Price: $1.99
Publisher: Rober Szeleney
Buy now on
Rope n’ Fly 2 has been mentioned before on iPhone Gamer Blog. In fact, it was our 2009, 2nd Best Game of the Year. That's why I felt it was a good idea to give a little more detail about the game and how crazy fun it is. If you’re not familiar with the gameplay, it goes as follows. You swing from one skyscraper to the next, trying to either get as far as you can without falling or as far as you can in a certain amount of time.
The real reason a game like this is so awesome is because it’s extremely quick to get into. You have 2 or 3 spare minutes? You could potentially play 5 or 6 thirty second Rope N’ Fly games. I love games like this that take just a few seconds to get started but at the same time, give you the ability to quickly see how your all time scores stack up against the rest of the community. That functionality is done via OpenFeint and the relationship is put to very good use.
Other than the 6 or 7 game modes included, you can also win achievements via OpenFeint and try to move yourself up in the world rankings. The replay value of the game is great, especially for those people that want to try and go back and beat a previous score. I tried for hours (many separate playing periods) to swing 1,000 meters in 30 seconds or less. Today my record stands at around 1050 meters. Not near good enough for the top standings but it is something I’m proud of.
Rope n’ Fly 2 added prettier graphics, many more game modes, music, weather and night and day cycles. All of which were welcomed by me as a huge fan of the first Rope n’ Fly. Just because the game is great doesn’t mean there isn't room for improvements. It would be fantastic to be able to download the leaders "ghosts" off of the OpenFeint server and be able to swing "race" against them. That would only increase the competitive nature of the game and prolong the longevity of its replay value. Rope n' Fly 2 has literally been a mainstay on my iPhone for 3 months and it’s not going anywhere. If you like a quick time waster like Doodle Jump, you will love the smooth, swinging gameplay of Rope N' Fly 2.
Overall Value for it's $1.99 price point
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Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta iPhone Game of the Year 2009. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta iPhone Game of the Year 2009. Mostrar todas las entradas
jueves, 21 de enero de 2010
sábado, 26 de diciembre de 2009
Need for Speed Shift Review
Price: $9.99
Publisher: EA Mobile
Buy now on
It wasn't long ago I heard that NFS: Shift would be coming to the iPhone. Ever since, I have looked forward to seeing the type of adaptation it would get from EA Mobile. The console game is universally adored and I went into this review hoping for the same, almost expecting to be disappointed. Especially since EA Mobile's track record has been mediocre at best. So what did I find?
The game has quite a bit of content. 20 cars, 18 tracks set in 4 different locations. All of the locations look different and all of the cars look great. A definite plus. I started out using a Mazda and stepped up to a Porsche and could definitely tell a difference in engine sound, handling, etc. It's nice to see that kind of attention to detail on the iPhone.
The sound is nice because not only do the cars sound great but you can also use your own iPhone playlist while playing the game. It certainly was nice when I realized I didn’t have to listen to the crappy default rap/ alternative music EA included in the game. Props to ea mobile for including this ability that sorely needed across the iPhone gaming landscape.
The controls are pretty decent, although in one game mode in particular they can become a problem. In drift mode you are trying to rack up as many points as possible, not from racing competitors but from sliding around the track as much as possible. It makes for fun gaming on a console but on the iPhone, it's extremely difficult to get the tilt based controls at the right angle to drift for any length of time. Fortunately after failing the first 10 times, I realize there was an option to increase the tilt effectiveness. Once increased a few notches, drifting was much easier. Nevertheless, it was frustrating as I wasn’t able to advance to the next level and I could see some people giving up and missing the rest of the game.
The actual design of the game makes racing a lot of fun. Even when you lose a race, you can still earn stars and points for doing other tasks. For example, you can still earn a star by beating the single lap record (stars help you advance to the next track). The ai competition is so much better than Asphalt 5's (read the review here). Instead of ai that immediately catches up when they are down (in corny fashion), NFS: Shift's opponents take advantage of you taking bad angles around the track or running off the edge of the pavement. In my book, any game that can still give you a competitive race without using hokey ai practices deserves a second look.
