Peggle Goes on 99¢ Sale!

Category: games
Price: $4.99 on sale for $0.99
App Store Link: [Full]

PopCap's widely popular game Peggle has just gone on sale for 99¢ through Sunday, June 14th. This is a phenominal deal from PopCap (makers of Bejeweled) who normally keep their games priced around $4.99. While we haven't formally reviewed the game yet, we've definitely played it, and Peggle for iPhone is an excellent take on the computer version of the game. Peggle provides tons of fun and hours of entertainment. We at the App Shelf Blog highly recommend taking advantage of of this phenomenal sale!

Gameplay Video

~M@

The iPhone 3G S Price Confusion: Questions and Answers

Elated Apple and iPhone fans poured out of Apple's 2009 World Wide Developer Conference Keynote buzzing about the announcement of a new iPhone 3G S release date slated for less than two weeks away and priced only at $199 or $299 for a 16 or 32 GB model respectively...

At least until they recalled Philip Schiller's words "for new and qualifying customers." That's when the confusion started. Couple that with popular news sites reporting that current iPhone 3G owners would have to pay and additional $200 over the announced price to upgrade, raising the cost to $399 (16GB), or $499 (32GB), elation soon became disappointment and frustration.

After the disheartening announcement, it didn’t take iPhone owners long to discover some small print at the bottom of Apple's iPhone 3G S page that reads: "for non-qualified customers, including existing AT&T customers who want to upgrade from another phone or replace an iPhone 3G, the price with a new two-year agreement is $499 (8GB), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB)," and the frustration quickly turned to incredulity and anger.

To further the frustration, Apple’s iPhone 3G S page was reportedly quoting current owners inconsistent pricing. Finally, two days after the pricing debacle, things are starting to clear up.

After contacting both Apple and AT&T, I was told the official pricing scheme was as follows:

For new customers: $199 (16GB) $299 (32GB) – two year contract required.

For customers qualifying for a phone upgrade: $199 (16GB) $299 (32GB) – two year contract required. [There are various requirements to qualify for a free upgrade. No iPhone 3G customers will qualify at the date of launch. Talk to AT&T to find out when you qualify for a free upgrade]

For customers qualifying for an early upgrade: to $399 (16GB), or $499 (32GB) – new two year contract required + additional $18 dollar upgrade fee. [An early upgrade means you don’t qualify for an official free upgrade. Essentially, this is every current 3G owner]

For customers wanting non-contracted phone: $499 (8GB iPhone 3G only), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB) – NO contract required.

Finally, for customers that purchased an iPhone 3G within the last 30 days, contact AT&T immediately to find out your options. You have special options available to you.

For the launch on June 19, customers will be given the option to purchase their iPhone at either an Apple Store or AT&T Wireless location. The biggest notable difference from the previous two releases is that Apple is allowing for early reservations on their website (AT&T allows for early reservations made in-store). However, according to Apple’s website “Pre-authorization does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple Retail Store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis.” This means that early registration may not mean much (other than giving Apple a general idea of how many iPhones to ship to each store). According to Apple Retail Stores, Apple hasn’t issued any specific plan for launch day to handle these reservations as of yet.

AT&T on the other hand already has a plan in place. They plan on forming two lines, one for those with reservations and one for those without. The line with reservations will be let into the store first, giving them priority for the new iPhone. Further details of this plan are laid out in this somewhat offical video:

If you plan on purchasing your iPhone from AT&T, check with your local store to confirm this plan and reserve your iPhone in-store ASAP

If you plan on getting your iPhone from Apple, seriously consider getting “pre-authorized from Apple’s iPhone 3G S website. While Apple hasn’t officially laid out any launch day plans, it’s quite possible they’ll follow suit with AT&T’s surprisingly organized-sounding plan.


And for those curious to know why you’ll have to pay a higher price to upgrade, the reason is relatively simple (though some might argue unfair). Apple technically retails the phones at $599 and $699. AT&T subsidizes the phones for their customers down to a lower price. This means that AT&T pays Apple the difference between Apple’s retail cost and the price “new customer” price (i.e. $400 dollars). This effectively starts AT&T with a $400 dollar loss for every new iPhone customer.

The reason AT&T is willing to do this is because they intend to make that money back with their $60+ per month plans over the duration of a 2-year contract. Because of the high cost AT&T pays for a subsidize iPhone, AT&T would make very little net profit by giving the full subsidized rate to a customer already locked in to a two year contract (basically it would be equivalent to knocking an additional 200 dollars off your current contract for free). Not only is this an unrealistic business move, but assuming that there will only be a limited number of iPhone 3G S’s at launch (i.e. that demand will be greater than supply), for every current iPhone 3G owner under contract AT&T gave a subsidized iPhone to (which is literally nothing more than a $200 dollar loss to them, because they already have them under contract), they would be sending away a potential new customer that would actually earn them profit.

In the end, AT&T is essentially (and theoretically) paying Apple $200 for every year by which you extend your current contract. If you’re a new customer, you’re creating a two-year contract, and therefore AT&T pays $400 of Apple’s retail price. For those who purchased an iPhone 3G at launch, if you upgrade, you’re essentially extending your contract by one additional year, so AT&T pays $200 of Apple’s retail price. If a customer wants to purchase the new iPhone without a contract, AT&T pays nothing, and sells the phone at Apple’s retail price.

I’m not saying that these prices are fair. After all, there’s something to be said for customer loyalty, but at least we know we’re being screwed for a reason.

~M@

Star Defense Review

Category: games, tower defense
Price: $5.99
App Store Link: [Full] / no lite version

Review: Like it
Replay Value: High
Recommendation: Apart from it's 3D environment and spherical maps, Star Defense is just your basic tower defense game. While the game is fun and enjoyable, there's definitely better available on the App Store. That said, if you've already exhausted games like, ElementalMonster TD, Sentinal: Mars Defense, Fieldrunners, Crystal Defenders, the Creeps and Geo Defense and are looking for another Tower Defense (TD) to get you through the day, Star Defense will fill the gap.

