We called Eliss a must try game for the iPhone and a new price drop on the title makes it even more affordable to pickup. Eliss has dropped to $0.99, likely to compete against the increasing number of low priced iPhone games.
The game is a unique multi-touch iPhone game that we highly recommend. The game is separated into levels in which planets appear. Like colored planets can be combined to make a larger planet (pinch) or pulled apart to create smaller planets (spread). The goal of the game is to eliminate the planets by dragging them into the "squeezars" (think black…err…multicolored holes) of matching size and color that blink in and out of the universe. After a set number of planets have been eliminated it's on to the next level. And the most important thing to remember? Don't let planets of different colors touch!
While Rolando 2 has only been out for a few days, an official review of the game seems to be more a formality than a necessity for much of our audience. It seems clear that fans of the original title scooped up the new release the moment it arrived, and the early response has been overwhelmingly positive.
The strength of the original Rolando title was clear. It was one of the first original iPhone-native platformers designed specifically for touch and tilt controls. Rather than mapping existing controls to some strange virtual D-Pad equivalent, Handcircus sat down and imagined how a true iPhone-platformer might play, and... they did it with style.
The music, art, and humor throughout the original production were really amazing. From our original Rolando review:
The most striking part of the game, however, is the level of polish and production of the entire title. The style, music, and humor that is delivered adds as much to the experience as does the gameplay. The Rolandos will frequently address you at the beginning of each level to progress the plot, and you will genuinely feel bad when one gets killed.
Rolando 2 takes all that was great from the original and expanded on it, making it bigger, better, and Rolando-ier. The same charming art style is preserved while adding a modern flare with some 3D level-effects. Mr. Scruff returns to provide a wonderful soundtrack that is also available for individual purchase via iTunes. The game offers larger levels and expands on the individual Rolando characterization while introducing new Rolandos throughout the title. The overall package results in an amazing experience that rivals franchises on other platforms.
Rolando 2 also adds a number of new elements to the gameplay with the introduction of underwater scenes, vehicles, new weapons and new Rolando skills. Weapons include the bow/arrows, laser beams and the all powerful "boom finger". Levels are larger, and in many instances, you have to coordinate a large squad of Rolandos to successfully navigate each level.
Based on our impressions, the gameplay of Rolando 2 seems slightly easier than the original. As best as we can remember, there appear to be the fewer purely dexterity-based levels which required avoiding a number of enemies while navigating around treacherous levels. Understandably, these levels could cause some frustration for more casual players, so we suspect this shift was intentional. Simon Oliver had told us at WWDC that other design changes had been made to make it more accessible to casual players. This includes the ability to choose to a number of different levels at any given time as well as the ability to skip particularly frustrating levels.
While there are puzzle elements to the game, it'd be hard to call this game (or the original) a real puzzler. It's unlikely you'll find yourself stuck not knowing exactly what to do next, as most level solutions are pretty straightforward. The long term joy of the game does not come in the difficulty of the levels, but in your ability to navigate them completely and speedily.
Ngmoco has integrated their Plus+ network into Rolando 2 which offers global leaderboards as well as a nice new system to challenge your friends. I've always been of the opinion that online components to games are what make them the most interesting, and this online head-to-head competition adds a lot of long term value to the game. In addition, Ngmoco also announced in March that Rolando 2 will receive up to 20 more levels in subsequent free updates, much like the original.
In terms of negatives to the sequel, there are very few objective ones. There have been reports of Rolandos getting stuck in certain parts of the level requiring a level restart. While a few other minor bugs reported here and there, nothing that greatly impacted gameplay. As in the original, there can still be some control-system frustration with the Spikey Commando when navigating sideways and upside down, though, again, less-so in this sequel.
All in all, we are really impressed with Rolando 2 which does justice to one of the few classic iPhone originals. Like the original, the art, style and music come together in a wonderfully immersive package. And with the addition of Plus+, you'll find yourself working to perfect your scores on individual levels in order to challenge your friends.
Rolando 2 offers a really well rounded iPhone platformer experience from music to art to controls. Fans of the original will be particularly pleased with the upgrades to the franchise which still retains much of the feel of the original. The sequel comes highly recommended to both old fans and newcomers.
Ngmoco and a dozen other advertisers are currently sponsors of this site. If you have concerns about our objectivity, please read our advertising and editorial policies.
IUGO released their long awaited turn-based trajectory game Star Hogs into the App Store this morning. Star Hogs [Lite, $4.99] is a Worms-like trajectory game in which you take turns firing weapons at your opponent or moving along the play field. The full version of the game also offers online multiplayer over Wi-Fi, 3G or EDGE networks.
