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iOS Gaming July 2013: Filled with unethical beverages, like Lipton Brisk Iced Tea

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SeanR1221

Member
I'm really surprised how much I like order and chaos. It's really fun to play a couple quests then put it down. Too bad it doesn't sync with the OS X version.

It also makes me realize how perfect the mini is for gaming. Great size and lightweight.
 

Fuu

Formerly Alaluef (not Aladuf)
Haven't played a lot of it yet but I'm liking Badland. I can still stomach runners just fine as long as they're not endless.
 

Kiriku

SWEDISH PERFECTION
I found just one bug (when you write names on iPad in Pass and Play, you do not see what you are typing).
Other than that seems pretty solid...with many research and units (only time will tell about balance).

BTW, I won :)

Thanks, gonna look into it right away. And I should also mention we're sending an update to Apple tonight with a really nice tutorial.
 

krYlon

Member
Eh. Presentation is nice, but I guess I'm tired of runners no matter how good they are.

Runner?

I'm not sure I'd classify it as a runner. To me it's a puzzle game. Kind of like a puzzle platformer but with floating instead of jumping mechanics.

I guess there are so many runners on the app store everything with sidescrolling is a runner now?
 

drspeedy

Member
A little off topic, but I wonder what they plan to do with the iCade when the controller API hits. Would it be a good idea to wait to see if they release an updated version? I don't see anything that can easily be done to make the current iCade compatible.

Let's go back to this one for a moment- because it could be a great thing (fully supported in iOS7) or a really, really bad thing (iCade becomes obsolete overnight).


I'm hoping that the API news essentially allows iCade support in more games; Apple already confirmed that games must have touch controls, so there's at least 2 control options guaranteed with the new controller specs... if devs want to add in the extended option (controllers with shoulder buttons), they have to support touch and standard controls first... All easily implemented via the APIs. So far, so good.

In my simple mind, if games include touch and "new standard" controls, a quick iCade controller settings shouldn't be overly difficult... right?
 
Let's go back to this one for a moment- because it could be a great thing (fully supported in iOS7) or a really, really bad thing (iCade becomes obsolete overnight).

I'm hoping that the API news essentially allows iCade support in more games; Apple already confirmed that games must have touch controls, so there's at least 2 control options guaranteed with the new controller specs... if devs want to add in the extended option (controllers with shoulder buttons), they have to support touch and standard controls first... All easily implemented via the APIs. So far, so good.

In my simple mind, if games include touch and "new standard" controls, a quick iCade controller settings shouldn't be overly difficult... right?

The issue is that the iCade has been around for years now, but the adoption rate for it is paltry, to put it generously. A platform wide controller specification is all but guaranteed to have higher adoption rates, and I don't see this specification suddenly drumming up support for the now redundant iCade API - unless there's something in the new iOS update that forces them to use the new API and nothing else I don't see iCade support dropping from titles that currently use it, but there's absolutely no incentive for games being updated for Apple's controller support to also code for the iCade as well.
 

Fuu

Formerly Alaluef (not Aladuf)
Runner?

I'm not sure I'd classify it as a runner. To me it's a puzzle game. Kind of like a puzzle platformer but with floating instead of jumping mechanics.

I guess there are so many runners on the app store everything with sidescrolling is a runner now?
Runner is normally used to describe the character running by itself so Badland does qualify imo, even though it has more elements than that. It's reductive but the term alone isn't supposed to be a jab at the game, it's just easier to say runner than "a sidescroller where the character moves forward automatically". The earlier stages are fairly simple so I can see how someone who's tired of the mechanic would drop it quickly (not my case, fortunately).
 

krYlon

Member
Runner is normally used to describe the character running by itself so Badland does qualify imo, even though it has more elements than that. It's reductive but the term alone isn't supposed to be a jab at the game, it's just easier to say runner than "a sidescroller where the character moves forward automatically". The earlier stages are fairly simple so I can see how someone who's tired of the mechanic would drop it quickly (not my case, fortunately).

