Slide To Play Top Stories

Extinction Squad

Know what's hilarious? Mass extinction. Adult Swim's games normally push the boundaries of good taste, with classy titles like Amateur Surgeon and Snoticles. In Extinction Squad, you have to help Chuck Darwin move a trampoline back and forth across the screen, bouncing endangered animals to safety. The game looks funny, if watching cartoon animals get hurt doesn't bother you, but the verdict's not in yet on the gameplay quality.

Price: $.99 US

Get ready by reading/watching: Amateur Surgeon 2 review, Monsters Ate My Condo review

Non Flying Soldiers

In this 3D puzzler from Chillingo, you control a squad of flightless birds who are training for war. You have to guide them through a series of obstacle courses, placing objects in front of them so they don't get hurt. The game's premise is cute, since your soldiers waddle instead of run, but otherwise this seems like a fairly straightforward series of challenges.

Price: $.99 US

Get ready by reading/watching: Robbery Bob review, Rinth Island review

Bug Assault

Tonight Namco follows up their casual action game Bird Zapper with a bug-themed version. Bug Assault takes place inside the tree where Skippy the squirrel lives, as the birds from Bird Zapper try to invade using swarms of insects. This seems like a typical touchscreen bug-squashing game, but with better graphics than we're used to seeing for this genre.

Price: $.99 US

Get ready by reading/watching: Bird Zapper review, Ant Raid review

Speedway Racers

It's been awhile since we've seen a new Need for Speed or Asphalt game on the App Store, so to keep adrenaline junkies on a steady drip, LockStock Games is releasing Speedway Racers tonight. This looks like a fairly standard arcade-style racer, where it's more about barreling down the road than carefully controlled braking and steering. The graphics aren't as nice as EA or Gameloft's racers, but for the low price, they look more than adequate.

Price: $1.99 US

Get ready by reading/watching: Asphalt 6: Adrenaline review, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit review

Wawa Land Review

Wed, 16 May 2012 06:00:36 -0700

It's clear that Wawa Land is trying to provide an equivalent of Mario on iOS, which gives the game some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, there is no lack of spirit in the game’s protagonist, and no lack of potential for the game for the game itself. In its current state, Wawa Land doesn’t fulfill all of its potential, but it makes respectable progress.

The plot of Wawa Land is never formally introduced, but it appears as though a determined cat named Wawa is trying to save a member of the monarchy. To accomplish this familiar goal, Wawa has to jump on enemies, hop over bottomless pits, and leap off of walls, accruing coins along the way. In almost every aspect the game parallels Mario, but it puts a characteristic spin on every parallel, which makes it feel significantly less like a clone.

Jump for joy.

Wawa Land is a platformer with six different worlds, although only two are currently available, which is disappointing. But every good platformer needs replay value, and Wawa Land supplies this through a list of clever achievements accompanied by bonus items in each level.

Also providing replay value is the variety of the levels, which give you clouds to jump through, weird sea creatures to swim around, and a cart to ride through a mine full of safety code violations. The enemies also have an appreciable variety, as do the ways to dispatch them, from underwater bubbles to bombs. Sadly, the combination of bombs with the game’s many narrow passages make explosives almost always end badly.

Tropical paradise.

Our biggest complaints with Wawa Land revolved around technical flaws. The game has slippery physics, which become more apparent as you play on. Little things tripped us up, from Wawa always sliding after landing from a jump to lagging moments that often proved fatal. Also, the ability to jump higher by holding the jump button longer-- which works in many games-- serves to make jumping an unexpectedly awkward experience. These features joined forces to make the game’s challenging parts more frustrating than motivating.

Even so, providing a suitable equivalent to Mario is no easy task, and Wawa Land has solid footing to achieve this goal. If the developer follows through with more chapters and addresses the technical shortcomings, this game could shine through and serve as a staple in any iOS gamer’s library. As is, Wawa Land lacks universal appeal, but it is a good game that provides certain enjoyment for any platforming fan.

Gamevil's Sales Results for Q1 2012 Show 160% Growth

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:32:51 -0700

Mobile apps may have some trouble attracting a steady stream of dedicated spenders, but let’s face it: the free-to-play formula still works wonders for some studios. Earlier in the month, Gameloft revealed that much of its recent financial success is owed to in-app purchases (IAP) on its mobile freemium content, and earlier today, Gamevil distributed a press release stating that IAP’s are fueling the Korean company’s growth.

