iPhone gaming News, Reviews and more
Recently escaped from Hardland nursing home, Jerry is John’s uncle and will be featured in the upcoming Minigore Christmas update. Nothing says Christmas like blasting a few nasties to hell with your senile Uncle. We will keep you posted on new details as they arrive.
Review: Skull Pogo by Blinkbat Games
- Robert Mullen
Rating:
(5/5)
Skullpogo by Blinkbat games is a simple yet addicting action arcade game featuring a pogo bouncing skeleton and vampire pigs. In Skullpogo there is no health bar, and there are no lost lives. Instead, Skullpogo has you hopping from skull to skull building your combo and crushing baddies. Skullpogo is pure action without any of the frills, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The mechanics in Skullpogo are simple, and work very well. The standard control method uses accelerometer control. Buttons on each side of the touch screen control the height of your jump, while tilting your device left and right controls your movement. There is also a touch and drag control mechanic, as well as a 2-button mechanic, but the accelerometer controls work so well I never felt the need to use the other two. As you begin the game, small baddies begin to invade the screen. You will see vampire pigs, bats, zombies, cats, and more as you bounce through each level. Skullpogo is all about the high score, and to achieve the best possible score you must string kills together in massive combos. As enemies run, fly, and float through the screen is is possible to bounce from one to another dozens of times over without ever touching the ground. Its sort of like a spooky and violent version of “the ground is lava” game you played as a kid at recess.
While the pogo turns out to be an incredibly lethal weapon in Skullpogo, you will have plenty of power-ups at your disposal. Power-ups like the nuclear bomb that destroys all baddies in its wake are very entertaining. Power-ups appear at random and you have just a brief amount of time to jump on it before it disappears. There is a nice variety of power-ups and some require skill and practice to utilize correctly. When working to earn your place in the Open Feint online leaderboards, skillful use of available power-ups is important.
There are 2 modes in Skullpogo, Classic, and Halloween. The only real difference between the 2 is the enemy variety. Some enemies unique to the Halloween mode, such as the ghosts, have unique flight patterns that should actually affect your strategy for the best high score. Each mode is separated into 5 levels. Each level provides a certain amount of time to rack up as many points as possible by killing baddies and building up combos. As you progress through the levels, the enemies become more diverse and more frequent, allowing for massive combos. At the end of the 5th level you take one final jump onto a great pumpkin and are launched high into the air.
While 5 levels may seem sparse initially, Skullpogo really isn’t about beating levels at all. Instead, your goal is simply to get the best possible score in the time available to you. That means taking advantage of each and every baddie, racking up huge combos, and using power-ups properly. A full playthrough will take only just a little over 5 minutes or so, which I think is really well suited to the platform. Skullpogo provides great pick up and play action for when your on a lunch break, a coffee break, or on the couch watching TV. You will also find that while a full playthrough may only take a little over 5 minutes, it will not be uncommon to find yourself playing Skullpogo for 30 minutes, or even an hour. At the end of each playthrough, you are shown your high score and your largest combo. It is very difficult to out the game down when you want just one more playthrough to beat your longest combo or your best score.
The graphics in Skullpogo are very well done. The 2D sprites have a nice classic look, and the animations run very smooth. There are also neat visual affects when using various power-ups. The music in Skullpogo is top notch and never got old. Skullpogo’s music has a very retro feel, and fits the game very well. You will also find a whole list of Open Feint integrated achievements in Skullpogo which adds even more replayability. Each achievement has a clever little description and are lots of fun to read. Its the little details you find everywhere in Skullpogo that make evident the love and care that was put into the development of this title.
Skullpogo should absolutely not be mistaken as just another Halloween game. Skullpogo is a great game that just happens to have a Halloween theme. With its addicting gameplay, attractive art style, and pick-up-and play design, Skullpogo will be on my playlist through Christmas, and beyond!
Rating: (5/5)
Best iPhone appsat AppStoreHQ
Review: Hattrick – Robert Mullen
Rating:
(4.5/5)
Hattrick from developers Cinemax is a turn based soccer game designed after the classic spring loaded soccer games some of us may remember from our childhood. Cinemax has released another gem in Hattrick with great sound effects, excellent graphics, realistic physics, and a superb single device multiplayer mode. Whether you remember playing with an old spring loaded soccer game as a child or not, Hattrick is certainly worth checking out.
