androidgamesreviews: September 2013

Sunday

FIFA 14 iPhone, iPad & Android Cheats And Tips

We've just given the new FIFA mobile game a very well-deserved score of 4.5 out of 5. Now here are some essential tips for getting to grips with the game.

- Never ever tackle a player from behind in FIFA 14. It's just about the fastest way to get yourself a yellow - or worse, red - card in the game. Instead, either position your player ahead of the ball-carrier, or switch with a tap to a player ahead and bring them forward for a precision tackle.
- Don't forget that you can sprint your way out of trouble or into a better position, albeit at the expense of some precision. Hold down anywhere on the screen to get your current player sprinting along the pitch, and move your finger gently up and down the screen to shift direction.
- The new touch controls are going to take a little bit of getting used to in this year's mobile version of FIFA 14, so spend a little bit of time on quick matches before taking on the challenge of tournaments. You can also find a guide to individual maneuvers in the help section of the game.

- Here's a tip for making a nice pile of cash early on in the game. The first teams you face are pretty weak, and can easily be beaten with some clever footwork. Focus on passing the ball back, forth and around as quickly as possible, and towards players in open space. This will throw the AI into enough confusion that you should find yourself with a clear shot on goal very quickly. Rinse and repeat to take home the early honors.
- Don't just pass directly to a player. Instead, consider tapping just ahead of the recipient so that they run into space and get ahead of any opposing players who might be jostling their way into position. Just be careful you don't pass the ball straight to the opposition in the process - it's very easily done!
- Power isn't necessarily the path to scoring the winner in FIFA 14. We found that a precision shot went much further than a power shot in ensuring you get the edge in games. Aim a straight, precision shot with average power into the corners to fox the average AI goalkeeper.

- The big focus this year is on the new tactical touch controls, but don't worry if you prefer the old virtual joystick controls of previous editions. You can switch controls very easily in the options settings of the game. Do give the new touch system a proper chance before switching though - it adds a very satisfying sense of strategy to the game.
- When you start Ultimate Team, your squad will be horribly optimized, so don't step into a match until you've got the basics of the squad sorted. First, make sure your players with the highest rating are on the pitch, in position, and that the best of the rest are on your subs bench. Next make sure they're in the best position on the pitch by making sure as many players have a green boot icon as possible. You may not be able to get all of them in perfect position, but you need to make the best job you can with the players you have.
- If you want to take more direct control of a player, hold your finger down on them until they're surrounded with a white circle, then drag the player in the general direction you wish them to head towards. Note that you need to keep your finger held down for a second or so before moving, otherwise you'll initiate an embarrassing tackle in completely open space!

- You'll get the Ultimate Team component of FIFA 14 absolutely free of charge, but if you want the more traditional quick-play, manager or season modes of the game, you'll have to make a one-off payment in the in-app purchase store.

Speed Racing 3D Review

If you like endless runners, you will definitely like Speed Racing 3D too!
Endless runners have always been fun games to play. But recently I have gotten a little tired of all these games. I'm not saying that there aren't any more good endless runners, but they kind of feel like the same, if you know what I mean. But that is what makes Speed Racing 3D a really cool game. It takes the endless running and mixes it with driving! Brilliant!

In Speed Racing 3D, you start with a basic car. The point of the game is to continue to drive and not crash. This means that you cannot crash other vehicles and the sides. You get points as you drive. To get extra points you can also drive close to the cars on the road. The closer you get, the more points you'll get. If you get so close that you nick the cars, you get the maximum 100 points.
The game is beautiful. I didn't expect such a nice game, but clearly I was wrong. The game is in 3D, but don't get fooled, it is not in 3D like Real Racing or Asphalt. It's an overview game. The design is all in all simple but it looks good. There is different themes when you drive and these change constantly. This is something that makes the game even better. There is also fog in the game to make it harder. The game tempo increases drastically as you progress. If this is a good thing or not is up to you to decide, but in my opinion I think it was great. It is needed in endless runners.

