Infinity Blade II: the Nonreview

Hey guys, I know that those of you that check our site have noticed the absence of an Infinity Blade II review. I just wanted to let you guys know, that neither of us have been able to get the game running. We both have iPod Touch 4th gens, and are both having problems. All I can say is, I’m sorry about not being able to give you guys a review, but I recommend staying away if you have a 4th gen iPod touch, despite the amazing reviews it has received. I’ll post an actual review once I get access to an iPad 2, which should be in the next week.

Coming Tonight! – 12/14/11

Once again, it’s Wednesday. And so, once again, at 11 o’clock PM EST (which is actually going to be within 5 minutes of this being published), new releases are going to be popping up on the Appstore. This week is like all December weeks; packed full of amazing titles. So many, in fact, that it’s impossible to play all of them. Which is why it’s good that I have Goofy to help me! Anyways, here are the games and links. The most popular ones and the ones that are probably going to be reviewed by us are at the top. I will include videos and descriptions tomorrow.

Ravenmark: Scourge of Estellion 1.02 Update Preview

-One of the big things that people were asking for was universality. Well, Witching hour heard and has responded!

iPad

– Autosave has been implemented into the game and it works nicely. Your game will be saved at the end of every command phase. You will also be prompted every time you exit to the main menu. My battery actually died while playing the game (yeah it’s that good) and my game was saved , so I resumed where I left off.

Save Prompt

– They’ve managed to make most of the game HD  for iPod Touch 4th gen users. Everything looks very, very good as far as I could tell. I think some of the background imaging isn’t in HD, but I’m not 100% sure. Nonetheless, the game looked great before, but looks even better now.

– They’ve also made the Splash Screen fly-bys (during combat) adjustable. You can choose to have them appear at a slow, normal, or fast speed. I chose slow because I think the fly-bys are done very nicely, so I really like to look at them. You’re also able to turn them off completely now. I tried it out and I have to say it added a certain level of fluidity to the game, but I will keep them on and set to slow.

Here's me trying to capture combat with the fly-bys turned off!

– They’ve also included a few new UI changes which I love. First off, when you go into grid mode (look at picture above) you will see markers in the boxes letting you know where your character will be moving. This helps a ton because it makes setting up moves easier because you won’t lose track of where you sent another formation.  They’ve also added the ability to see how far your enemy can attack. This definitely comes in handy when setting up your strategy. i found myself using it a lot, but it made the game a bit easier for me. If you want more challenge then, maybe, stray away from using it too much. Don’t get me wrong, the enemies still did their own random thing and were a challenge, but knowing their precise attack range made me a lot better (or at least it seemed that way).

– In addition to all these new things, expect some some bug fixes, lowered memory usage,  increased FPS, and a couple more newly added gameplay features.

All I have to say is keep up the good work Witching Hour Studios and way to deliver! All I REALLY want to see in the future is some Game Center supprt, but right now I’m a happy (very happy) camper.

*Update should be out very soon!

App Link: Ravenmark: Scourge of Estellion (soon to be universal) – Requires iOS 4.0 and later

Stretched Review

Stretched is one of Chillingo’s latest puzzlers. In all honesty, I feel the game was released at an important time for physics based puzzle games due to the large quantity of them available. This game is very refreshing and adds new life to the genre.

So, pretty much, you are using different methods (slingshots, moving platforms, sticky bombs, and more)  to get the cute, little bug-eyed ball to a final bubble. While doing this, you will be presented with a certain amount of extra bubbles to collect on your way. Collecting all of them will net you three stars, half of them two stars, and anything less will only get you one star.

So, I assume you’re all asking me, what’s all the rave about? My answer to this is, “it does more and feels better.”

Haha,  let me explain answer! The game boasts 80 levels which is around the standard that puzzle games should be at nowadays. However, the game never gets monotonous, old, or tiring. Each level brings some something unique and different to the table, whether it be new level design or new/interesting mechanics. You’ll never feel like you’ve played the same level twice, and each new level will be just as fun, if not more fun, than the last.  The game’s physics feel perfect as well. The ball seems to follow gravity almost perfectly in the game (this is something you need to experience first hand); such as going where you’d expect it to go, ricocheting appropriately, and speed adjustments seem on point.

Now to elaborate on gameplay a little further, everything is easy to pick up and there are helpful tutorials throughout the game, so you’re never lost. Controlling the  mechanisms is easy and simplistic, so you won’t get too frustrated.

To hit graphics briefly, everything looks extremely polished. It’s, pretty much, what you should expect from top Chillingo games.

