If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch, and are a shooter fan, this maybe bittersweet news.
DotEmu, a developer and publisher dedicated to porting over 80′s/90′s games to new platforms, anounced today they’ll be porting R-Type, the legendary side-scrolling shooter to the iPhone/iPod Touch. This badboy will be hitting the AppStore in the next few months. There have been no pictures or videos released yet, but for more information, visit their site here.
I say bittersweet, because of the controls. Now I don’t personally own an iPhone or iPod, but it’s difficult for me to imagine playing a game like R-Type, where precision is key and the slightest error can screw everything up, on a touch screen, without a stylus. But who knows, maybe those who own iPhones or iPod touches have learned to adapt and developed superhuman touch screen desterity. Xavier Liard, CEO of DotEmu assures us that it’ll work out:
“We are very pleased to work on R-Type and to start our collaboration with Irem Software Engineering Inc.(owner of R-Type). Our main goal is to make the best touch version possible of this great game to seduce both fans and new players. This is really a great game and we are eager to release it!”
One of the simplest games stimulates your eyes with pretty pictures. All you have to do is spot the difference, and touch. Such a game for only $0.99.
Yes, we’re talking about Spot the Difference! for iPhone and iPod touch.
This game isn’t something for hardcore gamers who like spending hours on their iPhone or iPod touch, but rather for casual or even non-gamers to kill time while waiting for your driver’s license renewal or something. Or maybe even for restroom gaming.
The downside we noticed is that it’s fun while it lasts; there’s no replay value to the game. We wish there were maybe weekly updates of some kind to keep us busy with the game. And another one we can point out is that the players can cheat if they wanted to. The penalty for a wrongful touch (yes, we said it) is a buzz with shaking screen, which isn’t enough for cheaters to just touch whatever on the screen to finish the level.
But even with those odds, the game is fun. Spot the Difference! comes with many pretty pictures for your eyes, and honestly who would spend money so you can just cheat away through a short game? Not many, for sure.
Any break you take, big or small, Spot the Difference! will help you to pass the time a bit quicker.
Our Score: 7 /10
Simple and a perfect time killer even for the smallest break. The price is right too.
Do you enjoy puzzle games with your iPhone or iPod touch? You just can’t get enough of them?
Well, then 365 Puzzle Club is just for you!
Actually though, they’re just talking about the different randomized levels, not 300 years worth of different puzzle games. Still, that’s a plenty of puzzles if you ask me. Here’s the features list:
Three classic number games in one pack: Sudoku, Tenpenki and Kakuro
Unique ‘Calendar’ mode gives you a fresh challenge every day of the year
Four difficulty levels and slick tutorials on every game means everyone can play
‘Custom Sudoku’ mode allows you to solve puzzles from outside the game
Unique structure, thousands of puzzles and Facebook connectivity make this the ultimate number game
Step-by-step tutorials show you how to master each game type
10,000 original Sudoku and Kakuro grids a piece plus 350 Tenpenki puzzles are included and, when randomised, generate well over 80,000 additional puzzles
The price for 365 Puzzle Club is $1.99/£1.19 and available on App Store.
I was QUITE thrilled to hear about this one. A new Ghosts’N Goblins! Although I initially thought it was going to be a condensed version of the PSP version, this addition to the series provides a whole new experience for gamers, including the ability to play as a second character! Now you can slay demons and rescue maidens i-style.
The only concern I have with this is the control scheme. I haven’t really played an action oriented game on the iPhone or the iPod. I guess we’ll just have to find out. But the feature list looks sweet. Check it out:
Features:
Brilliant 3D graphics and classic platform action!
For the first time, play as two different heroes each with a unique play style.
Master six different weapons per character and power up each weapon with magic.
Destroy treasure chests to uncover weapons and more powerful suits of armor.
Further customize your Ghosts ‘N Goblins experience with DLC.
Yes, Fantasy/Dungeon RPG has progressed throughout the years, but it’s hard to beat the classic type of gameplay. Don’t have a clue as to what I mean? Let’s look at the video first.
This video will bring back so many memories from all you Fantasy RPG gamers out there. And now, you can bring it anywhere with your iPhone or iPod touch.
If you’re interested, keep reading because we’ll list the features of this game as well:
20 hours of gameplay with great replay value
A party of heroes — because the whole is more than the sum of its parts! Enjoy building unique, specialized classes. Create a combined force with powers that overcome their weaknesses and make them a crew to remember
Intricate plot with dozens of quests, and plenty of side-quests for extra experience gathering
Unique turn-based combat system perfect for well thought out strategic moves as well as for fast, fluid attacks
Five hero classes with a wide variety of skills and spells for unique development
More than 750 items and 60 types of enemies
Sophisticated interface with quick access to all the extensive functionality
Many environments ranging from fiery pits and dark underground to forests, snowy mountains and large city
It’s available at the App Store now for $4.99 and there is also a ‘lite’ version of the game so you can try it before you buy it.
We wonder, how come no one makes this type of game in a full 3D with rich environments?
Droplitz, a very creative puzzle game that infected many gamers with symptoms like killing their time senselessly, is now set for a lower price for a limited time offer. If you were lucky enough to avoid this time sink until now, too bad; now you have no excuses to steer away from it.
For PC users, Droplitz will be priced at $1.99, which is an 80% discount.
And Apple App Store will have it for $0.99.
While I may not fully agree with the recent “casual games” terminology that has emerged as of late, I do acknowledge the fact that there are some games with widespread, general appeal. I am here to tell you that Droplitz is one such game. While it was merely one of many games available for hands-on play at the Atlus booth and most people were spending more time gazing upon their Trauma Center nurses more than any piece of software, I can guarantee that many iPhones will be spinning with leaky pipe pieces before too long.
The concept behind Droplitz is simple–there are several sources along the top of the screen, and several collectors along the bottom of the screen. Using various pipe pieces, the player must create connections between the two groups. After establishing a connection, a purple (red on the iPhone?) droplitz begins to traverse the path spawned by the player. It’s at this point that the real fun begins.
Connections between the top and bottom of the screen can be stacked in combos. As long as the purple droplitz has yet to reach the collector, you have time to create more links–and every link created brings along another purple droplitz to traverse the path. Making use of those windows of opportunity, massive combos can be chained up and these combos can be carried over with “Chain Reactions.” Each time all the purple droplitz have reached the bottom, all the pipes used evaporate, the speed increases slightly and new pipes drop in to repeat the process.
With a fitting soundtrack that suggests the degree of urgency necessary to really get into a puzzle game, the game will easily call you back time and time again to test your ability on a variety of difficulties and board sizes. Coming out on Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network, Microsoft Windows and iPhone later this year, puzzle game enthusiasts owe it to themselves to give this one a second look.
Power-ups, "Infection" mode, and themed levels all add diversity to the mix.
If you bought Shenmue 2 on Xbox, you'll remember the Shenmue Movie DVD that came with it, containing all the major cut-scenes from the first game. Well, in Japan, this was actually shown in some cinemas, such was the popularity of Yu Suzuki's epic series.
While I may not fully agree with the recent “casual games” terminology that has emerged as of late, I do acknowledge the fact that there are some games with widespread, general appeal. I am here to tell you that Droplitz is one such game. While it was merely one of many games available for hands-on play at the Atlus booth and most people were spending more time gazing upon their Trauma Center nurses more than any piece of software, I can guarantee that many iPhones will be spinning with leaky pipe pieces before too long.
