Our Rating: 7.5/10

[Screenshots]

Version Reviewed: 1.0.1
Developer: Artificial Life Inc. [iTunes Link]
Price as of Review: $1.99 [On Sale]
Current iTunes Rating: 3/5
Size: 53MB
Lite Version: [iTunes Link]

iSoccer Backstreet is a creative soccer themed application with a few different mini games and one major course of gameplay.  The goal is basically to beat the game and have as many points earned as possible by the end of it.  Once finished (or even before so) you can go online in the Trix mode and beat all the competition (global high score boards).  The journey to being successful is long however, you’ll go through vigorous training and need some serious skill to beat the whole game; though it is rather short.

The main gameplay style is basically a version of hackey-sack…on steroids.  Keep the soccer ball up as long as possible while scoring points by making different combination’s.  Executing tricks will take some practice but luckily iSoccer Backstreet has a great interactive tutorial to help you along the way.  Then you get to cool off with some mini-game action.

Although gameplay can run a little short, repetitive and trivial at some points, it can be generally enjoyable.  The developers over at Artifical Life have done a great job on the graphics and especially the control scheme…although future enhancements would be nice.  Some people I’ve tested the app with have not liked the way you manipulate the ball, a tilt control interface would be a great option.  The sound effects are very immersing and really give the backstreet soccer ambiance.  The game is all about indy soccer and iSoccer Backstreet takes real soccer down a peg.

All in all iSoccer Backstreet has some intriguing indy soccer gameplay and is definitely worth taking a look at.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 6.5/10 – It does mix it up quite a bit but things get very trivial.

Enjoyment: 7.7/10 – Nonetheless this was a unique app that provided a refreshing experience.

Graphics: 9/10 – Greatly detailed 3D graphics.

Sound: 9/10 – Truly spectacular sound effects.

Technology: 7/10 – We dock some points due to some sluggishness and glitches -especially on loading time and on menus.

Replay Value: 6/10 – Things can get very trivial, very fast.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Further Improvements:

• Longer overall gameplay
• More mini games
• Additional control schemes
• Fix misc. glitches
• Improve speed and loading time.

Screenshots of iSoccer Backstreet on Flickr.

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Our Rating: 7.8/10

[Screenshots]

Version Reviewed: 2.0.0
Developer: Konami Digital Entertainment [iTunes Link]
Price as of Review: $1.99
Current iTunes Rating: 3/5
Size: 2.7MB

Konami Entertainment has ported Atari’s classic game, Frogger, to the iPhone – yes that means even more nostalgia for the older gamers out there.  For those of you who never got the chance to play Frogger while it was still around the game is about controlling a frog and guiding it to it’s destination.  No this isn’t a puzzle game where you’ll have to logically figure out a path, instead you must have fast reflexes and timing to avoid all the obstacles that you will encounter.

The unfortunate part of this app is the immense lack of new environments, although there are several levels which each provide a new obstacle or two, it’s the same map over and over again.  None the less, the gameplay is quite enjoyable and provides a great pick-up-and-play addiction.  A game lasts from a mere few minutes to an hour (if you’re really good).  Only a few people I’ve demoed it with have been able to get a score over 20,000 so this is a great challenge too!  The environment can get pretty crazy with all the obstacles, making for an excellent immersing gameplay.

The graphics are quite friendly and smoothly rendered.  I don’t think photo-realistic graphics would suit Frogger and therefore the current ones provide the perfect environment.  Sound is a little dull but nothing annoying (which can be rare for an arcade game).  Konami has done a near-perfect job on the control scheme, you can control the frog via three ways, tap (touch), slide (touch) or tilt (accelerometer).  The touch control schemes are awesome – each have their own personal advantage so whatever suits you best.  However the accelerometer controls are a pretty large bucket of fail.

All in all, Frogger is a highly enjoyable arcade game but won’t entertain for long and is very limited.  For a couple of bucks though, definitely check this one out.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 6.9/10  – Frogger provides very immersing gameplay but lacks multiple environments

Enjoyment: 9/10 – Just utterly awesome

Graphics: 8.7/10 – Sets the perfect theme.