Star Defense is ngmoco's first attempt at a tower defense game. Since its original announcement several months back, Star Defense has managed to generate a great deal of hype. This is partially because of high expectations for ngmoco, the first gaming publisher to receive a grant from iFund, and partially because of ngmoco's past success on the App Store with well known games like Rolando, Topple 2, and Word Fu. With Star Defense's release (un)coincidently coming alongside the announcement of the new iPhone 3G S earlier today at Apple's WWDC '09, it's time to see if ngmoco's new app can meet its expectations...

...And sadly, I'm going to have to go a against the grain. While the app was well received by ign.com and met mixed if not somewhat favorable reviews at the popular iPhone gaming site touch arcade, I found that Star Defense did not live up its hype. In fact, side from the 3D environments and spherical (or cubed) maps, there isn't much here that hasn't been done better by a previously released iPhone tower defense app. If you take those honestly trivial details away, you're left with nothing more than a simple and basic tower defense app. Even the trailer for Star Defense makes it look more exciting than it actually is.

That said, just because Star Defense doesn't live up it's hype doesn't make it a bad game. In fact, as a basic TD, the game is quite fun (hence the "like it" rating). The controls are solid: touch swipe, pinch zoom, two-finger rotate, and drag 'n drop towers. The graphics are very good (though not as good as some reviews have given the game credit for in my opinion). The enemies and towers are well balanced. There's a very decent amount of playtime in campaign mode, as well as an endless mode with facebook/twitter leaderboards. The problem is that these are starter ingredients for any decent TD, not the unique selling point. For Star Defense, the only truly unique selling point is the 3D spherical maps, and even this concept doesn't come without it's problems. While we're on the subject, Star Defense has its fair share of problems.

First of all, the 3D maps are really nothing special; hypothetically, they're just flat maps wrapped around a sphere or cube, and all this does is prevent the player from seeing the entire map at once. I realize that's supposed to part of the fun, but again, as the games only unique selling point, it's not that impressive. Second, the game is missing a lot of standard features that have become widely expected in TD games; this is a major no-no since the tower defense genre is so prominent in the iPhone gaming community. These features include lack of any kind of tower placement grid. This means players have to "eyeball it," which is very hard, if not unrealistic, on a map you can zoom and scale. The lack of grid created planning problems for me on more than one occasion during play through. Sadly, another missing feature is the coveted fast forward button, so players have to prepare themselves for sitting through slow waves and/or repeated waves from failed missions. Another issue some players make take with the game are the noticeable tower limits in the right hand corner of the screen. Admittedly, these limits seemed to affect gameplay very little, but based on historical precedent, players don't like feeling limited. Additionally, there's no advanced upgrade system other than tower upgrades (i.e. no interest on your currency; no decisions on what towers to unlock; no gems gems to earn and spend after a perfect round)--nothing to give the game that extra depth. Finally, what happened to all the cool com-voices from the trailer? They are mysteriously absent from most (if not all) of the game. It's situations like this that great such great hype for an average (and then subsequently) disappointing game. These implied that there would be some kind major story arc or plot line to accompany the game, which simply isn't there.

Overall, Star Defense didn't live up to hype and anticipation surrounding its release. And while I don't think it's very to simply judge a game on the hype proceeding it, I do think it's fair to hold expectations for the app against similar previously released apps. Keeping in mind that ngmoco is one of iPhone's premier developers and publishers, I think it's also fair to hold high expectations for any ngmoco title, and frankly, Star Defense fell short of both sets of expectations. I know people want to jump on board because it's ngmoco--heck, I did, too--but again, being completely honest, if a friend new to iPhone TDs asked me to recommend some good TDs, this one would be towards the middle/bottom (excluding the unrealistically under-professional apps of course). games like, ElementalMonster TD, Sentinal: Mars Defense, Fieldrunners, Crystal Defenders, the Creeps and Geo Defense would come first. But if you're a gamer who's exhausted all those other TDs and are looking for an new one to temporarily satisfy your appetite, Star Defense can definitely fill that gap.

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Gameplay Video:

What I'd like to see in future updates: Interestingly enough, Star Defense in one of the first apps to publicly acknowledged its 3.0 ambition, meaning the developers have already promised future content obtainable through Apple's new In-App Purchasing System (met with mixed feelings by many). What we'd like to see in some of that content and upgrades: Optional placement grid; fast forward button; use of shake/tilt controls (something many might expect from ngmoco); more towers; advanced reward systems; add in a plot line, some cinematics, and if nothing else, those cool comm voices from the trailer!

~M@

DinoSmash Online

Category: games, shooters, multiplayer, deathmatch,
Price: $0.99
App Store Link: [Full] / [Free Lite Version]

Review: Love it
Replay Value: High
Recommendation: Debatably the best online multiplayer deathmatch game currently on the app store. Easy to play, but hard to master. If you like multiplayer deathmatches, this is a must have; but if you don't want to take my word for it, there's a free lite version.

DinoSmash is an awesome, facepaced 2-D online deathmatch shooter. Players run, jump, and swing across various platforms while gunning for rivals. Offering four unique game modes, including deathmatch, team deathmatch, survivor, and capture the flag, Dinosmash keeps it simple with well implemented controls that are easy to pick-up for even the novice gamer. Yet even with in its simplicity, the app manages to offer a level of sophistication for dedicated players, challenging them to master the 5 various weapons, a double jump ability, and an incredibly useful grappling hook.

In its most recent update, the game offers character customization adding a bit of flare to the dinos along with several other great improvements, like the ability to zoom out with a tap of the screen (a very useful, yet overlooked ability). At its core, DinoSmash is an exceptionally smooth, polished, and fun 2-D multiplayer deathmatch extravaganza, and because you're playing against live players, the game never seems to get old.

