Thought we'd squirt this information to you real fast-like: The Game Bakers' Squids [$1.99], a real-time strategy RPG with some of the best art we've seen on iPad and iPhone, has been updated with four new missions, four additional helmets, more pearls, and a new recruit named Jammer. Jammer, as described by The Game Bakers, is "fast, very fast."
New content is cool and all, but we're guessing fans will dig some of the technical and game-side tweaks. Starting with this update, users can download the game's music from an in-game menu option. Also, now if players use an item and fail a mission, Squids no longer steals that item from you. Making war fair, these guys.
Last week, we gave you a heads up about new updates for two of the most popular "crafting" games in the App Store – one for Mojang's official release of Minecraft - Pocket Edition [$6.99/Lite] and one for its 2D counterpart of sortsJunk Jack [$2.99/Lite], which is developed by PixBits. Well, since we signed off for the weekend this past Friday, both updates have now become available.
Aside from gracing a platform that can also make phone calls, the neatest thing about Hatchi [$.99] is that it can be constantly updated with features that dramatically change up the user experience. Your Tamagotchi couldn't do that. No way.
Game creator Portable Pixel teased some huge changes coming in the next update about a week ago, and we've got some firm details on those. Here's a run-down of what we know:
On Food. Portable Pixel tells us that it has been "overwhelmed with the popularity" of its title and wanted to get some new features out in front of people as fast as possible. One of those features is additional food options. Joining the game's basic hamburger is pizza, apples, bread, cake, ice cream, and what appears to be a turkey leg. Weight is now a factor that the game figures in, and different foods will affect your Hatchi in different ways.
On Waste Management. We've received inscrutable image confirmation that, in the next update, your Hatchi gain the ability to poop. Steam will come off of its turds, and presumably, the washing feature will have to be used to take care of the on-screen mess. This was the game's most requested feature, apparently. We salute you for making this so, sirs.
On Evolution. Portable Pixel is adding an "additional evolution" stage, and is also greatly expanding the possible evolution tree. We've got a great image right here that'll give you a couple of clues as to what to expect.
On Death And Liberation. Soon, when your Hatchi dies, he will be laid to rest in a cemetery. Additionally, if you'd like to give up on your Hatchi without killing it manually, you'll be able to free it in a "forest sanctuary."
There you have it. We've asked for additional details on when this will release, but we're guessing it'll be out in just a week or so. Hatchi pre-update is pretty awesome, too. Give that write-up a read if you're interested in the title.
One of the strongest genres on the App Store is the arcade shoot ‘em up, as it’s well suited to the portrait orientation of iOS devices and – as long as they’re done right – the touch screen controls can offer more precision and finesse than even traditional physical controls. It’s no surprise there are a ton of shooters on iOS, and more than a fair share of excellent ones. This week saw a few tidbits of news for several shooters, nicely collected here by yours truly.
Shogun, Free - A couple of weeks back, we reviewed Shogun from developer Int13 and found it to be an excellent modern bullet hell shooter with insanely good graphics and challenging gameplay. Shogun received an update this week adding some minor but welcome changes. You can now adjust the control deadzone to your liking, and there’s an option for showing the exact hitbox on your ship so you know just where not to take fire.
One of the coolest features in Shogun was how it slowed down bullet-time style when you lifted your finger off the screen so that you could change weapons or activate powerups. If you weren’t feeling this, though, you can now choose to display those options as static buttons on the edge of either side of the screen. Finally, there are additional audio settings and several bug fixes. Be on the lookout for the next update too, as Int13 hints that it will contain new modes and goodies.
Phoenix HD, Free - Phoenix is another indie bullet hell shooter that came out in late 2010. We liked this one a lot too due to its randomly generated endless design and a dynamic difficulty that adjusted to how well you played the game. An update last August gave Phoenix HD visuals, improving the already great experience.
This week Phoenix received its latest update, and gained a new enemy ship called the Brute, which is large but agile and packs a split-shot weapon, and a new lightning Alpha Strike. The less exciting bits in this update include improved menu interfaces, separate toggles for music and sound effects, Chinese translation, and various other tweaks and fixes.
Wonton 51, Free - Wonton 51 came out last October, and as much as I wanted to love it due to its completely crazy and humorous style, the controls were just too awkward to be enjoyable. It required moving with one hand and firing by touching enemies using your other. It made for some pretty distracting screen blockage, which isn’t good in a game based around not crashing your giant mech into oncoming buildings.
Later on, an autofire option was included making the game much more approachable. This week another update has hit which adds a boss rush mode and a shooting-only mode where you don’t need to worry about dodging buildings. Each mode is available as a 99¢ IAP, but right now the initial download of Wonton 51 is completely free. The original mode is more than enough fun on its own, and at the very least you should download it just to experience its offbeat humor.
