Stay ConnectedThe Touch of Gaming podcast is your source for iPad and iPhone gaming news, reviews and interviews! In each episode your hosts Lloyd Hannesson and Jared Schulz will bring you the latest in gaming on iOS.
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Hello and welcome to Touch of Gaming #241 recorded for the week of May 9, 2016
In this episode the lads discuss a few game updates that have hit and they also dig into the news…and there is a decent amount of it again this time around.
After that, it is time to discuss the games “we’ve been playing”.
Jared and Todd – War Tortoise (Free, iOS, Foursaken Media) –Jared took the lead on this review. This game is an interesting twist on a “clicker” crossed with a gallery shooter and it all comes together so nicely. There is a great deal of fun to be had as you command your stationary “war tortoise”, and your support units, in battle against wave after wave of mean-spirited animals and bugs. The game looks great, plays great, and has more depth to it than one might guess. Overall, both Jared and Todd highly recommend this game. Check it out!
Todd – Joan Mad Run (Free, iOS, Happymagenta) – This long-time-in-the-making, endless runner is a lot of fun and plays really well overall. The action is intense and there are lots of things you can upgrade and do as you run from left to right avoiding dangers and taking down bad buys. Todd highly recommends it although he is the first to admit that the game gets a bit too hectic for his aging reflexes.
Jared – Tropical Wars (Free, iOS/Android, Game Alliance) – Jared was hoping for something a bit different in this koala-themed strategy game but, as it turned out, it was basically another Clash of Clans game. That’s all well and good but Jared is played out on that style of game and he will be letting this one escape his iPad. It is not a bad game but there are better games out there. Try it if you have not tried Clash of Clans and enjoy the look/theme of this one a bit more.
Jared – Spellbinders (Free, iOS/Android, Kiloo) – another game in a genre that is filling up rapidly, Spellbinders is basically a MOBA on mobile…and it suffers quite a bit because of that fact. Why? Because Clash Royale came out a month ago and does pretty much everything better than Spellbinders. Jared recommends Clash Royale over Spellbinders. Take that for what you will (i.e. – trust him and play Clash Royale).
Todd – Inks. ($1.99, iOS, State of Play) – Another beautiful game from the creators of possibly the best looking iOS game ever…Lumino City…hit this week. It takes the mechanics of pinball, blends it with a very minimal look of simple pinball tables with a watercolor splashing paint effect, and wraps it all in a puzzle game. The idea is to use as few shots as possible to hit all of the color spots on the table so you can then progress to the next level. You get 72 levels for $1.99 and there are a couple of other level packs available. It makes a neat little puzzle game with some decent pinball mechanics and it is worth checking out for sure. Just don’t expect any sort of full-blown pinball game here. It is chiefly a puzzle game and the levels can be extremely quick once you master the way to clear them.
Jared – Pathfinder Adventure Card Game (Free, iOS/Android, Obsidian Entertainment) – Jared has been playing this game for a few weeks and he is really enjoying it. It is basically a simplified version of the Pathfinder tabletop RPG that plays out with a deck mechanic. There is a lot of meat to this game and a lot going on overall, so the learning curve is steep, but it is worth the effort if you like fantasy RPGs (particularly of the table top variety). There is a Season One purchase for $25 and Jared might buy it and let us know how it all plays out. Stayed tuned.
And that is the show.
Thanks for listening.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
Hi everyone.
In this episode we talk about some recent or soon to be arriving updates and games.
We then divert to talk about Todd’s issues with Game Center … namely; he cannot open the app anymore.
After a bit of other random chit chat (our Miitomo debate continues), we get into new games:
Todd – Yakin’ ($.99, iOS & Android, Two Fish One Chips) – This harkens back to the good ole days of “Summer Games”. It is an 8 bit (ish) take on kayaking with smooth controls and lots of challenge. Getting 3 stars on all of the levels is tough but there is a lot of fun to be had along the way. Recommended.