Sound: 7/10  – Nothing to complain about…

Technology: 8/10 – Excellent job on touch control schemes, great stability and the only glitch I’ve found is a very small irrelevant animation glitch.

Replay Value: 7.2/10 – This only gets a 7.2 due to the addictiveness, the only competition is a local score board – no online mode – no new maps.

Overall Rating: 7.8/10

Further Improvements: (Note to the developer!)

• More. maps.  Have a whole adventure for our frog!
• Create a better accelerometer control scheme – anybody who’s played with it will know why this needs to be changed.

More screenshots for Frogger on iPhone App Reviewer’s Flickr Page.

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Our Rating: 6.4/10

[Screenshots]

Version Reviewed: 1.2
Developer: Spigot Games, LLC [iTunes Link]
Price as of Review: $1.99
Current iTunes Rating: 4/5
Size: 9.5MB

Board@Work is another match-them-up game on the iPhone, this one packed with features but unfortunately won’t keep your entertained for long.  The goal in this work-themed is to match as many objects as possible using the various tools on the bottom of the screen and your wit.  Using your finger on a touch white board you slide around the blocks matching either three or more symbols or colours.  Bonus points will be awarded for rows/columns of more than three, consistency of symbols and colours, and of course if you make multiple matches in synchronization.

If you do like this style of gameplay, and don’t get bored of it quick (unfortunately I did, and many of the people I showed it to did too), Board@Walk offers some great features.  The multiplayer mode in particular was quite impressive.  I haven’t found any glitches but stability problems are definitely an issue.  The graphics are mediocre but we can’t really complain, it keeps the game simple and Spigot Games has done a nice job setting the theme.

I’m a huge fan of games like this (Bejeweled, Trism) but unfortunately Board@Work just doesn’t cut it.  It’s four gameplay modes and multiplayer abilities should draw some people in.  We at iPhone App Reviewer just haven’t been touched by this.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8.7/10 – The classic gameplay with a total of seven different modes.

Enjoyment: 4/10 – Can’t say as Board@Work really got to me.

Graphics: 7/10 – Satisfactory but that’s about all.

Sound: 4/10 – Annoying.

Technology: 8/10  – Bravo on the multiplayer mode – no glitches in particular but unfortunately some stability issues.

Replay Value: 6.5/10 – There’s a high score board but overall not much addiction or motiviation.

Overall Rating: 6.4/10

Further Improvements:

• More modern graphics
• Create less of a dry, boring ambiance.

More screenshots on our Flickr Page.

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Our Rating: 9.1/10

[Screenshots]

Version Reviewed: 1.02
Developer: Roundthird Interactive LLC
Price as of Review: $1.99
Current iTunes Rating: 4/5
Size: 37.0MB
Lite Version: [iTunes Link]

Radial 50 is a revolutionary breakout game with astounding gameplay and and an awesome theme.  The goal, like any breakout game, is to knock out as many bricks as possible without losing lives.  Radial 50 adds a spectacular twist, you’ll control your paddle in a circle, 360 degrees.  The graphics are spectacular, each level with a new and refreshing background; the rest of the area is very vibrant and the particle effects are superb.  Even the user interface looks smooth, Roundthird Interactive must’ve done some vigorous work on this app.

You start with five lives (which will regenerate slowly) throughout each level, make sure that if you lose one that you get your paddle over to the ball quickly.  Due to the 360 degree nature, and the very small amount of clearance between the bricks and rim, once you’ve missed once with the paddle, you’re likely to lose quite a few lives.  The way the game area is setup makes for a challenging play session.  However there’s multiple power-up’s (and down’s) to guide you along the way.  My tip for making major points?  Try and get the Particle Magnet and Explode Target power-up’s together.

The touch control scheme very responsive except for a very high annoyance, even though the paddle goes around in a circle, you can only slide your finger vertically to control it, may people will try and slide their finger with a curve; this can cause some serious first-play problems.  Unfortunately no accelerometer controls (how about tilting your iPhone to move particles?).  Luckily Radial 50 makes up for that with awesome stability and little to no glitches.