If you are not familiar with the old table top soccer games, the board was covered with small plastic players each stuck in place with a spring. Around each player has a round impression around them which can catch the ball or at least affect its path. The soccer ball settles in one of the impressions next to a player, you simply pull the player back, and then release him. The spring shoots the player forward pushing the ball in whatever direction the player was aimed. How far you pull the player back will determine the force behind the ball. While this may sound quite simple, navigating through the impressions in the board to pass the ball by an opposing team member for a goal, or a long pass can require some skill. And like the actual game that Hattrick was made after, spring loaded shots are not always as predictable as you might like them to be. This unpredictability just adds to the fun, and makes each shot for the goal exciting.
The visuals in Hattrick are incredibly well done, and Cinemax should really be commended for really capturing the look and feel of a real game board. The art style is clean and crisp, and the animations run silky smooth. The level of detail in the art style is very impressive. The felt on the board looks just right, the players are modeled perfectly and look just like actual plastic figures. The lines on the field appear slightly worn, and the metal ball bearing soccer ball even looks real. We have seen a few other games on the app store modeled after various sports board games, and visually, Hattrick puts them all to shame.
The sound effects in Hattrick are also very well done, and this is great to see as this is one area where I think too many iPhone games struggle. The sound of the ball being dropped onto the board for a kickoff, the sound of the ball rolling across the board, even the sound of the springs when shooting the ball, it all sounds just right. Unfortunately there is no music to speak of in Hattrick, and you are not able to access your iTunes library either. I would have liked to see some music options in the game, and hope that this is something Cinemax considers for a future update.
What really ties everything together in Hattrick is the physics. I am happy to report that the physics in Hattrick work wonderfully. This game is all about maintaining proper control over the weighted soccer ball, so physics are obviously important. I was very happy to discover that the ball reacts exactly as you would expect when being kicked, sprung, and bounced around the board. Because the physics in the game work well, and are predictable, you are able to legitimately improve your skills over time. When you begin playing through rounds with friends, I assure you that will become important.
Hattrick provides two main modes of play. First there is a VS computer mode which allows you to adjust the AI difficulty and the required number of goals for the win. I found the AI to provide plenty of challenge and appreciated the adjustable difficulty as I became better at the game. The second mode is a single device multiplayer mode where you can play against a friend sharing the same device. The mix between live action and turn based gameplay makes Hattrick a perfect fit for single device multiplayer. Your turn lasts as long as you maintain control of the ball or score a goal. Lose the ball to an opposing player, and you lose your turn. Hattrick is really the perfect game to pick up and play with a buddy at lunch or at the bar, and I can even see small tournaments being a blast to play. Unfortunately there is no online multiplayer. I think that Hattrick would be a brilliant fit for online multiplayer and I would have liked to have seen it. I am not as interested in wifi or bluetooth multiplayer as I think playing on just one device is actually very fitting.
Hattrick is an extremely polished title and I had a blast playing both single and multiplayer modes. While it doesn’t have multiple teams, or a season mode, it really doesn’t need those things. That is not at all what this game is about. The gameplay is tons of fun, and can easily provide hours of entertainment.
Rating: (4.5/5)
UPDATE: Congratulations to Klangprod, Albert, and Pluto!! Enjoy!
iPlutoid is an excellent retro-modern shooter where you must save a planet from alien invasion. The visuals in this game are pure classic and the game runs great. In the game you control a small flying craft equipped with a simple rapid fire turret. Retro gaming fans, and shooter fans alike will eat this title right up. Recently the developers of iPlutoid, Lazrhog, provided us with some details on the upcoming update:
New Update Features:
1. A list of achievements to attain within the game
2. A system of power ups. Save a humanoid from being abducted by shooting the lunar alien carrying them gets a power up to appear over a dwelling. Fly through the power up to get either Extra Life, Smart bomb, Cloak, or Smart Shield
3. Also trying to implement a touch flying system, for those that don’t like to use the accelerometer.
Simply comment below for your chance to win one of 3 promo codes for iPlutoid. Winners will be chosen tonight! Good Luck!
Zombie Smash from Game Doctors is a very stylish Castle Defense Game where you must help protect your home from an onslaught of hungry zombies. The developers have made their title stand out with a sharp art style, and a unique physics engine that makes each zombie a rag-doll reacting to your defensive firepower in real time, with no pre-set death animations. It also looks like Game Doctors will be providing us with plenty of firepower to help hold down the fort. The weapon list looks to be quite extensive and will include a sniper rifle with laser sights, a wrecking ball, a rocket launcher, and much more.