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Gameplay Video:

~M@

The Sims™ 3

Category: games, time management, simulation
Price: $9.99
App Store Link: [Full] / No Lite Version

Review: Love it
Recommendation: If you're a fan of the Sims series, you'll probably enjoy the iPhone version. It should keep you busy with hours of playtime and objectives built in. However, it's worth noting that "build mode" is absent from this game. Players can still fully decorate, customize and upgrade their house, but cannot build a custom house (an oversight that might steer some fans away).
Replay Value: Very High

The Sims 3 for iPhone is a great casual player's game. In this version of the game, players control only one Sim that they create from scratch at the start of the game. Essentially, players help guide their Sim through daily life by making critical (and not so critical) choices for their Sims, such as where to work, what to eat, when to sleep, whom to fall in love with, and how to spend leisure time. The intended goal of the game is to help your Sim become successful and fulfill as many "wishes" as possible, though many gamers take pleasure in finding less conventional paths for their Sims.

Besides the traditional Sims gameplay patterns of "eat, pee, shower, job, eat, entertain, sleep, and repeat," Sims 3 throws "wishes" into the mix to add a little variation to the old routine. Sims can have up to 4 wishes at a time that function as gameplay goals. These goals can be as simple as "catch a fish" to as odd as "sleep in three beds other than your own." This mechanic helps keep the game fresh and goal oriented. There are 73 possible wishes to discover and fulfill. In addition, the iPhone version offers 3 mini games (four if you count gardening, which I don't), including fishing, cooking, and repairing; each of which utilize the iPhone's unique platform strengths (tilt, shake, touch).

The game does have a few flaws. Despite the new mechanics, the gameplay still feels repetitive and/or empty at times. I often found myself with nothing exciting to do for several sim "hours" while waiting for sim work. It'd be great to see lots of random extra's in the game to pass the time. It'd also be nice to be able to control more than one Sim. the absence of build mode is a sad setback to the game. The controls are well designed, but take a bit of getting used to because the app disregards some traditional iPhone standards (e.g. instead of using pinch to zoom, players use a slider on the side of the screen). Yet when all things are said and done, none of these reasons (save maybe the absence of build mode) give cause to disregard the game. It's still an engrossing game with more replay value than most other premium apps and debatably worth the $9.99 asking price.

Obviously this game is not a direct port of the PC/MAC version; anyone expecting that kind of similarity to the computer version will be sorely disappointed. That said, EA did an excellent job on this toned down, mobile version. The game delivers the atmosphere and feel of the Sims series one should expect to find in a fun and graphically pleasing package.

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Gameplay Video:

What we'd like to see in future versions: House building mode; Fast Forward Button; Life Happiness Points to spend for fulfilling wishes (Like in the computer version); more goals; more characters; more objects; more mini games; basically... more!

~M@

Terminator Salvation - Review

Catagory: Games, third-person shooter, action adventure
Price: $9.99
App Store Link: [Full] / No Lite Version

Review: Love it!
Replay Value: Once through w/ unlockables & achievements for replay (Medium Low)
Recommendation: If you're willing to drop the cash, get it. This game is exceptionally well made with truly premium price quality gameplay. The biggest complaint seems to be overall content, adding up to approximately 3-4 hours of total gameplay.

After months of preview shots, Terminator Salvation finally makes its way into the App Store. The game places players in the role of John Connor, Marcus Wright, Kyle Reese, and even the classic T-600 skeleton (the latter as an unlockable game mode) as they form the Resistance against Skynet in a exceptionally detailed post-apocalyptic world.

Terminator Salvation is one of those games that proves iPhone has real potential as true game system. Gameplay and graphics are brilliantly smooth and detailed. The game offers four possible control setups, including virtual d-pad and accelerometer options. Default setup has controls using a virtual d-pad for moment and touch-screen for directional look and aim (the defaults worked so well, I found no reason to change them). A more refined version of the Brothers In Arms controls might make a good comparison.

In addition to having everything you'd expect from a third person shooter, Terminator Salvation employs both a smart cover and smart targeting system that are very useful. First, for cover, players can run close to any barrier or wall to instantly duck for cover, popping out briefly only when the fire button is pressed. Smart targeting also cuts down on the frustration typical of many shooters; simply get the crosshair within a reasonable distance of your target and your gun will autolock on it.

Overall, the developers did a great job immersing players into the Terminator Salvation themed environment, including in-game cinematics (unfortunately with text instead of voice-over). Really there's not a lot to complain about here accept for a few nit-picky details except maybe the length of playtime and price. Yet even with that said, gamers expecting this kind of quality from an app need to start expecting to pay a little more out of pocket; quality doesn't typically come cheap.

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Gameplay Video:

What we'd like to see in future updates: Bonus levels!

~M@

Azkend -- Review

Category: adventure puzzle games
Price: 2.99 (introductory)
App Store Link: [Full] / No Lite

Review: Love it!
Replay Value: High
Recommendation: Azkend is an exceptional puzzler, breathing new life into the world of match-3 games. It incorporates a fun premise with great touch controls, unique power-ups, and hours of gameplay. If you're anything like us, you'll find this one hard to put down. I'd recommend this game to every match-3 fan (and just about anyone else)!

In adventure mode, Azkend begins with an intriguing story in an attempt to add some purpose to the game. Players take on the role of an Archaeologist on a journey to return an ancient artifact to the temple of time. The artifact, recently removed from its home has unleashed a terrible curse, and the only way to lift the curse is to make the long journey back to the temple on your own. Along the way, players reassemble broken talisman that, once unlocked, serve as helpful and devastating power-ups.

At the most basic level, gameplay consists of trying to solve a puzzle-board before time runs out... but there's so much more to it than that. To solve a board, players must activate every tile of the backdrop of the board. Tiles are activated when a match is made using an item resting on that tile. To make a match, players must make a chain of 3 or more items using touch controls; the selected items then disappear, the tiles activate, and new items slide down to take their place. To make the game more interesting, tiles can have special attributes such as being covered in tar, encased in ice, being locked, or requiring double activation. Once every tile has been activated, an artifact piece appears at the top of the game board, and players have to move it to the bottom by making matches below it (so it slides down). Onces players have retrieved the artifact piece, it's time to move to the next level.