Like Gameloft, Gamevil is claiming year-on-year growth for the first quarter of 2012. Specifically, it boasts a 160% annual increase of 16.6 billion KRW (South Korean Won; one won equals approximately $0.86 USD) in sales, a 135% annual increase of 6.2 billion KRW in operating profit, and a 105% increase of 5.2 billion KRW in net profit. Gamevil’s press release about its financial fortunes also noted that the studio has transitioned fully to a free-to-play smartphone game developer and publisher. Now, 91% of its total sales come from IAP’s.

Moreover, Gamevil has found considerable success outside of South Korea. Hit franchises like Zenonia and Cartoon Wars are responsible for the studio’s 437% growth outside of its own borders.

So what’s next for Gamevil? It’s going to take a nap. Seriously though, you can expect another massive publishing push through the rest of 2012, with more than 40 titles to be released by year’s end. 16 games will hit smartphones in Q2 2012: five of these games will be developed internally, and 11 will be published third party titles.

“Publishing third party titles has allowed GAMEVIL to explore a wide variety of genres and has continuously contributed to the financial growth of the company,” stated Gamevil’s Chief Financial Officer, Yong Kuk Lee. “Now that publishing titles on Apple's App Store and Google Play has been gaining momentum this past quarter, we are very pleased to see strong growth throughout global markets."

Gamevil’s stable of smartphone games provides an interesting mix of casual and traditional fare. Zenonia is a particularly compelling series for fans of The Legend of Zelda and/or Ragnarok Online. Do you have any favorites?

Tuesday Twitter Giveaway: Airport Scanner, Bravo Force, and More

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:02:36 -0700

Tuesdays might be a drag if you have to work, but at least you have a chance to win a free iPhone game. This week, we're giving away several great games to our readers. All you have to do is follow us on Twitter and tweet a response to win.

Win DreamWorks Dragons: Tap Dragon Drop, and burn them all.

This week, we've got codes for Airport Scanner, Kick the Buddy: Second Kick, DreamWorks Dragons: TapDragonDrop, and Bravo Force: Last Stand.

To win, first follow us on Twitter. Then, tweet a response to this question:

Game or not, what's the app you use most on your iOS device, and why?

Make sure you include @slidetoplay and the URL http://bit.ly/K10tb1 in your response. Limit your responses to one per person. You must be following us on Twitter to win.

We'll pick 13 winners at random this week. A sample tweet looks like this:

My most used app is TweetBot, because I'm a Twitter freak! @slidetoplay http://bit.ly/K10tb1

Remember, you have to provide your own response-- don't just copy the sample. Good luck!

Wingsuit Stickman Review

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:50:01 -0700

You can get a lot of mileage out of simple stick man figures-- from fighting and platformer games to flying. In the case of Wingsuit Stickman, flying through a variety of surprisingly dangerous landscapes is par for the course. This is a sharp-looking and easy-to-play accelerometer game, with plenty of challenge.

Despite the simplistic nature of the graphics, Wingsuit Stickman looks great. The little fella is excellently animated and responsive, and the landscapes have just enough detail to provide a lively obstacle course for flying fun. The grid-paper background works for the overall atmosphere as well, and the game even supports Retina displays for a higher resolution boost.

Playing Wingsuit is simple enough-- rotate your device right or left to make the stickman veer in that direction. Tapping the screen causes him to brake, which is necessary for some of the tricky turns. The controls work well, but there are situations where accelerometer controls aren’t always desirable. So, an option to use something more traditional would have been a welcome extra feature.

Who needs a cable car when you have a wingsuit?

Hazards abound in the game. Poor Stickman must brave volcanoes, air trolleys, planes, crazed birds, and other disasters waiting to happen across such locations as the Alps and Rockies. The ragdoll physics are hilariously sadistic, though the stickman nature of the character certainly tones down any possible violence.

Initially, the game forced players to earn all three stars before progressing to the next level, but the developer listened to feedback quickly and patched it so that anyone can get through at least the first ten levels without all stars. Even with this change, the game is still plenty challenging, but with only 20 levels, it tends to go by pretty fast.

The developer is already gearing up to add more levels for free, however, so this complaint probably won’t last for long. Still for only a buck, Wingsuit Stickman is a lot of clever fun, with levels full of goofy danger and challenge.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 Release Date Announced

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:54:34 -0700

Sega has just announced that Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 will hit iPhone and iPad this Thursday, May 17, and will cost $6.99. What can we say other than, "Well, it's about time?" But if you just can't wait two long, grueling days, you can buy it today on Steam and the Playstation Network, or tomorrow for Xbox Live Arcade-- but those versions will set you back $15.

If you're not familiar with the Sonic 4 games, they're throwbacks to the 2D glory days of the blue racer, but with all the improvements modern gamers expect. The first episode came out back in 2010, and we enjoyed it well enough in our review. However, Episode 2 promises to be a more polished game, with Tails accompanying you on the adventure, bringing a host of tag-team moves with him.