Jared – Core Worlds Digital ($5.99, iOS, Broken Myth Studios) – another board game to digital translation, this game unfortunately falls short in pretty much all categories. From poor AI to lots of little glitches to a boring and not very helpful tutorial, this game just does not cut it. Avoid it.
Todd – Kerohiro the Flag Bearer (Free, iOS and Android, Chan Chee Lek) – With froggy characters, goofy little RPG quests, and a “snake” like battle mechanic/play style, Todd had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, it all falls flat. The levels are slow, the energy system gets in the way, and the controls just don’t quite work. This one is not ready for prime time. It is free so you can try it for yourself but Todd is deleting the app.
Jared – Spellspire (Free, iOS, 10Ton Ltd.) – if you are itching for another word game mixed with an RPG, then this game is for you. It features a very fair free to play mechanic and a decent amount of challenge and fun. It can get a bit tough in points (boss stages; mostly) but it is a well put together game that is well worth a try. Recommended.
Todd – Astro Attack (Free, iOS, James Bowling) – think space invaders meets Galaga meets schmup…all tied together with a more than fair Crossy Road free to play mechanic. This game is good, endless runner (shooter) fun that has been keeping Todd entertained for a couple of weeks. It cries out for “just one more run”. A very solid title that could be improved a bit with in-game music and sound effects that change based on the skin/theme you are playing with at the time. Recommended.
Jared – Warbits ($2.99, iOS, Risky Lab, LLC) – we bury the lead once again and talk about the best game of the last 2 weeks at the end of the show rather than at the beginning. This turn based strategy game is HEAVILY inspired by the classic Advanced Wars series. This one offers a ton of polished gameplay with a decent; albeit short, single player campaign and an incredibly well done asynchronous multiplayer piece. Jared it really, really loving this and this game will be in his Top 10 of the year. Highly recommended.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
This is quite a long episode featuring quite a bit of info.
As usual, we start with lots of upcoming games and news talk and part of that involves a Miitomo battle royale.
We then move into games we didn’t play (spoilers…but it turns out one of us did…)
Finally we get to the meat of the podcast and focus on the many games we did play…
Jared: Motorsports Manager (Free on iOS & $.99 on Android, Christian West) – This game went free on iOS (and is $.99 on Android) so Jared grabbed it and started it and got sucked into a 2+ hour gaming session. Todd enjoys it too and you should check it out. A great blend of F1 style management sim with some top down racing elements all done with nice graphical flair. Recommended!
Jared: Disney Crossy Road (Free, iOS & Android, Disney/Hipster Whale) – Jared strikes again with his take on this Crossy Road spin-off/sequel. This time Disney characters are the focus. The gameplay is essentially the same as Crossy Road but with Disney characters and themes. There is a lot to love here and the different themes actually change up gameplay so they are worth checking out. If you are not completely tired of Crossy Road then check this one out.
Todd: Hammer Bomb (Free, iOS & Android, Crescent Moon) – This is a first person perspective dungeon crawler meets rogue-like meets a tiny bit of the feel of an endless runner. There is a ton to enjoy here from the music to the Voxel look to the responsiveness of the controls. There is character leveling and things to unlock/upgrade and the game is really fun overall. Worth checking out for sure.
Jared: Lost Portal ($2.99, iOS, Michael Camilli) – This is a very well done CCG that might need a bit more incubation to reach its full potential. Nevertheless, if you are looking for another game in the style of Magic the Gathering, this is one to look out for. Jared gives it a cautious recommendation and you might want to wait for an update because it does have a few kinks to work out. It shows a lot of promise; though.
Todd: Good Knight Story (Free, iOS, Turbo Chili) – a “draw a line to match pieces” style of Match 3 game, this offers monsters to battle, 6 different game pieces to use (4 represent elements, one for life, and one for shields), and some quests to complete. There is money to be earned, levels to be gained via XP, weapons and spells to be acquired, and upgrades to be applied. All in all, this is a very solid offering with charm, good looks, and very solid gameplay. Highly recommended.