All in all, Radial 50 is the best breakout game I’ve played on the iPhone, and probably in my top 25 favourite iPhone games. If you like breakout games, addicting “just-one-more-round,” or just love great games, $1.99 is a great price.  Enjoy!

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8.9/10 – Lots of different powerups and a really addicting, creative gameplay.

Enjoyment: 9.5/10 – Definitely o of my top 25 most enjoyed apps

Graphics: 9.2/10  – Extremely creative and awesome to play on, no level is boring with this.

Sound: 8.5/10 – Crystal clear sound effects, no trouble playing iPod music.

Technology: 9/10 – Quite a few settings, awesome stability, geotargeted global high score boards, ability to post score to Twitter and Facebook.  Just a few control annoyances that stop this from getting a perfect 10.

Replay Value: 9.5/10 – 50 different levels and even achievements, several different leaderboards; lots of motivation to play this.

Overall Rating: 9.1/10

Further Improvements:

• Two player mode!
• Difficulty settings
• Accelerometer controls

More screenshots on our Flickr Page.

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Our Rating: 7.3/10

[Screenshots]

Version Reviewed: 1.1
Developer: DigDog
Price As Of Review: $1.99
Current iTunes Rating: 3.5/5

SnakeGalaxy is a 3-D adaption of the classic game, Snake. You are a snake and the goal is to collect as many multi-coloured objects as possible before hitting another part of the snake or a structure found in the level. SnakeGalaxy has an outer space theme where each level is a planet that has an interesting theme. Each theme offers a challenge to the player that is creative and enjoyable. SnakeGalaxy has two ways to play: Quick Play and Missions. Quick Play offers a fast way to have fun and get a spot on the high score list. Mission mode has one common goal in each level: reach a predetermined score to unlock the next level (If you reach the preset score, you will get on the highscore list). Since, the only difference between Quick Play and Missions modes is that you unlock new planets in Missions, I rarely play QuickPlay, but it’s ideal for a fast game.

SnakeGalaxy is entertaining and amusing. Each level offers a new set of obstacles, a new snake design, and a different pattern on the terrain of the planet. Although this may seem like few differences between each level, they ensure an enjoyable and challenging experience. The graphics during gameplay are smooth and the controls are very simple to learn. SnakeGalaxy has many features that make a good app.

Although SnakeGalaxy has many enjoyable features, it can be quite frustrating at times. The on-screen keyboard that is used to register when the game is first opened and to register high scores is the worst on-screen keyboard I’ve ever seen. To select a letter, I had to press the letter multiple times. It became a nuisance to have to type out my full e-mail address this way. Another downside to SnakeGalaxy is the lack of levels and difficulty range. In mission mode there are only 6 levels. 5 of these levels are extremely easy. I beat the game in about 2 hours. If you’re looking for a game that will entertain for hours, this is not the game for you.

I was initially turned off of SnakeGalaxy due to my poor experience with the on-screen keyboard when I first used it. However once I got into the gameplay, I was impressed by the smooth graphics and I was addicted. SnakeGalaxy takes the classic snake game to a whole new level of challenges and fun.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 7/10 – SnakeGalaxy is very fun and addicting, but has a poor selection of levels.

Enjoyment: 8/10 – Quite enjoyable, other than the frustrating keyboard.

Graphics: 8/10 – Smooth and detailed, but main screen and keyboard could use some work.

Sound: 8.5/10 – Sound fits the space theme, but gets annoying quickly.

Technology: 6/10 – Only uses touch controls and keyboard/menu can use some fine tuning.

Replay Value: 6.5/10 – Six levels becomes boring after a while.

Final Rating: 7.3/10

Further Improvements: (Note to the developer!)

• More levels!
• Fix the keyboard!
• Increase the difficulty!

