April 29, 2012

Spellsword by Everplay Interactive

(5/5) Spellsword for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is a hack-and-slash game inspired by games like Super Crate Box. You play as an "unlikely hero" as he makes his way through forests, caves, and the very depths of hell. The controls are tight, with 4 extremely responsive buttons. Spellsword also has RPG elements mixed in. Stat-increasing accessories are available in the shop, along with spell card upgrades. The graphics are amazing, and are similar to Everplay's previous game, Terra Noctis. Each world has a set of 20 missions, which all begin with a meme and end with in-game currency or accessories for your character. There are Game Center leaderboards for the endless version of each world, and 35 achievements for you to collect. Spellsword is a game that everyone should own on their Apple device. Spellsword is available on the app store for $0.99. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spellsword/id498685137?mt=8

April 28, 2012

Four Hats by Taco Graveyard

(4.2/5) Four Hats for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is a great game for quick 5-minute play sessions. You control one of 4 "hats", members of a popular band, as you run away from crazed fans and paparazzi. As you run through the levels, the band's music will play in the background. The art style is cartoon-like, and makes the game seem a little bit like a TV show to me. The controls can be slow to respond occasionally, and they can become awkward when running speedily. Four Hats is a great pick-up and play game, that is available onthe app store for $0.99. http://itunes.apple.com/app/four-hats/id493969910?mt=8

Amoebattle by Grab Games

(4.6/5) Amoebattle for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is an amazing real-time-strategy game. You play as a doctor, controlling groups of different "amoebas".Each type of amoeba has different abilities and stats. The game has 12 levels of gameplay, including the tutorial. Each level lasts for about half an hour or longer. The difficulty of the game quickly ramps up, but the basics are easy to learn. The graphics are detailed, but sometimes the characters get pixelated. Amoebattle is a great game if you love RTS games or games with an interesting story and intuitive controls. Be sure to download Amoebattle from the app store for $4.99. http://itunes.apple.com/app/amoebattle/id482263303?mt=8

Hambo by Miniclip.com

(3.8/5) Hambo for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is a game similar to Fragger and Bounce the Bullet. In Hambo, you play as the titular character, trying to kill all pigs other than yourself. The game has you aim using your finger, and shooting with a button press either once or multiple times. The graphics are good, but I have seen Miniclip do better. The game is too much of a clone of games such as Monster Island, Fragger, and Stupid Zombies for my liking. Overall, Hambo is a good game for people who liked Miniclip's other games similar to Hambo, and is available on the app store for $0.99. http://itunes.apple.com/app/hambo/id471833761?mt=8

April 22, 2012

Super Lemonade Factory by Shane Brouwer

(5/5) Super Lemonade Factory is a true "hidden gem" in the app store. The game's story is centered about a couple, Andre and Liselot, who have permission to own a lemonade factory (hence the title) is they can make it all the way through the factory's many rooms. The graphics are amazing, and look like a mix between an NES game and an SNES game. The chiptunes are catchy, and are available here for free. The game is full of interesting dialogue and tons of levels. The game has you take control of both Andre and Liselot, switching between the two to solve puzzles and help the other advance through each level. Each character has unique abilities that can help you along the way, or they can help you learn more of the game's interesting story. In the end, Super Lemonade Factory is a definite must-have, and one of the best puzzle platformers on the app store. Super Lemonade Factory is available for $1.99. http://itunes.apple.com/app/super-lemonade-factory/id481170364?mt=8

The Last Ace of Space by Astro Crow, LLC

(4.6/5) The Last Ace of Space for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is an endless runner game with a unique control scheme and art style. The controls are handled by taps and swipes. For example, to jump, you must tap on one of two buttons. To slide, you must swipe on the bottom of the screen, etc. The characters and backgrounds are drawn in a cartoonish style, which I enjoy. The game is fun to play, and varies every time you play it. The music sounds silghtly...unfitting, as it sounds like it should be music set to a surfing game, not an endless runner. In conclusion, The Last Ace of Space is a fun game, with good visuals and intuitive controls, available in the app store for $0.99. http://itunes.apple.com/app/the-last-ace-of-space/id429228289?mt=8

Asteroid 2012 3D by M-spacemedia

(3.8/5) Asteroid 2012 3D for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is a 3D game centered around destroying asteroids and enemy ships. The graphics of this game is what really makes it stand out. The 3D ships and asteroids, along with the awesome space-themed backgrounds, look great on the retina display. The controls can be awkward at times, and since the game is tilt-controlled, it may be difficult to play on an iPad. The gameplay seemed quite repetitive, and I became uninterested after a few minutes of play. Overall, I would get Asteroid 2012 3D if you are interested in great graphics or tilt-controlled flight simulators. Asteroid 2012 3D is available on the app store for $1.99. http://itunes.apple.com/app/asteroid-2012-3d/id443832467?mt=8

April 7, 2012

Happy Poo by Retro Dreamer

(4.6/5) Happy Poo for Android phones and Tablets is a "game" involving a cute little turd that needs polishing. In Happy Poo, the main goal is to rub the poo in any direction, as fast as you can, to polish it into a nice, shiny "golden" turd. The character and fonts are adorable, and the whole entire app is full of cuteness. The only complaint I have with such a simple game is that it can get tiring on tablets. I don't know about you, but after moving my wrist back and forth for a few minutes non-stop, my wrist was tired. However, Happy Poo is still an adorable, fun game, available on the Android Market for free. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.retrodreamer.TurdPolisher.android.free

WonderCraft by Chengdu jianlehudong tech. co.LTD.

(3.9/5) WonderCraft for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad is an online-only multiplayer game set in the middle of an unnamed ocean. In order to play, you must have an internet connection and create an account on the game's servers. The graphics and music are above average, but the controls are abysmal. You must control an extremely slow ship through the waters, destroying enemy ships with weak missiles before others can. There are faster and more powerful ships available for purchase, but they are only usable for 10-30 days until you must pay for them again. Overall, WonderCraft is a new type of multiplayer game for iOS devices and is available in the app store for absolutely free. http://itunes.apple.com/app/wondercraft/id502431371?mt=8