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.

App Store Link: Columns Deluxe, Free

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.

App Store Link: Archon, $1.99 ]]> http://toucharcade.com/2009/07/04/archon-drops-to-199-ahead-of-multiplayer-update/feed/ http://toucharcade.com/2009/07/03/apple-unleashes-massive-number-of-app-updates/ http://toucharcade.com/2009/07/03/apple-unleashes-massive-number-of-app-updates/#comments Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:27:04 +0000 arn http://toucharcade.com/?p=12438 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.
• Doodle Jump ($0.99) - Bug fixes, performance optimizations, and… a Jet Pack!
• Sparta ($0.99) - The 1.3 update adds a new shop system to allow you to buy new weapons, armor and health potions.
• Must.Eat.Birds. ($0.99) - Fixed the stability/crashing bug that several people had reported.

• 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.

App Store Link: TapStar, $0.99

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.

App Store Link: Tatomic, Free

• 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.

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 recommends Rolando 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.

App Store Link: Rolando 2, $9.99

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.'s online multiplayer works surprisingly well, and the game offers a graphically impressive highly immersive flying experience.

From our review:

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.

App Store Link: F.A.S.T. — Fleet Air Superiority Training, $1.99 (limited time)

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.

App Store Link: Rolando 2, $9.99 (Requires firmware 3.0)

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.

App Store Link: I Dig It, $2.99 - I Dig It Lite, Free