared in previous Asphalt games. Still, with the stunning new
backdrops that’s easily forgivable.
Players have 60 cars to choose from, unlocked by accruing both
in-game cash and stars that are awarded for levelling up and that sort
of thing. They can also be purchased in-app. There are the standard
Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and BMWs, and even the DeLorean, along with a
few unexpected choices. Players progress through tiers unlocking new
vehicles.
There are three modes of play : Career with 15 leagues, 150 races in
six different varieties, online and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth local Multiplayer
action for up to five players, and a quick race option. In the last,
gamers can play any kind of challenge from standard races to elimination
matches, time trials to Beat ‘Em All knockout rounds, then mix and
match them with any location and vehicle class/difficulty level. There’s
even a spinner for those who can’t decide.
The controls are excellent. The default accelerometer scheme is the
best or players can opt for tap steering or manual control over breaks
and gas. It’s easy to drift, make hairpin turns and using the
now-standard nitro boosts sends the speedsters careening, without losing
control.
The soundtrack is well done, and the graphics are spectacular, even
on the iPad 2, although they are best seen on the 3rd gen iPad with that
quad-core graphics chip.
Asphalt 7 suffers from a few issues besides redundancy. The
game has social network integration and the push to use it is
relentless. Players are interrupted at every juncture with a nag screen
that can’t be turned off. Also when cars are close together the game has
a rubber-band quality I dislike. And, while most of the special effects
are stunning some of the sun glare can be not only overwhelming, but
also a little disco.
Nonetheless, for the price Asphalt 7 is one of the best
arcade racers on iOS. What it lacks in originality it makes up for in
polish. Just don’t expect a full console experience; it still feels like
a mobile game.
Universal App
It's a mad dash to stay on beat in this quirky rhythm game
I
keep hearing rhythm games are dead, yet hardly a week goes by when I
don’t see a new one in the App Store. They generally come in two
varieties: hit the notes as they cross a playline like the Tapulous
series, or platforming games that use music and beats to help control
the action like Beat Sneak Bandit. Mad Acorn,
the latest music game that falls loosely into the second category, is a
great example of how to distill a concept to its core, then create so
much visual appeal it compensates for the simplicity.Normally I ignore backstories or wrap them up quickly, but Mad Acorn is set in a comic book world. I won’t spoil the plot, because the comic panels are arguably the best part of the package. As for gameplay, players have the easiest objective. The game is an auto runner, so the irate squirrel hero moves relentlessly forward across levels based in four worlds. By keeping the beat with a touch anywhere on the screen players ensure he jump over hurdles and punches foes with one tap. The game adjusts the specific action to fit the circumstances so all there really is to do is listen to the drums and baseline and tap along.
Most beats coincide with something to kill or avoid, but there are “missing” beats too. Players can find them by listening carefully to the pattern and tapping even when no obstacle is present. It’s a neat feature, but oddly not one players earn any reward for beyond hearing a thump and seeing the number found at the end of the level in the stats.
The
music is unusual and likely underground. I don’t quite know what to
call it. It’s got heavy bass and an electronic dance vibe. It’s
auspicious if one happens to like the grooves, since the game isn’t easy
– tracks replay quite a lot. Once gamers find the tempo, however,
getting long combos is easy.I had a little trouble with the controls on iPad. I have a decent sense of rhythm and sometimes found my taps went unregistered even in early levels. But, the game is forgiving, Mad Acorn allots players three lives that can be replenished occasionally by taking out baddies with hearts over their heads.
Mad Acorn hasn’t much depth, but it does have some really nice visuals, the great art, and inherent replay value based on desire to get better, rather than through extraneous incentives. It’s a great pick-up-and-play title and solid summer casual gaming choice.
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