For a deluge of more information on Sonic 4 Episode 2, check out our hands-on preview.

Ka-Bloom Review

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:34:12 -0700

Ka-Bloom is a stylish, attractive puzzler by BBC Worldwide. It's a brightly-colored, slick app that one certainly wouldn't assume is being given away for free, and actually does a great job of setting itself apart from the pack.

Floret, your avatar throughout Ka-Bloom, is a type of interstellar seed. To make Floret grow ever larger, you need to arrange neon gems and special coins via three chain-links at a time. Blue gems must be consumed entirely to advance to the next level, so when you're given time before the timer starts to arrange them as you see fit, it's a good idea to strategically place gems so the blue ones are snapped up last.

"I eat flowers! So when I barf, it's flowers, too!"

Collecting all the blue gems with Floret is actually the least of your worries, though. Multicolored gems amplify Floret's reach, others shrink the area of effectiveness, and others give Floret a bigger area in which to maneuver. You needn't be concerned only with expertly manipulating gems before the level actually starts, though some allow you time during levels to chain gem combos while the game is actually in motion. Sometimes you'll be required to jump straight in with zero planning, and must chain together combos on the fly. That's when things really heat up.

Ka-Bloom can become downright humdrum at certain intervals once you've gotten used to its deceptively simple play style, but serves up a fast-paced challenge that puzzle lovers feeling a little jaded by current offerings should enjoy. Touch control is sensitive and quite responsive, and chaining together gems feels natural. The repetitive looping sample in the background can grate on the nerves, but is easily alleviated by playing with the sound off and listening to your own music.

Come on. Eat some flowers. Don't be so closed-minded.

The three-star rating system that seems to be all the rage these days returns, giving players a goal to shoot for--improving times and scores for a better rating each time. It's easy to achieve a three-star rating if you pay close attention and continue improving over time, but realtime chaining can prove difficult at the onset, which is a demanding challenge puzzle fans should eat up.

Ka-Bloom is a full-featured and entertaining app, especially for the low price of free, and has plenty to keep you engaged on the commute to work or that dreadful wait at the dentist's office. It's impressive for free, and definitely an interesting puzzler if you're looking for something new to try. Just don't expect it to last too long.

Slide To Play Podcast #138: When It Works, It Works Really Well

Tue, 15 May 2012 06:00:55 -0700

On this week's podcast, Andrew and Jeremy discuss the blockbusting success of the movie The Avengers, as well as the iOS games that star those handsome superheros. They also talk about the games they've been playing, including a high-octane first-person shooter and a physics game that takes place in a sugary dreamland. Click ahead for the podcast and show notes.

News: Avengers games, N.O.V.A. 3 is released.

What We're Playing: Brainsss, N.O.V.A. 3, and Sugar High

If you have a question you'd like us to discuss on the podcast, e-mail us at podcast @ slidetoplay.com and if we read it on the air, we'll send you a promo code!

You can subscribe to our podcast through iTunes, or download it directly here. Thanks for listening!

70% of Mobile Users Spend Little or Nothing on Apps, says Study

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:35:37 -0700

There’s gold in them thar apps, or so we’ve been led to believe. But according to a recent study put together by ABI Research, most people who use mobile apps spend no money on (or in) them at all.

ABI’s study concluded that up to 70% of mobile users spend “either nothing or very little” on/in their applications. In fact, 20% of direct sales are conducted by the mobile industry’s “Big Spenders;" the elite 3% that spends a monthly average of $50 on digital content on a year-to-year basis.

Of course, most of us spend a little money on our apps every once in a while, but that’s the difference: average users spend a dollar here or there, which averages to less than $2.50 a month. Not a very healthy number when you have employees to pay and overhead to take care of, which makes that rare but vital participation from Richie-Rich all the more important.

That’s part of the reason why ABI warns app developers to seek balance. “Don’t get obsessed by mobile and apps, but remember also the web,” ABI senior analyst Aapo Markkanen said in a press release that accompanied the report. “Most of the successful app concepts either support, or are supported by, a web component.”

ABI’s report also identified that the apps best at making money are business-oriented utility apps, and (unsurprisingly) in-app purchases for freemium games. In both cases, the money comes from a very small consumer pool. So while we encourage developers to go ahead and break out the champagne whenever somebody buys ten thousand bushels of Smurf Berries, it’s never a good idea to put all your Smurfs into one basket.

