Thumbs Up App Reviews

Correct me if you will, but I do believe you’re doin it...

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:30:41 -0400

Correct me if you will, but I do believe you’re doin it wrong.

Go on…

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:11:44 -0400

Go on…

Apologies

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:14:00 -0400

Sorry for not posting in about 2 days, was on a trip to NC and the computer was stashed away and could hardly get wireless signal enough to do much. Will be doing a review later tonight, working at the moment. Not sure what app I will be doing, but it’ll just have to be a surprise (Even to myself :P).

Side notes don’t forget to get some free apps today at Freeappaday.com / Freegameoftheday.com / FreeAppCalendar.com

Also if anyone was contemplating purchasing Archetype I warn you the controls are the smoothest thing you will ever witness and no other game will feel as good again. Aside from that it is only online except for a training level so if you’re without wifi I wouldn’t advise buying it as you are wasting 3 bucks. It is fun though shooting kids in the face and what not.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chain-link-pro/id362278797?mt=8 Ch...

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:06:43 -0400

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chain-link-pro/id362278797?mt=8

Chain Link Pro, was set up as a free app yesterday, won’t be for much longer. No idea how this isn’t a top paid app. It is all around a perfect game and soooo retardedly addicting. Download it now :D

According to itunes

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:36:00 -0400

According to Itunes I was wrong, Helsing deserves a 5.0 especially for its price, should be immediately bought, and according to someone the levels are dynamically generated? It must be per profile because I can’t get it to change. Just noticed on the menu theres also a survival mode where you try to wipe out the waves as fast as possible, game just got that much better.

tl;dr buy the game and have fun.

Time for a 4some, errm I mean a 4 in 1 review. Puzzle day?...

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:55:00 -0400

Time for a 4some, errm I mean a 4 in 1 review. Puzzle day? I’m just going to do some mini reviews, if anyone wants an in depth one of a game I mention let me know via ask.

First off we have Block Mania Premimum. This game promises a lot of fun. It has 7 different packages each containing 10 levels within it (I’ll toss in a hint at the end of this). It also has the nifty option of swapping between doodle graphics and the normal renders. You basically are a block and you need to slide your way around ricocheting off boxes, angled conveyer like scructures, tunnels, and more. Along the way you can pick up stars or try to beat the level in the least amount of points possible. You have the ability to go restart the level after you beat it for the best move score to get the stars and complete it with whatever move score (the best one is the one that stays with the level). The game is very easy to get the hang of and keeps you entertained for quite a while, especially for OCD people like myself who need that 100% completion. I give it a 4 stars because of its length, but it is a pretty good game. Also hinty hint hint, Pack 6 is locked unless you have the code from the game Tiki Totems, unless you beat stage 10 - pack 5 and hit continue, it glitches and sends you straight to pack 6 :3 (try the lite version imo)

Second on the list is Mummy Panic. Was, not sure if it still is, in the New & Noteworthy. This game is alright, it kind of tricked me (thought it would be a lot better/interactive/graphically enhanced etc) The game revolves around you putting down arrows and hitting the go button to lead a bunch of mummy children into a crate without running them into a archaeologist. There is some nifty dialogue everytime you restart the mummies from walking. And that really is all there is too it, there is occasionally obstacles like pits to lead around but thats about it. It is pretty easy to get the hang of and has 3 different modes each with like 30 levels. So I guess if you want to try it out go for it, but it seems expensive for the lack of depth in the game. It is $2.99 so have fun with that. Three stars, maybe two because its a rip off of a crappy game called Space Rabbits, which was probably a rip off of some other game etc.

My Third wall of text shall be Helsing’s Fire! I think it has reached some of the top paid apps and that seems completely correct in my opinion. This game while being a bit repetative and odd has the ability to be quite entertaining. You play the roll of two nifty old school chaps who want to purge a town of Dracula? Atleast I think it’s him. You basically get vials of tonics and a torch, you place the torch in the correct area to only light up the room on certain monsters then use the right coloured tonics to destroy them. The game is easy to get the hang of, and has the ability to reset the level at any time. It has 3 different packs of about 25 levels, Possibly more packs not done with it yet. All of which continually evolve as you go through them adding new monsters and ways to kill. What I liked most was at the end of each level the two guys do some sort of high five, or something similar and it for some stupid reason is entertaining. Definately try this game out it is a 4 star, and only $0.99.

