Ninjatown: Trees of Doom!

Venan Arcade and Shawnimals have combined forces to bring us an excellent new pick up and play title in the Ninjatown universe. Trees of Doom is a different take on the “jump as high as you can” genre made popular by titles like Doodle Jump. Instead of simply steering a constantly jumping charachter, you guide your ninja jumping back and forth between 2 trees. I was pleased to find that the mechanics work well and do the excellent art style justice. As a mobile pick-up-and-play title, Trees of Doom delivers addicting gameplay, and plenty of charm. The title comes packed with the Plus+ network, and also includes Facebook and Twitter integration. At $1.99 Ninjatown: Trees of Doom! is easy to recommend.

100 Rogues

The long awaited 100 Rogues is now available in the app store for $4.99 but not without some controversy. It seems a few small changes slipped into the final build just days before submission caused some fairly nasty bugs to come crawling out of the woodwork. The developers thankfully have been incredibly quick to resolve the issue, and have already sent a patch to Apple which is expected to become available for download as early as this Friday.

Now for the good news; For those of you who have been eagerly awaiting the release of this modern Rogue-like made from the ground up for the iPhone, I can safely say your waiting was well worth it. The gameplay mechanics are really fantastic and the game almost seems to be developed as a love letter to genre fans. Fans of titles like Shiren the Wanderer, Izuna, or the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Series will not be disappointed. 100 Rogues features a fantastic retro-modern art style, tons of great animation, and all of the bells and whistles fans have come to expect form the genre such as randomly generated dungeons, tons of loot, turn-based gameplay, and insanely challenging levels. Beginners beware; You will die..you will die many times over, and when you dieits game over, all progress is lost, and you are sent packing back to the beginning of the game.

There are a few tweaks to the classic formula that do end up adding extra depth to the game, and ultimately more fun. In addition to the classic scrolls used for offensive and defensive combat, 100 Rogues also offers a sort of mini skill tree. There are currently 2 playable classes included in the game, and each has thier own unique play style and skill tree. The skills learned can vary like scrolls from offensive to defensive skills, and these skills become a very important part of surviving as you descend to the depths of the dungeon.

The developers have been very active in the iPhone gaming community and have already discussed plans for additional content including additional classes, additional dungeon levels and more. Even with the occasional crash ( and yes I have experienced them multiple times) I am still having a blast with this game and have no problem recommending it to genre fans. The developers have been incredibly open an honest about the issues surrounding the launch and have been very quick to get to work and find a solution.

March ended up being a big month for iPhone gaming. Just when we thought the pace at which good iPhone games appeared was starting to slow down, we got hit by a huge influx of top notch new titles. While choosing our favorite title for the month of March was not easy, in the end the choice was clear. Sketch Nation Shooter takes full advantage of the iPhones features, providing an experience that would be nearly impossible on any other mobile gaming platform on the market. Engineous Games Inc. has developed a game bursting at the seams with creativity.

Don’t buy Sketch Nation Shooter expecting an epic shooter right out of the box. Engineous Games had a better idea: You are going to make your own.

Sketch Nation Shooter is truly unique, but not because you create your own levels. By this point there are plenty of games with level creation and level sharing tools. What seperates this creation tool from the rest is the organic method in which you create. Grab a sketchbook, a pen and a pencil and draw your ship, the enemies, the obstacles, and even the bosses. Take a snapshot of each creation with the iPhones camera, tweak a few setting and suddenly your hand drawn art takes on a life of it’s own.

For those who are particularly picky about resolution, or for players that just want to give their level that extra graphical “pop”, Sketch Nation allows players to import images directly from their device photo album. This obviously allows for an even larger range of game props. Since there are no crop or cut out options. and the scanner technology is designed to identify and convert well defined drawings from a white background; do not expect for every single picture or image in your photo album to scan properly, or even at all. Before you complain, keep in mind what the technology is actually doing here. The device is not just scanning your image as an exact copy like your computer scanner at home. The engine then converts your image into a a game resource with its own proper hit detection. Now your in game asset can run into walls, crash into obstacles and explode into a fiery mess when shot down by opposing forces.