You can use the coins you pick up for unlocking new cars or items. There is a total of 8 cars in the game. These can be unlocked by your earned coins or real money. There is two items in the game, one of them clears the fog, which makes it way easier. And the other one protects your car for 10 seconds. There is also power ups in the game like the classic coin magnet. You can challenge people worldwide with highscores. There is also an option for Facebook support. The only thing I did not like with the highscores is that too many players do not change their names, so they are called player10038, player2779 and the list goes on and on. It is not a big deal but it is kind of annoying. And another thing that is annoying is the ads. Every time you crash, an ad will show up, and while you drive there is a banner ad which is sometimes annoying.
The game is fantastically good and is one of my favorite endless runners out there. Speed Racing 3D could have been done better with some more features, but that doesn't ruin the experience.
The game is free.

Puzzle Retreat Review

It is true that some games nowadays on Android devices can be stressful to play. Some are made to hard to play or solve ,and some are just not made right. Well thankfully Puzzle Retreat is not to hard to play or solve, and it is made just right. Please read on fellow gamers.
As the name suggests, Puzzle Retreat, you are probably thinking of a virtual spa weekend, gently taxing you into a state of Zen-like bliss. I'm sorry to "burst your bubble" , but Puzzle Retreat is a "relaxing" puzzle game.(Yes I did say "relaxing"). Let me explain in detail , the game is about strategic moves in which you will place ice cubes on a board filled with holes and make sure all the cubes are used and no holes are left, so to make it short there are only two rules, fill the gaps, and use all the blocks. And yes its that simple.
When you first play the game, you will be faced with a grid of square holes carved into a wooden block, you have to fill each and every one with ice, and this is achieved by sliding ice blocks from their fixed locations around the grid. And you can only move colored blocks only vertically or horizontally. And all this is pretty straightforward stuff.

As the game progresses you get additional features with some of colored blocks. For instance, there are blocks that hold two ice cubes, and ones that hold three of them. Plus there are Fire blocks, Arrow blocks, and Stop blocks each of which behave a certain way, adding to the creativity of the game. The game also features an option where you can discuss the game strategy with other online players; an indication that its not all that easy. And the developers also made sure that every level has a Facebook post where players may comment and share ideas. Another thing I love about this game is that there is no "time limit" to solve the puzzles. So take all the time you need.
The backgrounds retain their minimalistic wood-on-wood look, which gets pretty dull pretty quickly. Also, while the core puzzles are well thought-out and the core mechanic is solid, once you've played through 20 or so levels it really does feel like you've seen much of what the game has to offer. Now for those who want more puzzles to solve the game does come with 2 packs of 24 and 26 levels that will challenge your brain and, there are 5 more packs you can by with 32 levels each.
There is no music playing in the background, just the blocks sliding into place. Overall the game quality seems good, no bugs or usability problems were found.
pr1

Puzzle Retreat is well designed, pleasing on the eye, and thoroughly enjoyable if you are a puzzle game fanatic. The game has very simple rules, and has entertaining gameplay. The game is free at the Google Play Store, however the additional packs are €0.73. Have fun and Happy Gaming Gamers

Riddick: The Merc Files iPad Review

With the new Riddick movie in theaters, it makes sense to release a mobile game tie-in, and that's exactly what Gaming Corps did with Riddick: The Merc Files. In the game, you portray the silent killer as he uses his night vision and sneaky style through three different game types - Escape, where he tries to slip out of a stage in one piece; Fetch, where you pick up items and bring them back to a certain spot on the map; and Takedown, where you eliminate a key target without getting butchered.

The game is described as an action/puzzle game, with the option to play in stealth mode or as a straightforward action star. We can tell you right now, the latter doesn't work. Riddick dies after one hit, making the game nearly impossible to beat if you prefer the run-and-gun approach. That leaves stealth.
Riddick sneaks in the shadows, taking down unsuspecting guards and hiding their bodies out of sight. As you play, you'll avoid making noise. Otherwise, the guards will make things difficult.
When it comes to the gameplay, most of the mechanics work. You can pinch the screen to see objectives at any time, and once you learn how to execute proper takedowns, they're quite satisfying. That said, there are inaccuracies that sometimes lead to cheap deaths.