[via TechCrunch]

Free Today: Wolfenstein 3D, Swordigo, Death Rally, and More

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:10:29 -0700

If you're looking for amazing iOS games, today's your lucky day! For a limited time, full Must Have games like Wolfenstein 3D, Swordigo, and Death Rally are all marked down to zero dollars and zero cents. These aren't demos or freemium games, either. Read on for your download links, plus links to our reviews.

Wolfenstein 3D Classic Platinum

For many of us, Wolfenstein 3D was our very first first-person shooter. In this classic game, you have to escape from a Nazi-run military complex during World War 2. You'll stock up on machine guns, check propaganda posters for secret passageways, and wind your way through dozens of tricky mazes. It may not be as pretty as modern-day shooters, but those other games wouldn't exist without Wolf 3D.

Our Score: 4 out of 4

Our Bottom Line: This is as good as iPhone ports get.

Swordigo

Our Game of the Month for March is now free-- how great is that? In this elegant action-RPG, you get to explore an open world filled with monsters and treasure. You'll navigate through the world by running and jumping, platformer-style, but when it comes to combat, you'll build up your abilities like a classic RPG. Swordigo is highly polished from start to finish, so download it for free while you can.

Our Score: 4 out of 4

Our Bottom Line: Swordigo is a love letter to platforming/adventure games, giving iOS gamers another detailed world of fantasy to explore.

Death Rally

Racing games are great, especially when you veer around a corner and cut off your opponents. But so many are missing that last little touch-- a landmine dropped right in front of them, or a rocket blasted at their exhaust. Death Rally is part racing game and part vehicular combat. It doesn't always matter if you make it to first place, as long as you leave twisted wreckage in your wake.

Our Score: 4 out of 4

Our Bottom Line: What Death Rally lacks in content and features, it makes up for with customization and intensely fun gameplay.

Banzai Rabbit

Frogger's showing his age, so it's time for a new mascot to bravely cross the street. In Banzai Rabbit, you play as a superhero bunny who has to save humans from becoming infected by his evil arch-villain, The Flea. The game contains outstanding 3D graphics, and lots of fun level variety. Give this one a download if you enjoy stylish, arcade-style action.

Our Score: 4 out of 4

Our Bottom Line: If you can't get enough Frogger, Banzai Rabbit is even better.

Monster Wars

It wasn't long ago that Legendary Wars was marked down to free, and today, you can snag the sequel. In Monster Wars, you get to play as the armies of darkness, with ghouls and goblins at your beck and call. This game has excellent graphics, and accessible strategic gameplay, so it's well worth a free download.

Our Score: 3 out of 4

Our Bottom Line: If you've ever wanted to bring the hammer down on the good guys, Monster Wars is for you.

Some of last week's big, discounted games are still free, so check out Monster Burner and Rinth Island if you haven't yet. You can also check for more free games using the lists in our free GameFinder app.

Update: Kickstarter Hopeful Republique Ups the Ante

Mon, 14 May 2012 08:22:53 -0700

Good news, if you like the potential for big-budget iOS stealth games. A few days ago, Republique creators Camouflaj hit their ambitious half a million dollar fundraising target on Kickstarter, just hours from their deadline.

For an insightful look at the last, frantic few hours as Republique approached its fundraising deadline, check out this feature piece from The Verge. Now that the game is a go, we'll try to bring your more information on it as soon as we can.

Pandemic 2.5 Review

Mon, 14 May 2012 08:12:49 -0700

Before it hit mobile devices, Dark Realm Studios' Pandemic 2 was a complex flash game that pit players against the world as deadly viruses, evolving so quickly that even the most brilliant scientists find themselves outmatched. Pandemic 2.5, a considerable update from the infection sim's beginnings, is an interesting specimen, but unfortunately it doesn't engage enough to hold new players' attention.

The premise is interesting enough. You begin in a randomly-assigned locale in a particular section of the world, with the intention of crossing borders into new areas of the country, eventually (hopefully) conquering the world. You can choose between a parasite, deadly virus, or new strain of bacteria. You can even name yourself-- something menacing, hopefully-- and then it's off to a speedy start. Depending on which form of contagion you choose, you're awarded different boons and power-ups, so it's prudent to evaluate which form better fits your needs as a player.

It's the end of the world as we know it.

Then it's time to begin spreading, infecting every poor soul who dares stand in your way. As you cross into new territories and take out more of the population, you're awarded an in-game currency of sorts known as EvoPoints. Think of them as spending money required to grow and evolve your virus, bacterium, or parasite.

There are a multitude of options available for upgrading and expanding. For example, you can increase symptom types, or even infect different types of life forms to see you spread your malicious seed even further. As you reach even deadlier heights, you'll be faced with newer challenges.

