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Monday

Top 50 iPhone And iPad Games Of 2013: 40-31


40. Paint It Back
Picross fans shouldn't expect anything too revolutionary in Paint It Back, but what you can be assured of here is a superbly polished take on the popular puzzling genre. Newcomers are well catered for as well, with a selection of perfect tutorial levels to lead you by the hand towards your next addiction...

39. Star Command
Star Command won us over completely with its gorgeous, retro pixellated graphics and superb starbound gameplay. You'll have to carefully manage the evolution of your own starship, manage your crew, and stay alive long enough to survive the game's unpredictable encounters.

38. Dead Effect
Zombies in space? Sure, why not? Bulkypix really delivered with this surprise first-person shooter, a creepy adventure that casts you as a gung-ho hero on a derelict spaceship stuffed to the brim with the undead. While not the most original premise in the world, the spooky corridors and gore kept us glued to our screens.

37. Oceanhorn
The developers at Cornfox & Bros are probably getting a little tired of hearing their game get compared to Zelda but, well, that's what you get for designing a mobile game that's more than a bit like Zelda. Consider that high praise though for an RPG that's packed to the brim with fantastic dungeons, puzzles and exploration.

36. Frozen Synapse
Frozen Synapse won't win any prizes for friendliness, but when it comes to tactical depth there really is very little to compare this outstanding game to. Starkly minimalist, this tense game takes quite some getting to grips with, but you'll be rewarded with some of the best competitive gameplay you can get for your tablet.

35. Robot Unicorn Attack 2
Robot Unicorn Attack 2 is the free sequel to one of the most addictive mobile games we've ever played. This time around, there are multiple ways to upgrade one's unicorn, a variety of tracks to listen to, and two vastly different worlds to gallop through. Ah yes, and you can pledge allegiance to Team Rainbow or Team Inferno this time around, with the chance to win prizes. Now excuse us while we fire it up just one more time...

34. Deer Hunter 2014
Guilty pleasures don't come much guiltier than Deer Hunter 2014, but this sniper shooting game makes for a strangely compelling experience - even as you prepare the bullet with the name of Bambi's mother's on it. The game's still riding high in the charts following its September release, so at least we're not alone in enjoying this distinctly dark side of mobile gaming.

33. Magic 2014
The Magic series is going to need some rapid evolution if it's to make it into next year's top 50 round-up - particularly with the threat of Blizzard's Hearthstone on the horizon - but the sealed deck gameplay thrown in with the 2014 edition was just enough to make us fall in love with the king of TCGs all over again.

32. Injustice: Gods Among Us
 
The Injustice: Gods Among Us console game turned out to be one of this year's best fighters, and this mobile version of the game is no watered-down port. As well as featuring close-quarters combat, it's also a card game that lets you build the ultimate team of heroes and villains while upgrading their stats. It's a smart fusion that works, and comic book fans should definitely download this free-to-play game.

31. Pixel People
Pixel People's instantly charming presentation is followed up briskly with some of the most frighteningly addictive gameplay we've enjoyed all year. There's a huge population of people to be unlocked in the game, and a sprawling utopia to be constructed as you do so. Get ready to lose hours of your life to this marvellous management game from Chillingo.

Top 50 iPhone And iPad Games Of 2013: 50-41


50. Mikey Hooks
Platform gaming in 2013 doesn't get much better than Mikey Hooks. A retro-styled game that has you using hooks to swing around the screen while collecting coins, the gameplay starts out easy at first, then becomes diabolically difficult during later levels and bonus stages. With gameplay that works wonderfully on touchscreens, and plenty of cool unlockables, Mikey Hooks will have you swinging in no time.
 

49. Candymeleon
There's a good chance you may have missed this gem from Bulkypix, but as the saying goes, better late than never. In Candymeleon, you guide a lizard creature across the screen snatching delicious looking candies that fall from the sky. Put simply, you do this until the game gets so intense that failure is more or less the only option. Depth here comes from the multicolored candies that imbue the character with special powers. Definitely one of the best free games on the App Store.

48. Dead Ahead
You'll find no shortage of zombies games on the App Store, and picking the great ones from the bad can at times be difficult. So let us make the process easier for you, and recommend Dead Ahead as one of the very best. Chillingo's title puts you on a scooter and forces you to burn rubber through a 2D environment that's packed full of flesh-eating monsters. Hit one with the vehicle and watch the creature go splat. Simple but satisfying, and it never gets old.

47. Slayin
You'll find a virtual ton of games containing 8-bit style graphics designed to tug at your nostalgic heartstrings. With Slayin, though, there's more to this title than simply old-school visuals. You guide a warrior back and forth, killing a variety of monsters until you succumb to progressively challenging waves of baddies. Simple and addictive - just the way we like it.

46. Hundreds
Semi Secret Software's Hundreds infuses a simple idea with so much imagination that it comfortably assumes a place in our top 50 round-up this year. All you have to do in the game is push down on a collection of circles in order to grow them up towards a total score of 100. The catch? If they touch each other while you're growing them you'll fail, and later levels require some serious dexterity as well as fast thinking.

45. Warhammer Quest
Through the likes of Talisman Prologue and Warhammer Quest, Game Workshop fans have been very well catered for in 2013. Based on the table-top board game of the same name, this digital edition has you tactically exploring dank dungeons in the endless pursuit of loot and riches. Highly recommended if you can't get enough fantasy fare.

44. Running with Friends
It wasn't necessarily the best year for Zynga from a PR perspective, but the free-to-play publisher managed to release some fun games in 2013 nevertheless. Running with Friends (recently renamed to Stampede Run) stood out from the pack. It might not do too much that we haven't seen in other runners before, but the whole running-with-bulls theme was cool to see, and the social integration is top-notch.

43. The Blockheads
David Frampton's The Blockheads drew some unfair comparisons with Minecraft at release, but this is very much a sandbox exploration game that stands on its own two feet. We fell in love with the animations, artwork and audio in the game as soon as we got our hands on it, and some of the community creations have to be seen to be believed. Why not join in the fun with them?

42. Amateur Surgeon 3
Amateur Surgeon 3 continues the series' tradition of tongue-in-cheek surgical insanity in fine fashion, and you can get a long way through this free-to-play game without feeling the need to spend a single cent. Perfect for those with a dark sense of humor, and who know deep down that the real way to save someone from a coronary involves a car battery and a rusty pizza cutter.

41. What's the Word? 4 Pics 1 Word
To be fair, 4 Pics 1 Word wasn't the first trivia game to hit the App Store, but it certainly helped kick off the craze that's dominated smartphones and tablets throughout the year. The premise, as with all great games, is effortlessly simple. Four seemingly random photos appear on screen, and you must figure out the one word they have in common. Hundreds of puzzles later and we still occasionally go back to figure out the trickiest brain teasers. If you haven't played it yet, you're missing out.