Jared: Flail Rider (Free, iOS & Android, BulkyPix) – a retro looking endless runner, in this one you drive a car around a level populate with various structures. The car has a large “flail” (ball and chain) attached to the back of it. You need to avoid the structures with your car while letting the flail hit them. The problems lie in the randomness of the levels and the fact that very often you cannot avoid what you are trying to avoid because it essentially pops up out of nowhere. Jared did not like and neither did Todd. Steer clear.
Todd: Looty Dungeon (Free, iOS, Taco Illuminati) – This has a Crossy Road look, control mechanic, and monetization scheme, but it offers some nice differences like room-based levels, different characters with different abilities, attack and defense mechanics, quests to complete, traps, bosses, and more. It all seems promising but Todd had an extremely difficult time getting it to run properly…so he does not have enough time with the game to fully recommend it. Probably worth checking out but your mileage may vary.
Jared: Kingdom Hearts Unchained X (Chi) (Free, iOS & Android, Square Enix) – another free to play Square Enix game, this one looks to dethrone FF: Record Keeper as Jared’s go to free to play RPG game. He is digging it quite a bit so far and likes the look, feel, and gameplay mechanics of the game. He recommends you try it out and he will update us next time about how the free to play aspects of the game are going.
That does it for this week.
Enjoy!
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
Touch of Gaming #238. For the week of March 28, 2016
We talk about a few updates.
We talk about a lot of news…it was a good couple of weeks for news.
We talk about a few games we did not play.
We then get right down to games we did play:
Jared: Dictator 2: Evolution ($1.99, iOS and Android, Tigrido) – Jared spoke about this game although Todd tried it as well. It is a sequel to a well-regarded game and it features card battling elements, clicker elements, and resource management elements. It has some style to it but, overall, the elements just don’t work well – either on their own or combined as a whole. Both Jared and Todd say you should just “pass” on this game.
Todd: King Rabbit ($.99, iOS, Rare Sloth) – This is the sequel to 2015’s acclaimed game “Furdemption”. It is essentially a puzzle game with some light platforming elements. It has a nice look and feel and a decent ramp up in difficulty. Altogether, it makes for a very nice little package at a very reasonable price. Highly recommended.
Jared: Planar Conquest ($12.99, iOS and just released on Android, Wastelands Interactive) – This is a true, hardcore 4X game on mobile. There is a ton to enjoy and do in this game, the problem Jared had with it is that finding those things can be a challenge…there is a very steep learning curve. Coupled with the relatively steep price, this game comes recommended but with caveats. If you are willing to invest time and money, you can find something rewarding here. A cautious recommendation.
Todd: 7 Mages (Free to try, $6.99 for full unlock, iOS & Android, Napoleon Games) – This fantasy themed, 1st person perspective dungeon crawler teems with style and content. It reminds Todd a bit of The Legend of Grimrock coupled with The Quest. You control 1 mage (at first) and you move about dungeons solving puzzles and battling monsters. You eventually add more mages to the party, more to more varied locals, and you also add the element of “music”; which augments the characters/battles. It is a cool system overall and the free to try, pay to unlock the game is very fair. Give it a shot.
Jared: Love You to Bits ($3.99, iOS, Alike Studio) – Jared does not really enjoy point and click adventures. This one; however, suits him just fine. It is a very fun and “pleasant” game with plenty of interesting puzzle and just an overall feeling of “nice” about it. Some of the puzzle reach Rube Goldberg levels of cause and effect and that can be really rewarding. This one comes very highly recommended.
And that does it for this show. See you in 2 weeks!
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
ToG #237 for the Week of March 14, 2016
Jared: Clash Royale (Free, iOS & Android, Supercell) – Jared went in ready to really dislike this new game from Clash of Clans creators Supercell. Instead he found an extremely fair, easy to get into, and novel take on the MOBA genre. There are a lot of things to love about this game and a lot of things it does right, so you should go yourself a favor and check it out. Recommended!