Human beings are obviously your worst enemy, and once they catch wind of what your particular strain is trying to do, they'll scramble to jump-start vaccine programs and other precautions to keep you out of their country. It's a good idea to hold onto your precious EvoPoints and bide your time, so as to keep those pesky humans in the dark and not to arouse suspicion.

Now that's a good-looking genome.

Pandemic 2.5 sounds quite dramatic and edge-of-your-seat, but the reality of it is you spend most of your time waiting for things to happen. The game itself, while very simple and colorful, isn't that exciting to look at or watch.

In addition, it does very little by way of attempting to explain its intricacies to new players. There are online documents aplenty to check with and an included reference sheet that both aim to answer burning questions, but it's simply an uphill battle when it comes to attempting to decipher what you need to do with this ambitious 99-cent game. It could certainly benefit from an extended tutorial mode, or at the very least, more detailed instructions for players who missed it when it was still just a fledgling flash game.

Aside from the confusing entry barrier and muddling pace, Pandemic 2.5 is an interesting concept that allows players to pick apart life and death as one of those organic life forms we all dread dealing with. As a game that explores deadly viruses and terrifying new strains of bacteria, it could benefit from injecting a little more life into its system.

Update: Tuesday Twitter Giveaway: Marvel vs Capcom 2, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, and More!

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:58:52 -0700

Our winners have been selected! Click ahead to see who won last week's giveaway for great new game codes, and which upcoming iOS games our readers are looking forward to the most.

@jewel_med: Can't wait to play Alexandria Bloodshow! Loved the graphics and the playable units. Perfect for my iPad3!

@KangConnie: I can't wait for Tiny Thief (by 5 Ants).The art is very nice and the animation is very good via trailer!

@benwhite214: I can't wait for Dynamite Jack by Galcon -- that game looked awesome!!

@Scykei: I can't wait for the iOS version of Super Meat Boy. I hope more info about the game will be released soon!

@wilflare: Can't wait for Pastry Panic by @undergroundpixl :D - retro gaming pastry eating madness!

@soccastar001: I'm a board game junkie (the iPad was made for them) so I can't wait for Agricola

@beyondtap: I can't wait for Dungeon Village by Kairosoft. Playing as an RPG God/Overlord for pixely people

@MisterRancis: I can't wait for Penny Arcade's On The Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness Three. The style looks awesome.

@gran_thomas: I can't wait for Pocket Heroes. The pixel graphics and epic adventure game play are really addictive!

@dcalbie: Can't wait to play LostWinds 2 tomorrow (more like tonight at 10pm!) Loved the first one - great game!

@KevPons: Sonic the hedgehog 4 ep 2! I'm cant wait to release but I'm liked sonic was I'm a little kid.

@brerlappin: I can't wait for GoF2 Supernova by Fishlabs-- it looks epic.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Robbery Bob Review

Fri, 11 May 2012 22:13:00 -0700

Poor Robbery Bob! A lanky sneak thief imprisoned for a crime he did commit, Bob is thrilled when a mysterious stranger breaks him out of jail. There’s a price for his freedom, though, and now he has to sneak through 50 levels of puzzles stealing everything that’s not nailed down.

Most levels are built around an object that must be stolen and an exit that must be reached. Standing in the way are cops, dogs, little old ladies with rolling pins, mad scientists, locked doors, cameras, lasers, and teleporters. Bob’s only tools to defeat these obstacles are your ingenuity and his uncanny ability to hide in potted plants.

Robble Robble cheeseburger!

You control Bob with a virtual joystick, which does not respond as crisply as we want it to. Fortunately, you don’t need to zip around the screen to do well in the game. While you receive badges for completing levels within a target time, there’s no penalty for taking your time and nudging Bob where he needs to go.

This lack of hurry makes the game appropriate for a wide range of skills. As is typical for good puzzle games, it’s easy for casual players to complete a level and move on. Ambitious players can chase perfect scores by remaining undetected, completing the level within the target time, and scooping up all the loot that’s been scattered around. The game gives you an overall score to brag about on Game Center, along with almost forty achievements to unlock.

Trust a criminal to get mixed up in your dirty laundry.

While you’re playing, Robbery Bob does everything it can to prevent repetition and frustration. Checkpoints ensure that you never lose more than a minute of progress through the level. Useful hints and explanations of new game mechanics appear written in big letters on the floor so you won’t miss them. When you trigger an conversation with an NPC, that conversation only appears once, even if you have to retry that section of the level over and over again. This is the kind of polished experience that every game should offer.

