Author Archive for ChiffaN
A project manager in a major telecommunications supplier, an iPhone junkie and lately - a TMA editor. Love long walks on the beach and my wife, who is the most beautiful girl on the face of this planet. You can also follow me on twitter for all things iPhone and project management (and some personal stuff as well): http://twitter.com/ChiffaNe
The Train episode 02 in Review – Murder on the future express
These days, one would find it hard to come across an idea that hasn’t previously been covered in some fashion or an other in a well-known movie, TV series or plain old book. But still the powers of imagination are limitless and a small indie team has managed to create a whole new original universe in the The Train episode 01 (TMA Review), one that you can continue to explore in The Train episode 02….if you dare.
1112 episode 03 in Review – It finally happened – I’m going slightly mad…
Sometimes the hardest part of getting your hands on an eagerly anticipated release is the waiting. Ever since the original 1112 episode 01 first saw the light of day, I have been leaving scratch marks on my wall just like a prisoner on death roll to help pass the time. 1112 episode 02 (TMA Review) fully met my expectations and holds the crown as the top first-person adventure in our App Store’s Best Adventure. You can guess how I felt about part 3 of the series. Well, after a long one and a half years of waiting the story finally continues in 1112 episode 03/HD and I can tell you right now – it was well worth the wait!
Last King of Africa 2 in Review – In the jungle, the quiet jungle, the panther sleeps tonight…
In the jungle, a lone young woman is driving for her life in a truck with a panther in the back. If you think this is the start of the latest Animal Planet documentary, you couldn’t be more wrong. This is part two of the adaptation of the classic Benoit Sokal adventure – Paradise aka Last King of Africa (TMA Review). On to Maurania once again!
Palm Heroes 2 Deluxe in Review – It’s time to HoMMnify your iPhone once more!
One of my first ever reviews for TMA was of Palm Heroes Classic, an adaptation of the legendary classic Heroes of Might and Magic 3, for the iPhone. Of course, having been originally developed for Windows Mobile, it had its flaws – mostly on the interface side. Still even in those early App Store day, it offered a unique experience on par with the classic desktop Strategy/RPG. But time doesn’t stand still and now almost 2 years later, the developers have released the sequel Palm Heroes 2 Deluxe for iPhone, this time built from the ground up for the iOS.
Save Yammi in Review – Draw a rope, feed an octopus!
When Cut the Rope (TMA Review) was first released in late 2010, it was simply out of this world, if only because Angry Birds finally had its hegemony challenged. And the game wasn’t all that bad either. Of course it couldn’t help but inspire competition; some have been downright clones, while others were of the more creative variety. The latter has just spawned an interesting concept, something like an anti-cut the rope in Save Yammi.
Cavorite in Review – Original puzzle-platformer wrapped in old school graphics
I’m generally not a big fan of the puzzle platform genre; it just feels somewhat outdated to me as a concept. I understand the nostalgia that powers a lot of the sales behind it, but am an alien to it myself. The truth is – almost everything that could have been dreamed up, already has been. Or so I thought before trying out Cavorite, a recent addition to the App Store with a unique concept wrapped beneath seemingly traditional graphics.
Cryptic Keep in Review – Treasure hunting the boring way
The extremely low entry barrier onto the iOS development scene ($99 and a Mac) is both a blessing and a curse for a number of reasons. On one hand it allows indie developers with original ideas to make a grab for the proverbial “millions”. On the other, a significant chunk of the 300K+ of apps on the App Store are complete and utter crap. That’s why sites like TMA exist – to sort through the dung to find the gold. Unfortunately, Cryptic Keep is not shiny…
Flick Golf Extreme! In Review – Golf! Reinvented! Supercharged!
Reviewing Flick Golf! (TMA Review) a few months ago I was absolutely thrilled by the new and original spin (pardon the pun) on the genre. Distilling the essence of one of the most aristocratic sports to a simple flick of the finger is pure genius. Well, Tiger Woods, it’s time to eat your golf club, as Flick Golf Extreme! takes the same unique gameplay and offers to go dunk the golf balls from helicopters and skyscrapers for the ultimate golf experience.
Avadon: The Black Fortress HD in Review – Definitely not about King Arthur
Considering the main audience of Apple’s iOS devices, it’s no wonder there is a noticeable lack of hardcore old-school RPGs. Some of the few titles coming to mind are, of course, the now Free Undercroft (TMA Review) and the never-ending The Quest with over a dozen expansions out already. But for some reason the iPad has stayed devoid of an optimized hardcore RPG experience ever since its release in Spring 2010. Until recently that is, when Spiderweb Software finally released Avadon: The Black Fortress HD on the iPad, which was previously available only for the Mac..
Dragon’s Lair 2: Time Warp in Review – Out of the frying pan and into the fire
I remember in the ’90s everyone was saying that “The Future” of the entertainment industry will be interactive movies. You know, where you can actually influence what the hell is going on on-screen. This, unfortunately, is still far far away from reality, but the early attempts left us with some rather noteworthy titles. I’m talking, of course, about the handful of Laserdisc classics, best known for Don Bluth’s Dragon’s Lair (TMA Review) series. Well, iOS was recently hit with the sequel to the classic adventure – Dragon’s Lair 2: Time Warp.