In addition to these basics, there are several elements that aid layers of strategy to the game. Making smart moves can help players charge a lightening meter, which, when unleashed, activates random tiles (eventually, using this can be critical to activating hard to reach tiles). Players also unlock various talisman power-ups throughout their journey. At the beginning of each level, players can choose a talisman to help aid them in their quest, including the bomb, light, and avalanche talisman just to name a few . Different talisman can be useful on different levels depending on the shape of the game board.

In addition to the adventure mode, there's a fun survival mode thats fun for quick and casual play.

Overall the graphics, controls, gameplay and overall experience are superb. Anyone who thought match-based puzzle games were finished will be pleasantly surprised by Azkend. Once you pick up this app, you'll find it hard to put down--literally. Personally, I always found myself playing "Just one more level" until that "one more level" was 5 or 6 levels ago. I highly recommend this app to just about everyone! If you're interested, get it while it's at its introductory price of $2.99!

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Gameplay Video:

~M@

RO® -- Review

Category: puzzle games
Price: 1.99
App Store Link: [Full] / [Free Lite Version]

Review: Like it
Replay Value: Medium
Recommendation: RO® is a unique rotating puzzle game ideal for quick play. The game starts simple, but quickly becomes frustratingly fun. Definitely try the lite version first; if it wets your appetite for some more difficult puzzle, upgrade to the full.


RO® is a new style of puzzler for iPhone that relays on a series of rotating rings layered inside one another to re-align an image on screen. Players solve each puzzle by re-aligning the puzzle to its original position. As the puzzles progress, there are a few elements that make for increasingly difficult puzzles: First and most importantly, is the relationship between rings. Moving one ring may have an affect on several other ring-layers of the puzzle. These relationships become more complicated as the difficulty levels increase. Second is the number of rings; the more rings a puzzle has, the harder it is to solve. Finally, the background image can also affect difficulty level. Certain images are harder than other to visually align.

RO® is intended to be a quick play puzzler with simple touch controls (it can be easily controlled with one hand, using the thumb to rotate). The app definitely succeeds at this goal, making it ideal for on-the-fly play, such as while waiting in line at the supermarket. The inclusion of its auto save feature makes it simple to stop and start playing instantaneously.

Replay value is somewhat determined by the number of puzzles and will be the most fun on its first play through (though even I haven't made it through all the levels yet). That said, the developer added a bit of replay value by tracking time and number of moves used to complete a level, so you can always try to beat your own personal best.

Overall, RO® delivers what it promises. While the game itself isn't overly complex, it's great for a simple pick up and play puzzler. In addition, the game is visually appealing and fun--if not frustrating--to play. Give the lite version a go to get a taste for the app, and if you enjoy this unique, new style of puzzle, download the full version (which adds significant play time to the game).

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~M@

Hysteria Project

Category: games, horror, choose your own adventure
Price: $1.99
App Store Link: [Full] / No lite version

Review: Adequate (with lots of potential)
Replay Value: Very Low
Recommendation: If you're interested in this app, I'd recommend trying it, despite the adequate review; just be sure you know what you're getting (see below).

Hysteria Project is the evolution of the classic "choose your own adventure" books. Of course, instead of books, we're now dealing with "an entirely filmed adventure." This particular app is the first in a series of episodes planned to be released (with no specified schedule), which means Hysteria Project, by itself, does not provide a complete story. In this reviewer's opinion, Hysteria Projects, in many respects, is both a failure and success (hence the adequate rating).

Before getting in to the pros and cons of the app, let's take a look at storyline and gameplay: Players are put behind the eyes of a kidnap victim (assumingly abducted by the mysterious and frightening serial killer that becomes the antagonist of the first episode). When the story begins, you awake finding yourself tied up, trapped within a wooden shack in the middle of a forest with only two things on your mind: escape and survival. Once you manage to spring yourself from the shed, you find yourself racing through the forest chased by a frightening and mysterious hooded figure brandishing an axe. What happens next is up to the player.

Much like players might expect from a choose your own adventure game, gameplay isn't anything overly complicated. Essentially, it consists of watching a video clip then making a choice (such as "try to run" or "find a hiding spot") from a selection menu. Occasionally during a video, the game will also ask players to touch a target on the screen to complete an action, such as moving a branch (failing to do so typically results in death). Should a choice result in death, players are not forced to start from the beginning, but rather, gameplay picks up from the video prior to the choice resulting in death.

Now that we've established that the premise and control system are fairly well designed, we can take a look at the pros and cons.

The Pros:
Hysteria Project sets out to create unique and frightening gameplay experience and does an excellent job of doing so. The foggy and shaky video, suspenseful storyline, and terrifying characters create a horrific atmosphere (and we mean that in a good way). Additionally, the soundtrack is exceptionally well made and playing Hysteria Project in the dark with headphones definitely adds to the experience. In fact, if your into suspense thrillers or horror films, playing this app for the experience alone is almost worth it.

The Cons:
Unfortunately, Hysteria Project has its share of setbacks. The game play lasts for only about 20-40 minutes (about 30 on average) and has very little replay value. The majority of this episode seems to be a lengthy forest chase, creating a very repetitive play experience; Honestly I could have been seeing the same video over and over for all I know. Additionally, more than anything else, it felt like the majority of my choices were based on which direction I should run (not the type of choices one typically looks for in choose your own adventure games).

I would have definitely like to had more strategical choices than "turn left or continue straight," the overall importance of these decisions seems rather arbitrary. In a choose your own adventure game, players should make important decisions based mostly on strategy, intuition, and a little bit of luck; in Hysteria Project, it felt like a lot of pointless decisions with a lot of luck and little strategy. Further, a good choose your own adventure game should have several paths and several outcomes, not all leading to death, and (though it's hard to be certain), I felt like my decisions were strongly forced in a specific direction.

While the overarching story seems strong, actual plot development is very slow, by the end of the game, players will know little more than what they started with. Rather than a 20 minute long chase, I would have much rather gotten more into the main plot. And even though the atmosphere of the game was creepy and scary, I very rarely (if ever) found myself jumping or startled. In a game like this, the developers need to make better use of the suspense they create. They should make better use of cheep tactics; for example: when you think you've safely hidden behind a tree, something should burst out and run across the screen (like a deer).

