On this week’s show, we power through conversations about toilets and Eli’s European adventure in order to bring you the latest, hottest, and bestest in iOS. At the top, we dive into why Eli is in Finland and then discuss Dragon Shout and Brad’s latest soul-sucking strategy game, Rebuild. Later, we answer some of your user questions, and drop our takes on news-y topics like OnLive’s app and using the Siri’s tech in games.
Even though we had a man across the ocean this week, I think we put together quite the episode for all of you TouchArcade-iacs out there. If you’re not a member of the club, join up by listening to one of these links. Additionally, you can subscribe to our show via iTunes or Zune Marketplace.
iTunes Link: The TouchArcade Show
Zune Marketplace: TouchArcade.com Podcasts
RSS Feed: The TouchArcade Show
Direct Link: TouchArcadeShow-029.mp3, 40MB
Here are your show notes and don’t forget to rate us on iTunes if you have the time. We all really, really appreciate it. Hugs and kisses!
GAMES
- Dragon Shout [Free]
- Rebuild [$2.99]
- Batman Arkham City Lockdown [$5.99]
This game shouldn't have to be iPad only...
I want to like this game, but the real-time aspect is a big turn-off. It might have worked if the rules were really straightforward, but half the cards have special powers which are only visible when you take the time to flip them over and obscure part of the screen.
Right, I have critical, time-sensitive decisions to make, but in order to make the right decision, I have to inspect cards carefully. I can either try to memorize the special powers and hope I can tell all these Italian men apart as I play, or I can hope that I'll win by ignoring the special powers until they pop up.
It's a shame, because this game is beautifully made. They really should have either made the rules simpler or made it turn-based.
This is one of those things that I believe will separate the skilled players from the average players - knowing your deck, knowing what your cards can do and knowing when to deploy them. I'm not there yet, but I can see the possibility.
It's certainly quite a bit more hectic than any turn-based CCG, though.
It's a fabulous game and I think the real-time aspect (though jarring at first) makes it much more exciting. And there is no way this would work well on a phone. There's a lot going on and so much detail to look at. I highly recommend it.
Based on the timjordan's post above, earning credits via multiplayer is a chore. Why can't you earn credits for every win? Why can't they just implement a skirmish mode where you earn credits and xp? Or earn credits and xp again from re-playing the story mode? It's clear that Ubisoft just wants players, who already shelled out money for the game, to pay more just to be able to create new decks. It doesn't help that the assassin's pack cost 9 times as much as the Templar pack. What's worse is I keep getting disconnected from an online match so I haven't earned a single credit from all the times I tried to play online.
Ubisoft has been greedy with their console game releases and it's sad that they haven't learned despite the player backlash. In the end, what should have been a great game is crippled by business interests of Ubisoft. I bought this game at full price, finished the campaign in 3 hours then had no motivation to play again.
Magic The Gathering probably costs 10x more to play and keep playing. Look at where that game is.
I believe they have a winning business model on their hands - sure I would love for them to tone down the money aspect a bit, but as it is, it's still VERY good value for money for the game, engagement and community.
Problems with this game:
1. XP cap. (incredibly little XP can be gained from the story)
2. Extremely high card prices
3. ^ This means the expensive, random IAP purchases are MANDATORY.
4. Can't get new cards (very necessary!) at all without a uplay account, and being online.
5. Uplay was down yesterday. It was having problems today. So maybe you just can't play at all no matter what.
6. Or if you're really unlucky, like me, the server issues will result in a loss of the cards you purchased, leaving you with absolutely nothing.
7. Oh and if you try to play online and the other person quits, you get nothing.
an interesting idea..now to wait for its android's release >.<
an interesting idea, now to wait for its android version >.<
I can't find this game on the App Store. I'm in Australia. Is this USA only or was it pulled? Keep coming up with a blank page.
It's not iPad only... I play in iphone4 with no problem... Great game.