Lastly for the mini reviews is Psychoban. You play a deranged little psycho in a bunch of insane asylums and try to solve the puzzle laid out for you by moving blocks and such. It seems to have 4 level packs of I think 10 levels each, could be more later on. There is nifty dialogue between you, the evil scientist guy telling you what to do, and some scientist chick. The game has an option on the options menu to speed up how fast you move (which I suggest) and the game itself is a bit fun. It is a bit costy at $2.99 but the graphics aren’t horrible which is probably why. All in all it is a fun game, but I’ve seen better. I’d say it is about a 3 1/2, it would be higher but the game feels a little empty at times. Not to sure what the feeling is it’s just there if you played you would know.

Well that is it for now, I’ll probably come back and do an actual game review later, but I just thought I’d throw my two cents in about those real fast.

Slight confusion

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:54:51 -0400

FreeAppADay just put block mania as the app for Friday. However it isn’t the premium version.? I already have it, just confused. Try it and buy it I guess or wait and see if they make the real version free later today. It is good.

Also side note to add to my pred review. The update I was talking about just got released I think. Perhaps just an awesome pre update update. “new weapon effects. New moves and animations. Better ai.” me like!

Oh boy oh boy. Predators, and no not that kind! This game is...

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:33:00 -0400

Oh boy oh boy. Predators, and no not that kind! This game is quite fantastic I must say, haven’t seen the movie it is based off yet though.

Chillingo does it again with another good game. And for once you get to be the bad guy, and not just any guy. You get to be a dude with claws, cannons, spears, and other shit.

The game in total has 24 levels, the first few are semi tutorials, but you still get to slice people up so they’re fun don’t worry. There is also a Trophy Room and Item Store, where you view the heads of people you’ve killed or purchase gear and upgrades for that gear.

The screen layout is really nicely done, especially for over the head view, you have your health at the top center and it depletes from the outside in on both sides as you take damage, but restores over time (run around the corners of the map if you’re about to die xD). To the left of that you have your current objective. Typically it will say like 0/15 meaning you need to kill 15 more people a certain way or something of that nature. As well as a pause button that leads to the menu, the touch area around it is pretty forgiving so thats always good. On the bottom left you have your control analog stick which is very well done. Next to that eventually you will have two buttons one being your melee weapons which by clicking you can cycle through and the other being your cannon. To the right of that is your A/B buttons which can be used to defending and attacking, theres also a list of combo moves on the pause menu. Near the top right you will eventually get a few icons for things like going invisible / Heat Vision, both of which work awesome especially when coupled with the cannon or sneak attacks. Finally all around the screen you will see little red dots, those are indicators for your targets and help out a ton! All in all the screen is done perfectly in my opinion.

Next wall of text… The quests, they range from killing a certain hunter whos the big cheese via beheading, killing countless enemies, outlasting the enemies, beheading them, using only combos on them, invisible assassinations, it goes on and its a blast. I wish there were more of them, but hey you can replay any level you want for extra “Honor Points” which also act as currency in the shop. (you can see how much you gained at the end of each mission, or everytime you kill someone numbers pop up near the objective area) Some of them can be quite hard especially without buying any upgrades.

The game is nicely polished and is highly supported by Fox, I heard a rumor (maybe its fact) that after a bit now since the movie is out Fox is helping them to release special levels that change the game around to help it tie with the movie or some jazz. I’m not sure, but I’m excited for the update.

In total I give it a 4 stars. It is pure fun, and slicing up random people never felt so good. I do wish it had a bit more content though, I guess its replayability makes up for it as will they with updates. You can’t beat what they give you for $2.99 I recommend buying it now and thanking me later if you’re any kind of gamer who loves gore filled games.