Ah, I see. Well I guess I can see why people might classify it as such then (though technically you aren't always moving forward automatically, but the screen does continually scroll).

Though if they continue to play they will see it is an ingenious puzzle game. I actually prefer it to Limbo so far.
 

drspeedy

Member
The issue is that the iCade has been around for years now, but the adoption rate for it is paltry, to put it generously. A platform wide controller specification is all but guaranteed to have higher adoption rates, and I don't see this specification suddenly drumming up support for the now redundant iCade API - unless there's something in the new iOS update that forces them to use the new API and nothing else I don't see iCade support dropping from titles that currently use it, but there's absolutely no incentive for games being updated for Apple's controller support to also code for the iCade as well.


Can't the new standard API also include iCade? Not that it will, but it could, right?
 

Yoshichan

And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
I've played Orc: Vengeance for 6 hours non-stop and I'm pretty sure it's my favorite iOS game. This is the true sequel to the original Diablo - play this shit RIGHT NOW if you want to have fun in your life!
 

Tunesmith

formerly "chigiri"
Can't the new standard API also include iCade? Not that it will, but it could, right?

Apple's new API afaik is not Bluetooth powered but goes via the device connector itself, e.g. it is completely incompatible with the existing iCade models which all use bluetooth to emulate keyboard inputs via the Keyboard BT API. I don't think existing iCade models in the wild knows how to interpret signals coming from the device connector (other than charging) so I imagine a new model of iCade needs to be released.
 

PFD

Member
I've played Orc: Vengeance for 6 hours non-stop and I'm pretty sure it's my favorite iOS game. This is the true sequel to the original Diablo - play this shit RIGHT NOW if you want to have fun in your life!

Yes, this is a good game. Very well polished too.
 
I've played Orc: Vengeance for 6 hours non-stop and I'm pretty sure it's my favorite iOS game. This is the true sequel to the original Diablo - play this shit RIGHT NOW if you want to have fun in your life!

i really really liked this game, but Lezebel has become the new diablo king on ios. Everything just feels right. game speed. loot grabbing and visual effects on character. awesome gfx. no iap. i strongly recommend that everyone looking for an amazing Diablo set their attention here. Orc: Vengeance is a very good #2
 

SmokyDave

Member
Apple's new API afaik is not Bluetooth powered but goes via the device connector itself, e.g. it is completely incompatible with the existing iCade models which all use bluetooth to emulate keyboard inputs via the Keyboard BT API. I don't think existing iCade models in the wild knows how to interpret signals coming from the device connector (other than charging) so I imagine a new model of iCade needs to be released.
The iCade doesn't even have a connector, it's all done through BT.

Sadly, I think the new controller API will make the current iCade obsolete.
 

PittaGAF

Member
I've played Orc: Vengeance for 6 hours non-stop and I'm pretty sure it's my favorite iOS game. This is the true sequel to the original Diablo - play this shit RIGHT NOW if you want to have fun in your life!

I completed this long ago when it was first out.
It was really nice and all, but I found it really too easy...in the end it was a bit boring....you just tapped here and there and occasionally you drank a potion.
I know that since I completed it they uodated the game with improved difficulty...is that the case?
 

Yoshichan

And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
i really really liked this game, but Lezebel has become the new diablo king on ios. Everything just feels right. game speed. loot grabbing and visual effects on character. awesome gfx. no iap. i strongly recommend that everyone looking for an amazing Diablo set their attention here. Orc: Vengeance is a very good #2
I'll check it out! Thanks man!
 

Yoshichan

And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
I completed this long ago when it was first out.
It was really nice and all, but I found it really too easy...in the end it was a bit boring....you just tapped here and there and occasionally you drank a potion.
I know that since I completed it they uodated the game with improved difficulty...is that the case?
I'm playing the game on the hardest difficulty (warchief) and I have to use the hit'n'run strategy almost on all the enemies except for spiders and bats. It really encourages you to grind and go into optional dungeons for ridiculous (difficulty and) loot. It's awesome, an challenging!
 