In one stage, we tapped a location to attack a guard, only to see another coming in. We tapped to head back to the location we were before, but the game misread the command and forced us to fight.
The game has several different stages to complete, with the promise of more coming through daily updates. In the meantime, you can upload videos through the Everplay feature. It's not as good as interactive leaderboards, but it allows you to show off your gameplay skills.
When it comes to presentation, Riddick is a mixed bag. On one hand, the levels look great and offer a lot of variety - and hiding spots - where you can take out guards. They also vary between daytime and nighttime, an interesting touch considering the killer works best in the dark.

Unfortunately, Vin Diesel didn't contribute to the game. He lent his voice to great effect in the Chronicles of Riddick adventures on consoles, but not here. As a result, you never feel in control of the character.
In the end, Riddick fares better than most movie tie-ins, mainly because of Gaming Corps' dedication to good stealth play and stage design. It could've been better, though, especially with superior action elements and more involvement from Diesel.

FIFA 14 iPhone Review

You sense it's taken game makers a little too long to wise up to what many game players have suspected for some time now - that virtual buttons and joysticks are a poor substitute for the real thing, and that the tactile feel of a console controller can never adequately be replicated on a touchscreen.
FIFA 14 is probably the biggest example in recent months where a very different approach has been taken to the thorny issue of precision touchscreen gaming. It's true that the familiar virtual stick and buttons are still there to be unlocked in this new edition of the soccer series, but that's now an option hidden within the menu screens. Instead, and by default, you'll be making use of a new strategic tap and swipe system when it comes to dominating the opposition within your chosen league.
The end result is a FIFA that feels qutie unlike any other incarnation of the series - either on traditional consoles or mobiles. By tapping on players to determine passes, swiping to create elegant shots and lobs, or simply drawing players towards new open spaces, the systems offers up a new perspective for the game. It's one where you get to sit back a little, take in the entire pitch, and execute a far more strategic march to victory in the process.

It works almost flawlessly, although it will take some time and practice before your fingers make effortless tackles instead of accidental runs, or you learn to select players without obscuring a critical moment on the screen. Don't be too tempted to return to the older control system though, as your perseverance will be rewarded with a very new, and very satisfying FIFA game.
The control system isn't the only thing that's new about this year's edition of the game either. While the news that FIFA 14 is a free-to-play offering will likely have fans instinctively recoiling, EA has very sensibly chosen its Ultimate Team mode to fly the flag for the business model, and it's the default mode in the free version of the game.

Given a basic collection of players to assemble your squad from, you'll then play with that team to earn coins, which are then used to buy new card packs or to bid for specific players on the global market. It's as compelling in this mobile edition as it is on consoles, and if you don't wish to grind out game coins then you can always dip into your wallet to buy randomized booster decks. It's by no means necessary to spend real cash though, and progress without spending a penny still feels rewarding.
If you want to get stuck into the Kickoff, Tournament and Manager modes, then it's true you'll need to shell out a one-off payment to the tune of €4. It's here that you'll have access to the more traditional FIFA experience, where quick matches are played against favorite rivals, your skills are put to the test across an entire season, or you simply don the overcoat of great responsibility and manage your team's victories from the sidelines.

In combining the old with the new, EA has done a remarkable job of adding a genuine bit of innovation to a rather predictable series, and there's very little to dislike about the game. No matter how much FIFA you might have played on your mobile prior to this morning, we're confident you've never played a FIFA quite like this one.

Riddick: The Merc Files Cheats And Tips

With Riddick performing well in theaters, Gaming Corps released an iOS title based on the anti-hero, letting you rip apart enemies and complete missions in The Merc Files for higher-end iOS devices.
We think the game is better than most movie-licensed crud, but it definitely has issues. That said, you may need a little help getting started. Put on your night vision goggles and read on.