Overall, Hysteria Project does a great job setting up the horror movie environment, but is very much lacking in plot, depth, overall excitement (i.e. too much run, hide, run, hide), and storyline choices (they seem to force players down a specific path). Among other problems, gameplay feels very repetitive. If you like horror movies, the game might be worth trying just for the experience it creates, but if you're looking for an engaging plot with gameplay and strategic decision making depth, you'll probably be let down. All that said, the game and series both have a lot of future potential and we're not ready to give up on it yet.

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Developer Video:

What we'd like to see in future updates (or episodes): Skip button for video clips you've already played; bigger focus on storyline; multiple correct paths; more important/strategical choices as opposed to direction making decisions; A visual storyline map accessible at the main menu to show which paths you've chosen and missed (that allows you to explore alternate decisions after completing the game)--doing so would greatly increase replay value.

~M@

Monster Trucks Nitro -- Review

Category: racing games
Price: $1:99 (introductory price)
App Store Link: [Full] / No Lite Version

Review: Like it (with potential)
Replay Value: Medium-Low
Recommendation: A fun, racing sidescroller game with unique controls, but too few levels. Unless you can't help yourself, wait for more levels.

Monster trucks nitro has met with some mixed impressions among downloaders, but the general consensus seems to be that it's a fun game with too few levels. The game offers 8 off-road stages with no changes of scenery and no unlockable stages. Players can eventually choose between 4 monster trucks; initially it's only 2, but more become available after earning some gold metals (first unlock at 4 golds, second at 8). While the new trucks are fun, its unfortunate that players only earn both after mastering every level of the game (you can't do better than 8 golds). It would be nice to get both trucks while they're still worth using.

First, I think it's important to note that the first 2 levels aren't very fun and don't make the best use of controls (basically training levels), so players shouldn't base their impressions of the game off solely the first two levels or risk missing out on the much more interesting later levels, such as "the loop."

Game play is very fun and unique, but not without its problems. Tilting the device controls the suspension of the trucks, allowing players to get the most out of their jumps and landings. Honestly, this seems to be the heart of the game. Players are also given acceleration, breaks, and cruise control, but I was able to gold all 8 levels without using the acceleration or breaks (just turned on cruise control). The developers should probably try to make better use of the break and acceleration controls or just remove them entirely (personally, I'd lean towards the latter choice).

As far as replay value goes, Monster Trucks Nitro offers some, but not much. Only about 6 of the 8 level offer any challenge or replay value, and most of those players would probably only play until they've achieved their gold metal. Basically, once you've golded all 8 levels, it's game over.

Overall, I think this game is a lot of fun and offers a unique perspective on the driving controls of the device. If your a monster truck fanatic, you'll want to purchase this app (though there should probably be more smashing involved somewhere), otherwise--though I think you'd get a large kick out of about 6 of the 8 levels--I'd recommend waiting to see if more levels come out.
That said, if you're pockets are lined, money's not an issue, and you're simply looking for enjoyable games, this one's meets and exceeds the criteria.

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Developer Video:

~M@

Crystal Defenders UPDATED! -- Review

Category: tower defense games
Price: $7.99
App Store Link: [Full] / [Free Lite Version]

Review: Love it
Replay Value: High
Recommendation: 2.0 Update makes this a great game! Play through the Lite; then upgrade to the full.

Square Enix has finally released the long awaited 2.0 update to their Crystal Defenders TD game. Crystal Defender's was one of the first premium tower defense games, designed by the makers of the popular Final Fantasy series and priced at a steep--at least for the app store--$7.99). If $7.99 sounds out of your price range, don't stop reading yet; the free lite version of the game will give you a good taste of the game and still provide a lot of fun.

The 2.0 Update has been long anticipated by fans and prospective buyers of the game and addresses many of the initial complaints, including the largest complaint: the game was ported and not at all designed to utilize the controls of the iPhone. In fact, the original version of the game only utilized half of the iPhone's screen; the other half was used as an over sized directional pad (i.e. joystick controller). I'm very happy to say that problem has been corrected. Squire Enix May have taken their time with the 2.0 update, but it was well worth the wait. The game has been completely redesigned to make excellent use of the full iPhone screen and touch controls. Additional improvements include slightly revamped graphics to enhance the overall feel and quality of the game, a new touch menu system to make navigation of the app simpler and faster, and a easy to use 4x fast forward button to speed up downtime. And finally, if for some reason you're a fan of the original set-up (though I'm not sure why anyone would be), you can choose to use the old control scheme.

Like most tower defense games, Crystal Defenders consists of strategically positioning specialized units, each with a different function, around a map in attempt to prevent ways of enemies from reaching your base (i.e the other side of the map). Crystal Defenders, however, is superior to many of its competitors in design, number/use of units, and specially abilities that can be purchased/used. I won't go as far as to say this is the best Tower Defense game available on the iPhone platform--I'm sure gamers would largely disagree about which TD app should have that title, but Crystal Defenders is definitely one of the best and in the running for that title.

Overall, this is a great game with lots of strategy, depth and replay value. Match that with the newly improved graphics and interface and this one is a definite winner! My recommendation is to start with the lite version and play through that. Then, if you want more and are willing to fork over $7.99, upgrade to the full version that includes additional, maps, units, and strategies! In my personal opinion, after playing through the Lite Version, you'll be persuaded to buy the full.

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What we'd like to see in future updates: More maps to keep the action coming. Endless Mode. Great work.

~M@

Frankenface

Category: entertainment photography
Price: $1.99
App Store Link [Full] / No Lite Version

Review: Like it.
Replay Value: Medium
Recommendation: This app might be a little high priced for the current market; That said, Frankenface can be a lot of fun to play with friends and family; more than I initially expected it to be. But be warned, it currently only works with iPhone.

Frankenface is an entertaining app that allows users to mix 'n' match faces using photos taken from the iPhone built-in camera. The app divides photos into there segments: hair & forehead, eyes & nose, and mouth & chin. Users can then swipe to slide segments back and forth to create "Frankenfaces" of their friends and family.