Mini review - Bears vs Penguins. My first take on this. NO...

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:40:00 -0400

Mini review - Bears vs Penguins.

My first take on this.

~~NO TUTORIAL, you better hope your ass played plants vs zombies or prepare to be fucking lost.~~ They try to make up for it with a “help” menu, where they basically clutter the screen thats already cluttered as hell with random circles telling you obvious shit, not how to play the game. OH THE ONLY NUMBER ON MY SCREEN IS MY MONEY. THANK YOU.

The game literally says nothing its just a clutter of shit and you go OH I SHOULD PROBABLY CLICK HERE. (Its easy enough to get the game started up but you have no fucking clue as to what you were tinkering with to get it to the first level)

It has terribly corny dialogue when the level start where the bears and the penguins have at eachother.

Oh and the game lags after you have about 2 rows filled. thats fun.

I’d get it a 2 stars, maybe a one because its a shitty version of a brilliant game. Total let down.

Here we go

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:40:00 -0400

Time for work yet again. Sorry that I didn’t do one yesterday, ended up being too busy. I should be today too, but I’ll try to work something out. Today’s freebies are

IGameDock - Thought it was already free?.., Breakspin (looks interesting), and Chain Link Pro (as does this). Go snag em if you feel like it.

I’m thinking my next review will be of the new predator’s game, its pretty good.

also slight update of an update :P

just bought archetype (halo / nova remake?), Mummy panic, Bears vs Penguins (PVZ Rip), All in 1 GameBox, Hellsing’s Fire, Despicable Me.

Debating on wether or not to snag Sonic 2, Dragon’s Lair (both for nostalgiac purposes), Bloons, One of the Final Fantasys (kinda costy), Star Wars BFH, Build a lot 2, and Jelly Car 2. If anyone has any of these let me know how they are :3

Good morning.

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:43:56 -0400

Morning Tumblr.

I’ll probably start today off with some work first then post later (except now of course).

The three free apps today are:

Klondike Battle (I really hate freeappcalendar.com their games are so fucking horendous)

Invaders World Tour via FreeGameoftheDay.com (theres also a usa version idk what the diff is)

& BBQ PRO-iGrill via FreeAppADay.com, it looks and sound stupid, but it has been getting some decent comments so who knows, haven’t touched it yet.

I got Xenome Ep 1 up and working via a wireless install, but it crashes if I spin the camera, so read that fine print -.-

I’ll probably be buying Archetype, Mummy Panic, Bears vs Penguins (obv Plants vs Zombie Ripoff), and maybe a few others soon so I can review them. In the mean time I’ll hit a few newer but not released yesterday apps.

It’s time for a freebie. Number 5 on the list is Mr....

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:23:00 -0400

It’s time for a freebie. Number 5 on the list is Mr. Space, the speedy little stick man from hell!

Mr. Space is basically a game where you have to run to the nearest opening as fast as possible, live through the smashing and you progress to the next “stage”. The goal is to last as long as possible and get the highest on the score board.

You’re immedately tossed into a small tutorial that basically says QUICK MOVE OR YOU DIE (as does the rest of the game). You get 3 lives and no it doesn’t reset you. The lives make you start from the last stage you were on except the speed is a little slower to help you get started back in the groove. The controls are rather straight forward, you get a left and a right button. In the options though is the nice option to change it to a flick left or right, or even push the buttons together for a left handed person.

The game can be quite tricky at times, and I guess that is the point as the whole concept is quite simplistic. It could look like []-[][]-[][][][][]-[] you would assume any of those spots are obviously safe as they are lacking a giant rock sticking out, but chances are you’re wrong. After about stage 20 they start making it so the side blocks are deep enough to where the gapped block closes in fully and you get smashed. (if this jumble of bullshit confuses you at all just play it and see what I mean)

The music and sounds in general are very actiony and get you in the mood to dodge some fucking walls, because trust me after you play it for the first 10 stages you won’t stop for a while until you get to about stage 70 a few times and rage.

