Author Archive for Jim Haley
Disney at Work: Epcot in Review – an inspirational app!
Disney at Work: Epcot is well outside most of the reviews I’ve done for TMA. It’s not a game, but in fact a learning tool. The goal of the app is to teach, and it succeeds pretty well in doing just that. What you get out of it really has more to do with what you’re looking for in it. Disney at Work teaches two things: a history of Epcot, and how you can use the lessons learned from that in your own life/career/business.
Groovin’ Blocks in Review – Match 3 to a different beat
Groovin’ Blocks is another mash-up of genres, this time a mix of puzzle and rhythm music games like Rock Band and Guitar Rock Tour. And it’s a successful merger – producing a game that’s got a unique visual and audio style. If that sounds like it might appeal to you, click on through to get my thoughts.
Hopido in Review – Oh hoppy day!
Hopido is another one of those simple to learn puzzle games that becomes more and more complex as you get into the higher levels. It’s a great brain teaser, the kind of game you can spend hours playing, but broken up into as many quick sessions as you’d like. It’s not the flashiest game you’ll find in the app store, but it doesn’t really need to be, and I’ll tell you why after the break.
Hero Defense in Review – Good Luck, You’re Gonna Need It.
Hero Defense is a game very similar to Townrs Defender, which I had previously reviewed for TMA. There are some differences that make this game unique in its own way, but ultimately the biggest thing that separates it from Townrs is the difficulty level. Hero Defense is hard – really hard. If that’s the kind of game you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place – and I’m ready to tell you all about it.
Hands on Preview – Fuzion: Lands of Fate
I’m a big fan of games that try to mash a couple of existing concepts together into a new and fresh look. Fuzion is one of those games: a mix of RPG and scrabble. So, without further ado, let’s take spell out D-A-R-K L-O-R-D and look at the preview…
Claws-on Preview: Imp or Oaf?
Many people were hoping that the first game to come out from Gilded Skull Games would be Galactic Keep, an impressive looking pen-and-paper RPG emulator. But that game is still in development, and in the meantime, they’ll be releasing their first game called Imp or Oaf?. I got the chance to sit down with the beta version of this game, and played it on and off with my 5-year-old son, and I’m here to give you my impressions.
Hands on Preview: Moonga
I was given the opportunity to take a look at the beta version of Moonga, a Customizable Card Game coming soon to the App Store. I do feel like one of the few people who’s never really gotten into the whole CCG scene, but this one looked like a nice simple CCG to ease myself into. I liked the fantasy style art, so I was immediately drawn in to this easy to play game.
Yumsters! 2 in Review – Yummy Yummy, Lucky Tummy
Yumsters! 2 is different from most puzzle games we get from the App store – for starters, this is not a match 3 game. Secondly, with it’s colorful characters and simple story, it’s got a very kid friendly vibe – much like Bumble Tales. Yumsters! 2 also fits into that category of hybrid games – combination puzzle and music game. So what kind of a game does this all add up to? Find out after the break.
Bumble Tales in Review – bumbling towards ecstasy
Just like in the play Gypsy (yes, you people need to step outside and watch a play occasionally – don’t worry, you can take your ipod with you) “you gotta get a gimmick” if you’re going to play in the match-3 puzzle game space anymore. The field is just too crowded, so you need something to separate you from the pack. Bumble Tales does have a gimmick, but ultimately it could have been used to better effect.
Puzzlegeddon in review – it’s puzzle Armageddon!
I’ve played lots of app store puzzle games now, so it’s taking more and more new ideas for a game to really catch my attention. Puzzlegeddon does a good job of introducing some new elements to the mix: a twist on the puzzle mechanics of color-matching as well as a bit of an added role-play/strategy element. And while an it’s ultimately an enjoyable game in and of itself, there are also a few things that keep it from being a complete homerun.