On a side note: while I was intending to review this app today anyway, I found it to be a very fitting time after last night's American Idol Ford Music Video release, entitled "Top 9: Mixed Up" (Click here for the video). This video perfectly demonstrates the concept of "Frankenface." In fact, After watching the video, I think that developers might want incorporate a full body "mask" for this app.

Honestly, this app will provide you with lots of laughs in large groups of friends or family. Imagine, mom's hair with dad's nose and mustache! Or your buddy's face with his girlfriend's hair! Or if you wanna get really creative, your pet's eyes & nose on your face (not that I'll ever admit to trying that)... in any case, the app definitely got a rise in a large group of people, and with the ability to shake the phone to create a random face combination, you never have to strain to hard to be creative. Finally, while the app is a lot of fun, and I think developers should be able to charge higher prices for their hard work, It's probably a fair assessment that in the given market, this app is about a dollar more expensive than it should be.

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Developer Video

What we'd like to see in future updates: Allow users to import photos from their photo library. Yes, I see the complications with profile angling and sizing, but giving the option couldn't hurt (and as an added bonus, it could open the app up for iPod Touch users as well!); Add a body switcher into the mix (head & neck, shoulders and torso, hips & legs). Stick with the swipe and get rid of the tap (I can't tell you how many times I accidentally changed a section I didn't mean to because of the tap control--very frustrating).

~M@

Photo Spot -- Review

Category: Picture Games
Price: $0.99 (sale) $1.99 (regular)
App Store Link: [Full] / [Free Lite Version]

Review: Like it
Replay Value: Variable
Recommendation: Photo Spot is a fun "spot the difference" game with over 100 pairs of photos.

Photo Spot is a polished spot the difference game, plain and simple. Players race against the clock to find all four difference between two images before time runs out and the game is over. The touch control is very precise, but accurate; this helps eliminate cheating (along with a time penalty for a wrong guess). If players get stuck on an image, they are allowed 3 hints per game. Differences come in many different types, including missing pieces, color changes, size differences, just to name a few. The game keeps track of high scores so you can compete with your personal bests.

Additionally, the developer has notified us of a soon to be current update already submitted to the App Store with an expected release during the first week of April. This new update includes global high score charts and 25+ new images (with an additional 50 promised to follow within two weeks).

The replay value of the game might easily depend on how much you play it. If you spend hours playing, you may find yourself becoming too familiar with images for high replay value. However, if you have substantial periods of downtime between play, even with recurring images you might just find yourself frustrated trying to find that fourth difference (in a good way)!

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What we'd like to see in future updates: More and more image sets, of course!

~M@

Quick Draw -- Review

Category: games, drawing
Price: $0.99 (sale) / $3.99 (regular)
App Store Link: [Full] / [Free Lite Version]

Review: Like it
Replay Value: High
Recommendation: Basically Pictionary for the iPhone. Typically a 2+ player game, but online play makes individual play possible and fun. If it sounds like your cup of tea, give the lite version a try.

Quick Draw brings the fun of classic drawing games, such as Pictionary and Win, Lose or Draw, to the iPhone and iPod Touch. Players have the option of playing offline (requires 2 or more people) or playing solo online over Wi-Fi, 3G, or Edge network.

Gameplay requires at least 2 people (which the online connection can easily supply); one person to be the drawer and another to be the guesser. The drawer has access to a blank screen, 7 colored pencils, plus an eraser and is given 60 seconds to get other players to guess their clue (provided by the app). In the online mode, the guessers type in their answers rather than shouting them out.

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Overall, my experience with the online gameplay was very positive. I never had problems getting into a group, especially if I was willing to play in the "General (lite)" room. Sometimes play in other rooms was hit or miss, but the player base seems to be getting larger and larger. Also makes for a fun pass 'n' play game with a couple of friends. If you like drawing games, I'd suggest purchasing this one while it's on sale!

What we'd like to see in future versions: Shake to erase entire screen; score keeping system in offline mode (online mode has one); offline speed mode (see how many clues your team can guess in 60 seconds); Possibly allow the game server to save random drawings, then allow users to download them into their device so they can play a single player "guessing" game where the clues draw out in front of them from the saved file.

~M@

Smack Boxing -- Review

Category: boxing, games, sports
Price: $2.99
App Store Link: [Full] / [Free Lite Version]

Review: Like it
Recommendation: Fun Punch Out like boxing game that makes decent use of device. Give the lite version a try, but if you're a fan of the classic Nintendo Punch Out, you'll probably enjoy Smack Boxing.
Replay Value: Medium

Smack Boxing is one of the better boxing titles available on the App Store. It uses a silly but fun cartoonish approach similar to Nintendo's Punch Out, so if you're looking for realistic Pro Boxing, this might not be the game for you. That said, through smart use of touch, swipe, and tilt controls, Smack Boxing gives a pretty comprehensive boxing experience.

The app offers a 2d, third person boxing experience with fairly simple gameplay. Players see the back of their character and the front of their opponent. Players can move left and right (i.e. dodge) across the ring by tilting the device. Smack Boxing uses touch and swipe controls for its three attack moves: tap to throw a basic jab, swipe sideways to throw a hook, or swipe up to throw an uppercut. Left or right punches are determined respectively by the side of the screen players use to make the gesture. This simple set up allows for very natural feeling controls. The use of a "stamina bar" determines when players get "tired" and can't swing as fast. The use of a health bar determines when a player is knocked out. Players can win by scoring a 10-count knock out or TKO (triple knock out).

Players progress through the game buy unlocking different tiers (beat a majority of the boxers from the current tier to unlock the next) and different difficulty levels (easy, medium, hard, and insane). Each of the three tiers consists of two or three funny, cartoonish characters, including a fat Santa look-a-like, a pirate, and a zombie.

Overall, the game is very enjoyable. If the developers provide continual updates, the offers a lot of promise. Fans of the original Punch Out should enjoy this game.

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Gameplay Video

What we'd like to see in future updates: Shake device after knockout to stand back up; more opponents and tiers; multiplayer support; visual character customization; stat character customization (the opponents have stats... why not make a stat progression system for the players?).