Even with all of the good, there is some bad. Other than the drift mode issue, I also have to question why in the world the game doesn't have an in-game pause button. Unless I am missing it (please let me know), I can’t find a way to pause the game during a race. It's a pretty big oversight in my opinion because there are so many times while using an iPhone game you need to pause for a moment or two. Ironically, the game has a pause menu during the game that comes up when your battery is low. Someone, please tell me I am just an idiot and where I can find it during the race! (This issue should be edited out but I will keep it in for people that may also have trouble finding how to pause the game. In the comments below someone mentioned that you can use two fingers on the screen during the race to pause it. Very helpful!)
All in all, you are going to definitely get your money's worth with NFS: Shift. In fact, I would say it is one of the best iPhone games out there. Despite a couple nagging problems, the amount of time and fun you can have with this game makes it seem incomprehensible there are so many 50 dollar console games that give you 10 hours or less of play. BTW, I didn't mention multiplayer which is also included as with both Bluetooth and local Wi Fi modes. Both worked well when I tried them but even if multiplayer wasn't included at all, this game would be a must buy.
Overall Value for it's normal $9.99 price point
Overall Value:
Graphics:
Sound:
Controls:
Publisher: EA Mobile
Buy now on
It wasn't long ago I heard that NFS: Shift would be coming to the iPhone. Ever since, I have looked forward to seeing the type of adaptation it would get from EA Mobile. The console game is universally adored and I went into this review hoping for the same, almost expecting to be disappointed. Especially since EA Mobile's track record has been mediocre at best. So what did I find?
The game has quite a bit of content. 20 cars, 18 tracks set in 4 different locations. All of the locations look different and all of the cars look great. A definite plus. I started out using a Mazda and stepped up to a Porsche and could definitely tell a difference in engine sound, handling, etc. It's nice to see that kind of attention to detail on the iPhone.
The sound is nice because not only do the cars sound great but you can also use your own iPhone playlist while playing the game. It certainly was nice when I realized I didn’t have to listen to the crappy default rap/ alternative music EA included in the game. Props to ea mobile for including this ability that sorely needed across the iPhone gaming landscape.
The controls are pretty decent, although in one game mode in particular they can become a problem. In drift mode you are trying to rack up as many points as possible, not from racing competitors but from sliding around the track as much as possible. It makes for fun gaming on a console but on the iPhone, it's extremely difficult to get the tilt based controls at the right angle to drift for any length of time. Fortunately after failing the first 10 times, I realize there was an option to increase the tilt effectiveness. Once increased a few notches, drifting was much easier. Nevertheless, it was frustrating as I wasn’t able to advance to the next level and I could see some people giving up and missing the rest of the game.
The actual design of the game makes racing a lot of fun. Even when you lose a race, you can still earn stars and points for doing other tasks. For example, you can still earn a star by beating the single lap record (stars help you advance to the next track). The ai competition is so much better than Asphalt 5's (read the review here). Instead of ai that immediately catches up when they are down (in corny fashion), NFS: Shift's opponents take advantage of you taking bad angles around the track or running off the edge of the pavement. In my book, any game that can still give you a competitive race without using hokey ai practices deserves a second look.
Even with all of the good, there is some bad. Other than the drift mode issue, I also have to question why in the world the game doesn't have an in-game pause button. Unless I am missing it (please let me know), I can’t find a way to pause the game during a race. It's a pretty big oversight in my opinion because there are so many times while using an iPhone game you need to pause for a moment or two. Ironically, the game has a pause menu during the game that comes up when your battery is low. Someone, please tell me I am just an idiot and where I can find it during the race! (This issue should be edited out but I will keep it in for people that may also have trouble finding how to pause the game. In the comments below someone mentioned that you can use two fingers on the screen during the race to pause it. Very helpful!)