-There are three different game types in Riddick.
In Escape, the goal is to simply reach the exit in one piece, regardless of whether you kill guards or not. On your first run through, try to keep an eye on guard routes and see where they're walking. Once you find an opening, sneak past or take them out. It's your call, just as long as you reach the exit.
Next up is Fetch, and this is a trickier stage where you're required to get an item on the other end of the board, then return to your starting point. It's best to kill the guards on the way to the item, as you'll have to drop it and contend with them on the way back. At the very least, it stays where you found it, so you can go back, pick it up and head to the exit.
Finally, there's Takedown, which is the trickiest stage type available. Your job here is to eliminate a target on the other side of the map while contending with or avoiding other guards. The main goal is highlighted, but it helps to take out the other guards first, as you might get their attention later.
-When it comes to playing each of these stages, time doesn't play too much of a factor. Not happy with the way you completed a mission? Try it again for a better bounty score. There's no penalty for going back.
-The shadows are your friend. By standing in the shadows, Riddick stays out of the guards' sight. You'll see when he's completely cloaked, as he lights up in a yellow silhouette. Find a good spot where you can take out a guard quickly, then drag his body to the same shadowed area. If a guard spots his ally's body, he'll become trigger happy, which makes your job more difficult.
-Should you get lost or not know where the objective is, find a safe spot and pinch anywhere on the screen. A map will appear highlighting where the exit, fetch item or takedown target is located. Simply let go to resume play.
-Once you kill a guard, you have the option of picking up a machine gun. This is only recommended when you have one or two guards left on the map. Noise, whether from running or shooting, will get their attention. If you have two or more to deal with, chances are you'll die quickly and have to restart the stage. Remember, stay silent and rely on up-close kills.

Kairo Review

Every gamer of a certain age (thirtyish) has played Myst. For some, the concept it pioneered of a first-person adventure game full of logic puzzles loosely strung together by a minimalistic storyline wasn't engrossing so much as dull and frustrating. Unfortunately, a great swath of the remainder of the gaming community apparently had their hearts and minds not so much touched as squeezed with extreme force by Myst until more games of its ilk issued forth in a great deluge. And so the echoes of its legacy can still be heard in many a game, including recent first-person indie adventure Kairo, which seems to be angling for the top spot of the sparse storyline totem. It's just a bunch of logic puzzles plopped into a world of drab blocks and, true to its heritage, it's dull, frustrating, and (in an added bonus) arduous to control.
If nothing else, Kairo is easy to synopsize. You're dropped into a world of geometric formations armed only with the abilities to look around and move forward or backward. With these latter superpowers, you can push certain objects and depress ground switches by positioning yourself atop them. The game is actually divided into a few major areas, each consisting of a central room with other rooms branching off from it. In each of these rooms, you have to solve a puzzle. Once all puzzles are solved, you move onto the next area.
kairo-android-01

With its distinct lack of story, Kairo's puzzles are logic-based by default. Every room has a different concept. One might present you with a series of buttons and a giant lens, leaving you to discover each button's function, as well as where exactly the lens is meant to point. In other rooms, the environment reacts to your movement, with blocks shifting and creating shapes or pathways depending on where you stand. In yet another area you must correctly position a series of movable blocks to make a ball ricochet from one corner of the room to another.
Giving the player little direction or context is the basis of many classic gaming titles, but in Kairo it's just irritating. Scarce in instruction though it may be, a game still needs to communicate some information to the player by introducing concepts that build upon one another. In Kairo, however, the rules vary from room to room. A few of the elements (like objects reacting to your positioning) are reused and the overarching theme of having to complete a certain number of puzzles to clear an area becomes apparent before too long. But otherwise, each room functions on its own logic, so the whole experience feels like a disconnected jumble.
kairo-android-02

The player isn't left completely in the dark. Hints are available at all times from the options menu, usually providing three textual clues (each more blunt than the last) for each room. While this is a nice gesture, repeatedly checking the hints screen is obviously not how the game is designed to be played. It's not fun being confused for a lengthy amount of time, but there's little more joy to be had from simply being told how to progress and then obediently doing so.
The joylessness is exacerbated by the controls. As mentioned, you can only look and move forward or backward. Movement is done with two arrows in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Swiping anywhere else controls your view. While this works well when in motion, it becomes less functional when at a standstill. There's no left/right movement, meaning there's no strafing. Worse, there's no way to jump. When walking across, up, and over blocks of varying sizes you'll invariably bump up against a biggish one and then have to right yourself. In many cases you'll have to rock back and forth repeatedly to gain the momentum needed to overcome your obstacle. Even if you find the puzzles enjoyable, chugging laboriously around the environment to solve them is not.
kairo-android-03