Thanks for reading,

-Mike

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Version Reviewed: 1.0.1
Developer: Balazs Faludi
Price as of Review: $1.99
Current iTunes Rating: 4.5/5

Numerus is exactly the app we need on the iPhone, it’s the best utility application I have ever used (and I use it almost every day).  Although the iPhone has a calculator it’s features are limited and even in landscape mode it doesn’t compare to a real scientific calculator.  Numerus can handle advanced equations and packs a large variety of features and functions in it’s small package.  The app allows you to save all your previous calculations as well as email them.  You can store variable data and call them in all the mathematical functions it provides (just look at the screenshots here).  It’s highly stable and the calculations are always correct, I haven’t found a flaw in any of the functions, and have never had a crashing issue or glitches.

The user interface performs just like a real calculator, and there’s plenty of room to view your calculation, not to mention a great advantage of Numerus’ view area is that you can compute large numbers (over 10 digits) with ease.  It provides a 2nd function button which unlocks a whole host of new abilities.  Unfortunately it cannot rotate into landscape mode, a lot of people I’ve demoed the app to have noted and disliked the lack of mulitple viewing angles.  Even if you’re not going to use advanced functions Numerus still beats the iPhone’s default calculator by far, it allows you do to long calculations with brackets, exponenents, and all standard operations (*/+-).

All in all Numerus is a great application to have on hand and should be on every student’s iPhone.  I won’t leave to school without it!

Final Ratings:

Usefulness: 9.6/10 – The perfect scientific calculator, a few more feautres like graphing and it could replace an entire set of non-iPhone mathematical tools.

User Interface: 8/10 – Flawless but unfortunately does not have a landscape mode!

Price: 8/10 – Absolutely cannot argue with the two dollar price, obviously beats a real scientific calculators cost too

Technology: 8.5/10 – I haven’t experienced a single glitch or mathematical flaw, again though, no landscape mode.

Execution of Concept: 9.8/10 – You couldn’t expect any more from the developer, it’s an absolute programming masterpiece

Overall Rating: 9.3/10 – Average is 8.8 but I’m giving a 0.5 bonus point!

Further Improvements:

• Landscape Mode
• Quick access feature allowing simple quick equations
• Expression/Equation simplyfing ability

More screenshots here

Other Reviews on Numerus for iPhone and iPod Touch:

• Numerus Review by Apple iPhone School

Why does iPhone App Reviewer link to other reviewing sites?  Because if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our review, then we encourage you to go elsewhere.  The point of iPhone App Reviewer is to give you an honest, open opinion of the application.

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Sheepstacker: I dare you to put this game away.

Version Reviewed: 1.1.1
Developer: Tiny Tim Games
Price as of Review: $1.99
Current iTunes Rating: 4/5

Ok, so this review’s tagline might be exaggerating a little, nonetheless Sheepstacker is a refreshing new game for the iPhone.  Sheepstacker’s gameplay is exactly what the title depicts, you must stack digital sheep until the cows come home (I promise that will be the only corny barnyard joke).  Sheepstacker comes with three different gameplay modes, achievements and a fully colourful user interface.  Although all along the same theme, the unique gameplay modes each provide a refreshing twist to the game.  Sheepstacker requires you to use precise timing to stack the sheep without them tipping over and/or falling off.  The game forces you to use touch and tilt controls and precise thinking.

As you play bonus points and multiplyers can be awarded for stacking the sheep more accuratly.  Not to mention, the farther you go the more achievements you receive!  The game can be quite addicting if you find it fun, some people I’ve demoed the app to don’t like the whole barnyard theme although the gameplay is still fun.

The game almost never crashes or glitches and you can clearly tell the developer put time into making the application.  Although the user interface is not quite modern, and the graphics look a little outdated, the navigation tactics are solid.  The high score menu has a bunch of different categories which can motivate you to play “just that little bit longer,” to see how good at the game you really are.

