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The iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch Gaming |OT2| Part II

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RuneFactoryFanboy said:
With so many people asking "what are some good games? what should I get?" I thought I would start doing some full fledged reviews of my own. I'll do more if you guys like it and/or I'll stop if big review posts get too obnoxious. I figure I might be able to help give more insight since a lot of iOS review sites out there read like press releases rather than reviews and are so quick to slap a "recommended" rating on anything half-decent.

I often find when reading reviews I wish I knew the reviewers bias and how much they completed the game before passing judgment on it. In regards to bias, I will do my best to put down anything about myself I think would affect my review (positively or negatively). I will also list how much I paid for the game as I think it factors in with a games overall enjoyment. I also won’t be giving out scores, ratings or anything of that nature. I’ve always thought it's silly to try and sum up an entire game with a number. If you’re interested in the game and my thoughts about it then it won’t kill you to take a few minutes to read. So without further ado here's a game I just finished:
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Cool review. It pushed me to buy both Zenonia and Zenonia 2 since I love Queen's Crown and they look like similar games :lol I hope they are good.
 
Dante said:
I really don't get why game dev story is hailed as a great game here when FB games are pretty much condemned. Outside of have less timed re-engagement, and social gating, it basically is VERY similar to a FB management game at its core. Is it just because the game doesn't spam you with virals?
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Mainly because it's about game development and this is a gaming board.
I'm sure most of us wouldn't give a toss if it was about farming or something.
 
Why does AppShopper not have Carcassone listed at all? I want to track the game. Anyone know just what are AppShopper's limitations on apps?
 
Lord Error said:
I dont' think there's much to port. Those games originally run at much lower resolution than either Iphone or Ipad, and they were not redrawn for Iphone release either. So if you look at it from that angle, they haven't been 'properly' made for Iphone either. However, they are extremely high quality games with great controls and new modes and music added especially for idevices.
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Yeah the only real other thing they could do is use higher res artwork (which does exist, as seen in the X360 ports) but there's not enough RAM for that, at least on iPad. Maybe they'll do high res ports once all the hardware has 512MB, if that's enough.

Well keyboard support would be nice for physical digital controls but I doubt there's a huge market for that.
 
Jonnyram said:
Mainly because it's about game development and this is a gaming board.
I'm sure most of us wouldn't give a toss if it was about farming or something.
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That's a shame, because there's some pretty nice resource mgmt games on FB. Most notably Restaurant City, Cityville, and City of Wonder. All better than Game dev story IMO. Ah well, maybe it will still take some time before FB games are accepted here on NeoGaf.
 
Dante said:
I really don't get why game dev story is hailed as a great game here when FB games are pretty much condemned. Outside of have less timed re-engagement, and social gating, it basically is VERY similar to a FB management game at its core. Is it just because the game doesn't spam you with virals?
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I don't get why it's so great either. You spend most of the game just waiting for things to happen.
 
Dante said:
That's a shame, because there's some pretty nice resource mgmt games on FB. Most notably Restaurant City, Cityville, and City of Wonder. All better than Game dev story IMO. Ah well, maybe it will still take some time before FB games are accepted here on NeoGaf.
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I'm not against FB games in theory, but FB is blocked at work, and I can't play the games on my iPhone. I'd rather not use my free time at home to play resource management games, that's all :)
 
Jonnyram said:
I'm not against FB games in theory, but FB is blocked at work, and I can't play the games on my iPhone. I'd rather not use my free time at home to play resource management games, that's all :)
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They are great to play while watching TV, as they don't need your full attention :)
 
Minsc said:
I'm curious too, but since it has three different settings (d-pad, touch controls, and tilt?) I'm pretty sure it will be fine, possibly even easier w touch controls. I'd be more interested if it runs true to the original (framerate, etc).
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I think the controls are as good as it gets...but not good enough

IMO going beyond level 6 with the controls is nearly impossible. But getting that far gave me a more than fair amount of playtime (deaths).
 
Super Stick Golf is sooo awesome, never thought i would spend so much time with it - and i havent even touched the new courses.
 
soldat7 said:
Wizard Hex looks very intriguing (iPhone/iPad/Retina.) According to the developer's website, this initial offering is just the tip of the iceberg. It's a tad expensive, which is unfortunate ($4.99 tonight, apparently)

mzl.pswjtlbe.1024x1024-65.jpg
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Did you get it? How does it play?
 
DodgerSan said:
Did you get it? How does it play?
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I wanted to pick it up, but fell asleep before it was posting in the States. It kind of sucks that there is no Game Center at launch. Did you see the Cargo Runners game they are working on? It looks very interesting.
 