Sunday

Heroes of Steel Review



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High Adventure Underground
Being a gamer, I've always taken every opportunity to play games every moment I could. Not just video games, but riddles, crosswords, anything. It's so bad that I once heard a story about games attached to bathroom receptacles and thought "okay, that's done, now just have to conquer eating and sleeping".
So it was something of a pleasant surprise to me that lately all the mobile games I've been playing have been choice. Top notch even. For me, the best part of being a reviewer is not about telling people what is absolute bottom of the barrel. It's about directing people's limited attention to the best possible options. To that end – if you own a mobile device and are a fan of oldschool RPGs, pick up Heroes of Steel.
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Gone are the days of a peaceful meeting in a tavern when a call goes out for noble heroes to sally forth and root out some noisesome brigands. Instead we have the modern grit and grime of the dungeon where desperation and necessity forge a bond between four people. Heroes of Steel's story immediately grabs hold of the player and doesn't let up until the final chapter.  Not only do you escape from a dungeon, there's little time to put your feet up beyond the requisite single night at the tavern to regain your health and magic. The world is in incredible chaos, gods have been thrown down and ruined the surface of the world. Humanity has taken to cave systems where they face swarms of cunning rodent men. If at this point you've switched screens to the store and stopped reading, I completely understand. For the rest of you, there will be more to sell you on this game.
The interface is a simple tile based format. Combat is turn-based, though instead of shackling you to a set order you can swap back and forth between characters. This adds a flexibility to the gameplay that helps to emphasize the feeling of teamwork involved. You can lay buff up your melee attackers and strip enemies of crucial protections before laying into them. The frequent battles are especially challenging due to one key choice in design: there is no cheating death. If any member of your party runs out of hit points it's game over. Of course this being a lengthy RPG you don't have to start over; you can either choose to rewind a turn or restore to an earlier save. It forces you to truly keep an eye on your entire party in a very engaging manner. Even the burly tank character can fall under an unrelenting onslaught. This is not a game that coddles you. The archetypal rogue has the ability to discover and disarm traps, but there's no passive detection of them. It's up to the player to pay attention and try to figure out what spots are likely to have an ambush waiting. The only bits of coddling I would have liked is some sort of journal/log book function that would remind you of an objective and some sort of map. Every good RPG needs a map. I wandered around a few areas  before remembering where I was headed. Otherwise the developers seem content to let you sink or swim on your own.
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As fond as I am of the classic pixellated look of yesteryear, it's not the only choice available as Heroes of Steel proves. The game has a lovingly hand drawn look that never seems to clash with the tone of the world. Unfortunately the art is a little rough at points; character portraits in particular  have a certain lack of polish that tells you this is a clearly homebrewed experience. The PC and NPC models alike are simple yet give enough detail that you'll never confuse you warrior for a wizard or an enemy swordsman with an archer. The sound effects are viscerally satisfying. The whoosh of a fireball singing the air as it streaks towards one of the ubiquitous rat people is enough to make you grin maniacally. The soundtrack is a series of sweeping epic pieces that lend HOS's incidents and events a grandiose feel that fits the story's trappings perfectly. Overall the game's production values are fantastic. I can't recall encountering a single glitch, spelling error or bug in the entire game which is impressive given that the development team is two people.
There were two main complaints I had with the game. The first is that the game is a little too simple. Foes aren't necessarily more capable or clever than you, there are simply more of them. There's not a lot of depth to your strategic options. There's no immobilizing enemies to soften them up with ranged attacks or temporarily charming a foe onto your side. I kept thinking of features from other tactics games such as bonuses for flanking or group attacks that could have made this game even better.
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It's impressive to see this level of polish from a small team and if your interest is at all piqued, go search for the game now. My initial reaction upon downloading the free game and discovering that progressing past the prologue (which also functions as a tutorial) costs money was to bare my teeth at the dreaded beast of 'freemium'. Then I considered what they were doing, which was essentially packaging a free demo that allows you to seamlessly pay for additional content. There was also one additional character to purchase at launch, with presumably more characters and content to come, adding a ton of replay potential to an already meaty game. If you're a fan of strategic RPGs and love getting immersed in a clever, interesting world, stop reading and go download Heroes of Steel.

Friday

Lara Croft: Reflections Card Game Coming In 2014


Square Enix hasn't slowed down on the mobile front when it comes to the Tomb Raider franchise, as the publisher recently released the original Lara Croft adventure for iPhone and iPad. Now it has a whole new adventure planned for the heroine.
Lara Croft: Reflections has been announced, although it's not your typical Lara Croft adventure. Rather than running around and shooting pistols, you'll actually play in a card battle game, finding valuable artifacts and taking on enemies. Along the way, you'll acquire new treasure, as well as upgrades that will provide Lara with new powers.
The game will also come with multiplayer options, including the ability to take on other players in PvP and co-op boss battles. Doing so will unlock a few bonus rewards.
Prepare to deal plenty of damage when Lara Croft: Reflections releases early next year for iOS.
 

Epic Mount & Blade PC RPG Goes Mobile


Publisher Paradox Interactive and Turkish developer TaleWorlds are bringing their critically acclaimed PC action role-playing game (RPG), Mount & Blade, exclusively to NVIDIA Shield and Tegra 4 devices. The fantasy game, which is set in Calradia during a time of war, offers gamers an open sandbox to explore medieval life. There's horseback combat, sword fights and epic battles around castles and villages. In fact, the entire PC game experience went portable for the first time ever. Cem Çimenbiçer, software engineer at Taleworlds, explains how Tegra 4 has made the impossible possible in this exclusive interview.
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What were your goals heading into this game?
We wanted to port the entire PC game without omitting any features.
What's the story in this game world?
The game world is a fictional medieval sandbox game. It has clear historical inspiration based approximately on 11th through 13th century Europe and North Africa. As a sandbox, there is no fixed storyline. But the player carves their own adventure by engaging in warfare, joining a kingdom and rising through the ranks, or forging their own faction.
Can you talk about the gaming experience and how it utilizes tablet and smartphone functionality?
The main advantage is that many of the menus can be navigated with the touchscreen, making it easier for the player.
What does your game bring new to the genre?
The game is a port of the original, released in 2010. However, it brings revolutionary mounted, melee and ranged combat to the Action RPG genre. Additionally, the freeform sandbox gameplay is a reinvention of player experience for the modern era of gaming.
What type of multiplayer will there be?
There will be full multiplayer support (Internet and LAN) similar to what is on the PC version.
How has NVIDIA helped with the development process?
This was our first Android project, so some of the concepts were alien to us, such as interfacing with Java libraries. NVIDIA helped us by answering most of our queries. We have contacted NVIDIA whenever we were stuck in some technical cases and asked for assistance, and they were glad to help us.
How does your game make use of the latest Tegra 4 technology?
It actually works only on Tegra 4 at the moment. Most mobile chipsets in the market, except some of the most recent ones, would have performance issues while running the actual game. When we publish the game on other chipsets, we will probably omit shadows, reduce soldier counts, simplify shaders, etc.
How does this impact the gameplay experience across the platforms you're targeting?
Since Mount & Blade contains lots of combat and action, it is quite important to get high performance. And for a better feeling, the shaders and other visual effects play an important role. Without these, the game would be less fun to play.
How do you feel you're pushing things forward with this game?
The game is a port, but it's going to be one of the most serious games out there on a mobile platform. It should start drawing the interests of the traditional gamer towards mobile gaming by shedding light on the potential of new, more powerful technology.
What are the challenges of developing for Android devices today?
The most important thing is less Java dependency and better NDK support. For many problems, we still have to interface with Java libraries, and it makes some things really hard. Better debugging tools would be very helpful.
How does NVIDIA help with this?
Nsight Tegra VSE is a really nice product and makes doing native coding on Android a lot easier. Though still a little bit rough, it has a promising future. PerfHUD ES was very helpful for GPU optimization. We couldn't use Tegra Profiler much since it didn't work on prototype Shields that we had, but it looks useful.
What are your thoughts on what can be done with tablet gaming today?
It has seen a huge expansion with the advent of recent technologies that appeal more to game developers who think big and develop ambitious games.
What are your thoughts on Project SHIELD?
It's very powerful and has actual console-like controls which make porting "real" games possible. Our game needs a lot of buttons and real analog sticks to control it properly. Shield is the only mobile Android device that provides a real game controller without any external device.
What excites you about what you can accomplish in mobile gaming today?
Simply the massively increased power of mobile devices. The gap is consistently growing narrower between capabilities of mobile and traditional serious gaming platforms. This opens up mobile as a space where enthusiasts can start creating brilliant games incorporating the additional benefits that mobile brings.
How do you see mobile gaming evolving moving forward?
With a great deal of expansion. In the future, there's going to be very little distinction between what's available on a portable device and what you can get elsewhere, especially compared to consoles, though PC Gaming remains distinguished in a number of areas.

