This is the Hyperwall. A wall of a bunch of screens that Apple slapped together. On these screens are the icons of the top 20,000 best selling apps. Every time one is downloaded its icon shakes in the wall. Watch how much money apple makes.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
App Store Activity
This is the Hyperwall. A wall of a bunch of screens that Apple slapped together. On these screens are the icons of the top 20,000 best selling apps. Every time one is downloaded its icon shakes in the wall. Watch how much money apple makes.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Star Defense - Highly Anticipated, Highly Worth It.
NG Moco:) has done it again. They have produced a title on par with Rolando and Topple 2 and my personal favorite Dropship. Star Defense may be the best of the bunch.
Star Defense is basically a tower defense game that instead of being played on a 2D map is played on a 3D sphere. Star Defense tasks you with guarding the outpost on a medley of planets from invading forces.
The planet navigation is liquid smooth and fluid. Its slick multi-touch control means you will never be fumbling around trying to get someplace. The planets never seem too big or too small, which I give props to the developer for. The sound is nothing to die for, thats no to say its bad, it just didn't stick out much.
Recently at the 2009 E3, Star Defense was being shown off as having downloadable content, so look for an update after the iPhone OS 3.0 update comes out for new galaxies.
I wish there were more towers, but other than that, the planet medley is nice and the gameplay is solid and it is a real joy for the eyes. At 5.99, NG Moco is providing quite a bit of etertainment.
Star Defense is basically a tower defense game that instead of being played on a 2D map is played on a 3D sphere. Star Defense tasks you with guarding the outpost on a medley of planets from invading forces.
The planet navigation is liquid smooth and fluid. Its slick multi-touch control means you will never be fumbling around trying to get someplace. The planets never seem too big or too small, which I give props to the developer for. The sound is nothing to die for, thats no to say its bad, it just didn't stick out much.
Recently at the 2009 E3, Star Defense was being shown off as having downloadable content, so look for an update after the iPhone OS 3.0 update comes out for new galaxies.
I wish there were more towers, but other than that, the planet medley is nice and the gameplay is solid and it is a real joy for the eyes. At 5.99, NG Moco is providing quite a bit of etertainment.
Firemint's Real Racing - Just Wow
I'm not going to talk about the graphics, which are the most mind-blowing iPhone graphics I've ever seen.
From the moment the most kick-ass main menu in all of iPhone gaming boots up, you know you are going to enjoy this game. This is a fluid, and realistic racing sim. From the massive, amount of cars you can choose to the impressive number of unique tracks this racing game has entertainment for everyone.
One of the main plusses of this game is its accessibility. This game is packed with four different control schemes and sliders to adjust the sensitivities and AI braking help. Anyone can find a comfortable control style that will let the controls blend into the background and immerse the player. That is part of the squeeze, the controls are so fluid you don't have to think about it. The racing takes front and center stage.
The gameplay is uber-smooth. Drivers are aggressive when they think they have the advantage and can lull you into a false sense of security before blowing past you if you make a mistake. The gameplay is so realistic , you feel great when in first but still wary, and you drive like a madman trying to get back into the race if you fall behind.
The sounds are full and you can tell effort went into it. From the myriad of different engines sounds, to the sounds of the cars bumping up to each other, it oozes authenticity.
I would like to say though to Firemint, I wish you had given us some slight customization of the cars. If not in the performance arena, how about at least changing the color. If only for the psychological effect; If i keep losing, i might want the car in a different color for superstitious reasons. But without this minor gripe, I can say that if you are any kind of racing fan you will love this game. If you are not a racing fan, you probably will be one after this game but you may not want to lay down 9.99. Either try the lite version when it comes out or wait for a price drop but you will enjoy this game.
Friday, June 5, 2009
An Impending Storm - DJ Mix Tour
Music games are popular on the iphone. Look at all the TapTap games and Guitar Rock Tour, World of Tunes etc.. Barring any major catastrophe at the apple server headquaters This game
should tear through the appstore. Just from the video we can see highly detailed 3d backgrounds, Liscenced music, synchronized music and gameplay (if you miss abeat the song skips) and generally high production values; though that doesn't surprise, seeing as how it came from Gameloft and all.
You heard it here first. This game will sell.
should tear through the appstore. Just from the video we can see highly detailed 3d backgrounds, Liscenced music, synchronized music and gameplay (if you miss abeat the song skips) and generally high production values; though that doesn't surprise, seeing as how it came from Gameloft and all.
