Monthly Archives: July 2010

‘Aerox’ Review – A Stylish Physics-Powered Ball Roller

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‘Aerox’ Review – A Stylish Physics-Powered Ball Roller is a post from: Best Iphone Apps Review Website

If you're one of the many people who always loved the Super Monkey Ball games on consoles, but never could really get in to the iPhone and iPad iterations because of control issues (I'm definitely one of those people), Aerox [$1.99] by Synoptical Studios is worth checking out. Aerox features extremely clean looking graphics, almost as if the game itself was designed as some part of a Aperture Science training program. This graphical style is paired with soothing music which creates an oddly relaxing experience– A phrase I never really thought I'd use to describe a ball rolling puzzle game.

Much like Super Monkey Ball, the object of Aerox is to roll your ball to the end of each level. In between the beginning and the pillar of light you must reach are all kinds of crazy obstacles ranging from simple ramps, moving platforms, and narrow platforms. It doesn't take long for the difficulty of the game to ramp up and throw other physics-based obstacles at you. For instance, you'll need to bump in to tall skinny blocks to get them to fall over to make a bridge to cross, other times there will be objects you need to move around to pass, or even move out of the way so a ramp can drop down to climb up.

The ball is controlled by tilting, and tilting your device back and forth controls rolling while tilting right or left controls the camera. For additional precision, you can touch and hold the screen and the camera will lock behind your ball at which point tilting right or left causes you to roll that direction. It's a pretty decent setup, although I have found myself rolling out of control by tilting too much and having the camera skew to an unexpected angle. A sensitivity slider in the options would likely solve this problem, which the developer has mentioned is coming in an update in the Aerox thread on our forums.

Aerox utilizes the graphical power of the iPhone 3GS, 3rd generation iPod touch, and iPhone 4 to do realtime reflections on the ball along with some fancy shadow generation not available on other devices. Currently the game runs at the typical 480×320 iOS game resolution, but in the not too distant future is getting updated with complete Retina Display support along with universal iPad compatibility.

With 30 levels to go through, online leader boards (although they haven't been working for me), and updates on the horizon to make the game take advantage of the increased resolution of iPad and iPhone 4, there's a lot to like about Aerox. The game isn't perfect, as I'd love to see some mid-level checkpoints added, but people on our forums are enjoying it, and it's easy to get behind any game with developers actively participating in the forums with plans to implement user suggestions in future updates.

App Store Link: Aerox, $1.99


Coming Soon: ‘Farts VS. Zombies’ – Almost Everything That is Wrong With the App Store Combined in One Game

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Coming Soon: ‘Farts VS. Zombies’ – Almost Everything That is Wrong With the App Store Combined in One Game is a post from: Best Iphone Apps Review Website

If I had to list three things the App Store needs less of, fart apps, games with zombies, and line drawing as a control method would all be at or near the top. iPhone developer Mutant Games would apparently disagree with that statement, judging by their upcoming game which merges these three App Store cliches in to one unholy abomination of a game which oddly enough looks like it might actually be fun especially considering the sky high novelty value of the game.

In Farts VS. Zombies, you play as a Chuck Norris lookalike with your pants dropped in front of an endless conveyor belt of food with your butt pointed at an incoming swarm of zombies. The foods you eat determine what kind of fart you will generate, and these fart clouds can then be routed around the room by drawing lines for them to follow. The goal of the game is to protect japanese school girls, who you will need to make sure your fart clouds stay away from while you gas said zombies. Your ultimate attack of sorts seems to be some kind of projectile vomit, which can clear entire swaths of zombies and is aimed by tilting your device.

Farts VS. Zombies has both a survival mode and a story mode… And I can't wait to see how the plot unfolds as per the trailer the ultimate battle at the end of the game is against an evil unicorn who may or may not be responsible for sending hordes of zombies your way.

Farts VS. Zombies is still in development, and hopefully by the time it's released Mutant Games will have time to implement some form of doodle graphics as well. For more information, check out the thread in our forums.


The Portable Podcast, Episode 43

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The Portable Podcast, Episode 43 is a post from: Best Iphone Apps Review Website

Note to new listeners: welcome to the first episode of The Portable Podcast on 148Apps!

For 43 episodes, this podcast has been providing interviews with developers of iPhone games, and discussions with members of the gaming media about big issues in the iPhone world. Hosted by Carter Dotson, the show aims for relatively short form 30-40 minute episodes, trying to keep a light tone while providing intelligent discussion of the mobile gaming world’s biggest issues. I hope you enjoy the podcast as it comes out every Tuesday, and hope you check out back episodes over on The Portable Gamer.

Oh Comic-Con, I miss you. Well, everything but my eyes do. Those things were scared after they learned there were geeks willing to harm them for getting uppity about a seat.

SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES OR REGRET IT:

LISTEN ON SOMEONE ELSE’S TERMS FRIDAYS AT 4PM CENTRAL OVER AT WRGT GAME TALK RADIO

Who Are We:

  • Host: Carter Dotson
  • Guest: Jaden Walker (The Eternal)


    • On This Episode:

  • Carter and Jaden talk about why the iOS has generally had a lack of pre-release hype for games.
  • Carter talks to Jeff Nuzzi of Disney Interactive about the Tron app and how it will evolve.
  • Carter and Jaden talk about how the iPhone user experience differs between what the media has reported and what users are reporting.

    • Contact:

  • Email: carter.dotson@148apps.com
  • Twitter: @portablepodcast

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    [ The Portable Podcast, Episode 43 is a post from 148Apps ]


    Hotly Anticipated OmniFocus for iPad Released!

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    Hotly Anticipated OmniFocus for iPad Released! is a post from: Best Iphone Apps Review Website

    Ok, so maybe hotly anticipated is a little overstated for most people. But very understated for task management nerds like myself. OmniFocus for the iPad has finally made it’s way into the App Store and I couldn’t be happier! This amazingly detailed task management application has been my most anticipated iPad application since the announcement of the iPad.

    OmniFocus is a powerhouse of a task manager. Providing great organization tools if you have lots of things going all the time like I seem to. The ability to quickly capture thoughts, ideas, and tasks and then organize them, track them, and now review them while on the go is invaluable.

    This release of OmniFocus is a hybrid of sorts. Bringing more of the features of the desktop to the app than what we have with the iPhone version, while still focusing on what you need to help you get things done while mobile. The iPad version is focused on helping you capture information with it’s quick entry system, define that information once you have it, and then, of course, get it done.

    Two big additions to the iPad version are the Forecast and Review features. Forecast lets you see, with a quick touch, exactly what you need to be doing and where you need to be today. You can also take a look ahead and see what’s coming later in the week. The Review feature is great for being able to do a quick check-in on all of your projects, figure out where they are going, and then update their status. Think of it as a quick-fire rapid card deck of your projects with you tapping yes or no on each one as they flip into view.

    One of the things that sets OmniFocus apart from it’s competitors is the rock-solid syncing. Now with the addition of the iPad version you have three-way sync from your desktop, to your mobile phone, and to your iPad. You can keep all three in sync all the time, even when traveling.

    OmniFocus for the iPad is available now, in the App Store, for $39.99. Some will consider this expensive, I consider it a huge value for all of the time it saves me.

    To take a look at a quick into movie for OmniFocus for the iPad, take a look on the OmniGroup server or hit the jump for more screenshots from the app.

    $39.99

    OmniFocus for iPad

    iPad Only App – Designed for the iPad
    Released: 2010-07-30 :: Category: Productivity

    [ Hotly Anticipated OmniFocus for iPad Released! is a post from 148Apps ]


    App Store Growth Drives 15 Percent Rise In Gameloft Revenues

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    App Store Growth Drives 15 Percent Rise In Gameloft Revenues is a post from: Best Iphone Apps Review Website

    Paris, France-based mobile game publisher Gameloft on Thursday reported a rise in fiscal Q2 revenue, thanks to rapid smartphone adoption, increased market share in traditional Java and Brew phones and a 113 percent jump in sales on Apple’s App Store.

    The company reported sales of 33.6 million euros ($44.1 million) for the quarter ended June 30, a 15 percent year-on-year climb. Half-year sales are up 11 percent to 66.6 million euros ($87.1 million). The French company did not report its profit figures.

    Gameloft has aggressively pursued game development for Apple mobile devices, including the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad, helping spark growth. The company expects new mobile offerings from Apple, Samsung, Nokia and Google to also drive growth for the company.

    Gameloft, which both develops and publishes mobile titles, lists on its official website that Assassin’s Creed — Altair’s Chronicles is currently its top-selling App Store title. Gameloft benefits from a close relationship with fellow French publisher Ubisoft, allowing for mobile versions of Ubisoft properties like Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia.

    The company said that it expects “continued growth in 2010 in terms of revenue and profitability,” thanks to a strong foothold in the mobile digital distribution category and the increasing smartphone userbase.


    Turn-Based Strategy Game ‘Highborn’ Free for a Day, iPad Version Now Available

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    Turn-Based Strategy Game ‘Highborn’ Free for a Day, iPad Version Now Available is a post from: Best Iphone Apps Review Website

    One of our favorite turn-based strategy games, Highborn, has just received a new update and has gone free for today only. Released in early June of this year, Highborn has a wonderful art style, clever writing, single player campaign, and an asynchronous multiplayer mode. Using the typical top-down grid view of most strategic games like this, once you engage in battle with an enemy the game switches to a 3D animation of the ensuing fight between your troops and the enemy. It's a really neat effect, and the overall presentation of Highborn really impresses. As you can see from this excerpt, we really loved the game in our full review:

    Highborn comfortably sits as one of the best turn-based strategy games we have played on the iPhone. Beyond its dialogue and characters, which raise the bar entirely for humour, creativity and personality (and ability to plough right through that fourth wall); Highborn looks and plays fantastically, with a depth and attention to detail in its presentation that constantly surprises (just take a look at the character descriptions to see what I mean). If you look past the Facebook integration (which we understand some of you won't, though we strongly urge you to), Highborn also has a lasting and engrossing multiplayer mode that is excellently paced and perfect for portable devices. With additional campaigns promised beyond the 8 lengthy missions currently available (they'll take you hours to complete), Highborn is a robust and content-heavy turn-based strategy game that will surely leave you impressed.

