A week ago now we got our hands on the first demo build of Ezone.com's new space shooting game, Galactic Gunner. Australian brothers Jamie and Simon Edis have taken an unconventional approach to the genre--Instead of having the player control the flying and shooting like Galaxy On Fire 3D [App Store], Galactic Gunner is a shooter on rails. As the title hints, you play as the gunner and shoot by tapping where you want to fire on screen.
According to Simon, the "secret" to Galactic Gunner is drawing from brother Jamie's film school experience to create "sweeping cinematic paths for your fighter." As the trailer for the game demonstrates, they're not kidding. Your pilot takes you on an exciting flight through asteroid fields, battling the menacing Trepidoids, flying inside of a colossal space station, and other scenes reminiscent of classic science fiction movies.
Along with the stunning visuals, the game has a delightful level of cheesiness to it. The voices of the Trepidoids remind me of the Daleks from Doctor Who, and if that doesn't ring a bell, just imagine the most ridiculously overdone computerized robot voice. On top of that, similar to retro games, none of the characters have names. Your captain is simply the captain, and you're accompanied by both Wingman A and Wingman B.
While the gameplay is simple and the App Store has no shortage of tap to shoot games, radio silence is rare with your squad constantly talking, and your ship is almost always doing various flips and rolls creating a really fun action-packed environment. The build that we've been working with is fairly short with only six levels and one bonus level, but Ezone.com plans on launching the game at 99¢ which makes length hard to complain about when considering the highly refined voice and camera work present in the game.
I've shot a short video of the first two tutorial levels which give a good idea of how the game is controlled, as well as leading in to the first mission as you save the colossal space station from a Trepidoid attack-
FDG Entertainment, the development group that brought us Bobby Carrot Forever, is expanding their horizons and is working on a couple of interesting new games for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
The first is due any day now and is a simple shooter variant called Kryzer Prologue. The game involves flying in a circle while shooting the baddies, avoiding enemy fire and collecting the powerups. A gameplay video shows how it works. The game will debut at $0.99 and serves as the prologue to a 3D version which is in the works.
The second and perhaps more interesting game coming from FDG is one called Parachute Panic which seems to be trying to recreate some of the chaos-management that Flight Control so successfully implemented.
The game involves successfully landing skydivers into passing boats. Through simple taps you can deploy parachutes and with swipes influence their movements. The game also introduces a number of life-threatening obstacles including passing helicoptors, thunder clouds, shark infested waters and more.
This early Alpha preview shows the game in action. Details may change before the final release which is due in June. The game will be priced at $0.99.
FDG kindly also provided us these additional screenshots:
Shadiradio has just released what's probably the most compelling take on Missile Command in the App Store, Last Cannon [link].
This is the end.
What was once paradise is now waste and rotting meat. I am surrounded by the decaying corpses of these disgusting invaders. The stink of them fills my thoughts. And I'm so hungry. Before my mind consumes itself in despair, I have to write our story. My name is Jhava, and as far as I know, I'm all that's left.
Heavy stuff... Such begins Last Cannon, a game in which you control a cannon at the bottom of the screen with the mission of destroying an onslaught of alien invaders bent on wiping out your installation. It sounds like a pretty well known formula, but Last Cannon packs some twists.
Your cannon has several ways of dealing with the advancing Knurlings (the aliens in question). Hitting a Knurling with a rocket will destroy it and others of like color in its vicinity. You can change the color of a Knurling with your beam, allowing you to setup chains of rocket destructions by creating clusters of like-colored enemies. Finally, Super Bombs destroy all enemies onscreen, and new bombs are awarded for destroying a certain amount of Knurlings.
The game utilizes the iPhone's accelerometer for aiming the cannon and tap controls to fire weapons. The graphics are rather simple, but clean, and the game's stylized, minimal night-sky aesthetic is pleasantly different.