PittaGAF

Member
i really really liked this game, but Lezebel has become the new diablo king on ios. Everything just feels right. game speed. loot grabbing and visual effects on character. awesome gfx. no iap. i strongly recommend that everyone looking for an amazing Diablo set their attention here. Orc: Vengeance is a very good #2

Hmmmm...damn.
I was about to pick up the game yesterday...but I've still XCOM to complete and I'm waiting for Tiny Thief in 2 days....but still...
To be honest my mind have probably focused on pourpose only on the problems spoken about in the TA thread, just to exclude the game...please tell that I'm right and I did the right thing...game is nice but has some problems...it's better to wait :)
 

SteveWD40

Member
i really really liked this game, but Lezebel has become the new diablo king on ios. Everything just feels right. game speed. loot grabbing and visual effects on character. awesome gfx. no iap. i strongly recommend that everyone looking for an amazing Diablo set their attention here. Orc: Vengeance is a very good #2

Eh...

IMHO it needs a fucking ton of work:

1. Controls are a bit shit, no tap to move but you have to tap to pick up loot, so you keep having to adjust your grip. DH's tap to move / auto attack when you tap on a badguy worked really well.

2. Menus are low res and unintuitive.

3. Buggy as hell.

4. Runs choppy and loads slowly (iPad mini though...) I even turned the graphics down and pp off.

5. Only 2 classes.

6. Animations leave something to be desired, as does the audio (music is good though).

I hope they fix some / all of the above down the road, it has potential but just reminds me how this genre on iOS needs some real TLC, Torchlight could be ported with ease I imagine, even TL2 in fact.
 
Can't the new standard API also include iCade? Not that it will, but it could, right?

Uh, no? Why would they do that? How could they do that? As far as iOS is concerned, the iCade is a keyboard.

Apple's new API afaik is not Bluetooth powered but goes via the device connector itself, e.g. it is completely incompatible with the existing iCade models which all use bluetooth to emulate keyboard inputs via the Keyboard BT API. I don't think existing iCade models in the wild knows how to interpret signals coming from the device connector (other than charging) so I imagine a new model of iCade needs to be released.

If it's a device connector solution, does that mean you must have iPhone 5/iPad 4 or later to use any of this? Or are controllers somehow able to support both lightning and 30 pin? Doesn't wireless make more sense for the iPad?
 

drspeedy

Member
Apple's new API afaik is not Bluetooth powered but goes via the device connector itself, e.g. it is completely incompatible with the existing iCade models which all use bluetooth to emulate keyboard inputs via the Keyboard BT API. I don't think existing iCade models in the wild knows how to interpret signals coming from the device connector (other than charging) so I imagine a new model of iCade needs to be released.

Bummer.

So are we talking a wireless dongle for the new APIs?
 

heringer

Member
Eh...

IMHO it needs a fucking ton of work:

1. Controls are a bit shit, no tap to move but you have to tap to pick up loot, so you keep having to adjust your grip. DH's tap to move / auto attack when you tap on a badguy worked really well.

2. Menus are low res and unintuitive.

3. Buggy as hell.

4. Runs choppy and loads slowly (iPad mini though...) I even turned the graphics down and pp off.

5. Only 2 classes.

6. Animations leave something to be desired, as does the audio (music is good though).

I hope they fix some / all of the above down the road, it has potential but just reminds me how this genre on iOS needs some real TLC, Torchlight could be ported with ease I imagine, even TL2 in fact.

So framerate is bad on iPad Mini? Disappointing, guess I'll pass on this one.

As for Ogre, it's okay I guess. Gets boring fast since it's a bit shallow.
 

suikodan

Member
The iCade doesn't even have a connector, it's all done through BT.

