App Advice

Appvent Calendar ‘09 Free Game #17: Cabby

Tyler Tschida — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:55:15 +0000

We’re on day 17 of Blacksmith Games’ Appvent Calendar ‘09 promotion, which will feature 24 different games that will be made available for free over a 24 day span leading up to Christmas day. Each game will only be available for free for a single day, so don’t wait too long to download them!

Today’s Appvent Calendar ‘09 free game is Cabby. Cabby is sort of a 3D remake of an old Commodore 64 side-scroller titled Space Taxi. In Cabby, you must pick up patrons who signal you down and deliver them to their platform of choice by flying your taxi using on-screen direction buttons and thrusters; just don’t run into any rough terrain or you will lose a life.

The game features 10 playable taxis with different handling styles, two gameplay modes, 15 levels with different themes, and three different atmospheres that affect the way your taxi handles.

Cabby is normally available for $.99, but today only it is available for free.

Today Appvent Calendar ‘09 features another secondary free game, and it’s Holiday Smash. Holiday Smash is a holiday-themed brick-breaking game that features on-screen controls, 10 levels, three levels of difficulty, and OpenFeint integration.

Holiday Smash is normally available in the App Store for $.99, but today only it is available for free.

It’s Finally Time To Join The Fight To Save Mankind, N.O.V.A. Is Now Available In The App Store

Tyler Tschida — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:32:59 +0000

N.O.V.A., or Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance, has to be one of, if not the most highly anticipated games Gameloft has ever had on their hands. Ever since it was first shown at Apple’s Rock and Roll event, iPhone gamers everywhere have been waiting not-so-patiently to experience what many hope to be the best FPS on the platform. Well folks, today is finally the day, because N.O.V.A. has officially landed in the App Store.

N.O.V.A. is a sci-fi FPS that tells the story of a retired Marine hero named Kal Wardin who must return to active duty in order to prevent mankind from being annihilated by the evil aliens known only as “Judges.”

The game’s single-player campaign features 13 levels that take place in five different environments. It also features a total of six weapons, not including grenades, and the ability to man turrets in certain levels. N.O.V.A. also features a multiplayer mode that can be played locally via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or online via Wi-Fi. The game utilizes Gameloft’s free online service, Gameloft Live, to pit you against up to three other players. Multiplayer features five maps and online leader boards that can be viewed in-game and on their official website.

N.O.V.A. features a graphics engine similar to Modern Combat: Sandstorm, so you can expect some of the best 3D visuals. It also sports a similar control scheme, which means you should be able to pick it right up and start blasting aliens without any hassle. You can choose from two other control schemes besides the default scheme, and the game also allows you to move the interface around to make specific buttons more accessible. The only oversight seems to be the lack of the ability to invert the Y-axis, which is a definite must for some. Hopefully Gameloft adds this ability via an update as soon as possible.

N.O.V.A. is now available in the App Store for $6.99.

Review: Pollywog – Plus Video Review

Trevor Sheridan — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:15:41 +0000

Overview

Pollywog is the second game from Chaotic Box who brought us Pinch n Pop. In Pollwog you guide Pauly the purple pollywog in a 2D top down racer. Your goal is to pick up yum yums, and dodge lilly pads, bamboo, and rocks all the way to the finish line.

The yum yums boost your speed, and you have to reach the finish line in the given time limit. You can dodge items, and also tap to send a jet of water to move the items out of your path.

Features

19 Levels are included across four tiers. Each level has four medallion aspects based on run time, yum yums eaten, items dodged, and all three contribute to skill rating. You have to achieve a certain number of medallions to unlock the next tier.

Controls are straightforward as the pollywog accelerates automatically, and you tilt to move the pollywog. You tap to send a jet of water to push items out of your way.

The Good

Pollywog is simple, and fun in every aspect. Everything is made well, and its packed with casual enjoyment on top of that. There is a lot for good going for it so let’s get down to it.

The game is so easy to begin by just tilting your device, but then it become oh so challenging. The difficulty amps up quickly making you throw your iPhone back and forth and having your entire body move with the pollywog.

The Pollywog is moving so quickly that the items come upon you rapidly requiring you to be on your toes. Then you need precision to collect all of the yum yums, and you never know when lillypads and bamboo will be in your path needing a tap to blow out of the way.

One really great aspect is the dichotomy of having a zen like theme flowing on peaceful water with lotus flowers and bamboo. While the main game is a hectic race to the finish with your pollywog flying downstream, and needing to dodge multiple items.

Just like Pinch n Pop this game has absolutely great production values. Pauly is really well designed, and cute enough so that you feel bad as he slams into items. The entire artwork is on par with some of the best 2D art design for the iPhone. The animations are great too from the flowing jet stream behind the pollywog to collecting yum yums.

