'Minigore' – A Furry Survival Shooter
posted by Eli Hodapp on July 30th, 2009 12:20 AM EDT in $0.99, Action, Games, Reviews, Shooter, iPhone games, iPod touch games
The anticipation thread for Chillingo's Minigore [App Store] started all the way back on May 15th. 3,546 posts later, Minigore is finally here!
Minigore is a dual-stick survival shooter similar to iDracula [App Store]. Two on-screen joysticks control the game, the right controls where you shoot and the left handles your movement. You only get one life and can get hit twice before you die. The game also comes with two levels of difficulty. Your arsenal to dispatch the swarms of furries consists of your standard machine gun, a shotgun that you can pick up from a crate, and an exploding crate to inflict area effect damage.
There are four types of enemies in game, three different sizes of furries and a flaming furry that runs a little faster. The standard furries come in three sizes. When you shoot a large furry it will split in to smaller furries, and once you play for a while you find yourself swarmed with baddies to shoot.
Collecting three four-leaf clovers transforms you into a rampaging flaming bull, and similar to eating a power pellet in Pac Man, you can just run over all the furries on screen to instantly kill them. Randomly throughout the game, your character will belt out various vocal quips, and the soundtrack has an epic feel to it that significantly boosts the atmosphere of the game.
As obvious from screenshots, Minigore has a cute cartoony art style to it, and the game really does look pretty cool in motion. With that said, the gameplay is kind of plain right now. With only the standard machine gun and shotgun, one level, and the limited enemy types, there isn't much variation in the gameplay. The developers have ambitious plans for episodic content updates similar to Pocket God [App Store] (including Enviro-Bear themed coop multiplayer), but for right now it's basically a stripped down version of iDracula with colorful art and good music.
The developer video shows the action:
Online scoring via OpenFeint give Minigore a decent amount of replay value if you're into high-scoring games, and the game does have a lot of character to it. Minigore falls short in the depth department, but can be a good time if you didn't work up sky-high expectations getting wrapped up in the pre-launch hype.
App Store Link: Minigore, 99¢
I was more excited about the upcoming updates than the actual game
I still don't understand Openfeint. How to add friends, how to set my picture…it's all a blur.
This is a very fun shooter. The downsides are that it's not touch anywhere so you can't move your thumbs to fit the moment and get the optimal view and that it's very basic.
Upsides is that it's very fun, collect clovers and become a monster, shoot crate to explode or get crate to get shotgun. Gets hectic fast, and you only have two lives.
Beautiful graphics and good gameplay, definitely get if you like shooters, it's only 99 cents.
Well, not really two lives. You can get hit once, the second time you die. So more like one life.
… there's no achievements through OpenFeint for this game … is there?
Achievements are commin in the first update.
About the game, i think is pretty fun and challengin, in a good way. Good music and graphics. The only thing i don't like is the menu. Feels very unpolished. Anyways, for 0,99 it's a sick game.
Ha ha!! Just saw the video. This looks like so much fun! Even if it is just one level!!
And now that I think about it, I prefer it being just a mini game rather than some mission type game. I think it shows that its built with a mini game mindset.
Guys please do be aware of the fact that the game will undergo frequent updates (more levels, characters, etc.) this is just a taste of what's to come (episode 1)…so i doubt the price will remain at 99c for long. definitely worth the purchase!
I think this is a spot-on review. I hope they do something with this new property they have… They've got the audience, that's for sure, but attention spans are short.
Looks like iDracula, except good.
Really looking forward to the Co-Op part. It would be more exciting if there was Co-Op missions, including heli's and tanks. Though the game rather seems a bit dull, but it just came out so it should be okay.
I have a good idea by the way… There should be missions where you try to run away, instead of shooting. For example… You're pretty much stranded on a island while there is a helicopter waiting on the other side. There are a bunch of furries behind you, well too many acually. And so the point of this part of the game is to acually go to the heli instead of shooting (of course…), and also have a truck in the middle of the game to ride on (and if it's in co-op) then the other person will get in the back of the truck and try shooting them off. So yeah, Furry Escape map.
Okay, cool. Thanks for clearing that up, vincenterch.
I also agree with Klondike – better than iDracula.
The controls and gameplay are great. But the whole package is lacking. I hope these updates are often and free. (But hey, it's great for $1).
Stripped down Idracula? Pass. idracula is super fun at first, but then the shallowness kicks in even with the updates. While I'm all for the developer constantly updating their app in the future but I'm getting tired of this trend. I will only buy apps that feel like a complete package instead of purchasing a bunch of shallow ones with promised updates.
I wonder how long until we see updates…
It amazes me how some of you can complain of a .99 app. It's a DOLLAR. I spent more on coffee today, and I'll enjoy this longer. Even if I get 1 hour of use on a flight, .99 is well worth this game.
This is instantly the coolest game "franchise" on the app store. Love the theme, love the gameplay (even its is very simplistic right now), love the music and the voice clips.
This has SO much potential, but even in its present state I'd pay more than a dollar for it.