Sadly, I think the new controller API will make the current iCade obsolete.

I wonder if there is a modification of some sort that can be done on these units to make them "compatible" with the new API.

That would be sad indeed to have the iCade rendered obsolete, especially when they're the ones who opened the door for gamepads on the iDevices.
 

Tunesmith

formerly "chigiri"
Uh, no? Why would they do that? How could they do that? As far as iOS is concerned, the iCade is a keyboard.



If it's a device connector solution, does that mean you must have iPhone 5/iPad 4 or later to use any of this? Or are controllers somehow able to support both lightning and 30 pin? Doesn't wireless make more sense for the iPad?
I might be wrong but for some of the controllers where you place the iPhone inside had connectors. To facilitate charging via cable connecting to the controller part. I honestly haven't read up about it. I'll have a read through Apple's documentation later.
 

FerranMG

Member
Oh, it just starts you off with a random jetpack from your collection.

I think it's worth it because then you're using something different every round.

Thanks!
I think I'm gonna save up to get the weekly jetpacks and suits instead of the random ones.
 

PFD

Member
Completed 5/6 modes in Super Hexagon. The GAF challenge reignited my interest in the game. Prior to the challenge I was at only 2/6.

Thanks Dash!
 

igor

Member
Iesabel or Orc:Vengeance? Iesabel or Orc:Vengeance?

Fuck it, at 1.99 each I just paid for both

I got ORC back when it was free, deleted after 5 minutes. Decided to dip in on my Diablo-style game hunger later, and soon deleted it again. Nothing too impressive IMO

I bought Iesabel (I find the name irritating btw) just now, partly because I am really curious about it, partly I want to support projects like this - I see it as a nice alternative to Kickstarter - we pay for something that's already ready but not perfect - so basically we invest into the title as a promise of something great - that's how I see it personally. Whoever pays later gets a game that we helped to finance but they are paying a higher price. It's better than the situation with Star Command which in the current form, should be released just like Iesabel.
 

Tunesmith

formerly "chigiri"
I might be wrong but for some of the controllers where you place the iPhone inside had connectors. To facilitate charging via cable connecting to the controller part. I honestly haven't read up about it. I'll have a read through Apple's documentation later.

Self-quote!

The Apple GameController API is for wireless controllers, a combination of Wifi-direct and low-energy Bluetooth. Seemingly the same tech used for AirDrop. Again this works completely differently from the Keyboard API in terms of input instructions so I still think that existing iCades are obsolete unless one can firmware update the actual iCade devices.
 

Dash Kappei

Not actually that important
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nicoga3000

Saint Nic
Infinity Blade 2 is kind of fun for being free. I guess I just played SO much of the first one that this one feels too much of the same.
 

Dash Kappei

Not actually that important
Only played about an hour but Badland strikes me as too simplistic besides the pretty art.
Cool to have for free but I'm glad I didn't buy it, hopefully I'll change opinion.

Tiny Wings HD was long due in my collection, the same-iPad multiplayer modes with handicap and whatnot are ingeneusly fleshed out, pretty cool
 

Dash Kappei

Not actually that important
Self-quote!

The Apple GameController API is for wireless controllers, a combination of Wifi-direct and low-energy Bluetooth. Seemingly the same tech used for AirDrop. Again this works completely differently from the Keyboard API in terms of input instructions so I still think that existing iCades are obsolete unless one can firmware update the actual iCade devices.

Wait a fuckin second, I'll still be able to use it with iCade compatible games and apps (MAME), right?
 

Tunesmith

formerly "chigiri"
Wait a fuckin second, I'll still be able to use it with iCade compatible games and apps (MAME), right?

Unless app developers start patching out the support in favour of Apple's native solution, nothing will happen to existing iCade supported apps (hi OpenFeint?).
 

PFD

Member
Only played about an hour but Badland strikes me as too simplistic besides the pretty art.
Cool to have for free but I'm glad I didn't buy it, hopefully I'll change opinion.

