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[cws]

Finally, Zenonia is a must-have 4 me

 

[hitsugi]

dying to get my hands on zenonia! hurry up, guys D:

 

[Wallach]

I'm looking forward to Zenonia too, but that 10 minute video is worrying. The translation is pretty horrible in the build he is playing. I really hope it turns out better for the final release.

 

[Aru]

Zenonia. The first true action rpg that sort of has buzz is starting to make the media rounds. Should probably be out around the end of this month or the beginning of next month. Obviously I would skip the last two videos if you don't want any spoilers or want to come in fresh.


Intro Trailer
First 10 minutes of Gameplay Video
Slide to Play Beta Video
Interview

AT LAST !
I've been waiting for something like this. The other iPhone RPGs suck.

 

[JPBrowncoat]

All right, the

Spoiler

Metal Gear Rex/Ray

fight in MGSTouch sucks ass. Someone kick me in the head and tell me how I'm supposed to do it.

 

[boutrosinit]

Zenoia does look kinda cool!

 

[boutrosinit]

Kinda cool that we finally may have some decent Go options on the iphone. Aya Go and SmartGo look to be two of the better choices for go on the iphone. SmartGo unfortunately doesn't have the option for the 19x19 board (it goes up to 13x13) but if its anything like the PC version it plays a good game of Go.

Itunes Link Aya Go $9.99
Itunes Link SmartGo $3.99

I've been looking to get into Go. Which of these would you recommend?

 

[Stoney Mason]

And the pressure made apple do the right thing.

It appears that Apple has once again backpedaled on an App Store decision.

Days after Apple rejected an app from Nine Inch Nails due to its explicit lyrics, the company has reportedly reversed course.

"NEWS FLASH: Apple has approved the NIN iPhone app update. Should be live in a few hours," NIN frontman Trent Reznor wrote on his Twitter feed Thursday.

Reznor said that the app is "unchanged" from the one that was rejected and that all "issues seem to have been resolved."

After the initial rejection, Reznor took to the band's message board to question why Apple allowed its songs on iTunes but not in the App Store.

"You can buy The Downward F****** Spiral on iTunes, but you can't allow an iPhone app that may have a song with a bad word somewhere in it," he wrote. "Geez, what if someone in the forum in our app says F*** or C***? I suppose that also falls into indecent material."

Hopefully with parental controls in 3.0 Apple will potentially allow more mature rated content on the iphone although I doubt it.

 

[Diablohead]

Zenonia. The first true action rpg that sort of has buzz is starting to make the media rounds. Should probably be out around the end of this month or the beginning of next month. Obviously I would skip the last two videos if you don't want any spoilers or want to come in fresh.

Game looks great and gives me a snes vibe, outside of puzzle quest this will be my first classic rpg for a long time, in fact the last rpg I played for more then a few hours was eternal sonata

Also, omg omg omg Flashback ported to iphone? yessssssssssssssss so buying that! memories of renting this game multiple times when I was younger and the fact it's a damn awesome game.

 

[RobbieNick]

Terminator: Salvation and Star Trek are now available. Too early for reviews yet, but Terminator seems like it is based off of the Brothers in Arms gameplay.

 

[Stoney Mason]

Terminator: Salvation and Star Trek are now available. Too early for reviews yet, but Terminator seems like it is based off of the Brothers in Arms gameplay.

People seem to like Terminator for what it is but it's only about 2 or 3 hours in length. Star Trek I'm guessing is probably a quick and dirty cash in app.

 

[mrkgoo]

And the pressure made apple do the right thing.




Hopefully with parental controls in 3.0 Apple will potentially allow more mature rated content on the iphone although I doubt it.

I don't think it was by pressure from the public, if that's what you mean. It's more that publicity identified the issue. Likely, Apple probably always felt it was ok. I'm guessing they just have a bunch of monkeys working at approval, and one particular monkey (and maybe a line of monkeys afterwards) decided it was bad. I really would like to know the approval process.

 

[Stoney Mason]

I don't think it was by pressure from the public, if that's what you mean. It's more that publicity identified the issue. Likely, Apple probably always felt it was ok. I'm guessing they just have a bunch of monkeys working at approval, and one particular monkey (and maybe a line of monkeys afterwards) decided it was bad. I really would like to know the approval process.