Simply put: incredibly cool. iDracula looked lame from the start.
You can't say the game is only a buck when there are hundreds of fantastic games to buy on the app store.
Can't wait until we can play envirobear!
I'm sick of this update stuff, why don't they make it complete in the first place? By the time all the needed updates have arrived, I've moved on. With the long approval process, it will be four weeks for the first update to arrive.
We talked months about this game just to play a (kind of) preview. I also like to get complete games from the beginning.
Some words on the game. Graphics and sound are just awesome. I also love the menu pictures, really artistic! The game plays perfectly and everything is fine for me (in this early version), EXCEPT: why are there obstacles, if you can run through EVERYTHING?! To be able to run though bushes, I completely understand….but stones and trees? This is really stupid… So please, let obstacles be obstacles and not just some graphics on a plain map. Otherwise great start!
Geees, do you guys listen to yourself? What the hell are you complaining about?! The game is 99 cents! Let's say that together: "ninety-nine cents". That's considred less than cheap. Cheaper than that would be giving it away for free. Now there was work involved in creating this and people trying to make a living, feeding their families and hopefully make a profit. Nobody is asking you to buy anything! If you don't like it then don't. Just move on and stop showing off your ignorance. But for 99 cents your getting a very polished game with promised updates down the line for free. And did I really read some of you complain about your attention span being so short short that you can't be bothered to play this game again when it gets updated? Really? For f*cks sake …
Sorry for trolling and the profanity but aaaaaaaargh!! Every once in a while I need to vent all the stupidity one has to endure while browsing the web. Some of that shit is unbelievable! How some of you mange the act of typing so much mind numbing dumbness is beyond me as it seems your brain should be having the hardest time keeping you breathing as it is.
Sincerely
Vod: I rather pay $4.99 with more content than $0.99 with the current content.
I hate to say it, but Vod hits the nail on the head there and if I'm going to be brutally honest, it's probably kids who are complaining about the lack of content for .99 cents and they obviously don't appreciate the hardwork and capital that this app took to get published. Seriously, FFS, here in the UK it's 59p, for that you *CAN'T* buy:
a decent newspaper
a magazine
a McDonalds cheese burger
a coffee
a can of coke
a bus journey in London
Get some perspective PLEASE, Mountain Sheep brought you this app with countless hours of hard work and you're moaning about .99 cents and not having enough content…jeez
/rant
Beautiful game. I have to echo the thought: It's like iDracula, only good!
The art style reminds me a lot of Egoboo. Had a blast on my first go.
Strangely enough, the only thing that bugged me was the menu-buttons: the corners are aliased, where everything else in the game is perfectly polished.
Look forward to seeing what is added.
That means, if a game is cheap, I'm not allowed to give ANY critics?
What a poor idea! Then these games shouldn't be mentioned on any review site at all.
And: I would also prefer to spend 5 to 10 bucks on great and complete games.
Because this 99 cent mentality is bringing the App Store down in terms of complexity, length and big production value….
Of course, you get cool stuff for 99 cent. But think about what you COULD get, if you would be willing to spend A BIT more. I think, even 5 bucks for a game is a steal, a joke, a nothing.
No one is saying you can't critique a 99 cent game, but making unreasonable demands on the amount of content for such a price is a little different no? In fact, I was under the impression that Minigore was never meant to be a huge title (hence the title) and that it was more of a precursor to the Hardgore app that would come later.
Don't get me wrong, I'd willingly pay 10 dollars or more on a decent app any day, Real Racing is a perfect example of such a game, loads of content, plenty of updates, great replay value.
And some of your focus should be on Apple, the 99 cent angle is the direct result of developers doing anything they can to get exposure on those Top 25 lists which is based on unit sales.
Hey all this is my first post but anyways, I've been waiting a long time for this game can't wait for the future updates!!
3 words: completely worth it.
Minigore is a blast to play. It's a one level shooter that is for the gamer who likes to attempt to get the best score. If you are not that gamer, than just like other games like Crash, Doodle Jump, runner, Jetman Jack, Flight Control, etc…this game is not for you. It's a simple concept that relies on extreme replayability and you starting over every time. Understand what it is, IT IS GOOD.
@Jonathan
Flight Control is the same Repetitive Score based gameplay as well. I think your wrong about people who like Flight Control would love this game.
Some of the clovers fall out of bounds. Bug?
Great game though
Saying it's "like iDracula but good" is way off base. iDracula is a better game by any standard, this is just fresh and has cool characters. iDracula had deeper gameplay, was the first to perfect the dual analogs on the iDevice, and was no graphical slouch either.
@sticktron
1. You forget that when first launched iDracula was lacking in depth. The other stages, enemies, etc. all came with updates. When first released it was a one level multidirectional shooter, just like this one.
2. Can I just say to all who espouse this myth: Enough with the statements such as "iDracula was the first to perfect the dual virtual analogs" or the "first to implement them". Dropship did the virtual dual analog thing quite a while before iDracula even had its title finalized. And, might I add, did it BETTER. iDracula still has issues with the controls not reading correctly every now and again. And Dropship had that swanky "they appear anywhere you put your thumbs down" implementation of said controls.