Hi guys. I just wanted to let you know that my game Shelly the Shell Master is going FREE as part of the Third New Year App Blowout.

Here's the link:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shelly-the-shell-master/id410176657?mt=8

TRAILER

There's nothing to lose now, so give it a try!

Also you'd do well in checking out the sale, there are some great games there. For example Battle of Wesnoth will be going from 4.99 to 0.99. Given time differences the time they go on sale might vary case to case, but by tomorrow it should be in full swing.

Please leave a review on the store if you like the game. That would really help me out.
 
soldat7 said:
Wizard Hex looks very intriguing (iPhone/iPad/Retina.) According to the developer's website, this initial offering is just the tip of the iceberg. It's a tad expensive, which is unfortunate ($4.99 tonight, apparently)

mzl.pswjtlbe.1024x1024-65.jpg
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Sure looks great, but the production values doesnt really justify the price IMHO (that is, of course, compared to some other offerings).

Waiting for $.99
 
So Secret of Mana is a pretty cool game but it's criticisms aren't without merit. Mainly that the control isn't as accurate as you want it to be at times and the music loops weirdly now and then. I don't notice the music loop all the time and the control is very forgiving so YMMV.

I have to say though that Secret of Mana makes all the other action RPG's in the App store look like crap. I was trying to play Across Age and thinking of buying it when it went on sale but it just doesn't compare to Secret of Mana's greatness. Definitely recommended if you are looking for an iOS RPG.
 
I just noticed that Capcom's Ghost Trick has been released a few days ago in the japanese store. You get the first 2 chapters for free - 3rd chapter and ongoing you have to purchase via in-app. It's pretty fun so far :).
 
dallow_bg said:
The Gameloft racer GT Academy HD worth it for 99 cents?

Or wait for Real Racing 2 HD?
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GT academy is much more gran turismo then real racing is, both are great games but RR has a ton more polish.

Put simply, GT is a GT clone with world map sort of stuff, tuning and physics which try to be real but can sometimes seem messy.

RR2 is like a good blend of arcade and realism, sort of PGR'ish.
 
I got the cash to get an ipad, and after looking through this thread, I have confirmed that I do want one. But damnit, I know in Jan there are going to announce a new ipad, and I think i'll wait until then.

I might as well just buy one now, and sell it later on if I really want the new model.
 
Jea Song said:
I got the cash to get an ipad, and after looking through this thread, I have confirmed that I do want one. But damnit, I know in Jan there are going to announce a new ipad, and I think i'll wait until then.

I might as well just buy one now, and sell it later on if I really want the new model.
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I'm sitting on a Best Buy gift card that will cover the purchase of an iPad. Let's hold hands, and stay strong together. In 2-3 months there will be a much better version.

You can do it.
 
SaintZ said:
Cool review. It pushed me to buy both Zenonia and Zenonia 2 since I love Queen's Crown and they look like similar games :lol I hope they are good.
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Glad you liked it, I was actually thinking about doing Queens Crown next since that game is even less talked about than Zenonia 2.
 
Just got an ipad today and am looking for free games right now. I recently downloaded air hockey which was kind of fun. Right now here's what I'm looking at: We Rule, Harbor Master, Castle Craft, and Pocket Legends. Anybody played these games?
 
apana said:
Just got an ipad today and am looking for free games right now. I recently downloaded air hockey which was kind of fun. Right now here's what I'm looking at: We Rule, Harbor Master, Castle Craft, and Pocket Legends. Anybody played these games?
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My wife is in LOVE with We Rule Quests. She plays that & Trade Nations all of the time. You might want to try some of the Story games. They have Game Center Support. Bakery Story, City Story.

Smurfs Village is pretty fun when you start, but gets old and quick.
 
apana said:
Just got an ipad today and am looking for free games right now. I recently downloaded air hockey which was kind of fun. Right now here's what I'm looking at: We Rule, Harbor Master, Castle Craft, and Pocket Legends. Anybody played these games?
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Tilt to Live HD is free, but has an in-app purchase to unlock the full game. But the free portion is still fun and worth playing. You get to play the 'Classic' mode for free with the starting power ups.

It's worth the purchase to unlock all modes and power ups, IMO, but then again... I have money.
 
If you liked Excitebike back in the day on the NES, then be sure to keep an eye out for Mad Skills Motocross. There is a PC/Mac demo on their website, but it's coming to iOS on January 10th. I think it has that something special that makes a game extremely enjoyable. From the demo I played it has a pretty sweet physics engine. It will have OpenFeint (at launch) and GameCenter support (early update) too! Here's hoping for a track editor but we'll see.
 