Last Cannon is a simple game with a single survival / highscore mode, but the color matching / elimination element takes it beyond just another simple shooter into the realm of a puzzle game that's genuinely refreshing to play. At only $0.99, it's a solid App Store value that we recommend. Be warned that the difficulty does ramp pretty quickly. The next version update is said to include a global high score list.
The new game that has taken the TouchArcade forums by storm this weekend is DinoSmash Online [$0.99].
A few choice quotes from some of our regulars:
"Dang it! my battery just died after playing this for 2.5 straight hours..." - Fletch
"This game is one of the most intense games I've ever played on my iPhone. The speed is incredible and you're on the edge for the whole game." - theone1007
DinoSmash Online is an online-only side-scrolling shooting/fighting game. You are a cute little dino which must use one of 5 different weapons to smash, shoot, and kill your opponents.
The game offers two forms of online play: Deathmatch or Capture the Flag. Each level can support up to 16 players which makes for some crazy action. The game is controlled through the use of an onscreen virtual pad as well as three different buttons: attack, jump and grappling hook. A basic tutorial video demos the controls which work well in practice. What that video does not show is just how crazy and frantic the action can get.
To get an impression of that, check out our Deathmatch video:
The game is playable on both Wi-Fi and 3G, though in my brief testing, the 3G connection was spotty. On Wi-Fi, however, the game played remarkably well, without any lag or stutter. The game offers no off-line mode at all, however, so you'll have to make sure you have a connection before playing.
At only $0.99, the game is hard to criticize too much, as it does what it does quite well. That said, the game only offers a single small map for each gameplay mode, and the gameplay may get too frantic and random for some people's tastes. Still, we hope it's just the start of more to come. We'd love to see more maps and options as the game gets more popular.
Still, if you're look for a fast-paced button mashing fighting game, for just $0.99 you shouldn't pass this one up.
A few sales and updates that we think are noteworthy.
Underworlds ($2.99 -> $0.99) - A fun action RPG that we liked a lot. It's gone on sale to $0.99 for 24 hours. That started sometime yesterday, so hopefully you'll have time to pick it up before the sale ends.
Gemmed! ($0.99) - One of our favorite Match 3 games has seen a number of updates since we reviewed it back in January. The game now includes Classic, Casual, Endless and Survival modes. If you missed this game before, it's time to take a look again.
Kroll ($4.99 -> $0.99) - We had some misgivings about this release when it came out at $7.99, but with a new discount to $0.99, it's a pretty good value for the visuals alone. Gameplay is kinda simple -- but hey, it's $0.99.
First Star Software's game of Boulder Dash [App Store] was released into the App Store last night. This year marks the 25th anniversary of this classic game which many of our readers grew up on.
The basic gameplay of Boulder Dash requires the hero to dig through caves to collect gems. Digging simply involves moving your character in any direction. If you dig under an object, however, that object can fall down and crush you. Your goal is to collect enough gems (which can also crush you) while avoiding boulders and other obstacles within the time limit. Meanwhile, there are a number of unique creatures that need to be avoided or used to your advantage. Once you collect enough gems, a doorway will open to the next level. The solutions to every level isn't immediately obvious and can have a strong puzzle component to them.
The App Store release is called Boulder Dash Vol. 1 and contains the 80 original levels (16 levels across 5 levels of difficulty) from the 1984 release. The game has since seen a number of sequels since 1984, so we're assuming that the "Vol. 1" designation means additional volumes are on the way to the iPhone. The game includes both updated and original "retro" graphics and sound effects.
The biggest question about any classic game that comes to the iPhone is the one of controls. People who played the original want to relive the original feel of the game, and without a physical joystick on the iPhone, compromises have to be made.
Both original "retro" and updated versions of the graphics and provided.
Boulder Dash for iPhone and iPod Touch is not an exact port of the original game. According to First Star, the speed of the game has been tweaked to provide the most playable experience as possible on this device. The company also notes that the character is now smoothly animated from square to square rather than instantly jumping from one to another as in the original. For long time players this means the speed of the game is slower than you will remember. I actually believe that this is likely a reasonable compromise since it does seem to make the game more playable (note: see major caveat below). Most iPhone/iPod Touch ports of fast-action games have suffered from the poor reaction time of touch-screen controls resulting in frustration.