In theory, a lot of Kairo's goodness is meant to come from the mood it exudes from its graphics and sound design, but it all just feels cold and barren. Perhaps that's the general idea, with the ominous, droning soundtrack; the sound effects rarely more than your echoing footsteps and the scraping of concrete against concrete; and the settings composed of simple shapes, each dominated by a single color. It does occasionally work. Seeing a huge, abandoned block-metropolis looming before you is sort of awe-inspiring and one red-drenched area of creepy, angular tree branches is quite affecting. But usually the blocky visuals are too basic to exude much personality and the soundtrack is hardly hum-worthy.
With its simplistic presentation and deliberate withholding of guidance, Kairo is clearly going for a moody, explorative experience. But the visuals are just boring and the lack of cohesion in puzzle design breeds frustration rather than curiosity. There's quite a lot of content, including a fair amount of secrets to uncover, but the meager controls make this an unwelcome prospect. If you're a Myst kid, you might dig Kairo's jive, but even then I'd recommend the PC version. It has a jump button.

Almightree Coming To iOS Devices Next Month

Ready to save a world that's falling apart? It's time to show your inner strength with Almightree.

Crescent Moon Studios announced this new 3D puzzle platformer, which is in development at Chocoarts. The game tips its cap to Nintendo's Zelda franchise, with a fantastically drawn world. As the hero, your job is to solve a series of puzzles by moving blocking and plants while avoiding enemies and traps.
The game will come out on iOS later this year, and will also release for Android through Google Play shortly thereafter.

Gang Lords Cheats And Tips

While Gang Lords may seem like a typical free-to-play game, it contains plenty of strategy, as you build a deck of criminals and gangster types. With these folks at your disposal - with dozens more to choose from as the game progresses - you'll take over the streets, wiping out anyone in your path.
Still, it wouldn't hurt to have an idea how to start on the right foot. With this in mind, here are some tips that'll help get you through the battle.

-Gangsters come with their own special color-coding, depending on their abilities - blue, red, green, pink and yellow. In the midst of each fight, you'll actually see a diagram that shows who has stronger power over characters, with blue over red, red over green and green over blue. On a separate circle, yellow and pink balance each other out. Keep this in mind when you're attacking enemies, as you'll do more damage than someone who's in the same class.
-Gang Lords works on a turn-based system. You'll issue commands to the members you select in your card deck, then watch them execute said orders. Your character usually has one of three options - Attack, Take Cover and Support.
-When it comes to Attack, you'll want to use it as often as you can. Hitting enemies consistently will eventually bring them down, and staying in cover will get you hurt anyway, so you might as well go out in a blaze of glory. Against tougher enemies, Take Cover makes more sense, but save that ability for when you really need it - or can't do anything else on the turn.
-The Support tactic works wonders, especially if you employ a character that has the proper color-coding to quickly bring down an enemy. Use it when you don't have access to an Attack - sometimes you'll need to wait until the next turn - and give them the capability to shoot their foes dead with one shot.
-When it comes to creating your ideal gangster deck, take your time and have fun with it. There really is no ideal way to get your cards, as there are dozens of criminals who make good allies for your team. Try new ones, like crooked cops and judges, suave assassins and even street thugs, and see how they balance the team overall. If you get wiped out, make a few changes and use your currency to make a play for high-end killers. You'll get the hang of it, and soon have a squad that everyone will fear.
-Hold off on spending cash unless there's someone you absolutely want in the group. You'll make a good amount of dough completing missions and wiping out foes, enough to eventually level up in Respect and attract new cards to your deck.
-If you do spend money, don't be afraid to shop around. You just might find a few surprises that'll stand out in a gun battle - like the suave Cat Burglar and the dynamic Bionic Soldier. Each one has stats that you can read up on, and you can see if they're the essential killer for your team.

Gang Lords iPad Review

Forming a gang and getting into shootouts don't sound like smart ideas, but Glu Mobile made the concept fun with Gang Lords, an iPhone and iPad strategic battle game where you assemble your own team of killers and claim territory.

You begin with a few basic picks - an up-and-coming thug, corrupt cops, maybe even a wild card criminal with a nasty mean streak - and get right into the thick of battle, dodging bullets by taking cover and then striking back with coordinated attacks, either directly or through combined support moves.
After each encounter, you'll take over parts of the city, gaining respect and earning cash, which you can turn around to power-up your deck. As a result, your characters will last longer in battle, though you can always save up to buy new ones. Some will take a while to unlock - unless you feel like dropping a few dollars for in-game currency. It's completely optional, though.