BTW, if this game (Minigore) has a screen orientation flip option, then it already is better than iDracula. I took iDracula off of my device because it was nigh unplayable in the current orientation for this touch user.
@your personal robot and everybody else:
I'm not saying you shouldn't critique a game. If you have good ideas on how to improve something then speak loudly and more power to you. It just seems that most folks are linking content, effort and pricepoint in no logical way what so ever. If the same game was to be released at a premium people would scream out they won't buy it for the lack of content. So Mountain Sheep does us all a favour and releases it at low price yet everybody screams none the less?
It's a minigame. It's stated in the very title. It comes at a miniprice. Now, of course this is a glorified marketing campaign to raise the awareness for their big title "Hardgore" but they are even transparent about that on their page. I just really don't understand the uproar. I could understand people being upset due to false expectations but then again: It's 99 cents! If you want a game with more content just look elsewhere or wait for it to be updated with more content. And if you just want to show your generosity and/or your willingness to spend more money on great apps then wait for them to raise their price and buy it then … *facepalm*
Alright people, cut it with the "it's only 99 cents" crap. Say that for 100 apps and then you've wasted $100, which knowing the app store could occur within a week. Yes it's cheap, but do you download every single free app just because it's free? No you don't, you still want to download the apps that are actually worth having, regardless of cost.
This game's got a ton of potential, but at the moment it's just not enough.
this game is great.
@MidianGTX
It's only 99 cents, get over it.
If you're that out of pocket to worry about the value of a 99 cent game then I suggest in future you wait a while for a complete picture of what the app is like before spending your sub-dollar-funds.
And if you're spending $100 in the App Store a week then you've got no grounds whatsoever to cry over a wasted 99 cents.
Oh and there is an age old phrase I'd like to share with you:
Caveat Emptor – look it up…
this is a steal for 99 cents….that being said, i am a little disappointed with the lack of variation. everything that was done, however, was done very well and, again, this is well worth my dollar
ha , jst seen the poster for minigore and the image has samurai jacks baddie in it, is that allowed…lol good game thanks lol
@spiffyone: from the start, iDracula had more weapons, more enemies, and earnable skill upgrades. The dual-wheel controls were implemented perfectly (in my play experience, anyway) and are still a slight bit better than minigore's IMO.
Despite the fact it's £0.59, I can't help but want more. I've played it through about 5 times, and in the same way I wanted more from Flight Control, I want more from this. I am sure I will go back to it, but yeah… If it can inherit the same kind of updates as Flight Control and Harbour Master, it'll be just fine. I really love the audio in the game, and the visuals a close second!
Sorry, I guess I just don't get this game. The graphics look great but I can see myself getting bored with this real quick. Isn't that EA zombie game basically the same type of game. As I recalled most every hated the concept of a one level game.
I won't complain about the price, because wasting the dollar doesn't particularly hurt. Though I'm astounded how many people here seem to think the cheap price means you're not entitled to be disappointed.
But I will complain that there's about five minutes worth of gameplay here and then you've seen and done it all. It's like it's a stripped "lite version" of a better game that doesn't yet exist.
It's a bad game. I'm sorry, I wanted to like it, I do like the way it looks, but there's just nothing there.
As for those promised updates… All I have to reference is the game that's in front of me. And the game sucks. Sorry. I hope they do add to it and make it a good game eventually but I would tell anyone thinking of buying it today to hold off and wait to see if these updates materialize.
I also don't think we should be justifying or defending this business plan, because I'd hate for incomplete games (with promises that they'll get better in the next update, swear to God!) to start being the norm.
Those of you expecting updates "soon", prepare to wait 4+ weeks due to Apple's approval process.
Now I miss Cubivore and Gregory Horror Show even more.
Is anybody thinking what I thought while playing this for the first time? First, this could easily be the best looking game on the Appstore right now and second thing: Add maps, add multiplayer with pvp (deathmatch, capture the flag and so on). Since FPS games don´t seem to work that good on a touchscreen a 3rd person online shooter would be great.
I´m thinking about something like Battlefield Heroes, where fun comes first. Well, it probably would be a bit to much to ask for a 99 cent game, even on future updates, but it would be perfectly possible on a spin off.
How a about "Megagore online".
Yes, this game is looking good. It's something about the environments that really got me.
Then, why is it a 99c shooter? We've seen it before.
Shallow.
The style is awesome. It could easily be a very special and groundbreaking action-rpg or adventure game with way more substance. But of course, it's all about the easy bucks.
This game lacks brains.
evil dead comes to mind when playing this,, whith the comments ,next update can we here him say "grovvey" "boomstick" or cud we see a ash cameo. now that wud rock…
The fact that Egoraptor is the voice of the main character is worth more than $.99 already.
Good for a quick pickup game!
BTW: Red blood?