Tuesday

Playground Wars Review

 

If you have been in a fight in school, you will know that there are two factions always at war, always at each other's necks: the bullies and the geeks. If you were one of the bullies in school, I hate you. You made my life miserable. However, if you were one of the latter, then you might enjoy Playground Wars, an interesting strategic mix of strategy and MOBA in the battle for schoolyard supremacy.
In the game, you play as the geeks. That means you control the kids who normally gets pushed around, slammed into the locker, faces get shoved into toilet bowls and, of course, wedgies. Ouch… Just thinking about it hurts. Anyway, this is their revenge. They are dead set on taking back the playground and protecting their treehouse, their fortress, from incoming bullies who want nothing more than to beat the crap out of you and claim your mighty treehouse as their own.
The game plays a lot like a MOBA but instead of a steady stream of automatic backup, you have to spend resources to summon your minions. The resource is lemons, don't ask me why. As the resource slowly increases, you spend them to call for backup to help your main character, the one you control, to fight off the bullies one by one.
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The controls are simple. You tap on the right to move forward, and left to move backwards. Your character auto-attacks whenever an enemy is in range, and you can unleash special abilities on the enemies by clicking on them on the bottom right of the screen. To summon your friends to your aid, you can click on their icons on the bottom left when you have enough resources. The resource can also be upgraded to generate more lemons more frequently.
You have multiple options when it comes to your team. You start of with a small guy who walks fast but hits for not very much damage and has low health, and as you play, you gain more and more allies such as a tank, a healer and a ranged specialization. Besides having different roles to play, each of them are also stronger against some types of enemies and weaker against others, not to mention the fact that they have different weather preferences. Yes you heard me, this game has variable weather man, and each of them behave differently under different circumstances. This adds a whole other level of complexity to a game that already puts a lot of emphasis on strategy and tactical thinking.
The enemies are also very varied in their abilities and types, including a healer of their own. If that doesn't sound complex enough, there are also big boss battles to be fought. Believe me, those boss bullies are no easy task to defeat.
As you complete daily missions, you gain points that can be used to upgrade your character, treehouse, and allies. The sense is progression is amazing in this game. The game just does it so well. I have to mention though that the difficulty ramps up pretty quickly, so newcomers to the genre will have a tough time later on.
Playground wars is a really cool game. If you are a fan of strategic and tactical, yet cute and fun, you should definitely try it out. It is now out on the Google Play Store for… wait for it…. FREE. For no cost at all, this game has a surprisingly deep gameplay that you can spend hours playing. There are some IAPs, but nothing that you can't live without.
I highly recommend giving this a try. There is no harm to try, especially if you were one of those kids back in the day. Hey, even if you were a bully last time, maybe you can help the geeks for some karmic redemption!


Ratchet And Clank: Before The Nexus Cheats And Tips


Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus may not be as deep an adventure as the duo's console releases, but it is a moderately entertaining and free endless running game, backed by strong visuals and simple to grasp controls.
Here are some tips to help get you started in the game, just in case you need some help.
 
How does the gameplay work in Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus?
This free-running game will have you switching across three different rails most of the time, utilizing a side-swiping tactic to move to each one. Sometimes you'll need to do this to get out of the way of obstacles, like mines or walls. In addition, you can jump, which is handy for getting over low objects or collecting mid-air Bolts. You can also hover by holding your finger down on the screen, useful for getting across large gaps.
There are also shooting segments. Ratchet has a limited supply of ammunition, depending on what gun he's using. (He can always refill for the cost of a few bolts, though.) To shoot enemies, simply tap them and Ratchet will fire his weapon to destroy them. On occasion, you'll need to avoid their incoming attacks, or risk ending your run. Swipe in a different direction to get out of harm's way.
How do I collect Bolts in Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus?
As Ratchet travels down his path, he'll occasionally come across strings of mini-Bolts, both on the ground and in the air. By successfully collecting a string of these, they transform into regular Bolts, which add to your total in the upper right hand corner. You can use these to buy new items in the game, so make sure you keep a steady collection on hand.
Bolts can also be found in boxes in the shooting stages, so if you see some stacked nearby, go ahead and blast them, then run over the leftover Bolts to collect them.
How do I complete challenges in Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus?
There are various challenges that pop up over the course of your run, whether it's using a Swingshot (grappling hook) to get across a gap, killing four enemies with a special weapon (like the Groovitron) and more. Finishing these successfully will earn you Hero Bolts, which you can use to continue your run once an enemy stops you or you hit an obstacle. These are pretty scarce - unless you make an in-app purchase - so try completing challenges to get as many as you can!
How do I collect Raritarium in Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus?
Raritarium is the rarest commodity in the game, as you can tell by its name. Still, if you get a successful enough run, you'll be able to pick up a piece. If you feel you're not running into the amount of it that you want, you can buy more at the in-game shop with your bolts, and you can always add more with an in-app purchase. Just keep playing the game, though, and you'll eventually collect enough.
Can I transfer unused Raritarium from Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus to the PS3 and Vita game Into the Nexus?
Yes. Visit the in-game menu, sign in to the PlayStation Network and you'll be able to make the transfer with ease. From there, you can use it in Into the Nexus to purchase weapon upgrades and other goods for that game. It's completely optional, though.
What Armor types are available in Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus?
There are three. You've got Light Armor, which protects you for one hit and costs 5,000 Bolts; Heavy Armor, which lets you absorb two hits and costs 10,000 Bolts; and the best of the bunch, the Nexus Armor, which gives you three hits to take and costs 15,000 Bolts. The Nexus is the best bet, though the Light Armor is good for quick runs.
What gadgets are available in Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus?
There are several, which we break down here.
Armor Magnetizer - Charges your armor to collect Bolts automatically, no matter which track you're on. It costs 750 bolts.
Groovitron - A gun that forces enemies to dance, making them harmless. It's 562 Bolts per use.
Bolt Multiplier - Essentially multiplies the number of collected bolts you get on a run. It costs 750 Bolts.
Reflector - Creates a shield that deflects attacks and lets you absorb obstacle hits for a temporary amount of time. It'll run you 937 Bolts.
Rift Inducer - This awesome weapon creates a massive black hole that sucks up any unfortunate enemies nearby. It'll set you back 1,125 Bolts.
Jetpack - if you need to push further into a level, use this to fly past obstacles and enemies with ease. It costs 1,312 Bolts.
Tornado Launcher - Shoots a mini tornado at enemies to suck them up, along with any nearby Bolts. It'll cost 1,500 Bolts.
What weapons are available in Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus?
There are five main weapons in all.
First up is the Constructo Pistol, which is the weapon you start with. You can upgrade it as you go along for additional firepower. Each upgrade runs around 875 Bolts or so.
Next up is the Constructo Shogun. This packs a bigger punch than the Pistol, and has better range if you need to hit bigger enemies, like flying bosses. It costs 1,000 Bolts at first, then about 2,000 Bolts per upgrade.
The Buzz Blades shoot small saw blades at enemies, which can do a lot of damage once upgraded. They cost 1,125 Bolts to purchase up front, then about 2,000 Bolts or so to upgrade.
The Predator Launcher is a missile-firing gun, best saved for bigger enemies that require a lot of damage to bring down. It'll set you back 2,000 Bolts, then 4,000 Bolts or so to upgrade.
Finally, there's the R.Y.N.O.M, an explosive launcher that can do damage to enemies on the ground rather quickly. To get this gun, you'll need to find 10 Terachnoids on your run and free them.
Do I have to pay for anything in Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus?
If you want to buy more Bolts, you can pay $1.99 for 5,000, $4.99 for 13,000 or $9.99 for 30,000. You shouldn't buy anything, since you can earn a good amount of Bolts playing the game.