~M@

Mega Man II -- Review

Category: classic games, sidescroller, platformer, nintendo, capcom
Price: $4.99
App Store Link: [Full] / No Lite Version

Review: Love it! (except for one big problem: tiny screen and controls )
Recommendation: Great gameplay and exceptional port; very poor use of iPhone screen. (Read the very last paragraph after the pics and video for a more detailed recommendation)
Replay Value: High

It seems like we're starting to see more and more classic games roll out into the App Store. With the recent additions of Alien Abuse and Wolfenstine 3d, the iPhone is starting to fill the "retro" niche, as well. Needless to say we were excited when we learned that early this morning, Capcom decided to jump on-board by releasing their Nintendo classic, Mega Man II for iPhone and iPod Touch.

Mega Man II is a classic platformer action game originally released in the US 20 years ago in 1989 for the NES. Gameplay is fairly basic, but a lot of fun. Players control the protagonist, Mega Man, a cybernetic boy with a built-in arm cannon. Mega Man fights his way through 8 different specialized levels to defeat 8-different robo-bosses designed by the nefarious Dr. Wiley. Each boss has their own special power that, when beaten, can be added to Mega Man's arm cannon arsenal. After beating all the robo-henchmen and acquiring their weapons, Mega Man fights through several additional level to take on Dr. Wiley himself.

The game offers three difficulty modes--none of which seem quite as challenging as the original, but still fun to play. Game controls function almost exactly like the original Nintendo control. Players are given an on-screen joystick along with two buttons labeled "L" and "R" that shoot and jump respectively. Except for one major exception (see the next paragraph), Capcom did an excellent job with the touch controls. Unlike many other 2d sidescrollers on the iPhone, Capcom built multi-touch into the virtual control pad; this allows players to shift directions and jump while shooting (and vise versa) without taking their fingers off the screen. Will this may not seem significant at first, it's important to note that similar games will only recognize one virtual button at a time, often leaving players with a very limited feel of control (i.e. jump or shoot, but not both).

Unfortunately, the there is one or two major flaws to this near perfect port of the original. The first flaw is the poor use of the iPhone screen. In order to give the game an arcade-like feel, Capcom shrank the gameplay field to about 1/2 the size of the actual iPhone screen (placing the virtual joystick controls beneath). I believe that this may cause many gamers to feel a bit cheated with gameplay and fault Capcom with poor use of the device. The second major flaw is with a vertical confinement of the virtual joystick controls; because the game is played in the vertical orientation, the joystick and buttons are so close together that just about everyone will feel cramped when trying to move and utilize the buttons. The space is so confined that people with large thumbs physically may not be able to play game. Luckily, this is something that could easily be fixed with an update that allowed for horizontal orientation, and hopefully Capcom will respond quickly to the App Store feedback.

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Gameplay Video:

What we'd like to see in future updates: Fuller use of screen; option for horizontal orientation; less cramped controls.

Recommendation: The game is incredibly faithful to the original, but makes very poor use of the device itself. While some players might quickly become frustrated with the cramped virtual controls (especially players with large thumbs), I was able to adapt to them after a few levels of play without many issues. My personal recommendation would be that if you can get past the small screen and the cramped controls (see the screen shots and video above to get a sense of the game), then this game is a lot of fun and worth the money. However, if you have particularly large thumbs, you might be out of luck until we see an update (and unfortunately, I'm quite serious about this).

~M@

Wolfenstein 3d Classic -- Review

Category: first person shooter games, classics
Price: $4.99
App Store Link: [Full] / No Lite Version

Review: Love it
Recommendation: An excellent port of the computer classic, and solid iPhone first person shooter; worth buying for any fan of the genre.
Replay value: High

Id's classic first person shooter, Wolfenstein 3d, has officially been released for the iPhone and iPod. As a predecessor to the legendary Doom (which is also scheduled to be realized to the App Store) Originally appearing in the early 90's, many gamers credit Wolfenstein 3d with pioneering the first-person shooter genre.

For those unfamiliar with the premise, gamers play as special agent B.J. Blazkowicz; your mission: to escape from Castle Wolfenstein and bring down the "twisted Nazi Regime" along the way. The app includes all six missions of the original game, totaling in 60 levels of action-packed exploration and slaughter. During the adventure, players will encounter secret passage ways, stolen Nazi treasure, a dangerous arsenal of weaponry, and countless villainous enemies and bosses (including the infamous MechaHilter).

Developers have created a new control system to accommodate the iPhone, which consists of several new schemes to choose from. The schemes include four variations of touch joystick controls and allow players to incorporate tilt for strafing or turning. Overall, the controls work better than one might expect for a first person shooter and allow significant customization. Currently the controls do not allow for tilt forward movement; this is an addition I would truly love to see. Once I got used to the tilt-to-strafe movements, several times I found myself instinctively trying to move forward with tilt. The greatest difference between iPhone and keyboard controls, in my opinion, is precision movement and aiming. These elements came naturally to the keyboard controls, but may take a little longer to get used to on iPhone (though I do believe it is possible to master).

Additional notable features include a new scrolling map that utilizes pinch controls; multiple difficulty levels; and episode & mission selection (including boss and secret levels).

Playing this game brought back a lot of great memories. The game transitions so well to the iPhone platform that newer gamers might not realize it was originally developed and published for PC. This is a great addition to the App Store.

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Gameplay Video:

~M@

Alien Abuse

Category: games, sidescroller, shooter, aliens
Price: $0.99
App Store Link: [Full] / No Lite Version

Review: Like it
Recommendation: Fun game easily worth $0.99. Great for fans of the PC/Mac OS version. Be warned, however, that the aiming controls leave something to be desired (but developers have already promised an update fix).
Replay: High

Some gamers may already be familiar with this 90's classic, then called simply Abuse. Originally developed by Crack Dot Com and published for DOS and eventually remastered for Mac OS (by Bungie), Abuse became something of a cult classic and eventually fell into the public domain. Now Abuse has officially made its way to the iPhone and iPod Touch, renamed as Alien Abuse.
Gameplay is simple and straight forward, lacking any kind of storyline or depth other than to simply survive the maze-like levels and destroy aliens, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Abuse is a fun and easy to get into sidescroller that offers lots of "run and shoot" action. Players can collect many different and unique weapons and power-ups, including grenade launchers, heat-seeking rockets, plasma rifles, and "Death Frisbees,"as they attempt to progress through the levels and activate save points. According the the developers, Alien Abuse has more than 20 hours of gameplay packed in its $0.99 asking price (which is why replay value is rated as high).