All in all, you are going to definitely get your money's worth with NFS: Shift. In fact, I would say it is one of the best iPhone games out there. Despite a couple nagging problems, the amount of time and fun you can have with this game makes it seem incomprehensible there are so many 50 dollar console games that give you 10 hours or less of play. BTW, I didn't mention multiplayer which is also included as with both Bluetooth and local Wi Fi modes. Both worked well when I tried them but even if multiplayer wasn't included at all, this game would be a must buy.
Overall Value for it's normal $9.99 price point
Overall Value:
Graphics:
Sound:
Controls:
lunes, 21 de diciembre de 2009
Boxed In 2 Review
Cost: $.99
Publisher: boxedingame.com/
Buy now on
You've probably heard of games like these. They may have been referred to as casual gaming. But there isn't anything casual about trying the same level over and over again, sometimes 10 or more times trying to finish it off. It’s challenging, frustrating and surprisingly addictive. Overwhelmingly though there is a feeling that what you are doing is a whole lot of fun.
The graphics are simple and the music is too but neither hurts the overall game play. The game isn’t one that you are likely to play and beat in one sitting. Instead you'll play and move through levels until you get stuck and inevitably frustrated. The next day, maybe while you’re on the toilet (admit it, you play games on the toilet all of the time) an idea comes to you and your able to move on.
The only frustrating thing can be when you get stuck on a level and no matter what you do, a solution doesn’t come to you. In those cases, you cannot continue to the next level. It would be nice to be able to move on in that instance and come back later once you play through other levels. Even though I'm sure you would feel like you are only cheating yourself…right? Anyway, in an instance like that just ask your wife or girlfriend. I'm sure she'll be happy to show you how easy it is to beat.
Lack of cheating aside, Boxed In 2 will give you hours of enjoyment, 50 levels in all, for just a buck. By far one of the most entertaining and worthwhile games of the year. Amazingly enough, this game was developed almost entirely by a 2 man shop. Way to show the big boys how to do things (I'm looking at you Gameloft and EA Mobile). Rumor has it this two man crew has another game coming out soon. Trust me when I say I will be waiting in line to play.
Overall Value for it's $99 price point
Overall Value:
Graphics:
Sound:
Controls:
Publisher: boxedingame.com/
Buy now on
You've probably heard of games like these. They may have been referred to as casual gaming. But there isn't anything casual about trying the same level over and over again, sometimes 10 or more times trying to finish it off. It’s challenging, frustrating and surprisingly addictive. Overwhelmingly though there is a feeling that what you are doing is a whole lot of fun.
The graphics are simple and the music is too but neither hurts the overall game play. The game isn’t one that you are likely to play and beat in one sitting. Instead you'll play and move through levels until you get stuck and inevitably frustrated. The next day, maybe while you’re on the toilet (admit it, you play games on the toilet all of the time) an idea comes to you and your able to move on.
The only frustrating thing can be when you get stuck on a level and no matter what you do, a solution doesn’t come to you. In those cases, you cannot continue to the next level. It would be nice to be able to move on in that instance and come back later once you play through other levels. Even though I'm sure you would feel like you are only cheating yourself…right? Anyway, in an instance like that just ask your wife or girlfriend. I'm sure she'll be happy to show you how easy it is to beat.
Lack of cheating aside, Boxed In 2 will give you hours of enjoyment, 50 levels in all, for just a buck. By far one of the most entertaining and worthwhile games of the year. Amazingly enough, this game was developed almost entirely by a 2 man shop. Way to show the big boys how to do things (I'm looking at you Gameloft and EA Mobile). Rumor has it this two man crew has another game coming out soon. Trust me when I say I will be waiting in line to play.
Overall Value for it's $99 price point
Overall Value:
Graphics:
Sound:
Controls:
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