Archive for '$2'
Sheepstacker iPhone Game Review
Posted on 30. May, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
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 Although the user interface is not quite modern, and the graphics look a little outdated, the navigation tactics are solid.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 iPhone Game Review
Posted on 29. May, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
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:
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 iPhone Game Review
Posted on 04. Feb, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
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 iPhone Game Review
Posted on 22. Jan, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
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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Engio War iPhone Game Review
Posted on 22. Jan, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
Engio War: Colourful particle shooting fun
Engio War is an addictive tilt controlled 2D shooter with vibrant appealing colours. This app makes you feel like you’re in a huge particle demo simulation but it’s really entrancing. 
You take the role of an Arc Shooter fighting off various enemies with your constant stream of dark-matter bullets. Moving your Arc around with the accelerometer tilting controls, and braking by holding down on the screen. For an extra graphical effect, you can tap the screen to unleash a frenzy of particles (which do nothing but are well, cool!). Once you get far enough, whirlwinds of particles will appear and try to pull your bullets into it.
Simple, yes, but nonetheless challenging. The accelerometer controls are fairly good but could be smoothed out a bit. It would be nice to add a small touch controlled orientation change. Engio War is a diamond in the rough, a great start to something that with more features could be an amazing arcade game. Once you progress into the game whirlwinds will suck in particles and dark matter bullets, and new enemies will appear. Unfortunately there aren’t many enemies in the game and the enemies do not do anything except swarm you (why not have abilities and weapons). Nonetheless Prixeon (the developer of Engio War) claims the enemies have “Advanced AI.” 
They’re not kidding, the artificial intelligence is excellently done.
The app mostly lacks a user interface, a very bare-bones menu which is missing a menu link for high scores. In game pause screen won’t allow you to go back to the main menu, instructions, or high scores. If the app is interrupted by a phone call or exiting the app, the game doesn’t save so it won’t be there for you when you come back. If you press the top button on your iPhone to lock it, the game keeps playing. The graphics are decent, the particles and background really attract you into the game. Although, the game objects like your Arc Shooter and enemies graphics are mediocre.
To wrap up, if you’re into retro style arcade gaming this game is for you. Especially if Prixeon adds more features in their next update. If you like a casual game that wastes time in any length then this is also perfect. The game can be a challenge at the start but eventually you get pretty good so the game does lose some replay value. $3.99 is a bit steep for this app, unless they add some for features. $1.99 would better suit it. If you’re into this sort of game though, don’t let the price scare you away.
Overall Ratings:
Gameplay: 7.5/10
Enjoyment: 8.5/10
Graphics: 7.5/10
Sound: 5/10
Technology: 8.5/10
Replay Value: 8/10
Overall Rating: (note, for an accurate rating we have taken sound out of the average rating), 8/10
Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)
- Power-ups
- More enemies
- Graphics update on Arc Shooter and enemies
- Better user interface navigation
- Sound effects and/or background music
- Worldwide high scores
- Wi-fi two player
More screenshots here
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Jigsaw Wild iPhone Game Review
Posted on 20. Jan, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
Jigsaw Wild: The wildest jigsaw fun in the app store.
To start, this is actually a review of two apps; Jigsaw WIld and Aqua Jigsaw. This is because they have the same interface and concepts just different jigsaw puzzles. 
They’re 50 to 100 puzzles in each app giving lots of value in a single app. You can also make a jigsaw automatically from your photo album. If you’re a jigsaw puzzle fan then I doubt you’ll get bored of this app. That isn’t to say there isn’t room for improvement (look at our ‘Further Improvements’ section).
As for a challenge though, the maximum amount of pieces in a puzzle is 24. The pieces are all in the correct orientation, there’s no rotating for an extra challenge. Despite the large amount of puzzles this app is a pretty bare-bones jigsaw puzzle app; it’s missing some extra features that would make it a truly amazing app. It’s missing some features that would save the user a lot of annoyance (just checkout our Further Improvements section at the bottom of the review).
The user interface is basic but it’s not like there’s much to put into a jigsaw puzzle app. It’s friendly enough and easy to navigate, all we need to ask for. Most of the pictures they have to solve are beautiful and high quality. Wrap up, if you’re looking for a simple jigsaw puzzle app with lots of puzzles and a fair price, look no further. If you’re not a fan of jigsaw puzzles, or want something heavy duty packed with features, stay away.
Final Ratings:
Gameplay: 6.5/10
Enjoyment: 6/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 8/10
Technology: 6.5/10
Replay Value: 7/10
Execution of Concept: 6/10
Overall Rating: 7/10
Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)
- Statistics – Quickest time it took to complete a puzzle
- Ability to split puzzle in more than 24 pieces
- Shake device to bring up menu
- Multi touch capability
- Button to bring up all puzzle pieces that are behind what you’ve constructed so far
- More shapes and sizes of pieces, all pieces currently are in simple uniform, i.e. needs more “randomness”
- Lower price to $0.99
More screenshots here
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