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Friday, October 28, 2011

Five for Friday: Week of October 27

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Holy game bonanza bat geeks! So many titles were launched “just in time for Halloween” it’s hard to keep up. Most of them have been getting a lot of press, but a few are so new you may not have seen them yet. And, hiding in all that gaming goodness were a few very cool app releases as well. This week we look at five you may have missed. If we didn’t catch your new favorite please leave us a note in the comments below.

Zombieville USA 2

This simple sequel will have gamers shooting hoards of to bits with all new weapons and enhanced graphics along with Game Center integration and even a wireless multiplayer mode. The casual undead fun is a perfect for halloween weekend.

Zombieville USA

Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: $1.99
Released: 2009-02-15 :: Category: Games

Codify

Create games and sims or bring to life your own app ideas on the iPad. Codify lets users code and includes a visual editor with a vector graphics tool, built-in game sound effects, complete in-line reference and even get the accelerometer and multitouch screen into the show with this app that lets anyone try their hand at developing.

Codify

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Buy Now: $7.99
Released: 2011-10-26 :: Category: Productivity

Oscura

From MTV Networks comes more eery fun. Oscura is a 2d platformer with a 3D feel, AirPlay support and a seriously goth tone. Keep the Dark Creatures at bay this All Hallow’s Eve.

Oscura

Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: $1.99
Released: 2011-10-21 :: Category: Entertainment

Don't Let the Pigeons Run This App

Mo Willems brings the Pigeon to iPad. Create unique Pigeon-staring stories with Mo at your side. Mo really voices the Pigeon, but the app allows users to record their voices too – part book, part creative toy, kids and creative types should have a lot of fun with tho new digital publication from Disney.

Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App!

Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: $6.99
Released: 2011-10-26 :: Category: Books

Songineer™ – Instant Composer

For those who want to make music, but lack the advanced training, enter Songineer – Instant Composer. It lets users instantly create great sounding tracks to share with friends on social media. Don’t expect auto-tune results, the app is packed with quality features including 20 unique instrument and drum kits galore to give any creation a unique feel and lots of lots and lots of beat.

Songineer™ - Instant Composer

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: $0.99
Released: 2011-10-25 :: Category: Music

Apps mentioned in this post: Codify, Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App!, Oscura, Songineer™ - Instant Composer, Zombieville USA

About: Five for Friday: Week of October 27 is a post from 148Apps

Greg Dawson 29 Oct, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/news/friday-week-october-27/
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Blackjack by Yazino Review

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Blackjack by Yazino Review

By Greg Dawson on October 28th, 2011
Our Rating:

:: HIT TO 21
Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Learning blackjack is a lot of fun. Before heading out to the casino, try Blackjack by Yazino for its easy to use interface and integration of social gameplay.

Developer: Advanced Games Lab Limited
Price: Free
Version: 1.0.2
App Reviewed on: iPhone 4

Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars

Casinos aren’t in the business to lose money. However, practice and experience will give players the ability to position themselves to win. One way I like to practice is with fake money on virtual tables. Blackjack by Yazino is an app that not only allows players to learn how to play blackjack, but also brings in a social atmosphere of playing against other real players from across globe.

While there is no better way to learn than in a real casino, this app will help get the player past the newbie stage and hopefully give them some much needed experience to succeed should they choose to take their luck to the real tables.

After launching the app, players can connect via the game’s own network or via Facebook. I chose Facebook so it would be easy to find my friends or invite them to play with me. There is no real money buy in, only virtual chips of varying value for users to bet with. The game starts the player out with 10,000 chips and also awards the player 2,500 each day they come back and check in. I really liked this as it gave me a reason to comeback. Of course, if the player does lose and doesn’t want to wait, they can purchase 1,500 to 200,000 chips ranging in price of $.99 to $69.99. I’m not a big fan of in-app purchases, but then again I might have more patience than the next person.

Once logged in, there are two selections which are play now and table options. Play now does exactly what it says and puts the player directly into a game. However, if the player is particular about minimum or maximum bets they can set parameters in table options and then hit play now to be put at a table that meets those requirements. This is particularly good if the player is good and wants a higher stakes game to not worry about amateurs messing with their strategy. Yes, there is strategy to the game of blackjack.

Blackjack by Yazino allows players to connect with their friends and play at the same table, which adds a bit more fun to the game. There is also in-app chatting, which can be useful for saying great job or heckling the amateurs. For card enthusiasts looking for an easy way to play blackjack by themselves or socially, this app will do the trick.

Blackjack by Yazino

Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: FREE
Released: 2011-10-08 :: Category: Games

Apps mentioned in this post: Blackjack by Yazino

About: Blackjack by Yazino Review is a post from 148Apps

Greg Dawson 29 Oct, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/blackjack-yazino-review/
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Shift It Review

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Shift It Review

By Bobby Gooding on October 28th, 2011
Our Rating:

:: GREAT MATCH
Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Color-matching, tile-sliding, puzzle gaming… all wrapped up in a neat and highly polished package.

Developer: gamegou
Price: $2.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.1
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 3GS

Graphics / Sound Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4.19 out of 5 stars

I love puzzle games. I hate puzzle games. Shift It being just as puzzling as those first two contradictory sentences in this review. The truth is, I do love puzzle games. Very much so in fact. Until the moment where I can’t suss them out. That’s when the hate part comes in, but that won’t stop me playing.

Shift It takes aspects from various games within the genre, even components from physical toys we may have played with as children, such as those sliding tile puzzles and the color-matching concept of everybody’s childhood nemesis, the Rubik’s Cube. All of which come together to make a very simple type of gameplay that’s certainly not easy to conquer in the later stages.