Each game turn is limited by a certain amount of "energy" which can be used for firing or moving. Additional energy or money for upgrades can be earned through finding "ore" scattered in the play field. Firing is performed using a familiar tap-aiming while power is determined by how long you hold the fire button. About 20 different weapons are said to be available with the initial release, including bombs, cluster bombs, lasers, and mines.
Features include:
32 single player levels for hours of gamplay
Unlimited online multiplayer over WiFi/3G/Edge
Loads of weapons and customization options
Global online leaderboards with player rankings
3 game play modes: Freeplay, Campaign and Multiplayer (Online) mode
We were impressed with the game when we saw it at WWDC, but we'll post full impressions later on today. However, with a free lite version available to try, you may as well give it a go yourself in the meanwhile.
Several enjoyable, low-priced games have recently appeared in the App Store and are worth a look from the budget-conscious and the fat-walleted, alike.
Sturmware's GraviTicks [App Store] is a very unique 3D gravity simulation space shooter that comes complete with an interesting backstory.
A newly discovered predator known as a Space Tick is threatening the solar system. These nasty bugs feed off the gravitational field of planets, weakening them and causing the planet's eventual demise. If they persist, their actions will completely throw off the solar system's stability and eventually destroy the earth.
The spacecraft SATEL1 is a multi-nation effort to thwart the impending doom to our solar system. The great scientists of the world developed the first anti-gravity propulsion system that absorbs planetary graviton energy and uses it to seek and destroy the Space Ticks.
The game challenges you to navigate your craft about the solar system, establis an orbit about planets under siege from the dreaded Space Ticks in order to collect Graviton energy and unleash it on the aforementioned Ticks. It's a full range of motion game that requires judicious use of your thrusters and retrorockets as well as a delicate understanding of the gravity of the various bodies in the solar system in order to save humanity.
Getting into orbit about one solar body and not succumbing to the pull of its neighbors is a rather difficult and complex affair, but the patient are rewarded with an enjoyable and truly unique game that is easy to come back to.
See the developer's gameplay video for a look at the orbital action.
Lubos Kulisek's Nukeball [App Store] is an arcade style game that involves two, opposing, movable turrets initially protected by a laser shield. A ball bounces about the neutral zone beyond the shield and the goal is to fire your turret at the ball in order to deflect it into the enemy's shield (five hits and the shield is disabled) and, ultimately, the enemy's turret. The game features three different difficulty levels (it's quite challenging at Medium and Hard) and can be played face-to-face (on the same device) or as single player against computer AI.
The combination of game elements make it rather unique and it's frustrating difficulty level lends it appeal. Online leaderboards allow for player-to-player ranking.
iPhone developer Resolution Interactive, who brought us the highly enjoyable Aqua Moto Racing, has just released dirt-track ATV racing game Dirt Moto Racing [App Store] for the iPhone and iPod touch.
Dirt Moto Racing is an off-road racer that feels something like a scaled-back member of the Playstation 2's ATV Offroad Fury series. Core gameplay involves working through the game's Career mode, unlocking tours of increasing difficulty -- eight in all -- set across four different North American locations: British Columbia, Death Valley, Toronto, and the Florida keys. Tracks unlocked in the Career mode can be visited for a quick play in the Single Event mode.
The terrain, while somewhat basic, looks rather nice and polished. The graphical elements in general come together to deliver a smooth, "complete"-feeling racer that runs at a very good framerate on my test unit, the 2G iPod touch. In my early experience with the title, I found the forest scenery a bit more lavish than the desert runs, but every environ makes for a very playable racer.
Dirt Moto Racing utilizes a combination of accelerometer- and touch-based controls. Your vehicle's left / right steering as well as mid-jump lean / pull are handled via accelerometer. Acceleration (unless the cruise control option is enabled), nitro boost, break and view change are handled via touch controls. In-air tricks are carried out by swiping in the center of the screen in any of four directions to indicate the desired trick to be performed. There are 12 ambitious stunts in all, across three difficulty levels. (The more complex stunts do take some skill...)
In a nutshell, some of the other standout features of Dirt Moto Racing include: a pounding 12-song soundtrack, online leaderboards, 21 unlockable achievements, 36 unique game events, customizable rider and vehicle and downloadable best-of-the-best ghost play competition.
In all, it's really a great game that offroad racer fans have reason to embrace. The controls feel "right," the physics are solid and it's just a very enjoyable off-road racer that stands as the king of the genre in the App Store. And at $4.99, it comes as a recommended purchase
If you owned a Sega console in the 90's, Columns Deluxe [App Store] will be a complete blast from the past. Originally the only game worth playing that I owned for my Game Gear, I've probably spent more time over the years in Columns than any other match three.