I think it was embarrasment from the relative amount of media attention it was getting especially after the baby shake app. For a minor app I saw the story on MSNBC and other big sites. It sort of made them look foolish and hypocritical so I'm guessing they just let it go but that's obviously just a guess.

 

[mrkgoo]

I think it was embarrasment from the relative amount of media attention it was getting especially after the baby shake app. For a minor app I saw the story on MSNBC and other big sites. It sort of made them look foolish and hypocritical so I'm guessing they just let it go but that's obviously just a guess.

For sure it was an embarrassment. Wasn't the first time either, but maybe the most publicised.

Anyway, more news on Archon:

http://toucharcade.com/2009/05/07/archon-classic-screenshots-and-status-update/

React! Games has released the first screenshots from the iPhone version of the 1983 classic Archon. We first reported that the port was underway back in January after React! had announced that they had secured the licensing rights from Free Fall Games.

The game was a huge hit in its time and was ported to a countless platforms. The game, itself, resembles chess but taking another player's piece is not as simple as just moving onto their square. Instead, the two pieces enter a full screen combat mode where they must face off in a battle arena to determine who takes the square.


Chad Lee, founder of React! Games, provided these early screenshots as well as some notes about the game. Archon Classic is currently undergoing final debugging and is expected to be submitted to the App Store in mid-May. Lee reports they've worked hard to make the control system "perfect" and fun.
-------
We've worked in a nice virtual D-pad, since most people are used to that, but we also have the option to play it (at least on the Combat Screen) with the accelerometer. It is really fun to play it both ways and the response is quite fast. For the Combat Arena, we've worked in what we call, "Smart Fire" which is a little AI to help players aim and shoot in the proper direction, since it's really hard to get a fast twitch response on the iPhone. It works out great and makes the game really fun.
-------
The battle area itself can be zoomed in or out to compensate for the relatively small size of the iPhone's screen.


The first version of the game will include the Classic game with several difficulty settings and a ranking system. Future plans, however include Campaign mode, Multiplayer mode, Worldwide leaderboard, Achievements and Stats recording. Some features such as Achievements and Stats are expected to come as soon as the next update which should be released shortly.

I can't wait for this. I loved this when I had an Apple IIe. Hope it plays well. I've always wanted a similar game for modern times. I actually loved Archon II as well.

 

[Wallach]

Archon is the shit. I had the NES version and would lose all kinds of time playing it with my brother. Not sure I'd play it by myself though.

 

[Diablohead]

For flashback do I need a wireless connection to grab that 3meg file after buying the app? I have no wireless here :/

 

[mrkgoo]

For flashback do I need a wireless connection to grab that 3meg file after buying the app? I have no wireless here :/

You need an internet connection I believe. Yeah, it's odd. And Stupid.

 

[Diablohead]

You need an internet connection I believe. Yeah, it's odd. And Stupid.

Oh well, wanted to buy it for a long car trip but i'll have to buy it once I get out of the car :lol

 

[Mar]

For sure it was an embarrassment. Wasn't the first time either, but maybe the most publicised.

Anyway, more news on Archon:

http://toucharcade.com/2009/05/07/archon-classic-screenshots-and-status-update/

I can't wait for this. I loved this when I had an Apple IIe. Hope it plays well. I've always wanted a similar game for modern times. I actually loved Archon II as well.

Man that looks awesome. I can't wait for this shit. I still play Archon now and again on my C64. God I love wiping out the entire opposing teams side with a single unicorn.

 

[Wallach]

I know I asked a similar question before, but I've been having a hard time finding any real in-depth information about the game - what do people think of Aurora Feint II? It's kind of a toss-up between that or Puzzle Quest (just for convenience, as my Touch often goes with me at times my DSi does not). I'm not quite sure how similar AFII is to PQ though, especially in terms of how much single-player content there is. How do the RPG elements compare to PQ?

 

[Rlan]

I want to answer your question, but I have no idea what you're asking.

There was a press release I saw on Monday saying that GeoDefense had been updated and for a limited time was 99c. I checked the store but it was still it's standard price. Did I miss the price drop?