Engineous Games has gone above and beyond, providing so much more then a tech demo or proof of concept. The level creation tool is incredibly detailed, allowing for an impressive amount of fine tuning when building your creation. Just as impressive however is the accessibility of the tools, with options to suite just about anyone. The barrier to entry is the a common problem with most level editors and creation modes. The most common complaint I hear when discussing level editors is that is is just to time consuming and difficult for the average user to make something worth playing. Sketch Nation addresses this problem by providing both basic and advanced level creation kits. So if you just want to make a few quick drawings and see them almost instantly dropped into a basic shooter framework, you can have your own level in a few minutes flat. An advanced mode allows for more drawings as well as plenty of tweaks and adjustments for each individual set piece. So the user who wants to take the time and make something truly unique has everything they need to do so.

The amount of tweaks and variables available when creating a level is very impressive. You can choose from multiple bullet types when creating enemies and bosses, choose from multiple game music types and even program a separate music type for your boss battle. You can even include make your own story frame to appear before the level. Write a story in a few sentences, or draw out a story line comic book style. Choose how enemies move, how they react, and even choose how many shots they can withstand before dying. The incredible number of options means you can expect to see much more then just basic shooters appear in the level sharing server.

That brings me to the level sharing. The game actually uses Facebook for its social network allowing a for a relatively robust level sharing community. After logging into your Facebook account in game on your device, you are then able to download other users levels which are all ranked via a 5-star rating system. In addition you can browse the most recent uploads, or just browse your Facebook friends levels. You can even download updates for the levels you have loaded on your device as new versions of the levels are released by the levels creators. Each and every level you download and play has its own online leaderboards so that you can compare your scores with your Facebook friends, and the world at large. Sketch Nation is just full of little details like that, adding a level of polish rarely seen in iPhone games.

By combining solid and accessible level creation tools with the organic and natural fun of drawing Engineous Games has developed a whole new way to interact with our drawings, our devices, and our games. The integration feels seamless, and unlike many cutting edge iPhone apps featuring new mobile gaming technology; Sketch Nation Shooter feels like a complete package instead of just a tech demo. This title is the new killer app on the iPhone, and is sure to have a long and healthy life.

Zach Gage is the creator of the critically acclaimed title Unify, and he has recently released another unique title for the iPhone. Bit Pilot is a fast paced bullet dodging game with top notch music and retro stylized graphics. While Bit Pilot is lacking the depth that Unify presented, it is no less addicting and takes full advantage of the platforms casual pick up and play tendencies. The title has you guiding a small ship through asteroid infested space using the touch screen to control your direction. The touch screen controls quickly feel natural and are tuned perfectly for the intense onslaught of space debris.

The music provided by Saberpulse fits the retro theme brilliantly and is simply great music all on its own. Zach Gage integrated excellent tunes into his previous iPhone release, Unify, and he certainly did not disappoint here. As you play the game points earned gradually unlock new music tracks and a few other surprises. The package is wrapped up with achievements, and OpenFeint rankings.

At just $0.99 Bit Pilot is a premium title with quick pick up and play action perfect for its platform, and should absolutely not be missed.

Hell Kid is a fast paced reaction game that has you jumping and swinging your way through hell, collecting human souls along the way. Think of Canabalt mixed with the swinging mechanic in Hook Champ and you will start to get an idea of what to expect from Hell Kid. Click here to continue…

Radiant from Hexage Games is a retro-modern arcade game that is a sort of hybrid mix between Space Invaders and Galaga. I was able to spend some time with Radiant this week and was almost instantly addicted. Click here to continue reading….