Todd: Adventure to Fate: Quest to the Future ($2.99, iOS, Touchmint) – This is the 3rd game in the Adventure to Fate “series”. This one focuses on character progression through dungeon exploration and lots and lots of strategic little battles. The game can feel grindy and there is pretty much no story line here, but it can also be a nice little addition to the JRPG genre. It all depends what you are looking for. If you enjoy loot, leveling up, crafting and lots of battles, then this might be something for you. If you enjoy stat progression that you control (min/max-ing) and deep stories with lots of territories to explore, this game will leave you wanting. A cautious recommendation.
Jared: Fishing Break (Free, iOS & Android, Roofdog Games) – The latest game from Pocket Mines’ creator Roofdog Games, this game has you fishing. There is a lot to do here but it all feels a bit forced and not so lovingly crafted as their prior games. The free to play elements are also a bit steep and it does not always feel fair. This one will not be staying on Jared’s device.
Todd: Ice-Bound Concordance (app)/Compendium (physical book) (Free & $25.00, iOS app & Book, Aaron Reed and Jacob Garbe) – this is something completely different. The app is a game where you help a “simulacrum” (i.e. – a digital representation) of a dead author try to finish off a novel he was working on but never finished. That novel is called “Ice-Bound”. As you delve deeper into piecing together the story, a mystery about the author begins to appear. You are then asked to add in an actual physical book to the mix and use it, and augmented reality, to uncover even more things. It is extremely compelling and a totally different experience on mobile. It is interesting and has a ton of replay value. Even with the steep price tag, Todd recommends this game/book. At the very least, try out the app to get a feel for things. You cannot complete the game without the book but it will give you a bit of an idea of things to come.
Jared: Glass Road ($4.99 on iOS, $4.54 on Android, Smart and Smarty) – Jared is bound by ToG Contract to discuss all board game to mobile adaptations. As such, he took this game for a spin. The board game is one of his top 20% of games but this adaptation is a bit lacking. It looks nice enough and it plays well enough but the tutorial is not good and the app does not always really tell you why things are happening the way they are. If you already know and enjoy the game, this will make a nice addition to your library. If you have never played, you might want to keep an eye on this to see how the update it/tweak it.
Todd: Legacy Quest (Free, iOS, Nexon) – Todd just started this free-to-play Action RPG. You start with 3 characters and you can pick any one of them to battle through dungeons while defeating monstors and getting loot. There are a ton of things to unlock and upgrade and that makes it feel a bit grindy and tiresome. The gameplay is good and the action is frantic, but it will take more time for the ToG crew to reach a verdict on this one. For now; go ahead and try it out if you are interested in ARPG/loot games.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
This is ToG #236. Recorded for the week of Feb. 29, 2014. Happy Leap Day!
In this episode we announce some big news regarding the format of the podcast and how it is going to evolve moving forward. We then talk game updates, news, and mention a few of the bigger game releases that we did not try this week.
Finally we go into the games we played:
Todd: Snowboarding – The Fourth Phase (Free, iOS & Android, Red Bull) – This is a very serviceable snowboarding games that focuses on short levels and uses a nice cel-shading style to represent the sport. It has decent free to play mechanics and provides a few hours of nice gameplay…but there is little incentive to keep pushing on as the game is pretty much a one trick pony and it eventually gets stale. Worth checking out, though.
Jared: iSlash Heroes (Free, iOS & Android, Duello) – This is a throwback to the gameplay style of the classic game Qix. Use swipes to cut off parts of the play field while avoiding and isolating the enemies. Jared really enjoyed it for what it is and he recommends you check it out.
Todd (and Jared): I Keep Having This Dream ($1.99, iOS, FireFlame Games) – the last game from Dungeon Raid dev, this one has you sort of creating your own path through a dungeon as you place various tiles in an effort to progress to the exit. It has some awesome ideas but the levels are a bit long, the upgrades a bit few and far between, and the learning curve a bit obtuse…making it not quite the game it should be. Todd likes it more than Jared but this is still probably one to watch first and buy later.