 

[Remy]

There was a press release I saw on Monday saying that GeoDefense had been updated and for a limited time was 99c. I checked the store but it was still it's standard price. Did I miss the price drop?

Per Appshopper, the price of the game hasn't changed since it went up to $3.99 in April. If there was supposed to be a price drop, it didn't happen.

 

[Buttonbasher]

There was a press release I saw on Monday saying that GeoDefense had been updated and for a limited time was 99c. I checked the store but it was still it's standard price. Did I miss the price drop?

Did you check the date when the price drop will be?

A press release announced Zen Bound's Price Drop two days ago, but the drop doesn't start until the 8th.

 

[mrkgoo]

There was a press release I saw on Monday saying that GeoDefense had been updated and for a limited time was 99c. I checked the store but it was still it's standard price. Did I miss the price drop?

Maybe the keyword here is 'was 99c'. It was 99c since launch, and I saw the price go UP at the update. Bummer, since I think it's one of the strongest TD, just because it strikes that perfect balance of simplicity, but complexity. It has a really nice difficulty curve. Other TDs seem to go for overly complex systems or flashy graphics that take away the pick up and play aspect of the iPhone platform.

I like the Creeps a lot too, but that is really easy.

edit, wait, I lie - looks like it went up earlier than the update.

Appshopper shows a history of the price changes, and there has never been a drop since it went up.

 

[Vyer]

Soon as I saw those Zenonia screens I knew it was from Gamevil. Looks similar to the style in Baseball Superstars.

Let's hope that the RPG doesn't have some of the annoyances BS has.

 

[Stoney Mason]

Zooloretto came out. Not a pimp post because I don't know if its decent or not but I thought this one looked kinda neat a few weeks ago when I saw it for the first time so I'll keep my eye out for impressions. Based on a board game.


Itunes Link $4.99
Video

 

[Rlan]

Per Appshopper, the price of the game hasn't changed since it went up to $3.99 in April. If there was supposed to be a price drop, it didn't happen.

Hmm, might have been IGN posting a very late press release then?

May 4, 2009 - Critical Thought Games today announced the availability of geoDefense version 1.2 on the iTunes App Store. This free update to the award-winning tower defense game adds four new mind-bending levels and one new creep, the Pulsar Creep, which repulses blaster and missile shots.

In addition to the new content, the 1.2 update for geoDefense introduces many improvements including more effective shock towers, more powerful weapons and the ability to lock laser towers into place in the heat of battle.

With 34 levels over three difficulty tiers and a "hardcore" mode for those who want to step it up even further, geoDefense is full of mind-bending maps and stunning visuals that will challenge your intellect as well as your dexterity. geoDefense is available for a limited time at the introductory price of 99 cents.

"We really want to make sure geoDefense remains a challenging and fresh experience," said David Whatley, founder of Critical Thought Games. "That's what this new content and these tweaks are all about. We think this is the kind of iPhone game you'll continually re-visit, and we're doing our part to make sure that's a reality."

Stay tuned for more updates.

http://wireless.ign.com/articles/979/979180p1.html

 

[bdouble]

is the 1.2 update fixed?

 

[PhlivoSong]

What's everyone's favorite Sukoku game? I've been wanting to get one for the past few days, but there are so damn many of them that I can't decide. The one by EA is on the top of my list right now, because of the UI.

 

[mrkgoo]

is the 1.2 update fixed?

For geodefense? Yeah, it was fixed by the next day, I think.

 

[Jonnyram]

Have you guys played Steppin'? It's quite cool. I have no idea how to like to iTunes Store Apps though

 

[Diablohead]

I wanted Galaxy on Fire since it was announced for the idevice but at the time was not able to splash out full price on it, just like every app so far it gets a price drop so I swoop in and buy it

Great game so far, I love these kind of space shooters and the controls are spot on!

I also got around to installing and playing Iron Sight, yeah it's a 3D worms and I love it too, I find it hard to get the right power to land a hit but that will come with practice, it charges up too fast.

 

[CrunchinJelly]

What's everyone's favorite Sukoku game? I've been wanting to get one for the past few days, but there are so damn many of them that I can't decide. The one by EA is on the top of my list right now, because of the UI.