Boulder Dash offers two touch control and one swipe control option. The touch control pads offer the up/down/left/right buttons in a standard plus-sign configuration (screenshot) or divided (screenshot) into separate up/down or left/right controls. Meanwhile, the swipe controls allow you to swipe anywhere in the direction you want to go. Swiping and holding allows you to continue moving in that direction. Both landscape and portrait orientations are supported.
I found myself most comfortable with the divided touch-screen button configuration in landscape mode as shown in the video, though the swipe control also worked well. With the slower pace of the game, the controls worked well and I was successfully able to dodge boulders, though I do wish I could choose to run at full pace -- even at my own peril.
In playing through many of the early levels, I rediscovered that Boulder Dash was, in fact, hard. The solutions to the levels are not immediately obvious and I started running into trouble within the first 8 levels. But that's what made the game so satisfying back in the day -- you would spent some real time figuring out how to win a level.
There are some performance issues in the game, however, that will make it a deal-breaker for specific audiences. The game performed significantly slower on an iPhone 3G I tested than it did on an iPod Touch (2nd Generation). This experience is being echoed by iPhone owners in our forums with some calling the game unplayable in its current form. This appears to be a 1.0 oversight that will be addressed in a future update, but, for now, those who don't own a 2nd Generation iPod Touch should probably avoid this release. Meanwhile, the gameplay on the 2nd Generation iPod Touch in the default zoom-mode was perfectly acceptable, although zooming out to a large degree also resulted in slow-downs (see video).
The embedded video shows a couple of things. First it shows Level 1 on an iPod Touch 2nd Generation and then the same level on an iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G performance is much slower. The same level was run in 57 seconds on the iPod Touch while it took 1 minute 21 seconds on the iPhone 3G. Finally, the video shows a later level with updated graphics taken on the iPod Touch 2nd Gen. Zoom in / out is shown as well as gameplay at the normal zoom level. Due to the nature of YouTube, some performance differences may be hard to discern.
For 2nd Generation iPod Touch owners, Boulder Dash offers a solid action puzzler that seems well adapted to the platform, though intentionally paced slower than the original version. There are some performance issues at different zoom levels, but the standard gameplay view still provides a fun Boulder Dash experience. Owners of earlier devices including the iPhone and 1st Generation iPod Touch should probably avoid this first version as the game runs notably slower on these devices to the detriment of gameplay.
Fishing Cactus has just released Equilibrio Lite Edition [App Store], a free version of its gravity-based game which challenges you to get your ball to the end goal by navigating ramps, trampolines, spikes, and more.
While the premise of the game may seem familiar, the game incorporates a number of twists to keep it interesting. There are 5 types of balls, each with different properties and gameplay characteristics. These include rubber, glass, steel, stone and paper. Levels include obstacles such as spikes and acid that destroy the balls on contact. Tilting your iPhone will allow you to build up momentum to jump obstacles and avoid danger. Part of the challenge, however, is also avoiding shattering your ball, so proper control becomes a major issue and you can't just speed through each level.
The lite version offers 15 of the original's 60 levels and only the Conquest play mode, out of the original's three avialable modes.
Big Head Games announced that in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the original Terminator movie, they have partnered with Dark Horse Comics to release a "heart-pounding, shoot everything, homage to the movie that started it all".
The game is a top-down action shooter that appears similar in gameplay to iDracula but contains both Story and Endless modes. Features include:
Bigger and badder weapons from Gatling guns to Bazookas
Two extreme game modes for a lasting game experience
In Quick mode, rescue fallen soldiers
In Story mode, play as Kyle Reese taking on challenging missions.
T-800s and Hunter Killer Tanks from the original movie along with an array of new foes
Multiple control modes and auto targeting options to match gameplay to every skill level.