Columns has appeared in several classic arcade collection games in recent generation consoles. And the original, as well as its sequels have been ported to nearly every other video game console in one form or another before finally winding up on the App Store.
There's no reason not to take advantage of the 4th of July Sale and download Columns Deluxe while it's free. Although, the experience may not quite be the same as it was on the Game Gear without needing to constantly be swapping through six AA batteries to play for more than an hour or two at a time.
ReactGames announced that they have dropped the price of Archon to $1.99 (from $3.99) for the July 4th weekend, and have also announced the first free update to the game which is due in July:
The expansion will primarily include the eagerly anticipated multiplayer functionality, allowing you to match your skills against live opponents – with some additional optional features never seen before in Archon!
No details about the Multiplayer option has been revealed, though it seems Bluetooth Peer-to-Peer is the most likely iteration.
The initial release of the game had been well received with some mixed reactions to the virtual d-pad and some complaints about the low level of difficulty in the novice and average settings. Otherwise, however, it does a very good job preserving the spirit of the original game.
Apple must be catching up before the July 4th holiday, because they have unleashed a massive number of app updates today.
Here are a collection of notable ones. We haven't had a chance to try them all out yet, so are relying on the developer's notes.
Circuit Strike One ($0.99) - This zero-gravity shooter has received 19 fixes/improvements, many of which address the previously reported framerate drops and performance issues. It also allows users to individually reduce the visual effects to balance performance.
UniWar ($0.99) - One of the best turn-based strategy games just got better with a 3-minute "Quick Play" mode for online play, map fixes, campaign mode improvements, and many other fixes/adjustments.
Tyrian ($1.99) - Fixed the weapon upgrade issue found in the first version.
Isotope ($2.99) - 3.0 fixes that allow the game to run smoothly again in the latest iPhone update as well as a number of fixes and features.
EpicTilt recently released a new rhythm game to the App Store called TapStar [$0.99]. While there are a number of rhythm games available on the App Store, TapStar's claim to fame is that it includes exclusively licensed content from Sony Music. That means the first release includes full versions of a number of known artists and songs including:
Lit/My Own Worst Enemy
Romantics/What I Like About You
John Mayer/Say
Britney Spears/I’m A Slave 4 U
Pink/Get the Party Started
Sarah McLachlan/Fallen
Cyndi Lauper/Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Warrant/Heaven
TLC/Creep
As well, the developer promises free updates with more songs in the near future. 11 that are listed as coming "very soon" include: Kansas/Carry On Wayward Son, Three Days Grace/Never Too Late, Cheap Trick/I Want You to Want Me, Cheap Trick/Surrender, John Mayer/Waiting on the World to Change, John Mayer/Your Body Is a Wonderland, Sarah McLachlan/Angel, Spin Doctors/Two Princes, Spin Doctors/Little Miss Can't Be Wrong, Los Lonely Boys/Heaven, and Warrant/Cherry Pie.
This first version of TapStar will seem a bit rudimentary to rhythm game fans as there are no special tap-and-hold or slide notes. Instead the game offers a pretty straightforward tap-mechanic without even many graphical flourishes letting you know how accurate you've been. So, compared to DDR, it's a bit of a bland experience. Meanwhile, the game uses Pump It Up style corner buttons that are mapped to virtual buttons on each corner of your iPhone.
The developer, however, has revealed that many features didn't make it into the 1.0 release, so we should be seeing more in future updates that improve the graphics and animation. He also predicts a total of 60 tracks to be added within the next 90 days for free, but can't exclude the possibility of micro-transactions beyond that.
While it's hard to recommend a game just based on future promises, the current $0.99 promotion price makes it hard to pass up if you love even one of the songs included.
One of the early high quality match/puzzle games for the iPhone has recently dropped in price all the way down to free. Tatomic originally debuted in October of last year at $4.99 and was well received.
The game is a Tetris variant in which your goal is to group atoms into like-colored chains. The game comes with three gameplay modes and is really well put together. Here is a gameplay video from the Lite version, but there's no excuse to not get the full version which is now free.
A few interesting lite versions of games we've covered in the past have appeared in the App Store in time for the July 4th weekend.
Assassin's Creed Free - There were some mixed initial reactions to this game due to memories of the DS version. But the game is technically impressive on the iPhone and the lite version is worth a try. The full version has also since dropped down to $4.99 from it's launch price of $9.99.