The game is free and in the Top Free Apps for a while now, check it out if you haven’t already! I’d say it is about a 3.5-4 stars, mainly because theres not too much variety to the game. Don’t let that fool you though there is fun to be had.

Every so often a game comes out that I hooks me like crack, and...

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:32:00 -0400

Every so often a game comes out that I hooks me like crack, and this game definately has that ability. Aqueduct, the latest release by Kieffer Bros is an overall great game to buy. It seems like it got a lot of inspiration from the old game pipe mania (which I just bought for ds, but it originated online). However Aqueduct has a huge uniqueness to it, as well as being perfectly polished.

The Title screen as can you see is very simple, you have different zones (6 of them) to choose from, but they all unlock as you complete the previous one. Each of which contain about 23-28 levels, so in total you’re getting about 140+. You click 1 and go into it, the game starts out with a quick tutorial on what the hells going on via writing on the floor as seen in the above photo. The overall objective is to complete the chain of the opening pipe to the ending pipe. Seems easy enough, but I assure you, it isn’t.

Throughout the game they toss in new elements such as sliding platforms, portals that you can either use as a slot for a pipe or to get your pieces around the map, conveyer belts, which go in random directions and you need to clog them up so to speak so your pieces can lay in the right spots, and switch/chambers where you must lay one piece on to open the chamber and slide other pieces through the new opening.

The game doesn’t have a huge amount of variety but it is worth every penny. Every map is different than the last, sometimes you’ll get stuck on one for a whole day, then the next map is so simple your dog could do it, just to piss you off :].

The game also has a stop and save functionality where if you back out of the app or hit the pause button the game saves your current progress for next time. You can even have 5 different (or more) levels saved at random states of play at the same time.

If you have $2.99 to spend I would highly recommend buying this game, it is all around solid especially if you love puzzle games and using your mind like I do.

My only gripe (ONLY) is that there is no reset profile type button, I haven’t discovered one atleast. So I’m guessing the only way to do that would be to reinstall, not all that big of a deal. Aside from that the game is still an easy 5 stars in my book.

Hey! Well I suppose you would have to ask about copying this review, but a guy did one for Xenome: Episode 1. http://www.tuaw.com/2010/07/08/xenome-episode-1-is-a-fully-immersive-post-apocalyptic-rpg-on-y/ -Also, it really does suck that people can't get it unless they have the 32 & 64GBs. Seriously? Anyway, its worth a read. :)

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:04:16 -0400

Thanks a ton, I’ll see if I can pursuade him.

I figured out that if you download it from the store on your ipod you can bypass the requirements, but it only plays smooth til I try to spin the camera and crashes :[

sooo

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:23:00 -0400

I’ll be posting a few more today. In a bit though, working on something at the moment.

http://www.tumblr.com/directory/recommend/gaming/thumbsupapps

Don’t forget to snag the free apps today.

Jailbreaker - Freegameoftheday.com

Chop Sushi - Freeappaday.com

The Raging Dead - Freeappcalendar.com (these tend to blow)

Also I’d advise snagging Build-a-lot while its still free, probably won’t be for long. The Sequel came out today on the IPod store for $4.99 looks promising.

Rageeeeee

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:54:00 -0400

I desperately want to write a review / play the new app “Xenome episode 1” it is supposedly WoW meets Boarderlands. I even bought it without reading a crucial little detail. MUST BE 32G OR HIGHER TO PLAY, and I have no clue as to why the hell! If anyone buys it for the 5 bucks let me know how it is. Write your own reveiw and I’ll post it.

Number 3 on the list is Infection: Zombies! by Magic Cube app...

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:30:42 -0400

Number 3 on the list is Infection: Zombies! by Magic Cube app devs. (thanks for the photos, taken from website)

This game really caught my interest, you get to play THE ZOMBIE! (About fucking time am I right?) Basically you get tossed into a tiny map cluttered with people of different types and the goal is to infect the entire lot of them. You start alone, but as you eat more your army grows and grows until they are all consumed.