I have Hudson's and it's quite nice.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

The Hudson Sudoku games are the best, I've found. Although even when they get hard they're never totally brutal, which may or may not be a good thing depending on what you're after.

 

[CrunchinJelly]

This may be old news, but details of Car Jack Streets 1.1 which should be hitting soon:

The update dramatically bolsters the already expansive title by adding a range of new features and fixes including:

*Fully interactive “Jack City” map available from your GPS

*All major reported bugs will be remedied once players install the update

*New ‘steering wheel’ control method for casual players and increased button responsiveness

*Increased Lives. Now players will have five chances to pay mob boss Frankie, making the game less harsh if you miss a payment

*Randal can now carry up to five weapons at a time and cycle through them at will

*Players will have the option of returning to their condo safe house to save weapons and vehicle before exiting the game

*Two new vehicles. The destructive Sports Utility Tank and the Sky Copter

*The ability to play your own iPod music in the game

*All new, soon to be announced in-game competition

Update 1.2 is already in development at Tag Games with a targeted release date for early June. It looks set to further expand the games features plus include improved menus and multiple languages.

The developer is also working on a free survival mode mini-game release for Car Jack Streets called Car Jack Streets: Survival. Inspired by games such as Smash TV and Geometry Wars Tag hope it will both appeal to those yet to purchase the game as well as existing CJS fans.

 

[womp]

Archon is one of my favorite games of all time, if they F this up there will be hell to pay.

I still have my original EA Archon 'record' album sleeve from the C64 too.

 

[Buttonbasher]

Zen Bound is 2.99 now until the 15th. It has an update I believe as well.

 

[SovanJedi]

If anyone cares, we are currently working on ports of Time4Cat and Knightfall to the iPhone. Time4Cat will be along soonish and be free to download. I'll make another post when the game(s) go live.

Flash version of Time4Cat.

 

[TheExodu5]

Well I downloaded Myst last night. Wow.

The port is fantastic. Visuals actually stand out really well on the iPhone (I'm not sure how they modified the game to fit widescreen, but it works well). The game seems to play better than it does on the PC, because transitions are slower and more natural. The PC version is now a little disorienting since scene transitions are instant. Sound seems uncompromised, the controls are great. Really, I see nothing wrong with the port so far. This would have to be my favorite version of Myst at the moment.

 

[PhlivoSong]

GeoDefense is without a doubt the game that I've played the most on my phone and that I've enjoyed the most, but does anybody else find it annoying that every level exists in its own world when it comes to balance? It seems like the mark of someone who doesn't know how to make great levels. Rather than give each unit ONE set of characteristics and build levels around those characteristics, they take the easy way out and re-arrange the strength of every unit on a level by level basis. At that point you can basically doodle a random level pattern, and then tweak the strength of the enemies to make it as hard as you want that level to be. Especially in some levels when the some enemies get stronger in later waves. Talk about a cop out.

I don't really feel like I'm good at the game, because every level basically involves "starting over." I have to re-learn which enemies are going to be stronger/faster/more resistant. The only thing that remains constant is by looking at the layout of a level I can get an idea about where to place towers.

I hope future updates/versions of this game will somehow do away with the variable enemy strength, and focus on great level design that emphasizes the waves of enemies and layout of the levels... not the need to re-learn the enemies for every new level.

 

[FlashFlooder]

GeoDefense is without a doubt the game that I've played the most on my phone and that I've enjoyed the most, but does anybody else find it annoying that every level exists in its own world when it comes to balance? It seems like the mark of someone who doesn't know how to make great levels. Rather than give each unit ONE set of characteristics and build levels around those characteristics, they take the easy way out and re-arrange the strength of every unit on a level by level basis. At that point you can basically doodle a random level pattern, and then tweak the strength of the enemies to make it as hard as you want that level to be. Especially in some levels when the some enemies get stronger in later waves. Talk about a cop out.

I don't really feel like I'm good at the game, because every level basically involves "starting over." I have to re-learn which enemies are going to be stronger/faster/more resistant. The only thing that remains constant is by looking at the layout of a level I can get an idea about where to place towers.

I hope future updates/versions of this game will somehow do away with the variable enemy strength, and focus on great level design that emphasizes the waves of enemies and layout of the levels... not the need to re-learn the enemies for every new level.