The basic idea is to slide lines of tiles – either left and right, or up and down – with the objective being to place all tiles into segments of matching colors. A little tricky to put across in words, but basically, all red tiles should be grouped together, all yellow tiles should be grouped together. Sounds simple, but it wouldn’t be a puzzle game if that were the case. Progressing through the 200+ levels in the game leads to more colors, tiles that are split into more than one color, some that are locked in place and even some rather tricky little squares that rotate 90 degrees each time they’re moved — and then, perhaps toughest thing, the grids get much larger too. The very nature of the game also means there’s any number of different solutions to each level, which is rather unique in itself.

It’s a very well made game, with highly polished visuals and very responsive controls, it’s a lot of fun, and a heap of frustration is relieved by the "so close" message that appears when being one move away from completing the level, saving me from going around in an endless circle. Although even then it’s not immediately obvious what the next action should be. Another little touch that makes this a great puzzle game. It’s only downfall is possibly the $2.99 price tag. While a few bucks won’t break the bank, it seems a lot compared with all the $0.99-$1.99 games we’ve been spoiled with in the App Store’s past.

Shift It

Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: $2.99
Released: 2011-10-19 :: Category: Games

Apps mentioned in this post: Shift It

About: Shift It Review is a post from 148Apps

Bobby Gooding 29 Oct, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/shift-review/
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Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation Review

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Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation Review

By Rob Rich on October 28th, 2011
Our Rating:

:: LET'S TANGO
Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Modern Combat 3 isn’t without its share of flaws, but it’s still hands-down the best military FPS on the App Store to date.

Developer: Gameloft
Price: $6.99
Version: 1.0.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 3GS

Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars

Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation is a culmination of Gameloft’s many dabblings into the FPS genre. There’s plenty of running and gunning to be had throughout the game’s 13 levels. Which is something new, actually. An honest-to-goodness sprint button has been added, allowing players to move between objectives at a much quicker pace. Sliding is also new, and can be accomplished by tapping the crouch button while sprinting. Handy for taking cover while under fire. Both of these new features are quite useful throughout the single-player campaign, but are even more vital when in the game’s online multiplayer mode.

Modern Combat 3 looks great, no question, but it’s the smaller details like animations and the occasional slow-motion kill shot that really draw the eye. But really, I think the reason I’ve enjoyed my time with the game so much is because it’s just so… enjoyable. The over-the-top set piece moments are surprisingly grand for a handheld device and the multiplayer, with its experience (and earned currency) driven weapon unlocks and customizations is excellent. Each match earns experience, with better performances netting more of the stuff, and new levels unlock the ability to purchase new weapons. These weapons, in-turn, can be upgraded and customized to fit a player’s preferences with a number of different attachments such as scopes and larger magazines. Similarly, items can be bought and equipped that bestow special abilities such as the ability to carry more ammo. It’s a shockingly robust myltiplayer offering, especially considering the platform. It’s a shame I’m so terrible at it.

There are a few issues that have cropped up, however. Of the three control schemes offered I’ve found the Classic setting to work best, but I sometimes find myself shooting when I don’t mean to or missing a button by a hair’s width and doing nothing. Usually resulting in death. Then there’s the checkpoint system. Sometimes it works great and doesn’t set me back too far. Other times I have to slog through a significant chunk of a level, only to finally reach my last point of failure to wind up kaput again. I’ve also noticed that enemies can shoot me with surprising precision through some very solid cover. I’m not talking about chest-high walls that the top of my head might be poking over, either. I’m talking about massive barriers that seem unable (or unwilling) to come between me and bullets.

Just about anyone who’s interested has probably already purchased Modern Combat 3. It’s kind of a little popular. For everyone else who might be thinking about it, and is a fan of first-person shooters of course, I’d say it’s definitely worth playing despite its flaws. Many of which can easily be overlooked. The entry fee might seem a little steep, but there’s plenty of great gaming that comes with that $7.

Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation

Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: $6.99
Released: 2011-10-27 :: Category: Games

Apps mentioned in this post: Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation

About: Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation Review is a post from 148Apps

Jennifer Allen 29 Oct, 2011

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Source: http://www.148apps.com/reviews/modern-combat-3-fallen-nation-review/
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Namco Bandai Celebrate Halloween With A Sale

at 11:36 AM

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One of the greatest perils of writing over Halloween is figuring out a fantastic and humorous way of introducing another seasonal sale. I’ll admit it, I’ve failed this time round. Readers may have enjoyed the spooky tales of Sega’s ‘Screamtastic’ Sale and the trick or treatastic explanation of Gameloft’s sale, but I’m all out of cheesy jokes or puns. When it comes to the Namco Bandai sale, readers are just going to have to be hooked by the fantastic discounts on many titles!

There’s a cerebral theme going on with many of the discounts. I guess it’s because zombies love brains (ah ha, there’s the Halloween joke!). Brain Exercise with Dr. Kawashima has benefited from a price drop of 50% making it a mere $0.99. Isaac Newton’s Gravity is also only $0.99 on the iPhone with the iPad version offering a 50% discount on in-app purchases. More in-app purchases reductions are available with puzzling delight House of Glass

Strategy gamers will love that Buccaneer Blitz is a mere $0.99 for the Universal app, and it’s a fine title indeed scoring an impressive 4.5 stars from us last year. While, Hidden Object gaming fans get the fun of Mishap for only $1.99 instead of $4.99.

Rounding off the sale is enjoyable physics game The Mooniacs and relaxing Pterodactyl flying game Fossil Feast, both reduced to $0.99, down from $1.99.

Happy Halloween and enjoy feasting upon these great discounts.