Right now it appears this game is due for a release sometime in December. We will certainly keep you posted as more details emerge. Until then, here is a trailer showing off some of the games mechanics.
Review: Flickitty by Edward Abarilla
Rating:
(4/5)
The app store has seen some creative and innovative titles in the past year thanks to the devices unique features such as multi-touch, accelerometer controls. Sure, we have a handful of creative titles that make good use of the iPhones unique feature set, but seldom do we get the charm, character, and the overall quality that I found in the new dev3 title; Flickitty. While it may not be groundbreaking, Flickitty is sure to capture hearts.
Those who have played the lite version (which was released more than a month prior to the full version) will be familiar with the objectives of the game and how you control Flick (the main feline character) Simply tap anywhere on the screen and “flick” in the direction you want Flick to go and he will fly in that direction. Yes, this cat can fly, but if you do not “flick”…err Flick, he will descend fast. If this happens, you can slow Flick down by tapping and holding anywhere on the screen. Touch and drag controls are used to move various items to a desired location, by simply placing Flick directly above an object and draging them together. The controls are very effective and just about anyone should b e able to pick up and play this game almost immediately.
Flick wants to be an employee of the month, so when he is given jobs by various employees he is eager to complete them. Some tasks, like lighting lanterns by passing through them, are quite simple. Other tasks, like bringing mines to the foreman without causing an explosion, can be more challenging. Some tasks have different types of funny hazards throughout the map, and you will lose a progress should you run into one of them. For example, one task has you placing grave markers near former employees. Get zapped by an electric hazard on the way and besides inflicting unnecessary harm on poor flick, you will also lose one placed marker.
Thankfully unlike most cats with just 9 lives, Flick has a seemingly endless supply. You will not find a game over screen in Flickitty. Instead your goal is to complete each task in the least amount of time, and if you are real good, earn a perfect run with no penalties. Currently the only reward given for completing tasks are hats and masks that you can make Flick wear. I would certainly like to see additional rewards added, such as achievements. The developers say that they are working on an update that will challenge you to complete perfect runs to unlock a in-game map editor, and that the update should also include more tasks to complete and additional accessories to earn. To be clear, at this time that is not an available feature. Since it is not uncommon for promised updates to end up forgotten (unfortunately) we will have to wait and see if that does happen. We will be sure to publish an update if this feature does become available.
Already, the game boasts plenty of replayability. Flickitty has 5 maps that are accessible anytime, and it’s up to you to pick the the tasks you want to complete first. You’re really in control here, not being pressured to complete a particular task before you can unlock the others.
Each map is composed of different themes, and some maps like the underwater and space themes even effect how you control Flick. In an underwater location, Flick will float upwards so controlling him will be more difficult. In space, Flick will feel lighter and faster than normal, making you more prone to mistakes. You will find a unique music track included with each map, and some of the tracks are actually quite memorable. The music is especially inspired and diverse, and adds to the overall charm of the game . While the music is excellent the sound effects are actually fairly average.
The art style in Flickitty definitely adds allot to its overall charm. The 2D animations are some of the best I’ve seen on the iPhone, and the art style is simply beautiful! You will giggle when you see Flicks animations as he gets caught on certain hazards. It is rare that I actually smile when something hurts my main character, but this game makes me smile everytime. I think that is testament to the excellent work Dev3 has done with the artwork and animations in Flickitty. The game does lag for a couple of seconds here and there. Not enough to be a game breaker but considering the level of polish on the rest of the game, and its simple gamplay, it is somewhat of a dissapointment.
Overall, the execution in Flickitty is impressive. Featuring intuitive controls, great level and character design, catchy music and plenty of style – it’s all there. Although the game doesn’t have much depth, its simple charm won me over and is easy to recommend.
Rating: (4/5)
This month we had quite a few great games released, so picking a game of the month was no easy task. This month we got 33rd Division, Beneath a Steel Sky Remastered, Skullpogo, and Soosiz. And that’s just the short list.
Although we had a great month full of excellent releases, we feel Hook Champ rose to the occasion. Rocketcat Games new release has a bold and attractive retro-modern art style, an RPG-like upgrade system, plenty of hats to spend our hard earned gold on, and some super cook retro music to boot!
With the recent release of the lite version of Hook Champ, there is no excuse for not trying this excellent action adventure game.
Congratulations to the Rocketcat Games Team! This award is well earned. Now do us all a favour and get back to work on some more hats!