Pounding soundtrack and sfx, play this game with headphones for a film like experience.
Two parts, look out for an imminent update taking you below ground to take on the machines in their home ground.
The game has already been submitted to the App Store and will be on sale for $0.99 during its first 72 hours.
Arash Keshmirian of Limbic Software has provided TouchArcade with exclusive details about their upcoming 3D Tower Defense game that has been in secret development for the past 6 months.
Evil aliens are coming to steal your sheep and turn them into a new scarf for their Emperor! You must stop them!
TowerMadness is a giant leap forward in Tower Defense games for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Easy to pick up for beginners, yet challenging enough for the seasoned gamer.
Tower Madness offers an open-field Tower Defense game with fully 3D graphics allowing you to zoom in and around the action. Naturally, comparisons will be made with Star Defense another upcoming 3D Tower Defense game from Ngmoco that has been getting a bit of press in the past few months.
Right off, it seems they took a very different approach in their version of the same basic concept. Most notably their levels seem to be more traditional flat fields rather than the spherical or cube shapes that we've seen Star Defense. Gameplay-wise, Limbic has opted for an open-field design similar to Fieldrunners. Rather than playing along a set path, you are given the freedom to place your towers to create your own path.
The developers also list a number of impressive features with a large number of gameplay elements and some unique online elements such as replays and free downloadable content.
High-performance 3D graphics
Meticulously crafted and polished gameplay
Spatialized positional audio
Challenging path-finding enemy AI (no boring predefined paths!)
16 unique enemy types
9 unique tower types with 5 upgrades each
4 maps in the Campaign with increasing levels of difficulty and complexity
Account profiles let you share TowerMadness with up to 5 friends and family, keeping your scores and saved games separate
Fast graphics mode option for slower devices and maximum framerates
Free downloadable maps and game modes to keep the madness going
Replays let you show off your strategies, learn new ones, and watch your friends play
Compete with global high scores
This embedded gameplay video walks through the basics of the game and 3D animations. A separate gameplay video shows more action on a different map.
Limbic doesn't seem to be shy about comparisons with existing Tower Defense games in the App Store and even provides a chart comparing Tower Madness to a number of other games including: Star Defense, Tap Defense, Fieldrunners and geoDefense. Naturally, these charts tend to favor the author's product, but it shows what features they are pushing.
Here is a collection of screenshots from the game (click to see larger):
The game has been submitted to approval to Apple just yesterday, so we should be seeing this game in the next week or so. You can also follow the release on Twitter and Facebook.
In a world of match-3 games, DifferentCloth delivers a refreshing concept that I love -- but a little more in theory than in practice.
The game is stylistically simple which seems to work. The gameplay is also somewhat simple. Steer a growing line through a simple maze while avoiding the walls. Tap on the screen as you pass white bars which represent beats in the music. Manage to accomplish both of these tasks and you are rewarded with a smooth playing soundtrack. Miss a bar or hit a wall, and the music still stutter and your score will lower.
The game contains only 10 levels of progressive difficulty and has been criticized for being short, though getting a perfect score on each level will take some time.
Music/rhythm gamer fans or anyone looking for a different type of game will find this an enjoyable experience, but with its relative simplicity and short length I don't necessarily believe it will appeal to the broader audience.
As little interest as I personally have in hunting simulation games, I can't deny the appeal of the genre which has seen the ongoing App Store success in John Moffett's iHunt 3D [App Store]. Well, today Glu has entered the market with Deer Hunter 3D [App Store] which promises to be "the most realistic hunting simulation."
Features listed by the developer include:
Virtual hunting simulation with realistic 3D visuals
3 Worldwide locations with 27 different shooting locations
Use your scope to zoom in for more precise and devastating kills
Developer your hunter's skills in accuracy, reflexes, endurance, and tracking
View your best kills and achievements in the trophy room
Unlock new weapons, skills hunts by bagging the biggest animals
Notable Japanese developer Square Enix has recently released their second game to the iPhone and iPod Touch: Vanguard Storm [App Store].