The included soundtrack is a wonderfully vibrant upbeat melody that is a joy in itself to listen to. There are varied soundtracks through the levels, and not just the same nice one over and over like some games. Even the sound effects of Pauly eating yum yums or hitting items are cute.

After the first three levels it becomes extremely difficult to get all four aspects perfect, but the game presents high replayability to try to do so. On most levels you’re first run will just be to figure out the layout of the course. Then you will want to collect all the yum yums, and be sure to dodge everything. The best part is that you’ll have fun with each try, rather than building frustration.

The Bad

Really not much to dislike, it excels at what it sets out to do. It’s a casual game for a burst of fun during a few minutes in your day. If you do complete all 19 levels there is nothing else to do, but doing so will make it well worth $1.99. No online high scores or achievements, but since the game is award based, and not score based it seems unnecessary.

The Verdict

Pollywog is an outstanding casual game, and one of the best pick up and play titles in the App Store. Every aspect of the game is top notch including the gameplay, controls, visuals, and sounds. Chaotic Box has made another game that everyone should give a try, but sadly is relatively unknown.

Pollywog is a should buy for $1.99, but higher if you’re a big fan of casual games.

Review: Angry Birds – Plus Video Review

Trevor Sheridan — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:55:36 +0000

Overview

Angry Birds is a brand new physics based puzzle game that is published by Clickgamer. This type of physics puzzle is yet to be seen in the App Store, though there have been exploding items, structure building, and crayon type ones. Angry Birds has the basic gameplay mechanic of Boom Blox where you fire items at structures trying to knock them down.

In Angry Birds green pigs have stolen the birds’ eggs therefore making them angry, and they’re seeking revenge. The pigs are in structures, and you slingshot the birds at the structures to make the structures collapse, and hit the pigs.

Features

Angry Birds features 63 levels of bird slinging, structure destroying, pig popping fun. Each level is unlockable by completing the previous, and there are three worlds of increasing difficulty. Every level is rated one to three stars based on score.

The game is simple to control, just drag the bird back in the slingshot, and release to fire. There are multiple types of birds from basic red, to blue that split into three when you tap, yellow that accelerates on tap, and black bomb birds exploding on tap. Your score is based on structure pieces hit and destroyed, pigs hit, and birds remaining.

The Good

Angry Birds has a lot of good going for it. It’s a unique iPhone physics game, and it’s executed very well. Every level gives you a brand new challenge, and it will take a few tries to get those little piggies living piggy lives with their piggy wives.

It’s fun to sling birds into structures to break the structures to come crashing down on to the pigs. A nice aspect is that it’s a long distance in between so you can’t see the structure while launching which adds to the challenge. Another nice addition is variable birds to give you different tactics to attack the pigs.

The game difficulty amps up nicely so you’ll never be completely stumped or have it feel too easy. You can just get lost repeatedly launching birds at these structures, as two levels are never the same. A wonderfully challenging physics puzzle game made for all.

Many levels require more than once just to figure out what’s needed, and then find the right pressure points of the structures. Next you’ll want to play levels again to better your star rating, as you know it’s just a slight adjustment to get three stars.

The physics engine is spot on, especially for a cartoon world. The structure’s weight shifts appropriately from the force of the birds, and the trajectory they fly in at.

The character design is great cartoon artwork from each type of bird to the absurd circular green pigs. The animations are really well done as the structures break down, and the birds and pigs look battered. Each character shows emotion and personality without uttering one word.

The soundtrack in the menus is great, but it’s sadly not included in the game. Just the high pitched grunts and gruffs from birds, and pig snorting, and its quite funny.

The Bad

One minor problem I found was that pulling the sling, and dragging the screen perspective both are controlled by dragging so a couple times it would drag the screen instead of the sling. Also the game is score based so it would be nice to see online high scores and achievements.

The Verdict

Angry Birds is another great physics puzzler to grace the iPhone. It fits into a unique niche to give physics puzzle fans a new type to play over and over. The game is really well made, and gives you plenty of challenge and fun along the way.

Angry Birds is a should buy for $0.99, and potentially higher if you’re a physics puzzle fan. I do believe this game can open up the genre for those new to it.

Appisode 53: Operation Chokehold Spurs A Response From AT&T, Bing Hits The App Store and A Holiday Survival Guide In Our Utility Toolbox

Robin Rhys — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:56:09 +0000

AT&T responds to famous blogger, Fake Steve Jobs’ attempt to insight a digital flashmob. AT&T says Operation Chokehold was just an irresponsible cry for attention, but Fake Steve Jobs says it was already a success. Check out the podcast to see why.

Bing has hit the App Store. Check out the show to see why people are getting so excited.

Utility Toolbox: Pastebot

Holiday Bargain Bin: Shape services is having a huge holiday sale on all their ‘+’ applications. EA 25 Days ‘Til Xmas Sale deal of the day was not only on one, but nine of their most popular titles.