    What you can also see from that snippet is that while we loved the way the multiplayer mode worked, we absolutely hated that it forced you to use Facebook to take part in it. I'm sure many other players felt the same, and likely shied away from the multiplayer aspect because of this. Developer Jet Set Games recognized this, and in an update released a couple days ago Facebook was taken out in favor of the OpenFeint social network. While not everyone is a fan of OpenFeint either, it at least affords a way to enjoy the multiplayer in the game without having to add strangers to your own personal Facebook friend list, and doesn't even require an email or any personal info to sign up for. There's even the inclusion of player chat thanks to OpenFeint, not to mention the 30 million strong user base.

    Besides Highborn for iPhone being free today, there's also an iPad version that has just been released. The iPad version adds the usual benefits of sharper graphics and a larger play area due to the bigger screen, but essentially the two versions are identical. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though, as the iPhone version is of such high quality and the introductory price for the iPad version is only $2.99. And while Highborn has a fairly decent single player campaign already, what I'm really waiting for is the addition of the second chapter that is hinted at in the game. Still, for one of the best strategy games available on the App Store there's no reason not to at least grab the iPhone version of Highborn while it's free for today only.

    App Store Links: Highborn, Free – Highborn HD, $2.99 (iPad Only)


    BoxBattle Lite Requires Much Patience and Skill

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    BoxBattle Lite Requires Much Patience and Skill is a post from: Best Iphone Apps Review Website


    BoxBattle Lite Requires Much Patience and Skill

    Price: Free   Score: 6/10   By A. PapachristosBoxBattle

    For over 40 years, the Quarks and Tulans have been at war and you have just been recruited as a gunner whose mission, should you choose to accept it, is to use the Quark’s cannons to destroy the Tulan barricades and save the devastated planet.

    The premise of BoxBattle Lite by MaxNick puts users in the middle of this fictitious war, requiring them to utilize the Quarks’ artillery to destroy as many green boxes as possible, while avoiding red boxes and conserving ammunition at the same time.  Users must develop their own strategies for demolishing the barricades, completing the specific level’s goal, all while using the least amount of ammunition possible, for running out will cause you to have to repeat the process because cannonballs are limited and will cost you points in the long run.

    Upon startup, users are asked if they would like to enable OpenFeint, an Internet leaderboard that allows you to compare your scores to the scores of other players from all over the world.  You will also be able to track your own personal statistics within BoxBattle Lite in order to review your progress at any time.  After this, users will then have free reign of this application’s Lite version, which provides 12 free levels to give users a taste of what BoxBattle has to offer.  (Those who love what they say can simply upgrade to the paid version within the application, providing over 120 new levels of game play.)

    In general, BoxBattle Lite offers a great sampling of what the full, paid version promises.  As you proceed, you can unlock achievements, receive medals and weapons upgrades, accumulating points along the way that not only help you advance levels, but also help you on your journey toward the ultimate rank – First Cannoneer of the Quark Empire.

    Though the concept is simple, BoxBattle Lite provides not only a comprehensive ‘Help’ section, but users will also find a guide right within the ‘Help’ portion that provides a visual aid as to how users should maneuver their weapons, what each icon means and the different types of ammunition available.

    However, when it comes to playing games on a small device, such as the iPhone or iPod Touch, the tiny screen does not lend itself well to precision and patience.  With BoxBattle Lite, users must develop a careful technique, combining aim and force on a playing field that is extremely sensitive to the touch.  To move the cannon up and down on its track, users should use two fingers to drag the weapon.  Then, to shoot, users use one finger to aim at the boxes, pulling back further and further to increase the force of the cannonball.  But, as one pulls back, the cannon’s touch sensitivity causes the aim to shift, leaving your cannonball falling in the wrong direction, completely missing your target.  This leads to wasted ammunition, making even Level One a tricky task for the impatient or unskilled.

    With such a small screen, even users with the smallest fingers will find this sensitivity and need for precision a challenge all on its own.  And, assuming that Level One is supposed to represent the easiest level difficulty of them all, perhaps users should be greeted with a slightly less daunting test in order to draw them in quicker, because anyone who becomes discouraged after the first level will surely never make it through the 12 free levels, longing for the paid version and more game play.

    For a YouTube video demonstration of what BoxBattle has to offer, click here.

    BoxBattle

    BoxBattle requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch. A small fee was paid by the developer to speed up the publication of this review.

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