The game consists of three modes Campaign (story) / Survival (last as long as possible) / Blitz (do as much as possible within the time limit) with three different heroes to choose from (2 (Hunk and Mary) must be unlocked and the price is infected victims!) you start with the balanced character of course, Micky. It starts out easy and slow for you where you only have to face whimpy little girls who can be taken in one swift attack. When you attack a person your zombie starts gnawing on their flesh, you can hit a button to release or eat them up to regain your constantly depleting health. Warning though, if you eat for too long they explode and you can’t have them as an army mate so I’d find out the limit and try to cut it about 3/4.

After every win you gain a lot of cash that you can use to raise some of your seven stats (all of which can go up to level 30!). Some of these aren’t that great, but some are crucial. The farther you progress into the 50 levels the harder it gets, aside from the first foe, most of them have some sort of knock back or block or attack to hit you with but they have an attack cooldown so you get them to use it then go in for the kill. A few of the stages consist of “bosses” but not in the same manner, they are more so introductions to new enemies. For instance one has four chainsaw enemies and you’re alone (is kind of difficult) and another has one gigantic chainsaw enemy, but people to turn into zombies for help.

The game gives you the option of 3 save profiles that way you can happily try all 3 heroes out without being angry like in Pokemon (They still haven’t changed that shit in like 20 years).

I loved this game, it was a really good buy especially for only $0.99 cents and of course like the rest it is a limited time deal soooo you guessed it, buy it soon before it hits $2.99!

If I had to give this game a rating I would say a solid 4.5/5. The only reason I have any -0.5 about it is because like most games it has a bit of repetitiveness to it. However you don’t really notice it all that much in my opinion, not at one buck anyways. It would be really fun to have some sort of online feature outside of Open Feint.

Next in the line up is Wolf Boy: The Forest of Demons! The name...

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:58:00 -0400

Stats

Transformation

Items

Next in the line up is Wolf Boy: The Forest of Demons! The name sounds simple enough. (thanks again to devs for photos)

You’re a boy werewolf full of teenage angst. You start off with a miniclip of Wolf boy and his girl Rucy having fun when all of the sudden a giant Gorilla Werewolf with wings and a name collar steals her..? (Wizard of Oz shit) So the battle begins! You’re tossed into a sidescrolling onslaught of dangerous enemies like Bee’s with spears and some very rotten tomatoes.

The menu is simple enough, new game, continue, etc. When you start out you will be thrown into the level (Stage 1 out of like 5000) and get to explore your interface for about 10 seconds then have to fend off some baddies. In the top left you have a health bar, coin counter, an item slot, and miniture empty slots that fill up every time you open one of the chests in the current stage. On the top right you have a full moon meter, it fills up slowly by killing monsters. Once it is full you can simply tap it to transform into an awesome killing machine, where your life bar turns into a timer and you can unload button mashing havok. In the bottom left you have a directional pad, and in the right you have a jump and attack button (When attacking you have the ability to do a dash by double tapping a direction, then hit the attack button and hold it for a drill like move).

After each completed level you are greeted with a stats page where you can use coins that you gathered and won as a bonus from the level completion to buy increased health / speed / attack power for Wolf Boy, or a quicker filling transformation gauge / longer transformation time / attack power for Wolf Form (it is recommended that you focus on the boy at first then in later levels add to the wolf).

You have to fight the flying monkey wolf thing as a miniboss every 5 levels or so, he isn’t too difficult, but he shoots lightning down and you kind of have to run around aimlessly to dodge it.

The enemies you will face get quite repetative as does the levels in general, essentially you are playing the same level over and over, just with a bigger clutterfuck of the same 3 monsters. Near the begining you start with just tomatoes, then a little bit bigger tomatoes, then bees with spears that you have to jump to attack, followed by some evil raddish looking monsters who shoot lightning from their mouths, also some bomb like tomatoes you can see in the above photos, and lastly some Tree people?..