We followed the progress of Plushed for some time at The Current Gamer, and are happy to announce it is finally available in the app store. With beautiful 2D hand drawn graphics, smooth and funny animations, and a familiar yet clever premise it is easy to see why so many have eagerly anticipated Blacksmith Games debut title on the app store. Plushed is a classic style 2D platformer that has you following a plush bunny as he endeavors to rescue his little girl turned princess. Click here to read more…

Review: Finger Sling – M.J.

Publisher: Pocket Monkey Games
Developer: SuricataSuricata.com

Rating:****~ (4/5)

Current price: 0.99

iTunes Link

   There never seems to be a shortage of simple games appearing on the AppStore. Combining some sort of a board-game/castle-defense theme, the objective is simple. Controlling a ball on a sling with your finger, you are to protect your motherball from being pushed out of a circular boundary by enemies. If the motherball gets completely out of bounds, the game ends.

   After every ten levels you have a boss level where you must constantly smack at it while flicking away its ammunition. This is quite fun, but it should occur more frequently. Also, there are no lives that you earn or any continue option to speak of. This can be very frustrating as even making it to the first boss battle a challenge.

   After you successfully complete a level you use the points you got from smacking away enemies to upgrade things such as the speed and size of your ball, increased motherball boundary size and decreased motherball size. The harder you smack away enemy balls the more points you get.

  I would have liked to see some more upgrades or even some powers to shake the gameplay up, but as of now the game feels very stripped down. If you can get passed there being no lives and a difficulty curve, this game is much more addicting than some of its counterpart buddies. Consider checking it out.

Chalk Chain Review by Robert Mullen

Score: 2 out of 5

Chalk Chain is a sort of hybrid mix between the classic Snake, and a match-3 game. Unfortunately Chalk chain manages to remove any fun to be had from either genre, and ends up a cluttered mess.

  The game is played on what is supposed to be a chalk board, where you guide a piece of scribble around the board collecting various free floating shapes. Each shape collected attaches to your game piece in a snake-like string. When you collect 3 or more of the same game piece together, you are supposed to be able to tap the first piece in the strand to complete the match and earn points. I say that because you sometimes have to try multiple times before the match is activated. You can also shake the iPhone to cash in your matches, but since you control your movement with the accelerometer, shaking the device is likely to cause you to collect pieces you didn’t intend to.

The graphics in Chalk Chain are below average. The animations for the game pieces are not very smooth, and the chalkboard backround is blurry. There is no music to speak of in the game, just one sound when collecting pieces. The game does have Open Feint integration for what its worth.

Bottom line, there are plenty of free games that are miles better than Chalk Chain so I can not recommend it.

Score: 2 out of 5

   When I was first introduced to Lunarcy about a week ago, it was completely off my radar, so I had no idea what to expect. It was not long before Lunarcy had completely won me over with its slick retro-modern aesthetic, its charming electronic music, and its maddeningly challenging gameplay. Lunarcy is definitely not another relaxing casual game for the iPhone. No, Lunarcy is a game for gamers, and has earned a spot in my personal go-to gaming collection on my iPhone.

Lunarcy’s Retro-Modern Graphics get a big “Thumb’s Up” from The Current Gamer

  Lunarcy is a real time physics puzzler where you are commissioned to pilot a ship charged with launching into a stable orbit around a planet, successfully docking with another ship, and then safely landing back on the home planet. While this may sound simple in theory, Lunarcy is an incredibly challenging game. Just as in real life, launching a ship into stable orbit around a planet requires a high level of precision in setting both the velocity and trajectory of the ship. In Lunarcy you will be working from planets of varying sizes which means just when you begin to get comfortable with the gravity you have to work with, you are shipped off to another planet having to re-learn the nuances in the physics all over again.

   The art in Lunarcy is very retro-modern, and anyone who grew up playing Asteroids, Space Invaders, and Atari will especially appreciate the art style. While a definite throwback to the gaming days of yesterday, the visuals are at the same time sharp, bright and run with a smooth frame-rate giving a very nice modern touch to the classic art style. The music is also very well done, and has a sort of and electronic retro-scifi sound to it. The music also changes dynamically with the gameplay which is a very nice touch.