Ratchet And Clank: Before The Nexus iPad Review


As a promotional tie-in with the recently released PlayStation 3 game Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus, Sony Computer Entertainment of America partnered with Darkside Game Studio for an endless runner spin-off on mobile, the moderately entertaining Before the Nexus. The game features plenty of Bolts to collect and items to unlock, as well as the ability to transfer earned Raritarium into the PS3 release.
 
The Good
Darkside did a terrific job recreating the Ratchet universe in a game that barely clocks in at 70 MB. The 3D environments look great, and the various challenges that pop up over the course of a run are fun to watch, especially the big bosses. The gameplay is solid for the most part, and very easy to get into. Finally, there is a freemium system in place, but it's very fair, as you can run through all of the game without dropping a dime, if you prefer. There's nothing wrong with a good freebie.
The Bad
The title of the game says Ratchet and Clank, but the fact of the matter is, we don't see the little robot pal at all, save for in-game hovering. It would've been nice to see him get better use. On top of that, the gameplay can be finicky at times, especially during the shooting segments, as Ratchet will jump around as you try to target enemies - which could put you in harm's way. Finally, as great as the presentation is, there's barely any voiceovers in the game - one of the series' strong suits. Some fans may be bummed by this.
The Verdict
While not as in-depth as the duo's platforming adventures, Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus is an enjoyable endless runner with fun visuals and plenty of stuff to collect. It only makes you wonder if Sony might consider doing the same for other franchises - Sly Cooper, perhaps?

Monday

The Cave Review

 

Ron Gilbert the man who gave us point and click adventures such as Maniac Mansion, and Monkey Island, has come back to give us The Cave. Now this game may not be new, and it does not follow the same formula as his other classics, but it has finally made its way to the Google Play Store for you to download onto you Android devices.
Now the game focuses on…..a cave. And this is not just any cave, it is an magical cave, the people can explore and search for their greatest desire. And not only is it a magical, but this cave can talk too, it does come in handy, because this cave is ready to serve you as a trusty narrator.
When you first start the game, you will get to choose three characters, that you can switch between as will ( Much like the SNES game The Lost Vikings) many of the puzzles require you to use each character in a different way to solve them.  But the puzzles here aren't of your typical puzzle platformer variety.  At least not all of them.  Sure there are the "pull the lever/stand on the plate to open the door" environmental puzzles that we've all grown to know and love. They are, quite often, very basic and straightforward puzzles. There are few items to use, hardly any characters to talk to, and only a handful of props to fiddle with. Which means the solution is often right in front of your nose.
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Having multiple characters obviously allows for puzzles that need more than one pair of hands to solve. One character might have to distract a dragon, while another sneaks up from behind. But there are no truly ingenious or surprising conundrums that really warrant having three people.
The game is also jam-packed with the silly kind of humour that Gilbert's fans already know and love.  One of the first puzzles, for example, has you locating items for the cave's gift shop, because the attendant is too distraught without merchandise to open the door and let you in.  The dialogue – both from characters that you meet and the cave itself – always managed to put a smile on my face.
If it is one bad thing I have say about this game, is there is so much backtracking to do in this game, and yes it can be a real pain.
The Cave is available now at the Google Play Store for an asking price $4.99. This is a game that every puzzle loving gamer should have on their Android device.

Gold Diggers: Tips and Tricks



Who knew that digging for gold could be so much fun? Well the game Gold Diggers shows us that it is fun and addicting to do. Sure digging for gold is hard at time, but with these tips and tricks will be able to help you gamers out, so please read on fellow gamers.
 
  1. Pay Attention and Be Quick – once you get started playing things will start off slow, then things will start to speed up, and when they do you better have quick reflexes, even if you are only moving left and right in the game
  2. Collect as much as you can in the first area- early on in the game you will have a fair amount of gold to collect, try and collect as much as you can, because you will need to purchase upgrades you need for the later stages. When you play the early stages over and over you will get more gold.
  3. Use the Boosting for stay ahead of The Worm – whenever I get to this part of the game I feel like I'm in the movie Tremors, but if you would like to avoid being this gigantic worm's next meal then pass over as many of the pointing arrows as possible. These will give a little boost that is essential for staying ahead of the worm.
  4. Spend Money Wisely – Don't bother spending your gold early on in the game instead you should save you hard earned gold and invest in the upgrades that will give you permanent gold gathering advantage.
  5. Gather Power Ups – Power ups such as the floating star and the cannon will give you an edge, but only for a short time. The floating star is a power up, that will grant you an extra two seconds in the minigame, which means you will have more time to get more gold. And the Cannon will provide your gold digger will the power to shot and destroy everything in its path.
  6. Don't be to greedy – Sometimes staying alive is a better option then collecting gold, so if you must avoid collecting gold and do what you can to stay alive longer
Well there you have it gamers, I hope that these tips and tricks will be able to help you in your gold digging adventure.