RuneFactoryFanboy said:
Glad you liked it, I was actually thinking about doing Queens Crown next since that game is even less talked about than Zenonia 2.
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Do you have your own site/blog by any chance? Not that I minded the review here, just seemed like a bit of a waste to not have it on a site of your own as well, particularly with the amount of effort you put into it. I'm sure random people outside of NeoGAF* would appreciate more thorough reviews like yours.

*How the hell did the iPad autocorrect that with the right capitalization...I barely type it to begin with, and when I do I never type it that way.
Gamecocks625 said:
If you liked Excitebike back in the day on the NES, then be sure to keep an eye out for Mad Skills Motocross. There is a PC/Mac demo on their website, but it's coming to iOS on January 10th. I think it has that something special that makes a game extremely enjoyable. From the demo I played it has a pretty sweet physics engine. It will have OpenFeint (at launch) and GameCenter support (early update) too! Here's hoping for a track editor but we'll see.
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Yeah it looked real nice from the video. Most motorcycle games I've tried sucked (control and/or physics wise) so hopefully this one comes through. I haven't played the demo yet, do you know whether it has rider control on the ground (like the Trials games)? A good implementation of ground control seems pretty important with a good physics engine.
 
That's a lot of wasted space on Wizard Hex. Couldn't they make the hexagon fill most of the space and make the stats on the right a tiny bit smaller? :/

Not buying at that price though, specially when I don't even know what it's about (I read their description but it's all 'look how unique our game is' and less explanation of the actual gameplay).
 
japtor said:
Do you have your own site/blog by any chance? Not that I minded the review here, just seemed like a bit of a waste to not have it on a site of your own as well, particularly with the amount of effort you put into it. I'm sure random people outside of NeoGAF* would appreciate more thorough reviews like yours.
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No I don't have a site of my own. I certainly know how and would like to make one but there are things that prevent me from doing it. I don't think my own site would get much traffic and I don't want to pay for hosting being the biggest two.

I just like putting a lot of effort into the things I create, even if they are just forum posts. I appreciate your feedback though :)
 
Bought Spider-Man Mayem. Really, really good game. Controls, graphics everything is very well done. Definitely worth the 99 cents.
 
DodgerSan said:
Did you get it? How does it play?
Click to expand...

I went ahead and bought it (Wizard Hex.) The developers are promising gameplay addons (spells, etc.), improved AI, online MP, GC support, etc. It's a gorgeous game with a great track (only one, I wish there were more.) It's a fairly simple game to learn, with a few nuances left unexplained. You can tell there's some depth here. They're also promising a more in-depth tutorial down the road and claim to already have an update ready for submission.

I don't know, $4.99 for this initial offering is a little steep, but the game is pretty fun but hard to describe as I haven't played stuff like go or backgammon. You can tell a lot of thought and effort was put into it, so if the devs can continue to fill this game out, then it will be a winner, especially with online play. I can post more a bit later.

BTW, I haven't played it, but the dudes (dude?) that did Sword of Faragoal are behind this game.
 
Gamecocks625 said:
I'd buy it in a heartbeat if it wasn't for reports of framerate issues on the iPod Touch 4.
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I'm very naggy when the subject is framerate. That was a concern of mine too, but so far it's not that bad. It's not silk smooth, but it didn't hamper my experience. I'm playing on my iPhone 4 though.
 
heringer said:
I'm very naggy when the subject is framerate. That was a concern of mine too, but so far it's not that bad. It's not silk smooth, but it didn't hamper my experience. I'm playing on my iPhone 4 though.
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What is the framerate like on Time Trials? I would assume the number of cars on the screen would reduce it but when it's just you on the track...

I've just really enjoyed the smooth framerate of Real Racing 1.

infiniteloop said:
Anyone recommend good pass and play games for 2 people on iPad? Been playing Scrabble with the wife and looking for something else.
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If it's something that you both would want to play together, Crosswords by Stand Alone gets my recommendation. It's $9.99 (universal) but it's soooo good. You download puzzles from a variety of sources everyday and the interface is absolutely superb.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crosswords/id284036524?mt=8
 
I'm still juggling the purchase of Wizard Hex. The concept sounds interesting but $5 seems steep for a currently incomplete game. I might get it anyways incase they bump the price up with updates.
 
infiniteloop said:
Anyone recommend good pass and play games for 2 people on iPad? Been playing Scrabble with the wife and looking for something else.
Click to expand...

Wizard Hex might be fun for you. Carcassonne is a sure bet.
 
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