If you generally like Cave's brand of bullet hell shooter, then you should have no problem liking Dodonpachi Blissful Death. It's one of the more simple Cave shooters out there, but does not lack in action or entertainment. As long as Cave keeps pumping out their excellent library of shooters to iOS, I will gladly keep buying and enjoying them.
One of the most charming and whimsical games on iOS, Whale Trail [99¢], has just received a nice new content update. We really liked Whale Trailin our review when the game first released in October, and a December update added a whole new dimension to the game by offering 32 scoring-based challenge levels to the mix. Each level had 3 stars to earn, and there was a new Hyper Boost power-up that could launch you way up high in the sky.
Today's update is along the lines of the first, offering 32 new challenge levels and 2 new power-ups. The premise in the previous update was that the game's villain Baron Von Barry fell asleep on the job, allowing Willow the Whale to explore the colorful challenge levels in Rainbow Playground without pursuit. In the new set of 32 levels, the Baron turns the tables on Willow and puts him through these extremely difficult challenges in the Thunder Bros' kingdom where it's dark and stormy all the time.
Junk Jack [$2.99/Lite] developer Pixbits has shown a strong amount of post-release love to their 2D Minecraft-esque title, and in their latest update which has been partway released on the App Store they once again deliver the goods.
Wait, how is the update partway released, you ask? Well, for some reason, Apple went and approved the update for the lite version last week, with the full version update still waiting to get the go ahead. So, if you're dying to see some of the newly implemented features, you can catch a glimpse from Junk Jack LE if  you really want.
People had been clamoring for an official mobile version of Minecraft for some time, and after a brief period of Xperia Play exclusivity, Minecraft - Pocket Edition [$6.99/Lite] launched for iOS this past November. Despite the high anticipation, most fans found the release underwhelming due to it lacking the major components of its desktop counterpart, like enemies and crafting. Those were the major reasons we didn't totally love the game in our review, although it was a totally decent creation-only version of Minecraft on the go.
Developer Mojang heard the player feedback loud and clear, and immediately put a plan in action to get the missing components stuffed into Minecraft - Pocket Edition. Part of that plan was releasing an update with a bunch of behind-the-scenes infrastructure stuff that will allow for the addition of survival elements and crafting. We detailed this update last month, and although I think it's hitting a wee bit later than Mojang had wanted, the update is now live for the Android version of the game, and the iOS version is currently in review with Apple and should be hitting at pretty much any time.
In the updated version of Minecraft - Pocket Edition, there's now a day/night cycle and the first introduction of creatures to the world, sheep and zombies. You get new blocks to build doors, fences, and gates with, and since crafting isn't part of the mobile package just yet, there is an assortment of pre-made tools to help you get by until you're able to build your own someday. It sounds like the new update goes a long way in rectifying the fairly mundane first release of Minecraft - Pocket Edition, so be sure to keep your eye out for it to hit the iOS App Store soon.
Last month Namco Bandai treated us to an excellent iOS port of the original SoulCalibur [$14.99]. It was based off of the superior Dreamcast version (or more accurately, the high resolution XBLA remake) rather than the arcade version, and came equipped with just about everything that made it a classic back then, barring a couple of significant things.
First was the baffling lack of any sort of multiplayer, as well as a few missing modes that had been in previous versions. The second big thing was the frame rate. See, one of the things that was so memorable about SoulCalibur on the Dreamcast was just how crazy smooth everything moved. The frame rate rocked a solid 60fps, and it elevated the visuals way beyond anything that was on current consoles, and rivaled much of what was popular in arcades at the time.
Rebuild [$2.99] for iPhone and iPod Touch is actually happening -- and soon. Tomorrow will see the debut of the post-apocalyptic strategy title on smaller devices, courtesy a big-time Universal update for the iPad versions of the game. Developer Northway tells that the update will also roll in retina support, too.
This is easily one of our favorite strategy games on the App Store this side of Civ Rev [$6.99 / HD], and we're stoked that a "maybe" porting scenario as of a couple of months ago has become a reality. If you haven't read anything about Rebuildcheck out our review. Or just pick it up on the App Store at its sale price of $.99 starting tomorrow through this Sunday.
If you don't have someone to curl up to this Valentine's Day, you might want to consider snuggling with your iPad instead. It doesn't have skin or emotion or whatever, sure, but it'll have plenty to give you over the holiday stretch. For example, Paper Monsters [$.99] has received a themed update in celebration, adding an entirely new level pack and decidedly less romantic, but necessary bug fixes and level tweaks.
Of course, Paper Monsters won't be the only title receiving an update like this: in the past, most "big" games, like Angry Birds or Cut The Rope, have received a little nod to the holiday. Also, publishers are undoubtedly going to go on price cutting sprees since Valentine's Day is so popular and all.
So, yeah, you don't need a real partner. Your iPad will have plenty for you, and hey, it won't even ask you for chocolate or a rose or expect to get something nice.
