Author Archive

wurdle v1.1 | Published by Semi Secret Software | Via App Store | $1.99 | Released: 9-23-08

Overview

While Boggle-style word games are great fun, wurdle takes the genre one step further, letting users change the minimum word length and do away with those annoying three-letter throwaways that seem to always be in endless supply. It’s challenging, fun, customizable and blows away Quordy, the previous Boggle-style standard bearer.

Gameplay

Besides offering the simplicity of stringing together words with a finger, wurdle lets you do it in style.

As if colored iPhone cases, armbands and headphones weren’t enough, you can now match your wurdle game board to your man-purse. Or face (not kidding about the face, you can choose a photo from your library and set it as the game board background, allowing you to stare yourself down while wurdling away).

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DeadlySpace v1.5 | Published by Nathaniel Adleta | Via App Store | $2.99 | Released: 9-18-08

Overview

DeadlySpace is an iPhone imitation of Space Invaders, the old school arcade classic, except that it’s too easy, unnecessarily complex and, frankly, a little boring.

Gameplay

Users tilt their iPhones to move their spacecrafts, then can fire at hostile objects to destroy them by tapping on buttons on either side of the screen.

There are a multiple ships and weapons to choose from, as well as options to upgrade a spacecraft depending on in-game performance.

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Ambush v1.0 | Published by FOX Broadcasting | Via App Store | Free | Released: 9-12-08

Overview

Let’s face it: Ambush is a horribly shameless marketing attempt for a FOX TV show. It’s masked as an iPhone “game” based on the Terminator TV series, but the app does next to nothing and is almost offensive in its ad-centric purpose. This is a laughable product and a waste of time, even for Terminator fans.

Gameplay

The game works like this: press the “send location” button.

That’s it.

Oh yeah, almost forgot. If someone else has set a “trap” in the next location that you report to the online system, you’ll be terminated (I know, I expected more too).

But before you can “play” Ambush, users need a username and password. Unfortunately there is no way to create an account directly through the app and the game’s website is an Adobe Flash hellhole, meaning that it’s inaccessible through the iPhone’s Safari browser. Awesome.

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Reign of Swords v1.1 | Published by Punch Entertainment, Inc | Via App Store | $7.99 | Released: 9-22-08

Overview

Reign of Swords is an amazingly well-done game for true strategy fans, with point advantages for those who plan out cavalry charges, flank opponents and wisely position infantry. The graphics may not be stellar, but the game has an impressive amount of depth and complexity that is both addicting, fun and even flexible for on-the-go gameplay.

Gameplay

Let’s skip all of the background and get right to the good stuff: BatTle aCTivIty!!!

In Reign of Swords it works on a basic turn-based system, allowing you to move, attack or pass turns with each character before allowing the opponent to begin acting. This works decently well with the iPhone interface, allowing users to see how many squares a particular troop can move and what the attacking range of an opponent might be before drawing a movement path or selecting someone to attack (groups of troops can also be selected and moved as a formation, using two fingers to highlight the desired units).

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Raging Thunder v1.0 | Published by Polarbit | Via App Store | $7.99 | Released: 9-21-08

Overview

A compact, fun and powerful racing challenge from the makers of Crash Bandicoot Nitro Cart 3D, Raging Thunder’s motion controls are possibly the best in the App Store. It’s cheaper than competitors, loads faster and still has a good range of modes and features.

Gameplay

At just 2.8 MB in size, Raging Thunder loads at a blistering pace and can have you twisting and turning through a race course just 10 seconds after launching the app (although you need to quickly tap through the title screen to do so).

Steering and acceleration work with very functional motion controls, which are the best we’ve tested (better than those in Asphalt 4) although there is also a touch control option (which isn’t very good and requires you to put a finger in the middle of the screen, blocking much of your view).

Users can pick up boosts and money while driving and will also encounter skulls, which will slow the car and seem to be placed in the most optimal driving path (those sneaky developers…). You can also hit the “tackle” option, after following an opponent closely, which boosts your car, allowing you to ram others.

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Loot Master v1.0 | Published by Digital Concepts | Via App Store | $5.99 | Released: 9-17-08

Overview

If you’re hungry for an exciting, RPG-style gaming experience, Loot Master is not the solution. It’s way too basic and limiting to be worth $5.99 and should be free or 99 cents, at most (Vay is a good option for RPG fans).

Gameplay

While Loot Master is basically an endless face off with wave upon wave of enemies, your character is never visible on the screen and there isn’t much action involved with attacks.

There is no storyline and basically as soon as the app is launched, the onslaught begins. Continue Reading

Fleck v1.0 | Published by SurvivorSoft | Via App Store | $4.99 | Released: 9-10-08

Overview

Navigate your way through a shifting maze of toxic mushrooms and poisoned potion in this unique, creative and time-killing puzzle game. Fleck is addictive, entertaining and flexible, offering a variety of challenges and increasing in difficulty as you progress.

Gameplay

The object of the game is simple: move from one corner of a game board to the other without getting killed along the way.

But Fleck becomes more challenging in that it forces users to pay attention to an advancing field of deadly objects before making a move. Continue Reading