You heard it here first. This game will sell.
Prey for iphone does something right
There has been some hubub recently over a new game for the iPhone by MachineWorks Northwest about their upcoming Prey. Prey is originally an xbox game that has been translated to the iPhone. Watch this Youtube video. At one point in the video the presenter is showing off one of the features of Prey. This is what I would like to draw your attention to. One of the options for Prey is a customizable HUD. That is the user can drag and drop around the screen all aspects of the HUD inclding the control cirlces as well as the ammo meters and any other object on the HUD. This may or may not be new, the point is its new on the iPhone and frankly should be the standard. I applaud MachineWorks Northwest for thinking a bit outside the box and provideing a novel way for the user to customize the controls, especially on a device not know for FPS ease-of-use. The customizable HUD should be programmed into any iphone game because screen real estate is at a premium on the device and the more comfortable you make the user the more likely they pop open your app again. This will be extremely well-recieved and will be extremely popular and hopefully frequently mimicked.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Bethesda, Youre The Best!!
Peep This: The Most Amazing News Ever.
Just when I thought that perhaps My time with Fallout 3 was done, Bethesda Softworks makes my summer! 2 New expanion DLC's and if the past three are any gauge, especially the last one, these will be epic DLC. One set in a crazy swamp land seemingly in the south (perhaps maryland?) and the other titled Mothership Zeta. Maybe that means we will see the onset of more alien weapons like the blaster, one of, if not the, best weapon in Fallout 3. I hope one of these will raise the level cap more and perhs more perks. I know that Bethesda wont dissapoint. They never do.
Point Lookout, the swamp one, is slated for late june and Mothership Zeta for late July. I really hope there are no delays.
Just when I thought that perhaps My time with Fallout 3 was done, Bethesda Softworks makes my summer! 2 New expanion DLC's and if the past three are any gauge, especially the last one, these will be epic DLC. One set in a crazy swamp land seemingly in the south (perhaps maryland?) and the other titled Mothership Zeta. Maybe that means we will see the onset of more alien weapons like the blaster, one of, if not the, best weapon in Fallout 3. I hope one of these will raise the level cap more and perhs more perks. I know that Bethesda wont dissapoint. They never do.
Point Lookout, the swamp one, is slated for late june and Mothership Zeta for late July. I really hope there are no delays.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
PSP GO? PSP Go Away!
At this years E3 conference, Sony's upcoming handheld device called the PSP Go was announced. The device, says Sony, is not meant to replace the PSP. It merely augments it to a new market. The device is about the size of an iphone and a little thicker and has a nice big screen that slides up to reveal the controls. Also the device lacks a UMD drive. Huh? How can I play all my PSP games on the PSP Go if there is no drive? Aaaah, download via wifi directly to the device, hence the 16 G's of storage. This is all well and good. However, Sony, Why didn't you just make the device with a second analog stick a UMD drive and call it the PSP 2? PSP Users have been crying for Dual Analog sticks on the PSP since it came out back in '05. Now, in '09, we get the PSP Go and no dual sticks?! Why, Sony, Why?
Isotope - A Super Deep Space Shoot 'em up
From developer iDrinkApps.com comes one of the deepest thumb driven shoot 'em ups on the iphone.
First off, the presentation is awesome. The neon 80's style of neon vector graphics complement the theme of periodic table of elements perfectly. Its a pleasure to look at, there is little to no slowdown and the enemy explosions are smooth and rewarding. The controls are spot on as well and are customizable to any comfortable scheme. I found the dual on-screen control circles the best. There is an insane depth to this game that sets it a cut above all the others. There are lots of ships, modules, abilities, and satellites (little helper ships). Literally hours and hours of gameplay, and gameplay that's great too.Geometry wars to perfection. All the ships are upgradable allowing you to add more abilities and modules to your ships. There are lots of stores and lots of levels to unlock also. All for a very meager $2.99 right here : Isotope. There is a free version available as well in case you need further convincing.
There is room for improvement though. Over the course of the levels I would love to see a greater variety of level backgrounds. All the levels are supposed to be different planets so why not change it up a bit?
Brass Tacks: The game is great. It will last you a long time. Lots of replayability. Lots of stuff to unlock. You really cant go wrong here. This is a game that needs to be more popular. And it will be.
EDIT: Also Note to developer please make it that spawning enemies cant hurt you if you drive over them because sometimes it's difficult to see them spawning and thats a cheap loss of life.