The one thing I that isn’t totally amazing in the game is the control wheel (one of the mechanisms). It can definitely be a bit sticky, at times, on the smaller iPhone/iPod display.

Overall, this is a must have puzzle game that will keep you entertained from start to end.

Rating: 10/10

App Link: Stretched (Universal) – Requires iOS 3.2 or later

Six-Guns Review

First off, Gameloft has managed to make a fairly good looking game, but sadly it ends there.

The only thing the graphics do are set you up for disappointment. You look at this vast and beautiful world that soon becomes empty and depressing. There’s no one to interact with and give you a “howdy do”. You’ll walk from town to town wondering where everyone has gone (was there a famine or a plague). The few people that are in the world typically don’t notice you and look up at the sky; I guess because you’re not worth their precious time. The only true interaction you get are the small flocks of birds that you can try and kill; and then the occasional bear that will appear behind you and kill you in one fell swoop. He then proceeds to stand over your cold, dead body and shake fervently. This results in having to wait for you health to regen, which I’ll talk more about later. The characters don’t talk to each other which feels off in a 3D game that looks as good as this. The dialogue that is given is hardly worth being noted. The only good thing is the music as I found it to be above average.

To get more into the story…wait, there is no story. It’s just a bunch of senseless running around picking up plants and killing a majorly flawed AI (will elaborate later on). And it’s not even senseless fun.

As far as controls, it seems as if Gameloft has a thing for stiff movement. You’re character’s movement doesn’t always feel fluid, but it’s never too bad; but the problem is the aiming. Maybe I haven’t found the right settings but it takes a lifetime to turn around or look all the way left to all the way right (180 degrees). The bear taunts me knowing I’ll never be able to get him, DARNIT! Otherwise shooting is just alright even though you can’t look down.

Anyways the AI is terrible. I already mentioned the naughty bear and the lack on NPCs. The bandits that you fight constantly get stuck on objects and glitch down steps. the only somewhat intelligent enemy in the game is the Native American girl who maliciously assaults you with her knife. The zombies are just ridiculous. half the time they have their hands back and are expressing “what’s up let’s go (I got a good laugh at this). The other half of the time they’re hitting you for sizable amounts of damage. The NPCs that you save from hostage really show no gratitude and without voice acting it all seems so shallow and lifeless anyway.

Immersion factor: Besides the desolate land and the non-existent story, there is the IAP and wait times. For one thing it takes several hours for you to get more ammo without purchasing it. Albeit the prices are cheap, but will most likely add up in the long run when you want to buy a better gun or upgrades. Nothing is really cheap besides the ammo IMO and prices jump quickly; and you’ll be grinding a decent while in a not-so-fun atmosphere. Then there’s the very detailed upgrade system for individual guns, which doesn’t do anything but add to the dullness and consume more coins. Then there are those SNG factor that hurt the game because it’s suppose to be a 3D action game. You have to wait a couple of minutes for your health to regen every time you die, those awesome 15-30 second video ads to get badges, the constant buy ammo box on the left side of the screen, the game always asking you to share (maybe u can turn this off), and the occasional pop up telling you to buy more ammo. Lastly there is the the additional slot space for your bag that costs 750 coins; and trust me, you don’t have a lot of space and the game will let you know.

Whether you feel the IAP is balanced or not, it’s the story and fun that falls flat. If you want a beautiful, barren land with almost no organisms, a couple lifeless NPCs, a flawed AI, a clunky horse, no story, sub par controls, non-fun herbal quests, no voice animation, classy pop-ups reminding you that you can buy this, gameloft’s hate of game center, and an easily aroused brown bear this is the game for you.

To be somewhat fair, if you can handle the SNG elements and play once a day it might be fun. The missions do get old fairly quickly and again herbal quests just aren’t fun.

Rating: 2.5/10

App Link: Six Guns (Universal) – Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later

 

The Bard’s Tale Review

The Bard’s Tale by inXile Games is the RPG that most of us have been waiting for on iOS.

Graphics: The graphics for the game are very nice. They aren’t Infinity Blade or Dark Meadow quality, but very nice nonetheless. There is slight pixelation in the actual gameplay from time to time, and the cutscenes look like “240p YouTube videos”. I saw someone say that somewhere and couldn’t agree more. Remember, if you’re not running the game on an A5 device the ported graphics won’t be smoothed!

Gameplay: For the most part, it’s a 3D top down RPG; think more in depth version of Dungeon Hunter. You get to control the main character and explore the seemingly vast world.

