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Oh No! iPhone Game Review

Posted on 07. Feb, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.

Oh No: Stunning app that falls short on gameplay

Oh No! is a card game similar to Uno. The game is very easy to learn and play. There isn’t much strategy and it’s mostly luck which although can be enjoyable, gives the app a low score in gameplay. The object of Oh No is to discard all the cards in your hand (rules vary based on the few game types available in the app). You’ll face three computer opponents. Along the way they’re some special cards that have interesting effects on the game to make it more enjoyable. Unfortunately, you’re pretty much just tapping on a card from a selection of cards that are playable that round. Although bleak, it is somewhat enjoyable and is a great time killer.

I’d say the game could add concepts like difficulty levels of the AI (artificial intelligence) opponents and other stuff. Honestly though, unless you change the game entirely there’s not much you add. Not looking at the game itself, the concept was executed amazingly. It’s a very polished app with appealing graphics, sound effects, and user interface. If only we could fix the game… All the developer needs to do is add some strategy to the game rather then the end user just tapping on cards pretty much at random. If they could achieve a better concept of gameplay then I would recommend you all get this app immediately.

Back to graphics and user appeal, on opening the app and taking your first look, it looks like this is going to be a great experience. The animations and graphics are spectacular. Sound effects are quite good and iPod music is playable. The user interface is ok, just a pretty bare-bones menu. I must mention the tutorial as well, although the game is explained well, in this generation of mobile device gaming people don’t like reading instructions, how about a gameplay video explaining how to play? Would be a lot better (and memorable when playing) then text instructions.

All in all if you’re a card game junkie and are looking for a unique time killing experience on the iPhone with killer graphics then Oh No! is for you. Otherwise stay away until they add some more concept and depth to this game.

Final Ratings:

Gameplay: 5/10 – Honestly not much to it, just tapping away at random cards. Not much strategy at all.

Enjoyment: 8.5/10 – The game is quite enjoyable for a bit, the amount of appeal the app has with graphics and sound is enough to keep you wrapped around the weak gameplay.

Graphics: 9/10 – The graphics are excellent for a card game. Perfect theme for the style of the game.

Sound: 8/10 – Good, not annoying but not something you will want to constantly listen to.

Technology: 7.5/10 – The game isn’t laggy, no glitches, and I haven’t had a crash (remember to restart your device), touch controls are smooth.

Replay Value: 7.5/10 – Somewhat addicting, and a great time killer. The gameplay rating affects this rating though.

Overall Rating: 7.6/10

Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)

Add a new concept to the game
Add strategy!
Portrait and landscape viewing mode?

More screenshots here

Footnote: The same developer of Oh No! has a similar game, Crazy Eights, we decided not to review it as it is very close to Oh No!

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Pulsar iPhone Game Review

Posted on 06. Feb, 2009 by iPhone App Reviewer.

Pulsar: The most challenging “Simon says” game in the app store.

Pulsar is another Simon says like game where the objective is to use your memory to repeat what the computer shows you. May sound east but Pulsar will be the most challenging game you’ve ever played (at least it has been for me). Pulsar is unique in a way as games similar to this just use some low graphics colour picking. Pulsar has some excellently rendered graphics and not only has touch controls but you’ll have to remember which direction to swing your iPhone around in. Pulsar is probably the most advanced simon says game in the app store.

Pulsar is a well developed game but has some very annoying glitches, particularly with the accelerometer (motion/tilt) controls. Sometimes when you swipe down it thinks you’re going up. Other than those few accelerometer glitches (which need to be fixed!!) the game is very stable with no lag or crashing. The quest for beating your high score (or others on the global high score board) can be frustrating but entertaining. The challenge alone is enough to blow your mind.

Graphics are great but could use a touch up, they’re looking a bit rough write now, almost like they were from a high school student’s sketchbook. As for sound it let’s you play your iPod music and if it’s not playing at the time, Pulsar will go ahead with it’s own music. Not to mention the sound effects, they’re nicely done and very suiting for the app. As for user interface the presenting menu is perfect. It has a link to a YouTube gameplay video in the about page, the high scores are nicely organized and it’s easy to get right into the game. On your first time playing Pulsar it gives a good impression.

In closing, Pulsar is an amazing Simon says game and any fan of this style of quick thinking game should check it out. Hopefully the developer will release an update to fix some of the glitches. Beating the global high score would be a sensation making the $1.99 completely worth it. Just note Pulsar is very challenging and can be pretty frusturating. Some people like that sort of game though

Final Ratings:
Gameplay: 8/10 – Great job on adding two parts to the Simon says concept. What about multi-touch for even more challenge?

Enjoyment: 7/10 – I’ve never been a big fan of Simon says games, and if Pulsar wasn’t well executed it would probably get a 5 for enjoyment. Great app for Simon says fans though.

Graphics: 8/10 – Pretty good but could be improved.

Sound: 8/10 – Great! Brings that “Pulsing” feeling to the game.

Technology: 6/10 – The accelerometer glitch as noted above really needs to be taken care of. It can really affect the game.

Replay Value: 7/10 – Gets repetitive (obviously), no unlocks or powerups, nothing like that.

Overall Rating: 7.3/10

Further Improvements: (note to the developer!)

Fix the accelerometer glitch as noted above!
Multi-touch
Calibrate accelerometer at start
Power-ups, unlocks, etc…

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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Antimatter iPhone Game Review

Posted on 16. Dec, 2008 by iPhone App Reviewer.

Antimatter: A refreshing arcade game perfect for that extra ten minutes you always have

Pangea Software (makers of Enigmo) have brought us another fantastically developed game. Like Enigmo this game almost seems like a giant particle demo. Despite that observation this is a refreshing arcade game that unfortunately starts to get boring fast.

The object of the game is to turn all blue coloured floating lines to green. Being the ‘antimatter’ you must slide your finger around the screen directing the ‘antimatter’ into the lines. They’re a few power ups to help you along the way.

The graphics are rendered nicely and bring out the arcade style of the game. Controls are smooth but it helps to turn up the sensitivity in the settings. The user interface is simple and effective.