Blendoku Review

 

Blendoku is game that has been on the Google Store for some time now. And I'm surprised that this game did not get much attention, because I am having so much fun with this game since I downloaded it to my Android device a few days ago. So why should you give this game a chance?. Well please read on fellow gamers…
Now Blendoku is a fun, addictive, puzzle game. And instead of using numbers, the player is using colors into order. And Blendoku meets all the other requirements for a standard puzzle game. I love the fact that this game is very simple and it is also original.
When you first start the game you will be given s short tutorial, the player must place the blocks of the color on the correct location of the grid. Just like in the game Sudoku, each grid will begin with one or more block that are already in their correct, position.  A block's placement is dependent on every other block it touches.  The mechanic that defines this relationship, though, is not numerical values or amount per quadrant, but the subtle blending of colors.
Blendoku 1
Every block that must be placed on the grid contains some hue level of at least one other block.  Puzzles vary from a single color scheme—ordering blocks from dark blue to light blue, for instance—to very blended colors—like beginning with black and blending all the way to hot pink.  The latter of these might progress from black to dark gray, medium gray with a touch of red, light gray with a hint of pink, and so on, with an even progression of colors creating the chain from color A to color B.
Many of Blendoku's levels can be handled intuitively if you have half a grasp on how color works. You'll get through them in the few seconds it takes to drag the square color samples from the palette above to the play field below. It's okay that they're quick, though. There are 475 of them, all for free. 75 are complex enough that they're only really playable on a tablet, but even so: 400 levels ranging from dead simple to mind-breaking. There are four levels of difficulty available—Simple, Medium, Hard, and Master—and each features a staggering number of stages—150 apiece for Simple and Medium, 100 for Hard, and 75 for Master.  Within each difficulty itself, stages increase in complexity gradually, with intermittent breaks.  This means you may solve a large 20-color grid and then receive a smaller, 10-color stage next.  Not only does this provide a brain break, but it also helps prevent becoming discouraged if you cannot solve a stage and choose to skip it.
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Blendoku's concept is similar to the game of Pool ( billiards) it is easy to learn, but difficult to master.  Now it game may be difficult for those who may be color blind, and sad to say there is not color blind mode. Blendoku is free at the Google Play Store. This game is all fun with beautiful colors. So why not give this puzzle game a chance?

Sunday

Ridge Racer Slipstream iPad Review


A couple of years ago, Namco Bandai impressed iPad and iPhone owners with Ridge Racer Accelerated HD, a pricey but likable port from the popular arcade racing series. Now it's back with another entertaining driving affair, Ridge Racer Slipstream, which again mimics the drift-heavy arcade style that players have come to expect over the years.
 
The Good
Slipstream is the best mobile Ridge Racer yet. Although there are only 10 tracks, they all look great and provide plenty of opportunities to drift like crazy. The gameplay works wonderfully, with fun drifting tactics to master and a boost system. The garage is also full of numerous cars to unlock, so you can keep hitting the road and dominating your competition. Finally, the multiplayer leaderboard will have you racing against your friends to get the better of them - even if it's not direct head-to-head competition.
The Bad
The lack of direct multiplayer is kind of a pain, as you're stuck racing with AI drivers. It's hardly a complete loss, but the lack of direct competition is a bit tough to get over. On top of that, it'll take a while to unlock some of the higher-end vehicles and upgrades, unless you're willing to fork over a few real dollars through in-app purchase. Finally, the female announcer annoys way too often. We know when someone's trying to pass us or riding in our slipstream, thanks.
The Verdict
Ridge Racer Slipstream is flat in a few areas, particularly with the strenuous earning system and the lack of online multiplayer. However, if you're a fan of the series or looking for an ideal racer for the holidays, this one will rev your engine.

Colossatron: Massive World Threat Cheats And Tips


Although its unique gameplay settings and slightly high difficulty may not be for everyone, dedicated fans of tower defense games and monster action will love Halfbrick's Colossatron: Massive World Threat - especially once they build an unbeatable, chaotic beast.
Here are some tips to help get you started in the game.
 
How do PowerCores work in Colossatron: Massive World Threat?
PowerCores are these glowing containers that float around randomly on the stage. When you see them, tap to grab and then drag these items to the Colossatron.
Now, with PowerCores, there's some strategy here. Basic ones, like red, yellow and blue, provide additional firepower to decimate enemies with. However, combining them gives you even more powerful allies to work with.
How do I combine PowerCores together in Colossatron: Massive World Threat?
That's easy. Try to keep basic color blending in mind when it comes to enhancing your PowerCores.
For example, if you get three of the same colored PowerCores connected in a row, you can form a super-powered weapon, such as a plasma cannon or a heavy laser gun. If you blend together primary colored PowerCores - like red and blue, for instance - you get a completely different PowerCore - in this case, a purple repair drone.
Try different PowerCores, then mix and match which ones are available to see what kind of firepower they bring to the table. The more powerful the PowerCore, the longer they'll last on the battlefield.
How do I unlock additional PowerCores in Colossatron: Massive World Threat?
You'll be able to collect Prims over the course of each stage, which you can then turn around to unlock particular PowerCores in the Armory section of the game. You'll need about 15 in order to "unlock them forever," as the menu reads, so you may need to dabble in your wallet to unlock them if you're impatient. You can either buy 20 for $1.99, or go for a big package of 200 for $14.99. It's completely optional, though, and you can always replay a stage to find more Prisms.
Once you've unlocked them, they'll be floating around randomly on the stage for you to add right away.
What extra PowerCores are available in Colossatron: Massive World Threat?
There are six in all, listed below.
Cluster Bombs - these drop explosive bombs on enemies within the close range.
Flame Thrower - as expected, these shoot flames at enemies close enough to get within their firing range
Laser Beam - fires a continuous laser beam on an enemy, either near or far
Plasma Cannon - shoots a stream of bullets at enemies within the immediate area
Ice Cannon - shoots ice beams that can bounce off enemies for multiple hits
Repair Drones - repairs any PowerCores that are about to be destroyed off Colossatron
What happens if a PowerCore is about to blow up in Colossatron: Massive World Threat?
You'll see that a PowerCore is about to explode by a huge exclamation point marker over it. Once that happens, use your finger to drag the PowerCore off the beast, and try to target a group of enemies with it. It'll explode and take them out with a huge blast. Note: it doesn't take out all enemies, as tougher ones will shrug off the damage and continue attacking Colossatron.
What gadgets are available for Colossatron to use in Colossatron: Massive World Threat?
There are various levels of gadgets that can be unlocked in Colossatron, and they each provide additional abilities for the creature to use in each stage.
First up are the Command ones, in which Colossatron can either use a Snake Strike to charge at enemies or concentrate all its firepower on a single target, such as a boss. You can only use one of these at a time, so choose wisely.
Other abilities open up as you proceed in the game, including Regeneration and additional firepower. Decide what works best for your attack run, and select what you want to use. You can change gadgets if something doesn't work for you, though you'll need to pay a few Prisms to do so.
What happens if Colossatron dies in the middle of a stage in Colossatron: Massive World Threat?
If Colossatron's parts are taken out, its head will perform a massive explosion, which will take out all enemies in the area and add to your cash total. If you don't wish to play the stage again, you can spend two Prisms and rebuild Colossatron the way he began, with all his PowerCores intact. This will complete the stage automatically, so use it only when a challenge is too tough to overcome. Otherwise, just try the stage again.
How do I conquer stages in Colossatron: Massive World Threat?
There are four stages per country to take over in the game. Three are smaller cities where you'll need to destroy certain objectives, like bombers, tanks and bases. The final is the capital, in which you'll need to do a certain amount of damage before completely leveling the city.
The capital stages are the most challenging, as the general will throw everything at you in terms of resources. Pack Colossatron with the most firepower you can in these stages - you'll need it.
What does cash buy in Colossatron: Massive World Threat?
As Colossatron damages each of the surrounding areas, it'll clean up on cash. You can turn this around to repair all of your current PowerCores (for $5,000,000), buy an additional PowerCore from what's available ($1,000,000), Power-Up all your current PowerCores (for $15,000,000) or reconfigure all of Colossatron's current PowerCores ($2,500,000).
Reconfiguring is kind of a waste of money unless you're looking to move your Repair Drones around to cover both front and rear units. Concentrate on powering up PowerCores and keeping them repaired.