The game continuously and subtly adds new games mechanics as you advance through levels, and there's a lot of levels!
 

igor

Member
Plants vs. Zombies 2 just had a Soft Launch apparently, AU/NZ for now...

Ermmm I think I will switch the account, I am really curious about this. BTW Has Fightback softlaunched only in Canada or is it NZ/AU as well??

BTW
Iesabel is the best Diablo-like I played on iOS so far, despite it feel like a Beta than the finished game. I just wished there was a better zoom on iPhone 5 because damn this game is hard on eyes on small screen. Bloom looks pretty but it's way too strong.
 

Tunesmith

formerly "chigiri"
Plants vs. Zombies 2 just had a Soft Launch apparently, AU/NZ for now...

Ermmm I think I will switch the account, I am really curious about this. BTW Has Fightback softlaunched only in Canada or is it NZ/AU as well??

BTW
Iesabel is the best Diablo-like I played on iOS so far, despite it feel like a Beta than the finished game. I just wished there was a better zoom on iPhone 5 because damn this game is hard on eyes on small screen. Bloom looks pretty but it's way too strong.

Found the zoom levels in the Options to be perfectly suitable myself.
 
Plants vs. Zombies 2 just had a Soft Launch apparently, AU/NZ for now...

Ermmm I think I will switch the account, I am really curious about this. BTW Has Fightback softlaunched only in Canada or is it NZ/AU as well??

BTW
Iesabel is the best Diablo-like I played on iOS so far, despite it feel like a Beta than the finished game. I just wished there was a better zoom on iPhone 5 because damn this game is hard on eyes on small screen. Bloom looks pretty but it's way too strong.

Sooooo-how do I setup a NZ/AU account in iTunes?
 
So framerate is bad on iPad Mini? Disappointing, guess I'll pass on this one.

As for Ogre, it's okay I guess. Gets boring fast since it's a bit shallow.

Orc is good.I liked it. It's just VERY SLOW. gorgeous but slow. I'm playing lezebel on my mini and i'm enjoying it. For perspective, hated all of the Dungeon Hunter games. Orc was the first one that was VERY close. There was one other decent title about a year ago (name escapes me) but also terribly slow and had IAP and pay to progress out the ass.

I'm just saying that since we'll NEVER get Infinity Blade: Dungeons, so far, Orc and lezebel are the only two real contenders. Orc's big problem with me was game speed and lack of visual adjustments when upgrading.
 
Go to the NZ AppStore and attempt to download the game, then follow the instructions. Google some NZ address.

Thanks-got it setup and downloaded PxZ2. I'm personally loving it so far-there are some tweaks in game play-and seeing a map, Mario World Style of the levels threw me for a loop.

In regards to IAP-I can explain some. There is a new feature in the game called "Plant Food"-you don't have to use this, but using this on one of your plants will make it do a Super Move-like the Peashooter will do a barrage of peas for about 3 seconds.

You can hold 3 containers of plant food at a time-and occasional glowing zombies will drop more when they are defeated. At least at this point in the game, the amount of plant food seems plentiful-I'm also willing to bet you don't even need it-but if you get yourself in a bind, and a tough zombie is coming your way down a lane with a weak defense, you can use this to save your plant. If you DON'T have plant food, you can pay with your coins (that you normally accumulate in battle, like the first game) to use more. It looks like in addition to earning more coins through normally playing the game-you can purchase more through IAP.

ADDITIONALLY-there are "upgrades" you can buy - and it looks like it's only with IAP-but they seem pretty cool-here are some screenshots I took. Also - it looks like you can pay to unlock some plants early-and I actually wonder if some of these are ONLY access via IAP, which would suck because it's some classics like the jalepeno and the Snowshooter.

 

Brakara

Member
Hmmm, nobody on my friends list is playing Swords & Arrows. So, anyone feel free to invite me to a game (Brakara on GC).
 
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