The gameplay system works rather well, using an empowered color-coding system that lets you know who has strength over characters with clear markings on the ground. To be fair, it doesn't evolve much. If you see one gun battle, you've pretty much seen them all.
At least the game gives you a variety of missions to complete. You coast from one end of the city to the other, slowly taking it over while growing your empire of ne'er-do-wells. There's replay value to spare, which is something you don't often see in a free-to-play game.
On top of that, Glu Mobile did a solid job with the game's social interaction. You can invite friends into gun battles to see how you fare as a team, or compare stats through leaderboards to judge who really rules the streets.

Gun Lords also has a great presentation. The music has just the right amount of attitude, not going overboard with controversial lyrics, but with plenty of tough guy music. The graphics are equally great, with fun to watch gun fights and easily read character stats.
Not everyone enjoys the criminal lifestyle, but for those of us who dig the fantasy, Gang Lords is a welcome addition.

Shadowrun Returns Now Available For iOS And Android

Ever since it achieved successful funding on KickStarter a few months ago, we've been excited to see what Harebrained Schemes could do with Shadowrun Returns, the long-awaited sequel to the popular cult classic. Well, we don't have to wait any longer, as the game is finally available on both iOS and Android for €7.

There are some slight changes from the PC and Mac versions that came out over the course of the summer. The community-created content and editor didn't make the cut, though Harebrained promised to update the game with a selection of user-generated content "at some point in the future." In the meantime, there's still hours' worth of adventure to uncover.
"When Jordan created the original world of Shadowrun, he didn't predict that people would one day interact with that world on touch-screen computers more powerful than the one that took us to the moon," said the company in a Kickstarter update. "It is extremely gratifying that the enthusiasm for this game setting has stood the test of time and that we are now able to deliver it on mobile devices to a new generation of gamers."

Pocket Trains Cheats And Tips

Pocket Trains is the latest game from NimbleBit, and works in a very similar manner to the company's previous hit, Pocket Planes. You manage railroad trains as they haul cargo from city to city, eventually opening up new tracks, railroad cars and business in several countries. It's a great management simulation that comes with a steep learning curve, but don't worry. These Pocket Trains tips will get you on track, so to speak.

-You don't always need to have the game running to reach new locations. You'll see pop-up messages that indicate when a train has arrived in a certain destination, or when new jobs are available to complete. Revisit the game at any time to set them in motion again.
-You can always check the progress of trains that are rolling through the main screen. Simply press the arrow keys to switch from train to train, seeing how they're running and how close they are to their destinations. If one's just sitting there, send it to its next location.
-Keep in mind that only one train can run on a designated track at a time. No opportunities for a collision here, as you run a safe railroad business. You can always expand your tracks, though, and create new routes to popular cities for more deliveries. They cost money, so make sure your bank account is prepared.
-If you're looking to expand your business right away, you can use real money to purchase in-game cash and coins to beef up your parts, cars and tracks. It's not necessary, though, as you can run enough jobs over a few hours to accumulate a pretty good amount. You may also check out promotion options for free bucks, including watching a video.
-Can't wait to reach your destination? Use the "boost" button to get there faster and start the next job. NOTE: you will need to use a couple of in-game dollars to do this.
-The Menu screen holds a number of options you can tweak. New RR allows you to obtain new cars or cities to travel to. Event keeps track of how your current trains are performing. Craft lets you modify your trains - which you should do often - to beefier models. Other options like Stats and Awards keep track of your progress, so be sure to keep an eye on those. Get used to this screen, because you'll come back to it often, unlocking new parts and purchasing goods.
-While you don't have to keep an eye on your trains to see how they're doing, there are rewards for doing so. Random coins and crates will fly about, which you can pick up simply by tapping them.

Pocket Trains iPad Review

Last year, NimbleBit released Pocket Planes, an entertaining simulation for mobile devices that essentially let you run your own airline business, opening up airports and routes while accumulating money. Now the developer is back with Pocket Trains, which essentially reuses the Pocket Planes template.