App of the Day: Eat This, Not That!
Eat This, Not that! is a great guide for the holidays. It’s packed with options and has a reasonable price point of $4.99, but the best part, it will help you keep those holiday pounds at a minimum.

The iPhone Goes To War

Alexander Vaughn — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:29:39 +0000

The military might have brought us radio, but Apple is giving them back the iPhone. And surprisingly, it’s not for Doodle Jump.

Raytheon, an american military contractor, announced yesterday at the 2009 Intelligence Warfighting Summit in Tucson they’ll be developing War-oriented apps.

Their first one for example, One Force Tracker, which you won’t find on the app store, is intended to support the movement of troops. Once set-up and activated it lets you share your position with the rest of the squadron, communicate through a secure channel or consult real time maps.

On top of that Raytheon isn’t even concerned with iPhone’s lack of multitasking :

Underneath the iPhone is a Mac OS X operating system which is based on Unix, which gives us Unix multitasking

But this is just code for using Google Latitude with a jailbreak app.

The potential is huge, delivering real-time data about each soldier’s position and status would be a great advantage in today’s battlefields. Thanks to some extensions the iPhone could also report on the soldier’s physical condition and health in the near future.

This sounds like some awesome real life Command & Conquer, don’t you think?

[via NYTimes Blogs]

Shape Services Is Having A “+” Sale: IM+, IM+ For Skype, RDM+ Remote Desktop, And VR+ Voice All Marked Down

Tyler Tschida — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:29:18 +0000

It almost seems as if all of the major app sales recently have been on games, but Shape Services intends to change all that with huge markdowns on all of their “+” productivity and social networking iPhone and iPod touch apps.

IM+ ($9.99 -> $2.99): If you are in need of a full-featured, push-enabled chat app, IM+ should definitely get the job done. It supports multiple services, including Twitter, Skype Chat, Facebook, Google Talk, Yahoo, MSN/Live Messenger, AIM/iChat, ICQ, MySpace and Jabber. It is even able to send you Push Notifications when new email arrives in your Hotmail, Yahoo, and GMail inbox. If you don’t feel like typing your messages, you can always purchase Speech Recognition as a $.99 in-app purchase.

IM+ for Skype ($4.99 -> $.99): This app allows you to send text messages with your Skype contacts, call any mobile or landline phone using Skype credits, call your Skype contacts, receive Skype calls, and get full presence status support.

RDM + Remote Desktop ($19.99 -> $3.99): With this handy app you will be able to access your Mac or Windows-based PC from your iPhone with ease. It even works through NAT and Firewall. Just download RDM+ on your iPhone and then download the free RDM+ Desktop software on any and all computer’s you want to have access to. After that, you will be given a unique number for each computer to enter into the app and all of your machines will be controllable via your iPhone or iPod touch.

VR+ Voice ($1.99 -> $.99): VR+ is an advanced voice recorder for your iPhone or mic-equipped iPod touch. It features one touch recording, playback, and sending to a variety of services, including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Blogger, or email. All of the recordings are in MP3 format, so they can be played on nearly any device. They can also be transferred to your home computer via Wi-Fi.

All four apps are on sale for an unspecified amount of time, so don’t wait to download them.

Win One Of Five MiniSquadron Promo Codes With A Retweet

Tyler Tschida — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:53:02 +0000

AppAdvice has teamed up with the amazing Tak Fung to offer all of you a chance at winning one of five (5) promo codes for his aerial combat game MiniSquadron.

MiniSquadron is one of those rare iPhone and iPod touch flying games with absolutely superb controls. The game allows you to perform all kinds of aerial manuevers with little effort, while also offering addictive arcade gameplay. MiniSquadron features two gameplay modes, eight levels, seven types of weapons, 50 different planes to unlock, multiple power-ups, and local multiplayer.

If you would like to learn more about MiniSquadron, you have to check out Trevor’s in-depth and glowing review.

To win one of four MiniSquadron promo codes, simply hit that green retweet bottom near the bottom of this page or retweet this post from your favorite Twitter app before 11:59 PM PDT tonight (December 16th). We will then search the Twitterverse for all of the retweets and randomly choose four winners. Winners will be notified via Twitter, so please be sure to follow us so we can send you your promo code via a direct message.

If you don’t have a Twitter account quite yet, which is almost too hard to believe, that’s fine with us. Just leave a relevant comment below before 11:59 PM PDT tonight for a chance to win one MiniSquadron promo code.

Feel free to participate in the giveaway via either or both methods. If you wind up winning multiple promo codes, just give one away to a friend or family member. This giveaway is only open to U.S. iTunes account users. Tweet away folks!