Although technically a 2D game all the graphics are rendered in 3D and are little edgy but are pleasent on the eyes.  This would be the perfect game for parents to entertain a small child, or even themselves!  It really speaks out to the pick up and play audience.  Plus the games very fitting sound effects do not interfere with your music.  Sheepstacker has a lite version so try it out, you won’t regret it.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 8.6/10 – Many gameplay modes, one solid theme.  Entertainment on the iPhone in an amazing form

Enjoyment: 8.6/10 – Pretty fun, almost everybody I demoed to thoroughly enjoyed it

Graphics: 7/10 – A little edgy but still good

Sound: 8.2/10 – Near perfect sound effects, does not interfere with iPod Music.

Technology: 8.5/10 – Uses almost everything, very stable game too

Replay Value: 7.5/10 – If you do get addicted, you’ll be hooked and cornered.

Overall Rating: 8.1/10

Recommended For:

• Small children
• Fans of Scoops, Sky Burger, and other tilt/stacking games (check out the master of stacking games, Ian Marsh)

Further Improvements: (Note to the developer)

• Just a tiny graphics improvement
• Online leaderboard
• More settings

More screenshots here

Other Reviews on Sheepstacker for iPhone and iPod Touch:

• Sheepstacker Review on App Beacon
• Sheepstacker Review on The Portable Gamer
• Sheepstacker Review on All About iPhone

Why does iPhone App Reviewer link to other reviewing sites?  Because if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our review, then we encourage you to go elsewhere.  The point of iPhone App Reviewer is to give you an honest, open opinion of the application.

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Math Mania: A simple game of simple math…

Version Reviewed: 1.0
Developer: Pumpkin Pulse
Price as of Review: $1.99
Current iTunes Rating: 2/5

Math Mania is a truncated version of apps like Brain Toot or Brain Age (Nintendo DS).  It requires you to think on your feet to answer very simple math problems repetitively.  This game is definitely geared towards children as the math problems are extremely easy and don’t go beyond your basic operations (+-/*).  Math Mania doesn’t hold much potential for future updates and the two dollar price tag seems a little steep.

In Math Mania your goal is to score as many points by choosing whether the equation presented to you is true or false.  Although the user interface is dull the game does not lag, glitch or even crash!  Unfortunately the equation generation is quite dumb, as you can continuously press the correct button and score a significant amount of points, clearly the generation is random and not dynamic.  The statistics feature is nice and gives a wide variety of information.  To make it a little more interesting the game has quite a few setting from game time to the different category operations.

All in all, this is quick app for parents wanting to entertain children in an educational fashion, as well as a quick study helper for a 10 year old’s math test!  If you’re a fan of apps like Brain Toot and fast thinking brain exercises, enjoy!

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 7.5/10 – The gameplay is quite simple, not much time was put into it though, that is quite clear.

Enjoyment: 5/10 – It can be quite a drone to play…

Graphics: 5/10 – A blue themed user interface that looks like it was drawn on an ancient computer

Sound: 6/10 – Some interesting sound effects, not annoying at all!

Technology: 6/10 – More could be implemented, good job on stability however

Replay Value: 4/10 – If you are using this to study it will probably only be for a few times, otherwise – not very addictive.

Overall Rating: 5.6/10

Further Improvements: (Note to the developer!)

• Harder mathematic equations
• New gameplay aspect to keep the user coming back
• Better user interface

More screenshots here

Other Reviews on Math Mania for the iPhone and iPod Touch:

• Math Mania Review on Apple iPhone School
• Math Mania Review on iPhone App Podcast

Why does iPhone App Reviewer link to other reviewing sites?  Because if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our review, then we encourage you to go elsewhere.  The point of iPhone App Reviewer is to give you an honest, open opinion of the application.

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Monospace: Fuel your iPhone addiction with multi-dimensional strategic fun

Monospace is a unique app never before seen in the app store. The 3D strategic experience is sure to give joy to any puzzle fan. The basic objective it to clear a 3D cube of all white mini cubes inside. To do this you must drag around a blue cube in between 3D and 2D environments. It might be a little confusing to begin with but the developers have made an awesome tutorial which will allow anybody to play. Now, saying that excluded the fact that this game can be extremely challenging with it’s four difficulty levels and 64 challenges to complete.