That polish extends throughout Robbery Bob. This isn’t a complex or innovative game, when you get right down to it. All you’re doing is moving around, hiding behind walls, activating switches and gathering loot. But by taking these few elements and making them work perfectly, Chillingo has created something that anyone who likes stealth games will enjoy.

Dark Legends Review

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:50:00 -0700

The “Twilight” books take a lot of heat for allegedly watering down the ancient legend of the vampire. Whereas the Nosferatu was once feared as a pale-skinned predator that lurked in the shadows and snatched up maidens as easily as a centipede nabs a beetle, today’s vampire is a gentler, shinier creature. Dark Legends, an iOS MMORPG, opts for lore that’s more akin to the gangly, modern vampire, but here’s the thing: the game’s story is still interesting, and it’s still fun to play through.

That’s not a compliment given to Stephenie Meyer’s infamous series, mind you. Spacetime Studios doesn’t do anything radically different with the vampire formula that hasn’t been done in an Anne Rice novel, but Dark Legends will keep you engaged long enough for quick bursts of gameplay.

Incidentally, Dark Legends is well-suited for bite-sized portions of gameplay. It’s a freemium MMORPG, which means you’re in for a lot of downtime. The game’s story takes you (and your vampire avatar) across several campaigns on a quest to find out who murdered your mentor. Along the way, you find yourself mixed up in a plot that involves vampire hunters, and a virus that turns humans into (what else?) zombies.

"Wanna come to my MCR-themed birthday party?"

Gameplay in Dark Legends consists mostly of passive missions and active battles, both of which are scattered around each campaign map. Passive missions require a mere tap to complete, after which you wait for a certain amount of time to tick down. When that’s done, you gain a bit of experience, some gold, and another piece of the story. Completing each passive mission requires a portion of your energy, and you do little except wait for time to pass. It feels like a bit of a rip-off, frankly, especially since later missions take a pretty big bite out of your energy.

Fortunately, Dark Legends also allows for a whole lot of bloody slaughter in its active battle scenes, which is where the game really shines. You can equip your vampire avatar with a variety of blades; some are loot drops, and others can be bought at the in-game store (don’t worry, you won’t forget. The game reminds you constantly that you can make in-app purchases). Regardless of your weapon of choice, your objective is always clear: carve up the monsters roaming the streets, and the boss that controls them.

Blood on the carpet. Tsk. Someone get the Tide.

Attacking is as simple as mashing your sword button, though you have several skills at your disposal, too. If you chain several kills, you’re able to leap on a nearby baddie and feed on their jugular, which restores your health and gives you a speed buff. That’s good eatin’.

You can choose to go on an attack mission solo, or you can join some other random vampires. Alternatively, you and your friends can mount an assault. Pretty standard stuff for an MMORPG, but still a lot of fun once the red stuff really starts flying. If you feel like antagonizing somebody, you can engage in a simple but functional capture-the-flag style PVP.

Dark Legends won’t knock your socks off, but for a free MMORPG, it’s fun to play and it’s adequately paced. The servers are solid, too: there are few problems with lag or disconnections. The battlegrounds you visit are a bit repetitive, and some variety in the passive missions would be very welcome, but Spacetime Studios has a solid foundation to build on. With its bloody battles and subtle tongue-in-cheek humor, Dark Legends is a small step towards the overall redemption of vampire-kind. Every little bit helps.

Juggernaut: Revenge of Sovering Review

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:53:48 -0700

There’s a lot to say about Juggernaut: Revenge of Sovering. From the very beginning, it’s a fantasy epic. This is a fantasy world we’re all familiar with, full of muscular knights with overly large swords, buxom witches with revealing wardrobes, and monsters that are nothing more than sharp teeth and claws. Big, sweeping cinematic shots will introduce you to the history of this world that has been ravaged by the demon Sovering. It is up to you, the lone hero, to fight against his army and make it to the demon’s home on Rudway Island, to confront and ultimately defeat him.

At the game’s opening, you must choose your warrior. You can pick from a gallery of five characters that fit different play styles, focusing on the offensive or defensive and melee or magical attacks. Choose your character wisely, because this is the warrior you will develop over the next several hours. In RPG fashion, your character will grow stronger and turn into a machine of might or magic. You'll also find equipment or buy expensive items to make your character a worthy foe of Sovering.

When Raid bug spray just won't cut it.

The concept of the game is simple. You fight in various locations on the map, and each location features a series of monsters or demons. Essentially, you are fighting a very large single file line of baddies, ending with Sovering. These fights will start simple at first, but as your character grows stronger, new and complex elements will add difficulty.