AppTalk: Interview with Vladimir Roth, Developer of Aqua Globs

Trevor Sheridan — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:20:25 +0000

It’s AppTalk time again where we at AppAdvice give you the inside scoop with iPhone developers. Today’s installment is an interview with Vladimir Roth from Qwiboo who developed Aqua Globs which after updates we’ve deemed an absolute must.

Q: Since this is your first, and only iPhone game to date what did you do before developing for the iPhone, and why did you choose to develop for the iPhone?

Before iPhone programming I was dreaming about programming games I wanted to do that since my childhood but never really had a chance. The reason why I jumped into developing games on the iPhone was because I felt that its the opportunity for me to finally do it, as it is so easy to become a developer on iPhone.

Q: How did you come up with the idea of Aqua Globs, and how long did it take to turn that idea into a reality?

The idea was brainstormed together with my friend. I was working on few prototypes before but did not finish anything and I felt I really need to deliver some product. So the goal was to try doing something small, but still fun and unique. It took me 5 weeks to finish the first version in my free time during evenings and weekends and it was very hard work.

Prototype

Q: What do you think of the App Store economy as whole, especially in regards to small developers like yourself?

App Store is becoming a really busy place now and a real business. I started learning iPhone programming just a few weeks after Apple opened the SDK to developers so I’ve seen the whole “life” of the App Store. It is still really easy for a new developer to come aboard and start doing cool stuff on the phone, but it’s not an easy goldmine as it may have been in the beginning. App Store is somehow unique in the way it operates and many things work completely different as usual businesses with PC or console games. I see this as an advantage and I think it’s also helping small companies to do equally well as a big ones.

Q: Why did you choose to use OpenFeint over the other systems, namely Plus+?

We really liked Plus+, but it is a closed system where ngmoco chooses who can use it. We needed the system ready to deploy and not to wait months for confirmation. I also tried other systems like Scoreloop and Agon, but OpenFeint was the closest to my imagination of a complete social platform system. This was a few months ago so the situation may be different now.

Regarding OpenFeint I found it to be really easy to integrate into our game. It’s basically just few lines of code to communicate with the OpenFeint server and then you set up the achievements and leaderboards directly in the developer dashboard on the OpenFeint site. It’s completely free to use and the staff is really helpful.

Q: How long do you plan to continue to update Aqua Globs, and are you working on a new game?

As we are just a small starting business we cannot afford to work for free, so Aqua Globs will be updated while being profitable. So far it is doing quite well so you can be sure we will bring a couple more levels and some surprises in the coming months We are working on our next game already, expecting to be submitting in January. We will start showing more around christmas, like first screenshots and concept art. The only thing I think I can say now is that it will be a puzzle game

Q: What is your favorite iPhone game that’s not your own?

I don’t play much on iPhone, which may be a bit of surprise. I’m trying a lot of games to see how other companies are doing, but usually don’t spend too much time on them. My most played game now is Blimp which is an example of a really good game for me. I just look a bit weird swinging my phone all around the place on the train during my commute to work, while trying to pass the levels

- Thank you for reading, and be sure to stay tuned for more AppTalk with the developers of some of the best rated games in the App Store.

RedLaser Makes A Killing

Alexander Vaughn — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:00:44 +0000

It’s no secret that the App Store is a highly competitive market. It’s tougher than ever for developers to make a real profit, and most of the revenue is grabbed by big development companies that can afford major advertising costs. There are still, however, some success stories, and Redlaser is the latest one.

Redlaser has been one of the top 5 paid apps for over 3 months now without any advertising or marketing whatsoever. The app has been able to reach over 750,000 downloads and bring in over $1m of revenue to Occipital and its 2 developers, but what’s their secret?

In their opinion, their success is mainly due to word-of-mouth. They simply made an app that works well and brings some real value to its users. This actually allowed them later on to be featured in Martha Stewart’s TV show and the Wall Street Journal, which brought them an extra 1,000 apps sold per day.

On top of that, Occipital is now licensing their scanning technology to 12 other apps, which brings them an additional $.10 every time one of them gets sold.

So congrats! Three months at the top of the App Store is really impressive, especially for an indie developer.

We reviewed RedLaser, so make sure to check it out.

You can learn more about them over here.

App Advice

Appvent Calendar ‘09 Free Game #17: Cabby

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It’s Finally Time To Join The Fight To Save Mankind, N.O.V.A. Is Now Available In The App Store

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Review: Pollywog – Plus Video Review

Overview

Features

The Good

The Bad

The Verdict

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Review: Angry Birds – Plus Video Review

Overview

Features

The Good

The Bad

The Verdict

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Appisode 53: Operation Chokehold Spurs A Response From AT&T, Bing Hits The App Store and A Holiday Survival Guide In Our Utility Toolbox

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RedLaser Makes A Killing

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