Jared: Super Tribes (Free, iOS, Midjiwan AB) – a surprisingly nice little Civ style game, this one came out of nowhere, offers some nice style and substance, and has an extremely fair free to play model. It is well worth checking out for some quick little “conquer the kingdom/world” gameplay that distills what Civ did very nicely into a mobile friendly game length. Recommend.
Todd: Futurama: Game of Drones (Free, iOS & Android, Wooga) – This is a Match 4 game that offers a ton of levels, decent free to play mechanics, a nice look, and an under-utilized Futurama License. Oh…the characters and locations are all there, but they are not fleshed out at all and things just fall flat on that side of the equation. If you are a fan of the show, this will leave you wanting and it probably won’t be your cup of tea. If you like the Match 3 genre, this is a game worth grabbing.
Jared: Patchwork The Game ($2.99, iOS & Android, Digidiced) – A very nice adaptation of a fun little board game focusing on quilting (sort of). This is how to convert a physical game to mobile and Jared has really been enjoying it so far. Grab it and challenge him to a game!
And that is that. Our next show will be March 14th.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
Or email us at: tog@rezd.tv
In this quick and efficient episode, Todd and Jared talk gaming news, some updates to games, “out now on Android”, and a bunch of news.
We then touch upon a couple of the bigger games we did not try this week.
Then we get into the games we did play…
Todd – Fantasy Mage ($2.99, iOS, Illogical Games) – this game might look a bit like iOS classic Solomon’s Keep, but it does not play that way. The controls are not great, the graphics stutter, the menus are a bit obtuse and plain, and the overall feel of the game is “not quite ready for prime time”. There are elements of the game that could be good, but they need a lot of work if they ever want to get there. Hold off on grabbing this one…it is not recommended.
Jared: Forbidden Desert ($6.99, iOS, Button Mash Games Inc.) – Jared enjoyed this take on one of his favorite board games, but he found it to be a bit too “by the books”. It does not leverage what the iPad can add to the adaptation of the board game and it becomes more like the exact visualization of the board game put onto digital form. That is not a bad thing, but it could have been better. The game itself is great and it plays out just fine here, but it is a bit of a toss-up as to which version to get…physical or digital.
Todd – Tennis Champs Returns (Free, iOS, Uprising Games) – This is an iOS port of a classic Amiga game from 20+ years ago. It starts you off with a quick character creation and then walks you through some tutorials. Almost immediately you can feel the subtle greatness of this game, and especially its controls. They are nuanced and offer finesse that you would not expect from touch controls. And the tennis matches are very fun because of it. There is a learning curve here but it is approachable and everything just gels nicely. Todd highly recommends you check this out. It is certainly the best tennis game on mobile and one of the best sports games too.
Jared – Momoka ($6.99, iOS, Felwig Games) – Jared liked, but did not love, this platformer. There are nice things going on here and the look/feel of the game is wonderful, but it suffers from a very poor map and that makes poking around the world needlessly tedious. At $6.99, this is a wait and see type of game. Patches could make this great or a price reduction could make it feel like a better value. Hold off for now.
Todd – The Swords ($2.99, iOS, Lee-Kuo Chen – A Ride Into the Mountains) – this niche game has a classical calligraphy look and a zen like feel as the player uses various swipes to control the brush-stroke “sword” in the game. It plays a bit akin to Fruit Ninja, but it is more varied in what you need to do in each level and you receive no “score”…the goal is to simply finish each stage successfully and to move on in the story. It is very atmospheric and it plays well, but it is short and some of the levels can be a bit frustrating. Todd thinks it is worth checking out, though, and it could be worth a purchase if you like what you see.
And that does it for another week of ToG.