Saturday

BADLAND Review

 

Frogmind is a small studio, that is comprised of two developers, and their debut game titled Badland is a great fun overall experience. When I first came upon this game at the Google Play Store, I thought that is would be an World of Goo rip off or something, but I decided to download the game onto my Android device, and much to my dismay,  I found myself playing this game for hours.
Badland is a floater style side scroller game, with the black character images much like World of Goo, and with tap to fly gameplay (Jetpack Joyride). After you have downloaded this game and play it for the first time you will easily get lost in Badland's beautiful lushly-drawn world.
When you first start the game, you are controlling a round fuzzy-looking bat like creature, flying though a forest. There is not much a story, nor is there any narrative to be found in the game, but there is strong tonal plot told through the gorgeous scenery. As you flap through levels at dawn, noon, dusk, and night the forest takes on beautifully mysterious quality tinged with the foreboding of machinery encroaching on the natural world.
night-2-mediumI love how simple the controls are in this game, your bat-like creature will fly as you touch the screen, and will descend when you let go, and if you tap your screen, the bat will flap its wings. But just because the controls are simple does not mean that the game is simple though, you will have to navigate through, tight corridors, and will have to do some environmental physics puzzles.
A wide range of item pickups litter the levels. What is brilliant is that every item works on a matter of scale, and has an equal and opposite counterpart. For example, there is a pickup that makes your bat shrink, and the more of them you collect the smaller your bat becomes. There is also one that makes you grow, and it acts on the same principle. None of the pickups work on a timer, so the only way to undo their effect is to collect their opposite. This leads to some very creative level design as later pickups add abilities like sticking to or bouncing off of walls and a spinning effect that essentially turns the bat into a rolling ball.
The one item that does not scale is cloning, which comes in versions that either spawn just one more bat or a whole swarm. Navigating a swarm of bats around corners and past spinning saw blades is no easy task, but satisfying if you can manage to emerge on the other side with more than one survivor.
The level design in Badland is also quite interesting. The 40 levels are all carefully created rather than procedurally generated, and alternate between predominantly clever puzzles and the occasional chaotic mad dashes to the exit. The latter may be off-putting to many since they generally throw in all of the pickups at once, resulting in giant bouncy bats barreling at full speed as you tap and pray. The mad dash levels seem like an inclusion from a console design mentality, where they would act as a cathartic release of tension during extended play sessions. They still accomplish that effect here, but aren't as necessary since most players will likely tackle the game in short bursts of one or two levels at a time. At the very least, seeing the cacophony of abilities together highlights the clever restraint Frogmind used when building the puzzle levels.
Badland3The game also has a multiplayer feature, that will let you connect with four other players, and your goal is simple; compete to fly the furthest. Yeah that's it, not much goes on in the multiplayer mode, and I found this mode to be useless.
Goodland…..er I mean Badland is a fun, addictive, and very clever game to play, there are minor issues here and there, but game's Pros easily overshadow them. Badland is available free at the Google Play Store.


Endless Boss Fight iPad Review


Endless Boss Fight combines the beat-em-up tactics found in 90's Genesis/SNES releases with an interesting touchscreen dynamic, as well as a sweet build-your-own-boss feature that allows your creation to compete against players online so you can clean up additional coins.
 
The Good
Although there are no direct versus fights with online players, Endless Boss Fight does a great job with community interaction, as you can earn money facing other people's bosses and clean up cash when they face yours. In addition, the unlockable features for both your main and boss characters are great, with plenty of fierce attack types and other goodies to unlock. The graphics are also appealing, utilizing a hand-drawn style that's seldom seen in most mobile games these days.
The Bad
As fun as Endless Boss Fight is, it unfortunately doesn't evolve much. You simply fight over and over again - an endless boss fight, as the title implies - to unlock things. There are no tactics to unlock, such as aerial attacks or new weapons. In addition, the music overstays its welcome, with the same old battle themes playing repetitively. Finally, the game's free-to-play structure is moderately fair, but if you want some of the better goods in Endless Boss Fight, you'll have to fork over a few bucks to stock up on your White Milk Coins.
The Verdict
Endless Boss Fight is a decent brawling game, one with an interesting approach to multiplayer and plenty of opportunities to clean up cash. However, its stale, repetitive nature and "freemium" grind make it lose some of its appeal. That said, we still had fun with the game.

Cabela's Big Game Hunter Cheats And Tips


While Cabela's Big Game Hunter doesn't provide the smoothest hunting experience we've seen on mobile, it's a decent game to try out, with various weapons and venues to unlock, and no shortage of animals to hunt.
Here are some tips to help you out when starting the game.
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How do I execute a "lung shot" or "heart shot" in Cabela's Big Game Hunter?
To get these precision shots, you'll need to load up on the X-Ray Boost, which you'll find in the Big Game Hunter store. With these equipped, you can see the vulnerable heart and lungs on animals for about 20 seconds. Use this time to line up your shot - using your scope for secondary aim if you wish - and take it. You'll know you executed it right as your bullet will fly through the air in slow motion, eventually hitting its target.
How do I unlock additional stage challenges in Cabela's Big Game Hunter?
It works on a progression system. You'll earn the first star by completing a simple task, like killing a certain animal within an allotted amount of time. From there, a second, more challenging one will open up. Complete it and the third and final task will appear with an even tougher mission. Get all three and you can begin earning stars to unlock new venues in the game.
How do I survive the "dangerous missions" in Cabela's Big Game Hunter?
These missions will often have animals charging at you, ready to strike. In these situations, you'll want to try and get a shot off with your firearm, then be prepared to move out of the way or block their incoming strike. Dodging by pressing the left or right arrows works better, as it lets you regain your stature and take another shot at the animal before it charges again.
Timing is important in these stages. Hitting the button too soon or too late will result in them having a successful attack. Take too many hits and you'll fail the stage. Practice your timing and take 'em down.
How do I earn additional cash in Cabela's Big Game Hunter?
If you don't feel like paying for it up front, you can replay completed stages in Cabela's Big Game Hunter to add to your stockpile of money. It can be a repetitive process - especially if you're trying to unlock a better firearm - but dedicated hunting fans certainly won't mind.
What does leveling up do for my character in Cabela's Big Game Hunter?
You'll level up as you continue completing objectives successfully in the game, while earning more stars. As you level up, you'll unlock access to new weapons and venues - which you'll still need to buy - and refill your energy, which you use as you proceed on each mission.
Do I need to pay for additional energy in Cabela's Big Game Hunter?
You'll start with about 14 energy at first, with each mission using about two to four depending on what you're hunting after. It does refill over time, but it takes a good half hour for each energy bar to fill up. It does refill automatically as you level up, so try to find missions where you can earn stars in a pretty quick order.
Otherwise, if you're in a hurry, you can buy an energy refill with about 20 to 70 gold, depending how much you need, although that does require using real cash to do it. It's certainly your call, but you probably won't mind waiting.
Can I level up weapons in Cabela's Big Game Hunter?
Unfortunately, no, but if you accumulate enough cash - either by earning it in-game or using an app purchase with real money - you can buy new ones. Certain weapons require you to be at a certain rank - like level 7 or higher - but they provide some much needed firepower for tougher stages in the game.
These weapons have improvements in various areas, including Damage, Scope, Clip Size, Stability and Recoil, so if you're serious about hunting, they're worth the investment.
What will buying clothes do for my character in Cabela's Big Game Hunter?
They're mostly there for appearance, though some items, like the Arctic cap, do look good on your character. Still, they don't do much when it comes to improving your performance.
What boosts are available in Cabela's Big Game Hunter?
There are several. Along with the X-Ray boost, you can buy a Weapon Shake tool that makes your aim more steady, a score multiplier, a silence boost that makes it harder for animals to hear you, a shield for the dangerous encounters, a time slowing option, a non-reload boost, a whistle that calms animals that have been spooked, a time increase and a maximum level scope. These boosts can only be used once or twice per stage, so make sure you utilize them wisely.
Do I need to pay for anything in Cabela's Big Game Hunter?
If you're a serious fan, probably. You'll run out of energy after a few turns in later missions, requiring to buy more with gold. In addition, if you want some of the better weapons and boost in the game, you'll need to use real cash to add to your gold and cash supplies.
Otherwise, you can grind through the game and wait for additional charges to fill up over time. That's your best bet, unless again, you're one of those impatient hunters that needs everything up front.

