All Entries in the "Featured" Category
Yesterday in Review – Today or Tomorrow, What A Game
These days it seems like when you visit a web site dedicated to “adventure” games they’re talking about the latest hidden object game from Big Fish or the newest FPS from whomever. When I was growing up, however, adventure games were a lot more special. They were about stories and talking to interesting characters. There were interesting settings, and several sometimes mind boggling puzzles. It’s clear that the developers of Yesterday grew up in that same era, or at least have done their research. I also thank BulkyPix for helping bring this tale to my iPad screen.
Mad Acorn in Review – Secret Agent Squirrels With Rhythm?
There was a time when I was really into the original Diablo, and like many players I thought I was going to wear out my mouse with all the button mashing. Mad Acorn is that game for my iPod Touch. In fact, sometimes I get worried that I’m going to leave a finger indentation on the screen where my thumb is most active. Then I forget about my concerns as the next wave of bad guys roll by. I’ve never been a fan of Tap Tap Revenge style games, but when a game in an established genre tightly integrates music into the mechanics, that’s a whole different story. Not to mention that Mad Acorn is the cream of the crop in that regards.
iOS 6: All New Maps app, improved Siri, Passbook and more
Apple officially unveiled iOS 6 earlier today at the WWDC, calling it “The world’s most advanced mobile operating system”. Hardcore Android users and Google may beg to differ, but one thing’s for certain: iOS 6 will come loaded with over 200 new features, including an all-new Maps app, improved Phone functionality, a smarter and more capable Siri, and much much more. The next gen OS is set to drop this fall and will be compatible with the iPhone 3GS/4/4S, iPod Touch 4th gen, and iPad 2/3. Here are some of iOS 6′s more notable features:
Kung Fu Rabbit in Review – No Sharp, Pointy Teeth, But Still…
Well, BulkyPix has managed to publish another extremely addictive action platform game with Kung Fu Rabbit. Of course the fact that the protagonist is an oddly shaped rabbit wielding a deadly blade is beside the point. It also doesn’t hurt that no matter how many times you fail a level there’s this bizarre draw to give it one more try. For various reasons I’ll choose not to disclose I’m not nearly as far in this game as I’d like by now, but it hasn’t deterred me one bit from playing, and in fact is probably the reason I’ve stuck with it so long.
Haunted Houdini in Review – The Main Thing Disappearing Is My Time!
Haunted Houdini is the first title in the Midnight Mysteries series that I’ve had the chance to play, but it certainly won’t be the last. While in general hidden object games are becoming more like “true” adventure games every day, Haunted Houdini takes storytelling within a hidden object game to a new level. Combine that with many diverse locations to explore and a fine balance between hidden object scenes, object based puzzles and mini-games, this has become one of the most enjoyable from this genre that I’ve played in quite some time.
Azkend 2 HD The World Beneath in Review – Sequels Can Be Better
Not too long ago before this review I wrote a preview for Azkend 2, so I decided to start over and play the game on my iPad this time around. I was about half way through the game on my iPod Touch, but the truth is that I’ve had just as much fun the second time around with this match 3 from 10tons. Actually, I think it was a bit more entertaining because I found it easier to pull off massive combos on the larger screen. Still, whether you’ve got an iPad or just a small screen device with which to play iOS games, Azkend 2 is definitely worth your time.
Jazz: Trump’s Journey in Review – Blow Your Own Horn
There was a time where it seemed like developers weren’t interested in making platform games for iOS devices, or the ones that were available weren’t that great. Now we’re not only seeing a steady influx in this genre, but many of them are of a quality that’s on par with or even surpasses console games. Such is the case with JAZZ: Trump’s journey. Not only is it graphically in line with many console favorites, but the level design is quite intriguing and the difficulty makes me think the developers might have been Mega Man fans! Overall the game has been quite entertaining so far.
Kingdom Rush in Review – I’ll Take My Time To Enjoy This One
The tower defense genre is one that has always eluded me. Sure you have to construct towers (or some sort of defense) and possibly upgrade them during a level, but a bulk of each round is spent simply watching as hordes of monsters parade along a route and your equipment picks them off. Thankfully, though, over the course of time there have been a few that have bucked this trend, Kingdom Rush being one of them. Between constant interaction, interesting level design and a ranking system that allows you to buy permanent upgrades to your defenses, Kingdom Rush takes enough simple steps forward to push it ahead of the crowd.
EPOCH in Review – Go save the princess, you tin can!
At times it seems developers just miss that creative spark in terms of writing, leaving us stuck with stories full of cardboard characters and clichés. But every once in a while a streak of genius may turn such a seemingly boring tale into something new and original. And depending on the viewpoint EPOCH falls neatly into the latter category. Or not.
Jurassic Park: The Game 1 HD in Review – Daddy, look at those pretty dinosaurs!
For years now Telltale has proven time and time again that they’re able to turn a famous franchise into first-class episodic adventures. We’ve seen this in reboots of Sam & Max and Monkey Island (Review) series, as well as excellent adaptations of Wallace & Gromit and Back to the Future (Review). But when Jurassic Park: The Game was announced I couldn’t help but feel skeptical as to how the unique cinematic experience of such a movie could be translated into an interactive title. Well, I can tell you right now I have been proven wrong.