The developer has taken a creative idea and executed it into a sleek fun package.  Starting off fairly easy and quickly progressing to deep challenges Monospace is a perfect puzzle game for bright minds.  I’ll admit at first I had to force myself to play this app, but once I got on a roll this quickly became enjoyable and the 64 levels won’t go by fast (we could really use an undo button [grins]).  I can’t stress enough of the unique experience Monospace provides, you’re flipping around a 3D object and then zooming into 2D to solve the puzzle.  Some extra concepts like a timer, point system, etc… would be a nice touch.

Graphics could use a bit of improvement, can’t complain much some colour would be nice, maybe some background images and patterning.  Right now thing’s are looking kinda bleak and give a bad first impression.  User interface is fine, no complaints, works perfectly.  I haven’t come across any glitches, lagging, or crashing but I have heard of some mishaps going on, none that I’ve experienced.  Unfortunately, like many games, Monospace lacks many settings, in this case, any settings.  Talking about lacks, where’s the sound!?  No background music or sound effects!  iPod music is playable although it cuts it out at start.  You have to use the mini music player (double click home button).

All in all, if you’re looking for a never-before-done unique experience on your iPhone this is it.  Perfect for the puzzle and strategy lover.  I strongly recommend Monospace and $1.99 is perfectly priced.  Pick it up now

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 9/10 – Absolutely great concept, some elements could be added but it’s a perfect start

Enjoyment: 8/10 – As said above, I had to force myself into this game but once I got in, I didn’t want out.

Graphics: 6.5/10 – Needs more colour and some patterning + background images.  Add more for your eyes to enjoy!

Sound: 1/10 – iPod music is playable so it gets a point.  Other than that, no sound.  We’re excluding this from the overall rating to keep accuracy

Technology: 8/10 – Everything runs smoothly and this shows some nice capabilites of the iPhone

Replay Value: 9/10 – 64 levels and oh so challenging, this is hard to put down

Overall Rating: 8.1/10

+1 Bonus point – Yes, overall rating is the average rating but sometimes we feel the app deserves more, so we give a bonus point or two!  Final Rating: 9.1/10

Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)

• Background images
• Patterning
• More colours
• Sound!
• Settings
• More concepts (noted above, timers, etc…
• Keep up the good work =)

More screenshots here

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Cuorbs: Ninja speed colour matching

Cuorbs is another rendering intense game from indie developers Prixeon.  The game is amazingly simple and is similar to the popular free app Dactyl.  In Cuorbs you must quickly slide different coloured squares into their corresponding colour (two colours at one time, each one on a side).  The squares will continue to pop up at faster rates.  Eventually, they’ll turn red, if that happens, the game is over.  The only other way to end the game is to slide the square into the wrong colour.  Like I said, amazingly simple.

Although this game is difficult enough, difficulty levels would be a nice touch.  Since all the colours are changing and the sides swap this game will trick your mind and you need to think fast!  There’s so many features that could be implemented to make this game great.  Right now it’s pretty basic and definitely needs an update to attract users.  As for the user interface, it could use some elbow grease.  There’s no menu link to the high scores and it overall just looks hastily done.  In the game however, things look fantastic!  Touch controls are smooth and responsive.  There’s no glitches whatsoever in there.

So if you like modernized arcade games or fast paced thrillers like Dactyl or Frenzic, this game is for you.  Plus it’s priced at $0.99 which is fantastic.  Although until this game gets some more features we have to knock off a few points.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 6.5/10

Enjoyment: 8/10

Graphics: 8/10

Sound: 5/10

Technology: 6/10

Replay Value: 6/10

Overall Rating: 6.5/10

Further Improvements: (note to the developer *implementing some of these suggestions would rapidly increase rating)

• Access to high scores from main menu
• In game pause feature, with access to high scores, help, and main menu
• Colour blind support, add patterns
• Power-ups
• New concept (i.e. squares can move themselves into the edges, to avoid opposite colours touching, use tilt accelerometer controls)
• User interface touch up
• Global high scores
• Difficulty levels

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