Cabela's Big Game Hunter iPad Review


Cabela's Big Game Hunter is Activision's latest attempt to bring the popular sport of hunting to mobile devices, following Glu Games' Deer Hunter 2014. It's offered on a free-to-play basis and provides a number of missions, whether you're hunting small game like quail and rabbits, or bigger, more dangerous fare, like black bears that don't take a liking to firearms.
The Good
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Cabela utilizes a simple-to-grasp concept when it comes to gameplay, and there's something unique about the way the slow-motion "kill cams" come across when you hit a heart or lung. The power-ups are useful, and the bonus trophy room is rather cool, as you can set up animals however you see fit in a variety of poses. You can also share them on Facebook with your fellow hunting fans.
The Bad
The general gameplay for Cabela just doesn't feel right. The movement arrows often get in the way of you trying to line up a shot, and even then, the hit detection is iffy, either missing your target completely or poorly registering a heart shot when you weren't even close. This is particularly frustrating with the dangerous missions, where you need to contend with a more vicious animal. The presentation is also below standard, with subpar animations for each of the animals and bland, repetitive backdrops. Finally, the free-to-play structure is frustrating, as you'll have to pay real cash to unlock the better weapons and boosts in the game, or buy more charges to keep playing.
The Verdict
Had it come with a better gameplay system, richer graphics and an easier way to acquire weaponry, Cabela's Big Game Hunter could've easily hit the mark. For now, only dedicated hunters will be interested. Everyone else should find a more enjoyable sport to conquer.

Friday

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga Cheats And Tips


Despite its pay-to-play structure, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is a fairly good port of the console release, with hours of entertaining gameplay and fun graphics for kids and fans of the movies.
Here are some tips to help get you started in the game.
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How can I build objects in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga?
For the most part, you'll want to look for piles of bricks on the ground. You'll know when they need assembly, as they'll jump up and down when you go near them. To build, simply walk over to the bricks and press the action button or hold down your finger on the pile, depending on your control scheme. Your character will build until the item is complete, whether it's a doorway, a stepladder or something else.
NOTE: try to save building for when enemy characters aren't around. You'll leave your character vulnerable to gunshots if you continue stacking away. Stop and take out the enemies, then continue.
Some doors require certain characters to open them in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga. How can I get them?
Characters unlock over the course of the game, starting in Episode I and moving through the continuing chapters. You can always restart a level and choose which characters to play as, and using them near these doors will open them right up and reveal different goodies, such as a Minikit or bonus coins.
You can also buy certain characters in the Mos Eisley Cantina, if you have enough funds.
How can I earn "True Jedi" ranking in each stage in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga?
You must collect as many Lego coins as possible. The more you collect, the more the meter fills up over the course of the game. Get it filled all the way and you'll earn the "True Jedi" ranking, which will earn you an additional gold brick, getting you that much closer to 100 percent completion.
In each stage, look for objects to break, like chairs, crates and other goodies. Don't forget, with some Jedi characters, you can also use the Force and move certain objects around, earning a small cash bonus as a result. Don't be afraid to check around the environment to see what you can break!
How do I find Minikits in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga?
Minikits are scattered throughout each stage, with about 10 per level. Usually, they're well hidden behind a wall you need to destroy, or a room you need to access with a special character, like Anakin Skywalker crawling through a small hatch. Look around and you'll possibly find them all, which will net you an additional gold brick.
Which control scheme is better in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga?
There are two available. The first is touch-oriented for character movement and attacks, while the second utilizes a virtual joystick for movement and attacks. Honestly, the second is better, as the first is a bit unresponsive.
Do I need to pay for anything in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga?
Yes. The initial download comes with one chapter, Episode I: The Phantom Menace, free-of-charge, but to unlock the others, you'll need to pay a small fee in the app. Spending $14.99 unlocks everything the game has to offer in The Complete Saga, while you can buy individual levels for $2.99 apiece, as well as side character packs ranging anywhere from $1 to $3.
The choice is yours, but the first chapter offers enough gameplay to give you an idea whether you should invest or not.

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga iPad Review


When it came out for consoles a couple of years ago, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga easily became one of Travellers' Tales best games, a joyous romp through all six films in the franchise. Now the game has arrived on mobile, although its pay-to-play structure leaves something to be desired.
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The Good
This game made a mostly flawless transition to iOS devices presentation wise. The graphics and music are almost exactly like the console version, and includes plenty of fun touches that players will love - particularly beating Lego Jar Jar senseless. In addition, the virtual joystick option is quite responsive, making it easy to move around and take out enemies. Finally, Episode I comes free-of-charge, providing a couple hours' worth of gameplay.
The Bad
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga isn't really a "free" game. You'll need to pay $2.99 for each episode, as well as extra money if you wish to unlock certain characters. We would've preferred a higher price with everything available right away. On top of that, the touch-based control scheme is mostly useless because it's so inaccurate. You'll tap an enemy to attack and swing in another direction. Stick with the virtual joystick set-up. Finally, the game lacks any sort of multiplayer, meaning you're on your own.
The Verdict
Even with its questionable payment structure and lacking touch controls, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is a fun space romp that kids and die-hard fans will enjoy. Better yet, it costs you nothing to try. Check it out, you should.