Juggernaut uses turn-based combat for each fight. You and your enemy take turns batting each other around until one remains the victor. During your attack, you will notice three triangles under your opponent. The color of these triangles (red, yellow, or green) determines the line of sight of your enemy. If you attack where your foe is looking, he/she/it will simply block it and take little damage. You select from which direction you attack by either tapping on that particular triangle, or slicing your finger across the screen.

Dragonfly, Maximise.

As the game progresses, you'll gain the ability to cast magic. Magic spells are cast once you have earned enough mana, which you steal from your opponent. Mana appears as little blue specks of light, which you must capture by tapping them. Once you have enough mana, you can draw a shape on the screen and damage your enemy. Some monsters are immune to certain types of magic, so you would do well to learn many types of magic.

You can also gain rage points, which you then spend to earn various one-time bonuses in battle. Rage, like mana, must be captured by tapping on the screen. Rage appears red, and once you have enough, you can buy bonuses such as increased critical hit ratio or the ability to block the next attack.

Revenge of Sovering can become very busy. Not only must you worry about where and when to attack your opponent, but you will lose time capturing rage and mana. Also, some of your opponent’s attacks will require input on the screen from you to block. In a short amount of time, you must learn to multitask at a rather high level in order to achieve success. At times, this can really add to the frantic feel of the combat, but it doesn’t always feel fun. Constantly tapping for this or that can become a real chore and a frustration.

No smiling allowed, ever.

Juggernaut is a powerhouse of a game and will only run on newer devices. We played this game on an iPhone 4 and found the game to be sluggish at times. Due to the game’s console-like graphics and many touchscreen inputs, you may find this game works best on the newest devices only.

There’s much more to Juggernaut, but the game is something that really must be experienced. It’s a hardcore game that plays more like a puzzle title than an action or RPG game. Its console-like experience should be applauded, but gamers should be aware that this won’t run on any device. It’s a unique game that isn’t perfect, but we think some gamers might find it a rare delight.

Airport Scanner Review

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:00:51 -0700

Adorable is hardly a word we would use to describe the fine folks of the TSA and airport security in general. Intrusive and slow, yes. But adorable? Probably never, and it’s a real testament to the ingenuity of the Kedlin Company and their new game, Airport Scanner, that adorable and fun are now words we can use to describe airport security. At least, the security in this game.

Airport Scanner’s gameplay is about as simple as it gets. You play as a security guard at an airport, charged with watching the X-ray scans of passengers' baggage. Passengers line up in a queue, place their bags on the scanner, and you watch the contents as they pass through. It’s your job to get the passengers and flight-crew checked out and on the plane as quickly as possible so they can all make the flight on time.

Is this fish duty-free?

There’s an ever-changing and constantly expanding list of legal, illegal (weapons, drugs, etc.) and rare items that you’ve got to watch for. When you spot an illegal or rare item, you tap on the image and the guard will then detain the passenger, check the bag, and if your eyes didn't deceive you, the scofflaw will be thrown into airport security. Literally. The guards actually chuck the criminals across the screen after they’ve been caught.

It all sounds really silly and simple, and it basically is. But it’s the little touches to the gameplay and a quirky sense of humor that make Airport Scanner a fun diversion. It’s very fast-paced and will constantly challenge you and keep you on your toes, as there’s a lot to pay attention to and manage. Everything needs to be done before the flight leaves, and it all needs to be done properly.

You have to routinely check the logbook to see what is legal and what isn’t. Making a wrong call on a bag can waste valuable time. In later levels, certain passengers will have multiple illegal items which you have to check for, and you have to also manage the line so first-class passengers and the flight-crew can be fast-tracked onto the plane while other passengers have to be held back.

We've decided we're pressing charges.

You can buy upgrades to your X-Ray machine, which make checking bags a little easier, but in the end it’s your quick fingers and keen eyes that will really make the difference. At the end of every level, you can sell rare items you’ve confiscated, and take the criminals you’ve caught to court and receive a cash settlement if the judge rules in your favor.

It sounds like a lot to manage, and it is, but once you get into a groove, you’ll be herding passengers like cattle and violating their privacy like it’s second nature-- and you’ll have a lot of fun doing it. There are a couple of problems with the game which we hope get cleared up: Sometimes it’s really tough to tell items apart (especially smaller items that are grouped together) and tapping on the items in the bags isn’t as accurate as it should be. Every now and then, we would end up tapping on the wrong thing, or accidentally moving the bag through security without securing the item.

These are minor problems, though, and Airport Security is a lot of fun and kind of adorable. It’s got a cheeky sense of humor, very cute and colorful graphics, and some fast-paced and addictive gameplay. Fourth Amendment issues aside, if you’re looking for an amusing little diversion, Airport Scanner may be the game for you.