Siberian Strike Lite - A top-scrolling shooter also from Gameloft. The full version remains at only $0.99.
Ragdoll Blaster Lite - Here's a ragdoll physics game we really liked. The gameplay is simple, all you do is touch the screen and drag a crosshair to determine the direction and velocity you will shoot your little guy, and the physics engine handles the rest. Each level requires you to hit a certain target, and your goal is to hit it in as few shots as possible.
After a few sleepless nights of following our forums and ngmoco's Twitter, we're finally able to embark on the quest for the Golden Orchid in Rolando 2 [App Store]. Better late than never, Rolando 2 is already off to a great start with overwhelmingly positive reactions from our community.
Rolando 2 comes with 2.5D cell shaded graphics which look wonderful, as well as such a great soundtrack that I hope ngmoco follows Secret Exit's lead with their release of their Zen Bound [App Store] soundtrack as a free download to people who purchased the game.
TouchArcade reader reactions have been swift and also generally very positive.
Not surprisingly, forum member dannys95 highly recommendsRolando 2 to any fans of the first game, and anyone who enjoys Rolando Lite [App Store]. Something worth mentioning is that while Rolando 2 isn't currently available in a lite version, the lite version of the original will give you a taste of the controls and an idea of the sequel's gameplay.
Redking31591 agrees with me on the high quality of the soundtrack, and describes Rolando 2 as "well worth the long wait," and "a premier iPhone experience." Cjb43 follows up with the overwhelming praise that "every facet of the game is crafted to perfection, and it all adds up to a very fun game."
While Fu3lRac3r loves the new 2.5D graphics, he wishes there was a deeper introduction to the plot of the game and also feels the ability to tweak the sensitivity of the tilt controls is something important that Rolando 2 is lacking. A couple of other minor complaints have included some camera zoom issues and small Rolandos getting stuck under the water, though not enough to mar from the overall experience.
While one user, playing on an iPhone 3G experienced some random slowdowns, across the board, performance reports have been solid for everyone else playing on iPhones and iPod touches. Also, as you would expect, Rolando 2 on the 3GS is silky smooth and feels closer to watching a cartoon than playing a video game.
But perhaps the best testimonial for the Rolando 2 experience comes from Sizzlakalonji, who wasn't very hot on the first Rolando, but figured he'd take the plunge on the sequel. The thread continued on for a few pages, and he returned to tell us how much he's enjoying the game.
There's no doubt that this game is well worth the 10 bucks, the level of quality in every aspect is very high. I just felt that in the first game, some of the "wow" factor wasn't there. I'm feeling it here for some of the reasons mentioned by others. I like the characterization of the Rolandos, along with the corresponding vocalizations. I like the variety of Rolandos with their differing abilities, and like everybody else it seems, I like the soundtrack. These thoughts are coming from someone who absolutely was not caught up in the hype, didn't read all of the pre-release threads, and was just giving this a go to see if I was too hasty on the first. I'm not sure if after I finish this game I'll go back and get the first...possibly, but I'm certainly enjoying this iteration of the game and can easily recommend it even to those who weren't wowed by the first.
My personal favorite aspect of the game is the fact that each level has different goals associated with it, which are awarded by keeping all the Rolandos alive, collecting all the crystals, and beating the time limit. Idols are also hidden throughout the game, which can be used to skip levels. Also included is a massive list of achievements, all of which get send up to your Plus+ profile if you register an account. All of these things should add substantial replay value to Rolando 2.
All in all, Rolando 2 is an evolution of the original Rolando formula. So, if you liked the first, you'll like the second. The graphics and sound are great, and so far the bulk of the complaints we've seen are the usual ones about the premium price and the fact that currently Rolando 2 currently requires the 3.0 firmware.
If you're an iPod touch user and haven't upgraded yet, or if you've stuck with 2.2.1 because of jailbreak, you will have to hold off until ngmoco releases an update that's coming soon to enable 2.2.1 support. Otherwise, we're looking at what seems will be another classic title for the iPhone.
Ngmoco and a dozen other advertisers are currently sponsors of this site. If you have concerns about our objectivity, please read our advertising and editorial policies.
F.A.S.T. — Fleet Air Superiority Training [App Store] is an aerial dogfighting game which is remarkably reminscent of the Playstation Ace Combat series that pits players against either AI opponents or actual players via WiFi and Bluetooth.
F.A.S.T.'s online multiplayer works surprisingly well, and the game offers a graphically impressive highly immersive flying experience.