Heads up: Limbic Software is continuing to build on Zombie Gunship [$.99] with the release of a third residential expansion this afternoon. The expectation is that it'll expand on the fiction like the others, and hey, presumably give us another bodacious zombie-popping romp in the process, too. You can grab it now for the delicious price of $0.
Zombie Gunship is a little old by App Store standards, so here's a little refresher for your mushy stuff. From our review:
If you've played Call of Duty, you may remember the levels where you fly in an AC-130 and target the enemies below in a fantastic display of aerial firepower. Well, Zombie Gunship is based on that idea.
In the game, you look down over an apocalyptic landscape and wait for enemies to appear on your radar. Suddenly, a solitary human figure rushes from the shadows, trying to escape from hoards of brain-loving zombies. This is where you step in to save the day. You must shoot the zombies below, before they eat the few remaining humans or reach the bunker. If one lifeless zombie reaches the bunker, it seals itself to avoid being breached and your mission is over.
We're still loving this game, and judging from the response on the game's Facebook page, it looks like its followers aren't anywhere close to being done with it, either. That's good. If the title continues to thrive, we'll probably keep getting new content, too. Screens of the latest just below, by the way:
If you wanted a leg up in Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies [$6.99], Activision has your back. In an update that hit yesterday, the publisher has added a new in-game "Points Pack system" that allows users to purchase the game's currency for real money. There's a total of six tiers to choose from, ranging in price from $.99 to $49.99. The former gives you 12,000 points to play with, while the latter dishes out an astounding 2,000,000.
More interestingly, this update rolls in a couple of new weapons -- the Ray Gun and "the zombie-attracting" Monkey Bomb. Both hit at no-cost after updating, which happens to be the same offering price for all the update's nebulous bug fixes and optimizations. Content is something we've noted that Black Ops Zombies needs, so these weapons are certainly a welcome sight. Hopefully new, wholly original and game-specific maps are hitting soon, too.
Ticket to Ride Pocket [$1.99], the iPhone and iPod Touch-specific version of the wonderful board game translation, has received a huge update. Starting now, users can now rock out online for the first time in a new asynchronous mode that allows up to four games per user. Less excitingly, local play has received a few tweaks: games no longer just quit out whenever there's a disconnect, and an AI or two can now join in on the fun.
The patch notes also mention a lot of bug fixes, including memory leaks. Hit those up if you are really, really into the nitty-gritty of a splendidly comprehensive patch that adds functionality that we've all been waiting for. Here's to hoping Pocket gets all of the maps in the iPad version down the line, too.
Bean's Quest [$2.99] from Kumobius launched in July of last year, and it was kind of awesome. Actually, it was kind of really awesome. It was just one of many platformers on the App Store that nailed the neo-retro aesthetic, harkening back to the days of 8 and 16 bits. However, there was one key element that separated it from other iOS platformers – you're constantly bouncing. Picture a sideways Doodle Jump mixed with Super Mario Bros. 3 and you kind of get the idea.
The automatic nonstop bouncing was easy enough to get used to if you're just trying to make it through the game, but the real brilliance of Bean's Quest was that it kept track of the number of your bounces and tasked you with completing each level within a certain number of them to maximize your reward. Along with diamonds and a hidden toy creature that had to be collected, Bean's Quest had come up with an excellent little system for maximizing replay value.
Emotional Robot's FPS, Warm Gun, has received a notable update that aims to fix a lot of what owners have been rightfully grumbling about since the title's release. According to the game's latest patch notes, this update increases performance "across all devices by roughly 40%", which should help a lot of folks with frame rate woes. It also adds in more control schemes, improves the AI and UI, and resolves what Emotional Robot calls "random crashes." Yikes, that's a lot tweaks and fixes for a release game!
There's some content mixed into this update, too -- specifically, an all new map called "Coldshot" has been added to the multiplayer rotation. In celebration of all of this, Warm Gun's price has been dropped to $1.99 until the end of this month. But regardless of price, you definitely want to check in with our forums before diving into this one. You know, just to be safe.
Thought we'd squirt this information to you real fast-like: The Game Bakers' Squids [$1.99], a real-time strategy RPG with some of the best art we've seen on iPad and iPhone, has been updated with four new missions, four additional helmets, more pearls, and a new recruit named Jammer. Jammer, as described by The Game Bakers, is "fast, very fast."
Aside from gracing a platform that can also make phone calls, the neatest thing about Hatchi [$.
People had been clamoring for an official mobile version of Minecraft for some time, and after a brief period of Xperia Play exclusivity, Minecraft - Pocket Edition [
Last month Namco Bandai treated us to 
Rebuild
If you don't have someone to curl up to this Valentine's Day, you might want to consider snuggling with your iPad instead. It doesn't have skin or emotion or whatever, sure, but it'll have plenty to give you over the holiday stretch. For example, 
Heads up: 
If you wanted a leg up in 
Ticket to Ride Pocket [$