You'll start out small, with just a handful of trains and so many destinations to haul cargo to, including Rome, Milan and Paris. As you progress, you open the map with new routes and worldwide locations to visit, along with purchasing new trains and parts to keep things running smoothly.
Like Pocket Planes, this game runs as a full-blown simulation. That's not to say it isn't entertaining, because it is, but it's also limited. You'll send trains on their merry little way, able to track their progress on the fly, but you never take full control of these locomotives.

In addition, the management angle may prove problematic for casual players and kids. Managing trains, building new tracks and opening new business venues could be overwhelming. That said, more skilled players - especially those savvy with Pocket Planes - should have no problem getting into it.
Pocket Trains is free-to-play, though if you want premium parts right away, you can spend real cash. It's completely optional and you can spend hours raking in the dough from jobs. Even better, the game doesn't have to run to get from point A to point B. Pop-up messages will indicate when a train completes its trip. This is helpful, especially if you're busy.

This game also benefits from a charming presentation. The real-time train design and movement compliments adorable 8-bit "Bitizen" character designs and locomotives. It's a neat effect that works really well. The music is also good, and the classic train sound effects, like the tooting of a horn, will fill enthusiasts with joy.
While it would've been nice to have some form of train control or situations to resolve, Pocket Trains is a well-polished simulation that fans of this sort of game will enjoy.

Cut The Rope 2 On Track For Holiday 2013 Release

After the entertaining Cut the Rope: Experiments and Cut the Rope: Time Travel, developer ZeptoLab finally counted to two. That said, Cut the Rope 2 will debut this holiday season, presumably on iOS and Android devices.

In series' tradition, the game stars Om Nom, the adorable lizard creature with an insatiable appetite. This time around, players can expect a re-imagined universe, new characters, tweaks to the classic puzzle-solving gameplay, interactive environments and a brand-new plot.
"We remain dedicated to our mission: examining the science of fun. That means building experiences that players love," said Misha Lyalin, ZeptoLab CEO. "Cut the Rope 2 is a massive step forward for the game. Amazing graphics, gameplay and characters drive a brand new experience that fans are going to love."
Details are a bit vague, but we expect ZeptoLab to unveil new pieces of information in the weeks ahead.

Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure 3DS Review

f anything, Scribblenauts: Unmasked will go down as the most comprehensive superhero game in history, even surpassing the popular LEGO games. WB Games and 5th Cell's DC Comics Adventure pulls thousands of characters from the company's storied history, from well-known faces like Batman, Superman and Green Lantern, to the Invisible Kid, Metamorpho and ones we never heard of. This ties into a detailed database that contains bios, vehicles and equipment, easily accessible via the 3DS touchscreen.

With this in mind, Unmasked begs the question, is this simply a Scribblenauts game with DC characters? The answer is, more or less, absolutely. Players once again control Maxwell, a youngster with the ability to spawn people, animals and objects using a magic notebook, which gamers use to solve a variety of puzzles by jotting down nouns and adjectives. Except in this case, they interact with a wide assortment of heroes and villains.
One moment, they'll help Superman battle Lex Luthor and later, General Zod. The next, they'll team with Batman to thwart the Joker's plans. Not everything, however, is tied to comic book lore. Other missions include dealing with a zombie outbreak, thawing a prehistoric creature and squaring off against a cat-throwing tree. There are limitations to what players can spawn, but for the most part, each puzzle contains multiple solutions. Need to get rid of those zombies? Give Maxwell a flamethrower, or better yet, the cure.
Similar to previous games in the Scribblenauts franchise, the developers do a great job blending the action adventure and puzzle genres, though Unmasked still misses perfection. Discerning between bottomless pits and drops where Maxwell lands safely is a bit tricky unless you constantly zoom out to see more of a stage. We also had trouble putting items into Maxwell's hands with too many characters on-screen. Respawning upon death, meanwhile, often puts the hero within the enemy's sights, forcing us to make quick decisions under fire. You also lose the Hero Creator from the Wii U version, along with the HD graphics.
Considering the sheer wealth of content and attention paid to the DC lore, Scribblenauts Unmasked manages to rise above its shortcomings, making this game a smart pickup for comic book fans and players interested in using words, not just weapons, to save the world

Sidekick Cycle Cheats And Tips

Although it doesn't stand out in the competitive racing genre, Sidekick Cycle is a fun little diversion for players of all ages that gives back to the community through bicycle donations to kids.
To help get you started - as well as what to expect from your trusty animal sidekicks - we have a few tips.