F.A.S.T. throws the player into the thick of an aerial combat scenario involving multiple closing enemy targets over a variety of ground environments. The combat arsenal includes radar guided and heat seeking missiles for long-range attack, 20mm miniguns for close-range dog fighting, and flares for dodging in-bound enemy missiles. The game features accelerometer aircraft control that is pretty much perfectly implemented — it's just exactly right, surprisingly so. And while it does not provide an X-Plane-style true-flight simulation experience (nor does it strive to), it's more involved flying than more casual air comabt games, such as Top Gun.
F.A.S.T. is currently on sale for $1.99, and while I'm sure there will be some people upset about the price fluctuations, the game is a substantial value at its current price.
After a seemingly long wait, Ngmoco's Rolando 2 has finally made it's way into the App Store today. The $9.99 game is the sequel to the critically acclaimedRolando which was perhaps the first iPhone game to build up a massive following well before its release.
Rolando 2 improves upon the existing Rolando formula by adding a "2.5D" display system which provides a 3D-looking environment to travel across. Beyond just this aesthetic change, the game also introduces a number of new characters, skills, weapons/vehicles and puzzles throughout the game's 46 levels. The game shares the same basic controls as the original game with tilt movements to roll the Rolandos and swipe controls to jump.
We spent a bit of time with a preview version of the game at WWDC, and were pretty pleased with the improvements that had been made. It also seemed clear that if you were a fan of the original Rolando, you're certain to enjoy this sequel. We'll sit down and spend some time with the final version to provide a full review soon.
Here's a video walkthrough of some of the new features from developer Simon Oliver:
Rolando 2 also integrates Ngmoco's Plus+ network which allows you to maintain buddy lists and issue push challenges with your friends.
InMotion Software's I Dig It [App Store] puts a new spin on the classic gameplay found in Dig Dug [App Store], bringing unique graphics, an in-depth upgrade system, and resource management to the table.
In I Dig It, you play as Farmer Lewis, a man who is in a bit of a monetary pickle and needs to pay the mortgage on his farm. Naturally, when faced with financial difficulties, the first thing that comes to mind is retrofitting an old bulldozer into a digging machine to search for over 60 types of subterranean treasures beneath your homestead. The bank is coming in four hours, and you need to raise $100,000.
The gameplay is simple, yet challenging. Utilizing the on-screen analog controls, you dig downwards, stopping on your way to pick up the various valuable minerals you come across. When your cargo bay is full, the rocket boosters of your bulldozer turned high-tech digger come into play and help you fly back up to the surface.
Once there, you can sell what you've dug up, refuel, repair, and either buy upgrades or pay off your mortgage. Available in the shop are six different upgrades which cover every aspect of your digger. For instance, upgrading your drill to a titanium bit allows you to drill faster, and upgrading your hull from iron to steel allows you to take more damage.
On the surface, I Dig It is a simple dig for treasure game, but it's not until you play it for a while that you start to appreciate the strategy involved in choosing your upgrades and intelligently planning your dig routes. On top of all that, you're constantly faced with the threat of overheating, hull integrity, and you always need to make sure you have enough fuel left to make your way topside.
Digging deep is key to maximizing profits, but also comes with the increased risk of not making it out alive. Death is quite brutal in I Dig It, as there aren't any checkpoints and once you die your only option is to start over. If you get tired of the campaign mode, also included are five different challenge modes, achievements, and an unlockable free play mode.
I Dig It was a hit at WWDC, and unfortunately was lost in the noise of all the big name releases of the week. Since then, InMotion has released I Dig It Lite [App Store] and I Dig It 1.1 which features greatly improved controls, bug fixes, and Facebook connectivity.
Despite the harsh death penalties, I Dig It has kept me coming back for more. I'm a sucker for games that have a great art style, and there are few games that rival that of I Dig It. If nothing else, I'd definitely give I Dig It Lite a try.
We called Eliss a must try game for the iPhone and a new price drop on the title makes it even more affordable to pickup. Eliss has dropped to $0.99, likely to compete against the increasing number of low priced iPhone games.
Sturmware's GraviTicks [
Lubos Kulisek's Nukeball [
Lexis Numérique's Surfacer [
The terrain, while somewhat basic, looks rather nice and polished. The graphical elements in general come together to deliver a smooth, "complete"-feeling racer that runs at a very good framerate on my test unit, the 2G iPod touch. In my early experience with the title, I found the forest scenery a bit more lavish than the desert runs, but every environ makes for a very playable racer.
In a nutshell, some of the other standout features of Dirt Moto Racing include: a pounding 12-song soundtrack, online leaderboards, 21 unlockable achievements, 36 unique game events, customizable rider and vehicle and downloadable best-of-the-best ghost play competition.