  Another similarity Lunarcy shares with the games that inspired it is the extreme challenge. You will find some levels take dozens of tries before you perfect a strategy, and every few levels you will encounter new variables that will keep you on your toes. While Lunarcy is one of the most challenging games I have played on the iPhone to date, I did not find the game overly frustrating. Retrying a level is fast and easy with no annoying load times to worry about, and you are not punished for having to replay a level multiple times. If a particular level is really getting under your skin, you also have the option to skip ahead to another level. At any given time you will have several levels to choose from. Ultimately I found the steep challenges to be refreshing in a market that is now full of more casual titles that often require very little actual effort on the part of the player. Part of what made older retro titles so great was the level of satisfaction you would get by finally beating a chapter or level. Lunarcy does a great job of managing your frustration levels while making you feel like you have really achieved something after beating a particularly challenging level.

With 48 levels, Lunarcy will keep you busy for quite some time
 

 The mechanics in Lunarcy are all about patience and precision. The controls consist of one button to boost forward, a button to turn your ship left, a button to turn your ship right and a button to steady your ship and stop it while it is turning. Essentially you have the classic zero gravity controls. Unlike most games, the controls are not not meant to be constantly used. In fact, much of your score in Lunarcy is based on how much fuel you have left upon completing your mission, and fuel is used every time you boost, steer or stop your ship. This is where using gravity to your advantage really comes into play. Ideally you want to boost and steer your ship just enough to bring it into a stable orbit around the planet, as movement in orbit does not use up any fuel. While in orbit you then want to use the movement to your advantage using minimal force in docking with the other ship. After docking with the ship you receive a set amount of credits, and then need to guide your ship into a safe landing back on the planet. Land too hard, and you will damage your ship. After a successful landing, credits earned are used to re-fuel and repair any damages to your ship. Remaining credits are tallied up and factored into your final score for the level. 

   Currently Lunarcy only features local high scores, and one mode of play. Even so, with 48 levels you will easily find hours upon hours of gameplay. Recently the FABRIK revealed exclusively to The Current Gamer that an upcoming 1.1 update for Lunarcy will feature online global leaderboards, a new beginners difficulty setting, and a whole new mode of play. The new mode of play, Time Trials, will throw away fuel conservation and damage control and will allow you to do whatever it takes to complete each level with the fastest time possible. This will require entirely new strategies, and will add plenty of additional gameplay hours. Both modes will be included in the new online leaderboards, and will also both be playable in the new beginners mode. The beginners mode will be a welcome addition to the more casual players, or players new to the game that want to level out what is currently a very steep learning curve.

  Of course, we can not yet factor in these new features to to score, however The Current Gamer will be reviewing the new update when it arrives and will then update the score accordingly. 

 Until then Lunarcy gets a very respectable 4 out of 5

iTunes Link Full Version

iTunes Link Lite Version

the FABRIK Website

  Review by Robert Mullen

Ravensword Concept Art

RPG fans should certainly keep a look out for Ravensword: The Fallen King coming this Fall. Ravensword will feature an open world environment with 3D visuals, and the developers are promising a “huge” world map. Ravensword is an Action RPG and appears to share similarities to the much loved Oblivion series. Chillingo tells us that the game will have close to 50 characters, and plenty of monsters and wild animals to battle as you explore the game. Also expect to find side quests and mini games to keep you entertained along the way.

As with all 3D Action RPG’s controls will be very important, and the Developers tell us to expect controls similar to other 3D titles such as Hero of Sparta and Assassin’s Creed. There will be a few differences in the control scheme however, including a tilt mechanic to look up and down, a First Person mode, and a persistent on-screen recalibrate button. The controls sound well thought out, but we will have to keep you posted as soon as we get some hands-on time with this game. In the mean time, we leave you with this impressive trailer for Ravensword and another screenshot: