Archive for '7 Star Ratings'
iSoccer Backstreet iPhone Game App Review
Posted on 05. Sep, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
iSoccer Backstreet: Freestyle soccer on your iPhone/iPod Touch.
| 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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MusIQ iPhone Game App Review
Posted on 31. Aug, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
MusIQ: A fast paced addicting trivia twist!
| Our Rating: 7.5/10 | |
[Screenshots] |
Version Reviewed: 1.21
Developer: Wim Haanstra [iTunes Link]
Price as of Review: $0.99
Current iTunes Rating: 3/5
Size: 2.5MB
You’re going to need a large amount of music on your iPhone for this app. MusIQ is a trivia app that pulls music from your library and plays small segments of random songs. Your goal is to select the correct song corresponding the what’s playing, before the time runs out. The amount of time left also corresponds to the amount of points you’ll receive for choosing the correct song. Based on the round mode, an incorrect answer will either end the game or defect your points from rising. MusIQ has a local score board, and if logged on to the Open Feint system, a global high score board, and even achievements.
MusIQ is a highly enjoyable game to kill loads of time and can be very addicting. It’s unfortunately flawed by some serious stability problems and an annoyingly glitchy menu. The Open Feint integration is really cool, it allows you to send comments to friends and the developer, track high scores, and personal achievements. MusIQ has a bunch of achievements for you to strive for, some which can be quite challenging!
Overall MusIQ has a beautiful but glitchy interface, and amazingly addictive gameplay that the whole team at iPhone App Reviewer has enjoyed, we’re looking forward to anything else the developer comes out with. For only a buck, MusIQ is a great deal for any music lover. What’s next for MusIQ on our devices? Well we’re gonna sync hundreds of classic music pieces and have one frustrating challenge.
Final Ratings:
Gameplay: 8/10 – Simple but effective, an awesome concept.
Enjoyment: 8.6/10 – Really enjoyed this one.
Graphics: 7/10 – A very aesthetically appealing interface.
Sound: 8.2/10 – Plays your iPod music perfectly directly from the library (requires 3.0 firmware)
Technology: 6/10 – Due to all the stability problems and glitches I’d give it a 0 but the whole game’s concept is built on using some cool features of the 3.0 Firmware – and the Open Feint Support is cool.
Replay Value: 7.5/10 – Really addicting and even has personal achievements.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Further Improvements:
- New gameplay modes
- Multiplayer modes
- Fix glitches and stability
More screenshots of MusIQ on iPhone App Reviewer’s Flickr Page.
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Penetrator iPhone Game App Review
Posted on 30. Aug, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
Penetrator: iCopter get’s a strong competitor.
| Our Rating: 7.5/10 | |
[Screenshots] |
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Developer: Readdle [iTunes Link]
Price as of Review: $0.99 (On Sale)
Current iTunes Rating: 2.5/5
Size: 3.8MB
Penetrator is a flight obstacle avoidance game similar to the iPhone hit iCopter [iTunes Link]. The goal is to get as far through the tunnel as possible without hitting the boundaries of the tunnel or obstacles in between. To control your vehicle simply tap the screen to fly upwards (gravity pulls your plane down towards the boundaries). Along the way you’ll encounter many power ups that will benefit or destroy you. Penetrator contains three difficulty levels (two and three needing to be unlocked) so this app provides an addicting challenge.
The game itself is pretty small – there isn’t much to do, in fact without the addictive gameplay many would probably delete this application the day after purchasing. The app is extremely quick to load and gives you a great pick up and play paradigm. This allows you to just get right in the game, an since a game can take mere minutes – even seconds, fueling your addiction. To motivate you, there’s a local high score board – which unfortunately is 
only local, no online mode to compete against others. Given that this app has been created by the programming gods at Readdle, an online high score board should probably be implemented soon. No guarantees of course.
Penetrator’s graphics provide a perfect arcade style, it sets the theme for a ship going through some sort of tunnel. Everything is at the perfect resolution and is really detailed. Each level will provide a refreshing new background (was excited about the new stuff that came in Level 2 when I finally beat Level 1). There isn’t much sound in Penetrator, a few sound effects and no background music. You’re able to double tap the home button to play your own music without the app crashing so it’s still acceptable.
All in all, if you’re a fan of iCopter you’ll definitely like Penetrator for a refreshing new change that’s a little more challenging than the iCopter series. $0.99 is the perfect price but unfortunately this is only a sale selling point, I wouldn’t pay much more for it.
Final Ratings:
Gameplay: 8/10 – Short. Sweet. Awesome.
Enjoyment: 7/10 – Can’t complain – awesome pick up and play game.
Graphics: 8/10 – Sets a great theme.
Sound: 6/10 – Nothing annoying, unfortunately lacking.
Technology: 8.5/10 – No stability problems or glitches. Online scoreboard would be nice.
Replay Value: 7.6/10 – Fairly addicting.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Further Improvements:
- Online leaderboard
- More levels
- More power-ups
- New gameplay modes
More screenshots of Penetrator on iPhone App Reviewer’s Flickr Page.
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Swine Time iPhone Game App Review
Posted on 20. Aug, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
Swine Time: A reflex game, beautifully executed.
| Our Rating: 7.4/10 | |
[Screenshots] |
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Developer: Vito Technology Inc.
Price as of Review: $0.99
Current iTunes Rating: 5/5
Size: 4.4MB
Vito Technologies have brought another classic flash browser game to the iPhone. Neurologists have been fascinated with reflexes, reaction time, and the science behind it. This game doesn’t have any science, but is the perfect pick up and play style game, and is a humorous satire of recent events (swine flu, note, iPhone App Reviewer does not think swine flu is funny). The object of the game is to control a pig with your finger and use your reflex skillz to avoid the swine viruses.
It’s a classic avoid-the-dot addicting gameplay that’s been on Internet flash games for years. Unfortunately this style of game is limited in gameplay, and the developer didn’t add much. Mind you the theme is creative and the high score board packs an interesting new feature, you can watch recordings of other’s high score play sessions. The game’s stability is quite astounding (well, not much resources are needed for this game) and I haven’t found a single glitch.
All in all Swine Time is a greatly developed, poorly thought, but immensely addictive game. Definitely something one should pick up for an awesome pick up and play game.
Final Ratings:
Gameplay: 6/10 – Not much to it at all.
Enjoyment: 9.2/10 – …although highly enjoyable
Graphics: 8/10 – Can’t complain, there isn’t much to it.
Sound: 4/10 – The only sound effects are the ambulance retrieving your dead pig.
Technology: 8.8/10 – No stability issues, flawless touch control.
Replay Value: 8/10 – Really addicting however no monumental value
Overall Rating: 7.4/10
Further Improvements:
- Further develop gameplay
- Add missions
- More sound effects, background music
- Local leaderboard
- Additional game themes
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Snake Galaxy iPhone Game App Review
Posted on 18. Aug, 2009 by mike.
SnakeGalaxy: An amusing twist to the classic Snake game.
| 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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Soldier Ants iPhone Game App Review
Posted on 06. Aug, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.
Soldier Ants: A classic game turned mobile for your soon-to-be addicted mind.
Our Rating: 7.2/10 [Screenshots]
Version Reviewed: 1.2
Developer: Tiger Shark Games
Price as of Review: $0.99
Current iTunes Rating: 3.5/5
Soldier Ants is a concept that’s been done numerous times on Internet flash games; the concept will live on throughout gaming forever, probably. Soldier Ants is a 2D game where you face off against computer or human ant army opponents. Armed with several cartoon ants and a large variety of weapons you’ll go around the poorly rendered maps battling it out. Game modes are customizable allowing for probably about a week of gameplay before getting completely bored out of your mind.
The gameplay of Soldier Ants is what makes it outstanding as a game, and really, about the only thing that makes it worth buying. With tons of weapons ranging from close range to long range and explosive to subtle there is fun to be around here. Although the graphics aren’t much on the eyes, nothing beats torching your opponent to the ground with acid or a flamethrower. Gameplay is on a turn by turn basis – [here is when I'd normally say "Soldier Ants has a just-one-more-turn addiction to it" but I'm afraid it doesn't make the cut]. Between the weapon drops and explosions the map will dynamically change, similar to the sort of deteriorating map effect found in iShoot [iTunes Link].
Although the gameplay sounds nice, it’s bogged down by poor graphics, horribly inaccurate controls, and a deplorable amount of stability. One of your ants may be able to jetpack across the map but I’m afraid you won’t be able to. If you’re a fan of 2D platform team vs. team style games, you should check out Soldier Ants at a relatively fair price of $0.99. There’s a lite version available for free here [iTunes Link]. All in all, if you can get past the immense amount of severe annoyances, Soldier Ants does well for a quick pick up and play game. Otherwise, stay away.
Final Ratings:
Gameplay: 8.7/10 – Lots to the gameplay, variety of weapons.
Enjoyment: 6.5/10 – Needs a lot of improvements before I can seriously enjoy this game.
Graphics: 6.5/10 – Very colourful but the graphics look like they were done very lazily and on a much lower resolution then the iPhone’s 320×480
Sound: 8/10 – Nothing to complain about here.
Technology: 6/10 – No use of the accelerometer, touch controls are hella buggy.
Replay Value: 7/10 – Because of the many gameplay modes and customization per game this can be fun to come back to, but not for very long.
Overall Rating: 7.2/10 -
Further Improvements: (Note to the developer)
- Fix unresponsive touch controls
- Fix misc. glitches
- Wi-fi multiplayer mode
- Bring graphics up to the capability of the iPhone
- What about some accelerometer madness?
More screenshots here.
Other Reviews on Soldier Ants for iPhone and iPod Touch:
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