I have no idea what you're talking about. The enemies get stronger as each level progresses, but as far as I can tell there is no difference between levels. That's a common thing in TD games.

I've bought almost every TD game on the iPhone and this is the one that keeps me coming back, even though I feel that Fieldrunners is the "better" game.

 

[Aru]

Hey, I didn't know that Flashback was available on iPhone

 

[PhlivoSong]

I have no idea what you're talking about. The enemies get stronger as each level progresses, but as far as I can tell there is no difference between levels. That's a common thing in TD games.

I've bought almost every TD game on the iPhone and this is the one that keeps me coming back, even though I feel that Fieldrunners is the "better" game.

If I remember correctly, when you first load up the game it tells you that each level is balanced differently to make each challenge "unique." Whether or not it's common doesn't excuse the fact that it's a lazy way to make a game difficult. Because it's a staple for a particular genre that does not make it acceptable. Imagine if that practice was used in other games. You'd be pissed if you were playing through Call of Duty 5 and the same enemy you killed earlier in the game with ease suddenly had 10x as many hit points.

 

[TheExodu5]

If I remember correctly, when you first load up the game it tells you that each level is balanced differently to make each challenge "unique." Whether or not it's common doesn't excuse the fact that it's a lazy way to make a game difficult. Because it's a staple for a particular genre that does not make it acceptable. Imagine if that practice was used in other games. You'd be pissed if you were playing through Call of Duty 5 and the same enemy you killed earlier in the game with ease suddenly had 10x as many hit points.

Which is exactly why Oblivion and Fallout 3 suck!

 

[DaCocoBrova]

MGS Touch is fantastic! Don't know why some of you were so down on it. I think it was done exceptionally well. Nice and polished.

 

[bryehn]

Finally got my Trixel review done. We gave it a 5/5.

It’s hard to find any major faults with Trixel. The included puzzles are incredibly refined and the difficulty ramps up at a very manageable pace. There is enough content to keep players interested for several hours and the $2.99 asking price is spot on. There are some things that could be included in future updates like more puzzles, a puzzle editor or online leaderboards to track Race the Clock mode scores. Even without these features however, Trixel is among the top tier of recent portable puzzle games, whether on the iPhone/iPod Touch or not.

Positives:

+ Clean, Crisp Presentation
+ Highly Refined Puzzles
+ Accessible, Playable with One Finger
+ Challenging without Frustration

Negatives:

- No Puzzle Editor

 

[mrkgoo]

If I remember correctly, when you first load up the game it tells you that each level is balanced differently to make each challenge "unique." Whether or not it's common doesn't excuse the fact that it's a lazy way to make a game difficult. Because it's a staple for a particular genre that does not make it acceptable. Imagine if that practice was used in other games. You'd be pissed if you were playing through Call of Duty 5 and the same enemy you killed earlier in the game with ease suddenly had 10x as many hit points.

I actually find it refreshing. It actually makes each level really unique. Many TDs actually have a strategy that works through out the entire game or hide the changing of units stats behind a "immunity" shield. I actually think GeoDefense is really well thought out and not lazy at all. It's one reason I bought the game. The developer seems to enjoy tweaking the balance of a level to perfection (TOO near, sometimes).

Besides, I just consider the creeps enemies - I don't normally try to identify them uniquely.

I think it's unfair to call it out on other games, simply because it's not another game. Otherwise you may as well start complaining that enemies in Call of Duty don't walk down a set path.

 

[Gowans]

why did I wait till now to play drop7 its great!

LOVING all the facebook connect and twitter stuff too, I'd get Scrabble too if they updated the UK version.

Having an issue with GeoDefence updating, getting a error can't verrify game message when I update, any ideas?

 

[mrkgoo]

why did I wait till now to play drop7 its great!

LOVING all the facebook connect and twitter stuff too, I'd get Scrabble too if they updated the UK version.

Having an issue with GeoDefence updating, getting a error can't verrify game message when I update, any ideas?

That's an error with the latest Geodefense update, but they fixed it. You should delete it from your computer, redownload it, and sync again.

 

[Slacker]

Anyone check out Dig Dug yet? Sorry if I missed it in the thread, I've been out and about all day trying to keep track of what's new from my phone.