Don’t forget the item slot! Occasionally you will stumble upon chests as stated above, some of which contain coins and you are going to want to tilt your ipod towards your character so the coins slide to you. While other chests are going to have health/moon potions, hammer or sword weapons for the slot, or fire/ice attack potions. None of these are really necessary for the game however because it doesn’t have much difficulty.

That is basically all there is to the game, I may have missed some small things, but not much sadly. I feel like I’m being short with the review and wish there was more to say.

The game visually was impressive, but the replayability / drive to continue after level 10 / repetitiveness were rather aweful. If I got to do my own rating system I’d say its about a 3.5 for the first 3-5 levels, and quickly turns into a 2.0 (it is almost scary how many stages there are with the game play the way it is). Right now it is only $0.99 which is a decent deal, it’s not really that much money imo however it will soon be $2.99 and I wouldn’t advise any spending on it until they do a major overhaul. (I would obviously update and let you know, but I don’t see it happening)

I’ll start my reviews off with Guerilla Bob. A new action...

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:06:00 -0400

In action.

Character Intro

I’ll start my reviews off with Guerilla Bob. A new action shooter released by Chillingo. (also thanks to them for the photos)

Guerilla Bob caught me by surprise. I figured I would be wasting my money on it, but it actually turned out to be a decent little game (however it is pretty short).

The game starts out with a tiny story of a man who is in the army getting betrayed by his old friend John Gore, and losing everything. With nothing to lose he sets on an adventure to get his revenge. It has a nice and clear menu screen with 3 different game options Arcade / Survival / Mercenary (this is the story mode), as well as 2 different difficulty modes.

The game consists of 7 in depth levels of shooting and exploding mayhem. A shop to buy 9 new weapons (along with your starting rifle) and weapon upgrades. You may carry up to 3 different guns at a time and can change them out within the shop menu (not available during levels). Guns have the ability to over heat after constantly firing them so you need to watch that, except for the starting gun. However you have to upgrade it to make it worth a shit later on, where it gains the ability to overheat. One of the must have weapons is the FlameThrower, with it you can attack enemies through baricades and in some cases you can’t simply walk around it so its a must. Also, don’t forget the minigun it packs some SERIOUS heat.

You start off in a training level, but it still feels like a regular level all the same after the first 30 seconds. It grants you the ability to turn on auto aiming, which is a blessing at times, but it is your choice. Every time a new enemy type is introduced the game pulls what I like to call a Borderlands, the background fuzzes out and it shows a comical style name tag and highlights the character (it really is a nice feature). The enemies can tend to get a little repetative, but overall it isnt a bother. On the top left you have an icon of your hero as well as a cash flow amount. You constantly pick up money and get a multiplier up to X4 based on the last time you got hit. You also get a bonus for completing levels and have the ability to repeat them for the bonus still if you want to get extra cash before starting up a new level. Within the game you will find powerups like a speed booster, damage modifier, and defense boost. As well as bonuses such as a money bag that gives $500 or a health kit that heals you a good bit.

Below that is a cigar with a label on it, the length of Unsmoked cigar is your remaining health, and the numbered label is your current life stock. On the bottom left you have the movement joystick and it works like a charm. On the bottom right you have the shooting joystick which both aims and fires. In the dead center of them you have your 3 gun selections which start to fill up red like a glass of water when they start over heating. And lastly on the right you have a pause button simple and out of the way but effective (In the options menu lies the ability to turn the auto aim on and off by the way).

At the end of each level lies a boss type character, who can be pretty tough depended on your current weapons / game difficulty. There are a few secrets that I’ll let you figure out about the game, don’t want to spoil anything.

All in all I thought it was a great buy and consider it an easy 4 stars perhaps higher, it has the same feel as a lot of other games by coolingo, but thats what I love about it. Right now it is only $0.99 which is a steal, normally it runs for $2.99! I would advise buying it or atleast try the free version which can never hurt. (Don’t forget to restart your ipod so we don’t have to see your ugly review about the game crashing! Although I’ve never experienced even a lag spike of some sort with this well polished game.)

That was my first review, and I admit it was a bit chunky. I’ll get better with time, let me know what you thought!