Jake gets the gold!
Review: Hook Champ by Robert Mullen
Rating: (5/5)
Recently we have seen quite a few grappling games, such as Swingaling, Mr. Aahh, and more. With excellent old school pixel graphics, killer retro music, and perfectly tuned controls, Hook Champ came into the ring swinging (ahem..) and earned its title as the new world champion grappling platformer.
Hook Champ has you filling in the shoes of a grapple hook carrying adventurer, Jake T. Hooker, and his somewhat loyal assistant Gunny Reed. Jake sets out to explore ancient ruins, looking great treasure, and adventure. After snatching one of the idols he discovers, Jake finds the ancient ruins to be cursed, and is chased by a large ugly demon that is out to turn him into a heap of bones. Jake must use his grappling hook to grab the idol in each ruin, and then escape with his life. Try to simply run through the ruins, or trip up too many times, and the demon will have Jake for a little afternoon snack.
The controls in Hook Champ are very well done and allow for pixel perfect precision while grappling towards the exit to your safety. Simply touch the lower left or right hand side of the screen to make Jake walk, and touch a ledge or ceiling above Jake to automatically shoot his grappling hook in the direction you touch. Take your finger off the screen to release the hook while Jake is swinging through the air, and then touch the next closest ledge to continue swinging forward. With a little practice, and proper timing, it is very possible to traverse through an entire level without touching the ground once. The controls in Hook Champ are perfectly tuned so that you never feel as if you are fighting with the controls and can learn to move effectively with just a few minutes practice in the first level. Of greatest importance, the swinging mechanic in Hook Champ is very satisfying when executed properly, and is an absolute blast to use.
The art in Hook Champ consists of very detailed pixel graphics. The framerate runs very smooth and there are no load times. The art style looks makes Hook Champ appear to have come right out of the Super NES and Sega Genesis era, and I say this as a very good thing. As you play through the game you discover various art goodies everywhere you look. WHen you complete a level you may get a cool little pixel graphic showing Jake being chased by the demon, the retry button, the map button, everything has its own icon. The degree of polish in Hook Champ is very impressive. It is certainly apparent that a good deal of time and love went into the art design for Hook Champ. The music in Hook Champ fits in perfectly with the overall retro vibe, as it is also dripping in nostalgia.
The replayability in Hook Champ is very impressive. Plan on losing a good chunk of your free time after picking this title up. To start you have 5 ruins, each with 4 levels to complete. The local leaderboard featuring high scores from the developers rewards the player by shelling out extra cash for beating the developers #1 high score. Unlike most games, I actually had to play through many levels multiple times before beating the top local high score. There is incentive to earn as much cash as oyu can for the shop. The shop features various RPG esque upgrades for Jake, like a better grappling hook, longer rope, or a loot vacuum that serves as a magnet for coins as you swing past them in the ruins. And that’s just naming a few. Each upgrade has 3 levels, and the upgrade becomes more powerful after each upgrade. In addition to the various upgrades available, Jake is also able to shop for different hats. Choose a traditional Indiana Jones esque adventurers hat, or perhaps a football helmet. I also appreciated the visual feedback each upgrade provided. In addition to seeing Jake’s avatar wear whatever new hat you chose for him, the equipment will also change reflecting your upgrade. It is little details like this that together make Hook Champ an extremely well polished title.
Honey, did you spend half of my gold on that new top hat?
While you should not expect any epic story line, or 15 minute cut scenes in Hook Champ, you will find plenty of humor. Before the start of each level, Jake and Gunny have little side conversations that are full of humor and lots of fun. This is definitely a game that does not take itself too seriously. I had more than one laugh out loud moments reading the dialogue between Jake and Gunny. In addition to the dialogue, you will find other bits of humor injected into the game here and there that will inevitably put a smile on your face.
Those of us who remember the good old days of Nintendo, Super NES, and Sega, will have a blast with this game. Fans of good 2D platforming action, casual gamer, and hardcore gamers will also find plenty to enjoy. Hook Champ has something f0r everyone and I highly recommend it. Even after completing Hook Champ, I expect I will be playing this game for quite a while, as it has earned a spot in my personal permanent collection.
Rating: (5/5)
Best iPhone apps at AppStoreHQ
Best iPhone apps at AppStoreHQ
I recently was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to interview Kepa from Rocketcat Games, the developers that recently gave us Hook Champ. We talk all about Hook Champ, hats, and the Yakuza! Check it out here!
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