LostWinds 2: Winter of the Melodias Review

Fri, 11 May 2012 03:37:00 -0700

Like its older brother, LostWinds 2: Winter of the Melodias began life as a WiiWare title. Now it’s on iOS, and that’s a good thing. Winter of the Melodias is a charming platformer that’s full of life and is well-suited for the touchscreen. It’s no secret that sidescrollers sometimes fall short on iOS, but Winter of the Melodias is a champion.

Winter of the Melodias brings back Toku, the wind-riding protagonist from Lost Winds. While on a quest to find his missing mother, Toku quickly finds himself in a village at the base of Summerfalls Mountain. Despite its balmy name, Summerfalls is actually frozen stiff thanks to what appears to be an eternal winter.

Toku is reunited with his mother and sets out on a long quest to find the spirit who can bring an end to the eternal winter. That’s just a start. The story for Winter of the Melodias unravels slowly through journal pages that you find scattered around the game’s levels. Though you might be confused at first (especially if you haven’t played Lost Winds), cheer up: all is eventually revealed.

Paradise Island

Besides, your main job is to sit back and enjoy playing through Winter of the Melodias. As was the case in the first game, Toku’s primary power is to manipulate the wind to do his bidding. He can use it to carry him upwards, blow away enemies, and slam objects down onto the ground in order to trigger switches. The wind can also carry flames from torches out onto ice and vegetation, which shatters barriers and lets Toku proceed.

Swiping the screen summons the drafts that carry Toku, whereas actually moving him from left to right is accomplished by tapping on the screen. You also have the option of using a virtual joystick. Controlling Toku accurately takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, going from place to place is (wait for it) a breeze.

The graphics and animation in Winter of the Melodias is stellar, though a little more enemy variety would have been nice. The game’s environments are unmatched, however, from temples to the frozen mountains to the summery lands that alternate with them. The various villagers that you encounter through the game are also personable and fun to interact with.

"I'm cold, and there are wolves after me."

If Winter of the Melodias has a flaw, it’s the frequent fetch quests that come your way, which, more often than not, require some backtracking to complete. Said quests are annoying, as you get the clear impression that they were included to artificially extend the game’s length. Meanwhile, you just want to get on with the main storyline.

But Winter of the Melodias is a spirited platformer that shouldn’t be missed by fans of the genre. Fire it up, lean back, and let yourself drift.

Under The Radar: May 10, 2012

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:27:14 -0700

Once a week, we take a look at new game releases on the App Store that are starved for attention. We'll play through a bunch of them, find five that we can safely recommend, and present them to you along with buy links and extra info. Support your App Store indies by picking up some of these fun new games!

Wawa Land

Super Mario World won't ever appear on an iOS device (unless you jailbreak it and install an emulator), so we'll just have to make do with lookalikes like Wawa Land. Wawa is a friendly, cat-like creature who can stomp on enemies, punch coins out of boxes, and wear different suits to acquire new abilities. The game is fairly challenging due to the slippery physics, but we loved the SNES-style graphics and old-school level design.

Price: $.99

Hareep

Hareep is a mama bird who finds her babies trapped behind laser beams, bombs, and other obstacles. To get to their nest, you have to pick up objects that affect your environment. For example, the wrench pickup will let you rotate lasers, while the mirrors will let you reflect them in a different direction. This puzzle game starts off difficult and doesn't let up, so give it a try if you're looking for a mental challenge.

Price: $1.99

Treasure Swipe

The best part of any dungeon-based game is collecting loot, and that's what Treasure Swipe is all about. Each room of the castle has bags and chests full of gold, and you have to swipe on them repeatedly to open them (swipe side to side for bags, up and down for chests). At the same time, creatures like rats and slimes will creep in from the right. This is a great game to play with a friend-- one of you can collect the loot, while the other holds off the enemies.

Price: $.99

Papa's Burgeria

We've seen burger tycoon games before, like Success Story, but Papa's Burgeria for iPad is a bit more hands-on. Not only do you have to take a customer's order and grill each patty to perfection, but you also have to assemble the toppings neatly. If you're careless, your customers will be disappointed by the mess and tip you less. Papa's Burgeria has a great, family-friendly art style, and a few fun bonus features like a celebratory parade that grows the more you play.

Price: $2.99

Tentacle Wars HD

Galcon is the classic casual strategy game-- you have to send your ships to an enemy base while defending your own turf. Tentacle Wars HD for iPad is similar, but it's set on a microscopic level. You have to infect other cells with tentacles, which have a limited reach depending on your strength. Brilliant additions, like the ability to swipe to send more of your microbes into battle, help perfect this common gameplay style.

Price: $2.99