Check us out on Twitter…
The show is: @TofG
Jared is: @TheQuacko
Todd is: @toddias
This was a big week with a lot to talk about.
First we talk about some upcoming games, some game updates, and some swell iOS games that are now out on Android.
Then we talk about a few big games we did not try this week (hint: RPGs)
Then we talk about some new games.
Jared – Kung Fu Panda Battle of Destiny (Free, iOS, Ludia). Have you heard of Collectible Card Games (CCGs)? Have you heard of Hearthstone? Have you head of Kung Fun Panda? Well, this game is essentially a CCG that “borrows” most of Hearthstone’s format/play style and puts it in a wrapper of the Kung Fu Panda IP. And, you know what…it actually works. Jared enjoyed the game and recommends it to anyone interested in the genre/IP…especially kids. Try it and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Todd: _Prism ($2.99. iOS, Clint Slu) – this is an atmospheric (like what I did that…”sphere”…) puzzle game that focuses on great touch mechanics, a nice futuristic graphical style, fun puzzles, and an interesting Zen-like sense of exploration. Todd is really digging the game and he enjoys that fact that it is challenging but it does not break his brain. Recommended.
Jared – Star Chindy ($2.99 on iOS, $3.34 Android, MASTGames) – This Sci-fi tactile game mixes FTL like space battles with XCOM like top-down turn based strategy elements. And while it is not as good as either of those games, it does actually play pretty well. There are a few kinks (I am looking at you, “reload” mechanic), but the game has a lot of potential. Jared recommends you do a bit more digging into this one to see how it might fare for you.
Todd – Shadow Blade: Reload ($4.99, iOS & Android, Crescent Moon Games) – Todd played and enjoyed, for the most part, this side scrolling platformer. The game plays and looks great, but there are a few quirks with things like MFI support (a bit wonky), controller overlays (not moveable), and some levels that require trial by dying in order to find the right path through. Todd also revisited the first game and enjoyed that…perhaps even a bit more. For now, he recommends holding off on this one to see if the release an update to tweak the issues and improve the game. If you like what you see, the first one is well worth revisiting.
Jared – Harvest Moon Seeds of Memory ($9.99, iOS, Natsume Inc.) – the cute farming simulator meets character interaction game finally makes its way to mobile…and it does so with a nice looking and fully fleshed out release. Not free to play in any way, this is a full Harvest Moon game. If you have never played one before, Jared gives a nice little run-down and this might be a title for you. If you have played one before, this one does not offer a whole lot that is new. Worth checking out but your overall mileage may vary.
Todd – Tomb of the Mask – Endless Arcade (Free, iOS, Happymagenta) – old school graphics with frantic swipe controlled gameplay help push this level-based endless runner into the forefront of games this week. It has great gameplay and really tempts you with that one more run feel. There are upgrades and continues and level ups…which all add to the hooks. Overall, this is certainly one to try and see where it takes you.
Jared – The Greedy Cave ($.99, iOS, AvalonGames) – This game looks a lot like Don’t Starve but it plays a lot (and we mean A LOT) like Enchanted Cave 2. It is a dungeon delving rogue-like with enough hooks to keep you coming back for me. Todd loved Enchanted Cave 2 so he might check this one out. Jared did not play EC2, but he really likes this one a lot. Recommended for rogue-like fans out there.
It is that time of the ToG month…game of the month for January.
Todd’s pick was Dungelot: Shattered Lands ($3.99, iOS, Red Winter). Fun game. Good times.
Jared’s pick was….you guessed it….Crashlands (act surprised): ($4.99, iOS & Android, Butterscotch Shenanigans)
After our game of the month talks, go into a fair bit of gaming news and game updates. Lots going on this week with those things.
We then slide into our mentions of a few of the “bigger” games that we did not play this week.
And then it is new game time…and we cover all the bases this week.
Jared starts off with some board game to digital game goodness in the form of Tsuro ($3.99, iOS, Thunderbox Entertainment). The board game version is a favorite in his household and the digital game looks to follow suit. Well designed. Well implemented. Just plain ole’ fun. It actually adds some “house/advanced” rules to the gameplay and is the better for it. Highly recommended.
Todd starts out with Splash Cars (Free, iOS & Android, Craneballs) – this is a very enjoyable little game. Micro Machines meets Splatoon…drive your car around and “paint” the grayscale world as you go. Todd digs the gameplay and the challenge but is a bit down on the energy system (batteries) that remains even if you play to get rid of ads. Overall it is recommended. Try it.
Jared Avengers Academy (Free, iOS and Android, TinyCo, Inc.) – Thinks Simpsons tapped out in the Marvel Universe and you begin to get the picture…only what you picture is probably a lot more fun than what this steaming pile of gaming turd ends up being. This game is simply not good and not fun. Avoid it.
Todd – All is Lost (Free, iOS, Foursaken Media). This is a very cool, very atmospheric, and very challenging level based endless runner. Guide your crew members, one at a time, through your failing space station and get them to safety. Swipe controls work well and things get hectic in a hurry…so be prepared. Well worth trying out and this is a nice shot of “different” in the endless runner genre. Oh, and the free to play is minimal and you can buy your way out of ads for $.99. Definitely recommended.
Jared Blacksmith Lab (Free, iOS and Android, GamesButler) – this is an interesting little clicker meets light economic sim (think of selling turnips in Animal Crossing and you get the idea). It looks and plays just fine and is good for a little mindless fun now and then. It is worth a try for sure; although Jared is not sure how much longer he will be playing it as so many other games are clamoring for his attention currently.
Todd Space Grunts ($3.99, iOS & Android, Orange Pixel) – Todd thought this would be a turn-based/action RPG (ish) game but it turned out to be more of a rogue-like with some RPG elements. Overall, it is a nice little game and has some fun elements (like ranged attacks), but there are a few quirks currently holding it back. One is the D Pad…it is just way too huge and a bit ungainly. There is also the graphical style of the game…which is a bit too “Orange Pixel” (aka – muddy) for its own good. Todd recommends keeping this one on your watch list and seeing what they do to support/update it. Not bad but could be a bit better. Jared likes it a bit more than Todd but still recommends a wait and see attitude.
Jared’s last game was Ninja Boy Adventures ($1.99, iOS, The Clash Soft). This game is essentially classic Bomberman for iOS…and that is a good thing. Fun, puzzle gameplay coupled with nice, clean graphics and great MFI support make this game a lot of fun. If you are craving some old school Bomberman action, then this is for you. Check it out!
And that is that. We crammed in a lot this week and had fun doing it.
In this episode, Todd and Jared talk news and game updates.
It only takes Jared 10 minutes to bring up Crashlands. Not bad.
We recap a few games we talked about last week…
Todd is still enjoying Dungelot: Shattered Lands.
Jared has faded a bit on Pirate Power and that game’s Free to Play mechanics have caught up with him; causing him to be a lot less glowing in his thoughts on the game. Proceed with it at your own risk.
We then talked about new games we played.
Todd talked about 4 games…none of which was truly terrible but none of which really did anything new or had interesting hooks. Hence…they were not really worth grabbing.
Jared played Cartoon Wars 3 (Gamevil, Free, iOS and Android). He was hoping for more than this game delivered and he was underwhelmed by much of it; chiefly its Free to Play mechanics. Not recommended.
Jared and Todd both played Baseball Highlights 2045 ($5.99, iOS and Android, Peter Kossits). This is a very interesting and surprisingly deep strategy board/card game. It has a lot to offer and could prove a worthy addition to ones gaming library. It was truly a bit of a surprise and it has a ton of potential, but it does need to add a bit to the gameplay mechanics and the overall depth of the game (things like online multiplayer and some card expansions would go a long way). Definitely worth checking out.
And that is about that. It was a bit of a light week on the app stores this week so we did not review a ton of games.
Take care and enjoy,
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