Currently, the game suffers from somewhat clunky on-screen joystick controls that, honestly, work fine most of the time except for aiming. Alien Abuse uses a unique aiming mechanic for the sidescroller genre that dynamically allows players to shoot in virtually any direction on-screen, but unfortunately, with the current control setup , this feature is more of a hindrance than anything else. The clumsy on-screen joystick often causes it to be impossible to aim straight ahead--a necessity in Alien Abuse. Luckily, the developers have already promised that a software update is on the way to resolve the control issues. Possibly the most obvious control solution would be to use tilt for movement and joystick to aim weapons.

In any case, Alien Abuse is a fun, action-packed sidescroller and, in my opinion, worth the $0.99. As long as the developers make good on their promise, Alien Abuse is bound to only get better. That said, because of the retro feel and lack of depth, there may be some gamers who find themselves less than impressed by this title if they're expecting more than simply a decent run-and-shoot game.

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What we'd like to see in future updates: Control fixes: tilt movement; scoring system & leaderboards; multiplayer modes (like the Bungie version).

~M@

Let's Golf! -- Review

Category: golf games; simulation
Price: $5.99
App Store Link: [Full] / No Lite Version

Review: Exceptional (Love it!)
Recommendation: Great Game. Exceptional Casual Play. Perfect for any Golf fan. If you've got the cash to spend, get it!
Replay Value: Very High

Gameloft does an exceptional job with their golf simulation game, Let's Golf! In fact, they did such a great job, that Let's Golf! has appeal for both causal golfers and gamers alike. Let's Golf! offers three different 18-hole courses (Fiji, England, USA) and one 9-hole course (Scotland), each with unique scenery and flavor. The game also offers 4 unique golfers, each with different skill sets and a customizable sense of style. Players can choose from 4 different modes: Instant Play mode, which consists of 3 random holes; Free Hole mode, where a player can choose to play through a full or half course; Tourniment mode, where players compete against computerized golfers for the best score; and Multiplayer mode.

To make Let's Golf! accomidate casual golfers and gamers alike, there are two different control styles: one designed for simple play, where the game makes recommended choices for players and uses a simple 2-tap system; and one for advanced players that functions more like a golf simulation game. Gameplay is incredably realistic, incorporating power, strength, accuracy, recovery, terrain, wind, slope and ball-spin. However, the intuitive user interface makes control easy and fun.

The replay value for the game is very high. Quick Instant Play mode allows users to play 3 random holes from the selection of 63, so it's rarely the same game twice. Tourniment mode has 3 different challenging levels (easy, medium, and hard), the last two of which require unlocking. Addtionally, playing through torniment mode unlocks extra clothing and items to help style your golfers. If all of that isn't enough, challanging a friend to Multiplayer mode (on either single or multiple devices) can add a fun competitive edge to game.

Overall, Let's Golf! is an exceptional game, perfectly designed for the touch platform, with great graphics, gamplay, and fun. While golfers will probably enjoy this game the most, I'd recommend this game to just about anyone.

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Gameplay Video:

~M@

Belowscape -- Review

Category: survival games; shooters
Price: $2.99
App Store Link: [Full] / No Lite Version

Review: Like it
Recommendation: Fun game with decent replay value. If you've overplayed some of the staples, such as Zombieville USA or iDracula, and are looking for something new, Belowscape might help satisfy your craving.
Replay Value: High

Belowscape is a fun retro twist on survival shooters in the same genre as iDracula. Players control a blue-triangle spaceship fighting against other various neon retro shapes (each with their own special properties). There are two different modes to the game, Survival and Rush, and the goal of each is to survive as long as possible while obtaining the highest score possible. The game includes a global leaderboard to encourage competition.

Where this game really shines is in its flexibility of control options. Players can choose from onscreen joysticks, tilt controls, point to move, and point to shoot; this means players can play how ever they feel most comfortable (I personally prefer the joysticks--very well done).

Overall, the game is well-designed, fun and enjoyable. And while their might not be much depth to the game itself, excellent controls and build-in competition help make up for it. Great game for anyone looking for a new survival shooter.

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Gameplay Video:

What we'd like to see in future updates: power-ups (for added game depth).

~M@

3 Point Hoops® Basketball -- Review

Category: sports games
Price: 2.99
App Store Link: [Full] / [Free Lite]

Review: Like it
Recommendation: Nothing too deep, just a great casual play game for sports fans. Worth it.
Replay value: Medium-High

The developers at Skyworks recently released 3 Point Hoops® Basketball to the App Store. Skyworks seems to be one of the leading developers in fun, quick, and casual sports games for the touch platform. You might recognize their name from some of their other popular app titles, including [Aracade Bowling] and [Arcade Hoops Basketball]--Both excellent games, and their new app 3 Point Hoops® Basketball is no exception.

Graphics are exceptional, and gamplay is simple but fun. Players attempt three-point shots from various spots around the line (9 spots with 5 balls each) trying to earn the highest score possible. The game makes excellent use of touch and swipe controls for shooting to give the game a fun and unique feel. Players can choose from two modes, Classic Mode and Sudden Death, and compete by listing their scores on local and global leaderboards.

Is this the kind of game that you'll sit and play on your couch for three hours at a time? No, probably not. But it is the kind of game you can quickly pullout and play while waiting around or standing in line, which makes it a good purchase in my opinion.

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You can view a video demo here: [skyworks]

What we'd like to see in future updates: A new two player mode of the classic basketball game "Horse."

~M@