The company has previously released a tower defense game called Crystal Defenders. While the first version of that game received a lot of criticism for a poor interface, many of those who stuck with the game claim it is one of the best tower defense games in the App Store. Crystal Defenders has since been updated to version 2.0 which addresses the awkward interface issues of the original release.
Their latest release Vanguard Storm continues to use the Final Fantasy characters/jobs but introduces it in the latest of their "defensive simulation" games.
The game is presented on an 8 by 4 board and divided down the middle. Your mission is to defend your half with a specific set of characters with their own strengths and weaknesses. The attacking units come in from the left and are trying to cross your side. If even one of the enemy makes it all the way past your half, then the game's over.
Your team of defenders are made up of characters with different abilities: soldiers can only attack the space in front and front-diagonal to their position. Archers can shoot distance but only diagonally. Black Mages can do range damage in the four spaces ahead of them. Later in the game, non-combat characters need to be used to assist. These include those that can heal nearby characters or augment their attack abilities.
Gameplay is turn-based and involves rapid shuffling of players around on the board to position their attacks most efficiently while also avoiding incoming damage. Each character has a number of hitpoints represented by a health bar above them. A character can be killed which handicaps you for that wave only. The game is divided into 10 locations on a map with multiple waves each. Successfully defending against all the waves allows you to progress to the next map location.
The best feature of the game is the easy pick-up-and-play nature. Many turn-based strategy games can have an intimidating learning curve, but this one can easily be picked up by any casual player. They've also provided a Lite version [App Store] which provides a good tutorial to start.
The game itself seems to offer a fair amount of content, but may suffer from the lack of user-adjustable difficulty settings. The game starts at a one-size fits all level of difficulty. I personally found the game to suffer from being "too easy for too long" while others seem to be struggling with the early levels. The game does apparently unlock a "hard" mode once the normal game is complete which should add more gameplay for those naturally adept at the game. Note that there are some reports of erratic save-game issues in this early version.
Overall, however, this represents a solid and fun casual strategy game that is accessible for even novice players.
EA has posted new screenshots from their upcoming games Sims 3 and Clue for the iPhone.
The Sims 3 for iPhone is said to offer over 10 hours of gameplay with open world gameplay in a 3D environment.
Meanwhile, EA has also posted a product page for their upcoming game Clue based on the popular board game.
The classic board game is back with a new look and feel! Play the iPhone™/iPod® touch game from EA Mobile and try to solve the mysterious murder of a millionaire! Featuring 6 of the original CLUE suspects-Scarlet, White, Peacock, Mustard, Plum and Green. Search for original AND new weapons like a Razor, Poison, a Candlestick and a Pistol. Sleuth through rooms exclusively redecorated for your iPhone and brimming with special effects! You never quite know what-or WHO to expect when you play CLUE!
One of our favorite pinball games for the iPhone is Pinball Dreaming: Pinball Dreams [App Store], Cowboy Rodeo's iPhone remake of Digital Illusions' classic Amiga pinball game Pinball Dreams.
Pinball Dreams was an extremely well received game when it debuted on the Amiga back in 1992. It took full advantage of the Amiga's (then) powerful graphics hardware and offered a realism and playability rarely–if ever–seen before in a computer-based pinball game.
We're pleased to report that Cowboy Rodeo has released Pinball Dreaming: Pinball Dreams Lite [App Store], a free version of the game that features only the Beat Box table (one of the four tables in the original) and a limit of one ball per game.
The original, paid app, which we reviewed back in February, was extremely well received in our forums and represents an excellent App Store value. Hopefully anyone who hasn't already made the jump will spend some time with Pinball Dreaming: Pinball Dreams Lite to see what they've been missing.
Shadiradio has just released what's probably the most compelling take on Missile Command in the App Store, Last Cannon [
One of our favorite pinball games for the iPhone is Pinball Dreaming: Pinball Dreams [