-When it comes to gameplay, you only need to worry about two functions - jumps and backflips. You'll get the most from jumps coming off ramps or mountain ridges, when you see coins and gears lined up in the air to collect. As for backflips, use these maneuvers when you're really high in the air. Otherwise, you'll hit the ground headfirst.
-Boosting is important when it comes to completing courses in the fastest time possible. You can boost two ways. The first involves collecting three or more coins in a row, which are usually strewn together over objects and ramps. The second is by successfully completing backflips. Chain the two together, and you'll create a non-stop boost for several seconds.
-When it comes to upgrading your bike, it's based more on looks than performance. Some of the later bikes, like Bone Crusher X and the Penny Farthing, offer a bit more speed. Otherwise, they're cosmetic upgrades at best. Save coins for what you need the most, like animal sidekicks, before investing in a new bicycle.
-In terms of selecting an animal sidekick to help out, it depends on what you're looking to get out of each run. If you're in the mood to collect coins, drop a dollar on Cash Koala, as he doubles the amount you pick up. Rocky Rhino will assist you in getting through rocks and logs without jumping over them; Magno Monkey attracts hard-to-reach coins; and Cherub Cheetah helps you recover from a crash.

-If you prefer, you can pay €1 and unlock a double-seater for sidekicks on your bike, enabling two at once. If you have Magno Monkey and Cash Koala, for instance, you'll really clean up coins for each stage.

-Costumes are secondary in the game, but we suggest going after the Indiana Jones and astronaut outfits. They'll provide a few laughs - and maybe even distract you from the fact that your driver has the same stoic expression throughout the race.
-You won't need to worry about unlocking courses. Red Rock opens up immediately, and Savanna and Desert unlock as you earn Crowns in the game by collecting all the coins and gears, and finishing in the proper time. As for the fourth, African Challenge Series, it's available when enough bikes are unlocked in the game.

Sidekick Cycle iPad Review

f you've seen one biking game, you've seen them all, right? Maybe. However, when a developer introduces a program to help the community, you can't help but take notice. That's exactly what Global Gaming Initiative did with Sidekick Cycle for iPhone and iPad.

The game not only has an arcade-style challenge of riding a bike through several obstacle-filled courses, but also provides a way to assist children. The developer promised to donate real bikes to kids once it reaches a certain number of players, through downloads and in-app purchases.
Throughout Sidekick Cycle, you'll control a bland-looking rider - each one fails to provide any sort of expression - as he runs through danger-filled courses, collecting coins and gears while meeting required times. The more you ride, the more coins you earn, which you can turn around on bike upgrades and, as the title indicates, animal sidekicks.
These animals can be used multiple times, each one giving its own advantage. Cherub Cheetah, for example, helps you come back quickly from a crash, rather than starting over. Then there's Magno Monkey, a magnet-carrying chimp that attracts coins. A word of warning: some of the better ones, like Cash Koala, require an in-game purchase. You don't need them to win, however.
Sidekick Cycle's gameplay couldn't be easier. Your biker accelerates automatically, and you either tap the screen to perform a quick jump, or hold your finger down to pull off a backflip. The more coins you collect or tricks you complete, the more speed boosts you get. It's fun for a while, but the game doesn't provide anything new. It just follows the same "jump and flip" method throughout - which may get old for some.
There are plenty of courses available, including Red Rock, Savannah and an African summit that will unlock with enough riders. You can also obtain faster, steadier bikes, either through paying cash or using in-game coins. All told, the freemium system is reasonable.

While your rider may not change expressions, the rest of the game holds up nicely. The courses look excellent, with environmental design well suited to each quadrant of the map. On top of that, it's tough to resist those adorable animal sidekicks. Take one look at Cherub Cheetah and tell us you won't use him. Yeah right.
Global Gaming Initiative needs to fix the audio, though. It dropped out a number of times, making the game eerily quiet. When the music kicked in, it was nothing special, but we'd prefer that over dead silence.
Considering the "give back to the community" vibe that Sidekick Cycle provides - without beating you over the head with premium purchases - it's worth a look. Just don't expect a triple-A experience.