Football Heroes iPad Review


Football Heroes is a pleasant little throwback to the arcade-style football games that thrived before Madden came along. Its combination of on-screen combat, powerful upgrades and simple touch-screen gameplay make it an ideal fit for those who don't want realism.
 
The Good
Football Heroes benefits from a user-friendly control scheme for running, passing and defensive plays. It also throws in a few wild moves, such as over-the-top tackles, special attacks (this is one of the few opportunities you get to "ground slam" an entire defense) and plenty of punch combos. It's arcade style fun at its best.
The free-to-play system is just right, not gouging you for content. You can unlock new boosts, teams, arenas and decks as you go along using in-game coins, but you earn a sufficient amount during each game that you'll barely need to dig into your wallet. That's a good thing.
The Bad
Although Football Heroes comes with plenty of run, pass and defense plays to choose from, it's hardly an authentic recreation of the sport. Each play is pretty much "get to the end of the field and beat up anyone in your way," and it remains like that throughout. If you're looking for something more in-depth, look elsewhere.
While the presentation has cartoonish appeal, it doesn't change much over the course of the game. Players and fields don't change that much, and the same music and sound effects are heard throughout. We didn't expect licensed teams or anything, but some changes would've been nice.
Finally, the A.I. can be incredibly easy at times. You can try your luck with multiplayer, but it worked sporadically at best during our matches.
The Verdict
While Football Heroes is hardly the next NFL Blitz, it is a fun little football romp to play when taking a break from Madden. It's worth a trip to the end zone.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Cheats And Tips


Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is Rockstar Games' latest console-to-mobile port, and it's easily one of its best to date with hours' worth of missions, a superb presentation and solid gameplay, with a number of options available.
Here are a variety of tips that will help you channel your inner criminal.
 
How do I regain health in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
Unlike previous games, you won't find health pick-ups throughout the city. Instead, to regain lost strength, you'll need to stop at any of the fast food restaurants scattered about. You'll also regain lost strength by getting arrested, though that can lead to losing cash. Try to stick with the restaurants instead.
How can I lose or gain weight in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
Want to put on a few pounds? Continue eating at the many restaurants around the city and you'll get fat. Meanwhile, if you prefer to go the other way and gain some muscle, stop and do some workouts at different gyms, or the muscle beach location located in Santa Maria. Get yourself pumped!
How can I improve my gun skills in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
Having a more accurate weapon, like a good assault rifle, always helps, but if you really want to improve your skills, stick with one weapon over the course of several missions. C.J., your main character, will level up as a result and become a more accurate marksman. If you're impatient, you can also visit the Ammu-Nations firing range and work on your skills there.
You'll increase both accuracy and reload times, and once you get good enough, may even develop the ability to dual-wield - something that'll come in handy if you get in the middle of a heavy firefight.
How can I change my clothing in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
If you're tired of dressing like a thug, switch things up. Just stop in one of the variety of clothing shops surrounding the city and pick a style that's best for you. Only a few shops are available at first, such as SubUrban, Pro-Laps and Binco, but as you go on and increase your cash count, you'll have access to others, including Didier Sachs and Zip. Shop around and see what clothes work best for you.
How can I increase my Wanted rating in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
That's easy. Get into trouble. To get that first star in the wanted rating, simply run over a few citizens or ram into a cop car and drive away. If you wish to bump it up, crash a few cop cars that are in pursuit, or shoot a few of the officers. You can get up to five stars, although that means everyone will be after you, and will stop at nothing to bring you down. For some people, that's quite a rush.
How can I decrease my Wanted rating in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
It's a lot easier if you're at one star, as you can lose police pursuit and get in the clear after a few seconds. On higher ratings, though, your best bet is to find the nearest safe house and get to it in one piece.
In addition, you can stop in a barber shop, clothing store or Pay n' Spray, as changing your appearance will remove the Wanted level. Just make sure you can get to these places in one piece, or you're as good as dead.
How can I earn extra cash in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
Along with completing select missions over the course of the game, you can earn some extra scratch by taking side jobs. Find some drug dealers and take them out to swipe their cash (but watch out for any back-up that's nearby), or hop in a taxi and take some folks for rides. It can be a bit dull compared to shooting action, but hey, it's a living. Ambulance missions are more exciting, but not as commonplace as the taxi ones.
How can I get additional body armor in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
You'll find free body armor available in the police station. However, it's important you don't go in armed. Walking in with any sort of weapon in your hand will net you a Wanted star, making it a bit more difficult to pick up your armor. It's also supplied during random save points in the game, so watch out for it.

Thursday

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas iPhone And iPad iPad Review


When it initially debuted for home consoles in 2004, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas set a new standard for Rockstar Games' open-world series. Now, 13 years later, it's doing it again, this time on the mobile front with a stellar port for newer iOS-supported devices.
 
The Good
Rockstar Games once again comes through with a quality console-to-mobile release. The game looks and sounds superb on supported iOS devices and runs like a dream. The controls work extremely well, although there are times you may stumble if you're not using an iOS 7 joypad. Plus, most of the console's content remains intact, including the wonderful mini-games, the side missions, and various activities. You can even take the time to shape your body with workouts or continuous fast food eating as well. Considering the game's massive size, we thought it would've taken longer to load and were pleasantly surprised. Finally, the price -- $6.99 - is more than reasonable for any budget, without having to worry about microtransactions.
The Bad
Although the on-screen controls work just fine, San Andreas is a game best suited for iOS 7-supported controllers. It works much better than the on-screen controls and getting your thumbs in the way. Also, while the port is superb, there are glitches here and there with visuals and audio, but nothing a patch can't fix.
The Verdict
Despite the fact it's almost a decade old, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is still a gritty yet refreshing open-world experience that fans of mobile action games owe it upon themselves to check out. Don't be surprised if it pops up on our "best of 2013" list in a couple of weeks.

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 iPad Review


When Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sega's golden Genesis sequel, first arrived on the App Store in 2009, it was a sloppy, broken mess, featuring a poor frame rate, barely tolerable controls and a myriad of other problems. However, following its treatment of the original Sonic and Sonic CD, Sega provided Sonic 2 with a much-needed makeover, including a faster frame rate and a pair of extras no fan will want to miss.
 
The Good
With Christian Whitehead once again handling the game's conversion, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 becomes the mobile game that fans in the series truly deserve. The graphics are terrific and move along at a fast pace (especially the bonus levels), and the music is joyous to listen to. Plus, Sega included three great gifts in the package - the ability to play as Sonic 3's Knuckles the Echidna, a challenging boss mode that'll keep you on your toes and the previously unplayable Hidden Palace Zone, which takes time to unlock but is certainly worth it. Best of all, it's offered as a free update on iOS, while the game costs $2.99 by itself.
The Bad
As great as it is to see Sonic back up to speed (literally), Sonic 2 isn't without its problems. The controls can be slippery in the 3D bonus stages, especially if you're playing with Knuckles. In addition, there's no local multiplayer, so you're forced to sit online several moments for a match to start. Finally, there's no level select like in the original, so you have to earn the new Hidden Palace Zone the old fashioned way. Maybe that's how Sega intended it.
The Verdict
While not as seamless as Sonic CD due to a few slight technical mishaps, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the best it could be on mobile, and the extra content really goes a long way. This is one retro favorite we don't mind running around with.