First off, the presentation is awesome. The neon 80's style of neon vector graphics complement the theme of periodic table of elements perfectly. Its a pleasure to look at, there is little to no slowdown and the enemy explosions are smooth and rewarding. The controls are spot on as well and are customizable to any comfortable scheme. I found the dual on-screen control circles the best. There is an insane depth to this game that sets it a cut above all the others. There are lots of ships, modules, abilities, and satellites (little helper ships). Literally hours and hours of gameplay, and gameplay that's great too.Geometry wars to perfection. All the ships are upgradable allowing you to add more abilities and modules to your ships. There are lots of stores and lots of levels to unlock also. All for a very meager $2.99 right here : Isotope. There is a free version available as well in case you need further convincing.
There is room for improvement though. Over the course of the levels I would love to see a greater variety of level backgrounds. All the levels are supposed to be different planets so why not change it up a bit?
Brass Tacks: The game is great. It will last you a long time. Lots of replayability. Lots of stuff to unlock. You really cant go wrong here. This is a game that needs to be more popular. And it will be.
EDIT: Also Note to developer please make it that spawning enemies cant hurt you if you drive over them because sometimes it's difficult to see them spawning and thats a cheap loss of life.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monster Pinball Review
Ever since Matmi released a preview video of their game Monster Pinball, I have been drooling. That appetite has quenched with the release of the game in the appstore.
Monster Pinball is a classic style representation of the game of pinball on some not so classic tables. The six brilliantly designed tables are all interconnted. You can wack the ball from one table to the other. The tables themselves are colorful and monster themed and all entertaining. There appeal lasts and lasts. Monster Pinball boasts an impressive 60 frames per second giving this pinball game some of the smoothest visuals on the iPhone.Another highlight of the game is the sound. Rich Stereo sound bring you back to the days of the arcade (if you can remember going to one). The sounds boast the authenticity that makes the experience real. The sounds will convince you that somehow Matmi managed to stick a wood and metal table in your iphone. The physics are spot on as well. You have to be careful for dips and ramps and ricochets of the tables.
Monster Pinball has an online leaderboard. The gameplay will make you strive for the top of it.
The gameplay alone justifies the 3.99 pricetag.
There are a few issues though. The tables might feel a bit empty. That is, there could be more stuff on the tables themselves. Also, In this generation of iphone gaming, how can a developer not include simple volume controls. As it is, Monstrer Pinball has the sound on or off. You cannot control the level. This is unnacceptable. Another little issue is that it requires an above average shake of the iphone to achieve a tilt. While not a dealbreaker by any means, it can cause you to lose sight of the ball.
To Matmi: This game's gameplay is what carries the game because its great. But it wont last forever, Please add some gameplay content such as the multi-call or how about a triple points ball.
Boiled Down: Monster Pinball is the best pinball game in the iphone. From its smooth presentation to the thumb numbing gameplay, it scratches the pinball itch.
Monster Pinball in the appstore
Monster Pinball is a classic style representation of the game of pinball on some not so classic tables. The six brilliantly designed tables are all interconnted. You can wack the ball from one table to the other. The tables themselves are colorful and monster themed and all entertaining. There appeal lasts and lasts. Monster Pinball boasts an impressive 60 frames per second giving this pinball game some of the smoothest visuals on the iPhone.Another highlight of the game is the sound. Rich Stereo sound bring you back to the days of the arcade (if you can remember going to one). The sounds boast the authenticity that makes the experience real. The sounds will convince you that somehow Matmi managed to stick a wood and metal table in your iphone. The physics are spot on as well. You have to be careful for dips and ramps and ricochets of the tables.
Monster Pinball has an online leaderboard. The gameplay will make you strive for the top of it.
The gameplay alone justifies the 3.99 pricetag.
There are a few issues though. The tables might feel a bit empty. That is, there could be more stuff on the tables themselves. Also, In this generation of iphone gaming, how can a developer not include simple volume controls. As it is, Monstrer Pinball has the sound on or off. You cannot control the level. This is unnacceptable. Another little issue is that it requires an above average shake of the iphone to achieve a tilt. While not a dealbreaker by any means, it can cause you to lose sight of the ball.
To Matmi: This game's gameplay is what carries the game because its great. But it wont last forever, Please add some gameplay content such as the multi-call or how about a triple points ball.
Boiled Down: Monster Pinball is the best pinball game in the iphone. From its smooth presentation to the thumb numbing gameplay, it scratches the pinball itch.
Monster Pinball in the appstore
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