So, the game is a FULL RPG meaning that you will get all the typical RPG elements. You can customize your character with 6 available stats (strength, vitality, dexterity, etc). You also get to choose a special talent (dual wielding, two handed weapons, flail, etc.). You can search every crack and crevice that the game offers and interact with almost everything (tipping cows and killing chickens). Just about all the NPCs will talk to you when you walk by and plenty will go into full dialogue when available. And there are those ever so lovely side quests! It also boasts up to 30 hours of gameplay!

The story gets a solid A from me as it pokes fun at the seriousness of a lot of other RPGs (think Fable humor: girls with big bosoms, sexual innuendos, drunken bar patrons, over the top and sometimes cheesy lines). While some people may think that this is too much, I think it gives the game character; it makes the game funny over all very endearing. You’ll sit back and smile saying, I can’t believe he just said that or man that was sort of cheesy! It will be the same thing that made Fable the popular game it is today!

A few notable things that really impress me:

1. The game gives you the opportunity to choose the character’s morality during dialogue. There’s a frown face if you want to be an A-hole and a happy face if you want to take the more chivalrous route; albeit he does sort of sound like an A-hole sometimes when you pick the happy face.

2. The in-game menus are interactive. For instance when you select your stats the narrator will tell you what each stat does. When you go into a shop to buy something, you click on the item and the shop owner will give you a really cool description of the weapon. They make it feel as if he is talking directly to you!

3. The spell system is pretty awesome! You are a bard, so you can use your lute to summon different creatures. They are rendered in full 3D and will follow you around, wait, or attack when you tell them too. I summoned a lightning spider and it looked awesome! Also, you can get artifacts that you can use to call upon certain dieties (so far I have one that appears, in 3D, and gives me all my heath back).

The bad: As I said earlier the cutscenes aren’t too nice and the game can look pixelated at times. Also, the menu buttons can feel small at times. There’s no log of your current or completed quests. The games over the top humor might not be for everyone, but I think most will enjoy it; like I said Fable is huge on Xbox and PC. Also, no automatic saves.

Overall, the game is full-fledged RPG that will offer you everything you’ve been looking for on iOS. A very good amount of variety, an excellent story, and sound voice acting.

Ratting: 9.5/10

App Link: The Bard’s Tale (Universal) – Requires iOS 4.0 or later

Infinity Quest Review

 

Infinity Quest by Camigo Media LLC is a 2D side-scroller and your mission is to save the princess. So, gameplay is pretty straightforward; you use the arrow keys to move left and right and have an attack and jump button. Everything works pretty much flawlessly.

You have to fight through four waves of insidious creatures to get to the final boss. However, you will not kill him or even come close. The game is set up so you keep replaying over and over again until you finally beat him, whilst leveling up your weapons, armor, and self. You find out that after each time you fight him, you knock 2% off of his overall health. Anyways, you die and the wizards will bring you back to life to fight another day.

The leveling system is reminiscent to Infinity Bade because you gain experience for beating levels and they go into your items until they are fully upgraded. If you like grinding and unlocking new items, you will enjoy the system. You also can level up character, but it’s only for attack and health; not a whole lot of options.

  

Where the game does fall short is in the amount of enemies available. So far there are only 3 types plus the final boss. However, it does look like they will be adding more in coming updates. Also, the game is freemium, but that doesn’t affect it too much. You’ll have to do a little bit of extra grinding; but the way the game is set up, it doesn’t really hurt gameplay.

Overall, this is a fun game with very nice graphics. If you want the side-scroller version of Infinity Blade, here you go! Will it get repetitive; yes. But there are plenty of achievements and items to help you play just a little longer. Think Zombieville 2 when it comes to the side-scrolling formula; same places, new weapons, more achievements, moving from left to right. Think Infinity Blade when it comes to leveling and story.

Rating: 7/10

App Link: Infinity Quest (iPhone)  – Requires iOS 3.1 or later

Don’t Run With a Plasma Sword

Don’t Run With a Plasma Sword released last week, alongside The Bard’s Tale, Infinity Blade 2, Desert Zombies: Last Stand, and a number of other games. By now, just based on the name, you may think that DRWaPS is just another runner, but with plasma swords. If that’s what you think, then you’re right. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be a ton of fun. Plus, it’s much much deeper than most, if not all, other endless runners.

The game starts you off with a story, something rare for endless runners. By story, I don’t just mean an “Oh he’s being chased” background scene, it’s more like a story where there’s actually a reason behind all of this. It’s displayed in a comic book style, which is very fitting considering that the story it provides is a kid that wants to be a superhero. He then makes a plasma sword, and goes on to save the world from invading aliens. While this is rather shallow, it is definitely more intriguing than the stories to be found in other runners.

The graphics in this game are also very fitting. They’re bright, crisp, and fit the theme. It’s a good looking game, but not in the WOW way. It’s just very polished looking.  The game doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It doesn’t try to be that console game. Instead, it feels like it was made to be played whenever you want; on the go, at home, whatever. While this is a characteristic of endless runners, I say that because this is more than the average endless runner. Along with the story, the game is level based, in addition to endless. The way these levels are set up is excellent. It is continuous, so they can be played as endless, with the score you get when you lose all your hitpoints the total distance, kills, and experience earned through all the levels you managed to beat. These levels are set up in 4 chapters. In the chapters, there are 6 levels with boss fights at the end.

These boss fights turned out to be rather disappointing to be honest. The first boss was easy to figure out how to beat. It was simply dodging until it comes close enough to hit, which is when you jump and slash it. The second, I never quite figured out. It only took me 3 tries to beat though, because I simply jumped and randomly slashed. Eventually, the boss died. I was hoping for harder bosses which take more thinking or skill to beat. As it stands, the regular levels are much harder.

Along with level and endless based gameplay, the game also offers an upgrade shop. In here, there are cosmetic, jump, slide, sword, health, and numerous of other upgrades. There is in app purchase for experience, which is the in – game currency. However, enough experience is earned by just playing the game to not feel pressured use the in app purchases. In one game, it’s easy to earn a couple hundred, with each upgrade costing only a few thousand. With rather quick games, you’ll never need to farm money. It feels well thought out and well balanced, which is actually somewhat rare, especially for games with IAP. In addition to that, there is daily bonuses for playing, which gives a couple hundred experience, and also bonuses for unlocking new levels. When added all up, it’s rare that you’ll find that you need to buy the IAP

When I said rather quick games, i meant it. While I may just be bad at the game, it actually became quite difficult early into the second chapter. This is about a quarter of the way through the game. Even with 3 hitpoints, I had to try almost ten times to beat a single level, and almost never beat more than one level in one run. The levels are quite long, taking a couple minutes of perfection to beat. The game has more depth than a regular runner, with different paths, and numerous different enemies. They take different strategies to kill and do different damages to you. All this comes together to make quite a challenging game. It is not so difficult that you’ll immediately put it down from frustration. Instead, it gives a one more try! type of feel for a couple of rounds. However, it soon becomes rather annoying, making you wish you could just move on.

When you finally beat that level, you’re faced with a new level.. that’s the same thing. The only time the next level truly feels different is when there is a boss,  a new enemy is introduced, or it is a new chapter. Plus, the levels are so complex that you never quite totally figure out the level, especially with enemies not always being in the same spots.

Another thing is that the controls feel awkward. The jump button is halfway up the iPhone or iPod Touch. A control scheme like that is rare on iOS, and there’s a reason why. While the sensitivity and range of the buttons is large, it’s still uncomfortable. I usually pressed in-between the buttons, so that I could actually move my finger fast enough, but that sometimes caused me to hit the slide when I wanted to jump, and jump when I wanted to slide. The developer did say there was an update coming with adjustable buttons, but still, this should have been fixed before release.

Overall, the game feels and looks extremely polished. For an endless runner, and a game in general, there is a lot of content. It isn’t overboard and overwhelming, but all the upgrades and the fun factor will last for quite a long time. It does have a couple of issues with difficulty and controls, but if you’re an amazing gamer, that shouldn’t be the issue, as it seems some people like the controls better than ones found in most runners. It’s a split (literally between the two buttons), but not a terrible one, as I still had fun with the game. Considering it’s being updated to help remedy it soon, I suggest picking it up if you like runners. The only reason I wouldn’t suggest picking it up is either you don’t like runners, have one dollar left and want that super special game, or feel like getting it just to blow through the levels. For everyone else, this game is for you.

Rating: 7/10

Also, sorry about the delay. Both of us writers have been extremely busy. We’ll be writing more regularly now.

get it here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dont-run-with-a-plasma-sword/id479907900?mt=8

Tonight’s Releases! 12/7/11

So, to sum it up really quickly, developers can set their games to release at any given day, and it automatically releases. As the day before the Appstore’s New and Noteworthy and Game of the Week features, Thursday turns out to be the day with all the big releases. Releases are staggered all around the world, with New Zealand getting it first during their Thursday, and then coming to here in the US. These new releases always release at the same time every week, which is always around midnight. It releases at the same time all over the US. 11 EST or 9 PST. It just turns out that tonight is the night of all these awesome new releases. Here’s what’s coming: