Tuesday, March 1, 2011

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148Apps Main


Crowdbeacon Tells You What To Do

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:30 PM PST

The ultimate dream of any social utility is to allow users to ask a useful question about their surroundings and then to have someone or something answer with the perfect answer. If I want to know what the best Mexican restaurant around me is, I should be able to pop in and have it definitively answered. There are many apps that do variations of this, but none have it down pat. The first contender is Foursquare, the mega check in service that turns your whole life into a game. Foursquare is great because it gives you the ability to see where others have checked it, thus giving you a general gauge of popularity. There are no reviews though, so people often go to Yelp to get a more useful guide. The problem with Yelp is that it isn’t current. Ask it what the best new Mexican restaurant is and it won’t know what to do. Even worse, if you want to find a good show on any given night, you’re SOL. I could go on and on with examples, but there really isn’t a perfect service out there yet.

Enter Crowdbeacon. Crowdbeacon is a social utility that lets you ask the questions that you want to ask. Let’s say that you pop in and ask for the best drink special in town. With Crowdbeacon, a real person will answer your question with a real answer, or at least that’s the goal. The backbone of Crowdbeacon, as with any social app, is the user. What Crowdbeacon does is allow you to become an expert in any given field. If you are the definitive expert on cheap local dining, all questions concerning the subject will be sent to you. The more relevant and useful your answer, the higher your answer ranking will be. Once everyone in the world is using the service, every question that is asked will be answered so fast your head will spin.

The obvious concern here is that if nobody in your town is using Crowdbeacon, your questions will just go unanswered. To battle this, Crowbeacon will automatically send unanswered questions information from related searches on Yelp, Foursquare, and Wishpond, with Google Places, Twitter, CitySearch and Facebook coming in the near future. Obviously, the goal is to have every question answered by people though, so it is up to you, dear reader, to make this happen. Be sure to download Crowdbeacon today.



Crowdbeacon


iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: FREE
Released: 2010-12-17 :: Category: Social Networking

[ Crowdbeacon Tells You What To Do is a post from 148Apps ]

Apps mentioned in this post: Crowdbeacon

Guitar World Lick of the Day

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 12:04 PM PST

Guitar World Lick of the Day

By Jason Fanguy on February 28th, 2011
Our Rating: ★★★★½ :: GUITAR GOLD
Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Guitar World Lick of the Day is an instructional application which teaches its users new guitar licks to expand their skills and repertoire. Based on its comprehensive feature-set, it’s obvious Agile Partners and Guitar World Magazine put their heart and soul into creating a quality, affordable resource for musicians of all skill levels, which can be used over and and again to build and refine those coveted skills displayed by the pros featured within it.

 

Developer: Agile Partners Technologies, LLC
Price: FREE
Version Reviewed: 1.0.1

iPhone Integration Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

As a guitar-player/entusiast for over 20 years, if asked what my favorite or most popular guitar magazine is, I, and 99% of my fellow players/enthusiasts, will undoubtedly (after giving an irresistible, incredulous look) refer you to Guitar World Magazine. For over 30 years, Guitar World has been the premier guitar-playing periodical of choice for most, if not all, musicians, guitar enthusiasts and hobbyists, providing unrivaled, quality content that shreds the pages of its competition. That said, it came as no surprise when I learned Guitar World teamed up with Agile Partners to bring its music-loving masses an iDevice app they could use to improve their playing skills and technique.

Guitar World Lick of the Day is an instructional application which teaches its users new guitar licks to expand their skills and repertoire. When first using the app, it was quite obvious its creators put their heart and soul into creating a quality resource for musicians of all skill levels, which could be used over and and again to build and refine those coveted skills displayed by the pros featured within it.

The app’s interface is very straightforward and easy to use/understand. The main screen consists of a collection/list of licks, from which users can choose and interact with. Tapping a selection brings users to the lick’s intro-screen, which displays the instructor, a comprehensive explanation of the lick and guidelines on playing it, the lick’s tuning key and Video/Notation buttons, which are located at the bottom of the screen.

Tapping the Video button opens the lick’s instructional video, while the Notation button provides users with an overview of the lick in tabulature format.

Both modes contain a comprehensive feature-set, allowing users to control lick/video playback speed, count, looping, metronome settings and display modes, such as tab/standard notation and left or right-hand orientation.

These features, combined with a comprehensive set of built-in help features, such as a glossary of guitar-related terms, tutorials on reading music/tab notation and the app’s FAQ, give users complete control over their chosen lick’s playback, while providing an instructional atmosphere custom-tailored to fit their needs.

Those who decide to use the app on a routine basis are provided with three different levels of subscription: $4.99 for 1 month, $12.99 for 3 months (a $2 dollars savings if purchased in lieu of 1 month three consecutive times) and $19.99 for 6 months (a $10 dollars savings when purchased instead of 6 1-month purchases). Considering what you get for the price, this app is totally worth its asking prices.

Overall, this app is pure guitar gold. Regardless of your playing-level, Guitar World Lick of the Day evens your playing field, providing access to quality tools and resources that would normally cost hundreds of dollars, at a minimum, in instructor fees. Whether you’re looking to build on your existing skills or learn new ones, you can’t go wrong with this app. It absolutely shreds.

[ Guitar World Lick of the Day is a post from 148Apps ]


Guitar World Lick of the Day


Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: FREE
Our Rating: ★★★★½ :: GUITAR GOLD
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2010-11-15 :: Category: Music

Apps mentioned in this post: Guitar World Lick of the Day

Mel B Helps With The Battle of The Bulge

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 11:30 AM PST

It is amusing how the introduction of motion based controls on video game console have opened the floodgates that had apparently been holding back a huge number of celebrity-endorsed fitness games.  One such celebrity looking to get in on the craze is Mel B, of Spice Girls fame. Sure, she has a solo singing career and Dancing With The Stars to add to her resume in recent years, but who knew she was such a fitness guru?  Her debut fitness game, Get Fit with MelB is now available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, with a recent addition to the software suite landing on iOS.

The Get Fit with MelB app is not a stand-alone fitness tool, but rather, a tool to keep track of your personal eating and exercise behaviors while away from the console version of the game.  Some of the headlining features include:

  • Update your Dietary Diary: remember what you eat during breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack; it's an essential tool for keeping under control your diet!
  • Full Body Tracking: keep an eye on your training results thanks to a user friendly graphics; you choose what body's part has to be monitored, the main indicators like body mass index, %fat mass, Waist to Hip Ratio
  • Thanks to your iPhone, after each training (in your gym, on the beach or at the park) you can update your observations saving the results of your efforts! Your data will be saved on your profile and if you are at home you can check through web and print it!
  • Look at MelB exclusive recipe book: breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snack … an useful source of “slim” recipes always with you, to be consulted in each moment of your day

This looks like just what a person would need to help keep themselves honest, day in and day out.  Unfortunately, the only way that you will see much of a benefit will be if you actually own the console game and have an online account.  If nothing else you might get some interesting recopies out of the deal.  Give it a download and let us know in the comments below if it is everything you hoped it would be.


Get Fit with MelB


iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: $2.99
Released: 2011-02-08 :: Category: Healthcare & Fitness / Educational

[ Mel B Helps With The Battle of The Bulge is a post from 148Apps ]

Apps mentioned in this post: Get Fit with MelB

3D Twist and Match Review

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 11:04 AM PST

3D Twist and Match Review

By Phillip Levin on February 28th, 2011
Our Rating: ★★★☆☆ :: SPATIAL
Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Not a bad game, but this one seriously lacks lasting appeal.

 

Developer: Bulkypix
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.1
Device Reviewed On: iPhone

Graphics / Sound Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

There are some game concepts that are interesting, but just don’t have the lasting appeal to remain entertaining for long. Sadly, 3D Twist and Match is one of those titles.

The game challenges you to rotate 3D objects and match their silhouettes. There are over 200 different objects in the game – you’ll encounter everything from power tools to scooters to cupcakes. There’s a ton of variety to the objects, spread out across 10 different themes, including Christmas, Halloween, food, music and more.

The app also features three different modes. In Classic mode, your goal is to get the highest score within the set time limit. Each time you successfully match an object, you score points and more time. In Rush mode, you have a limited amount of time to match each object and must complete as many as you can. Lastly, there’s Practice mode, which allows you to choose a theme and object of your choice and practice manipulating it without any time limit.

The issue I take with 3D Twist and Match is that the process of manipulating the objects isn’t in itself particularly fun. You swipe the screen to rotate the object left, right, up, down and so forth. The system works, but it’s not that entertaining, and you don’t feel all that satisfied after you match an object. And I often felt like I was taking some kind of test that measured my spatial thinking abilities rather than playing an app for enjoyment.

At the end of the day, there’s just not a lot to 3D Twist and Match to keep you entertained. Is it a horrible app? Hardly. But it doesn’t stand out in a sea full of great apps that deserve your attention.

[ 3D Twist and Match Review is a post from 148Apps ]


3D Twist and Match


Buy Now: $0.99
Our Rating: ★★★☆☆ :: SPATIAL
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2011-02-26 :: Category: Games

Apps mentioned in this post: 3D Twist and Match

Learn about Real Guitar Heroes With Met Guitars

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 10:30 AM PST

It’s probably safe to say that if I polled the readers of 148apps, there would be more owners of plastic guitars (Guitar Hero guitars) than real wooden ones, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t all pay homage to the craftsmanship that goes into guitar making. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is currently running a special exhibit (February 9 through July 4, 2011) that is celebrating the extreme guitar-making craftsmanship of Italian immigrants living in New York. Focusing on the work of John D’Angelico, James D’Aquisto, and John Monteleone, three of the most renowned lutheries in the world, Guitar Heroes takes you on a tour of amazing craftsmanship and wonderful performances.

In addition to the wonderful exhibit, the Met has released a solid iOS app that is meant to guide you on your tour, but doubles as a solid history lesson. The app takes you through the exhibit virtually, starting in Northern Italy, travelling with you from Naples to New York, and then highlighting the life and performances of the three aforementioned guitar heroes. The majority of the app comes in the form of full video of photo guided audio, but there is a bit to read for all you lovers of text. If you happen to be in the NY City area and are planning to visit the exhibit in person, there is also a keypad entry that will take you directly to information about what you are looking at. For the unorganized museum-goer, this feature is priceless.

Whether you have a guitar obsession or are just casually interested in the craftsmanship of a fine, hand made product, you should definitely pick up Met Guitars (it’s free!). Maybe, just maybe, the works of John D’Angelico or James D’Aquisto will convince you to pick up a real guitar to replace your plastic Guitar Hero rock fantasy. If so, the world will be a better place.


Met Guitars


iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: FREE
Released: 2011-02-05 :: Category: Education

[ Learn about Real Guitar Heroes With Met Guitars is a post from 148Apps ]

Apps mentioned in this post: Met Guitars

Missile Command Ultra Review

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 10:04 AM PST

Missile Command Ultra Review

By Derek Walter on February 28th, 2011
Our Rating: ★★★★½ :: RETROTASTIC
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Missile Command Ultra will delight retro gaming fans who grew up on the Atari system. Yet the super-easy game play will appeal to everyone.

 

Developer: Atari
Price: 0.99
Version: 2.6
Device Reviewed on: iPhone 4

Graphics / Sound Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4.31 out of 5 stars

Retro gaming fans can rejoice that Atari’s Missile Command has landed in the App Store. Despite its origins in the era of the joystick, Missile Command adapts well to the iPhone’s touch interface. Just like its predecesor, it offers appealing gameplay for both fans of the original or those who are checking it out for the first time.

The premise remains the same: protect a group of cities from the fast-falling bombs and alien ships threatening to destroy them. Tapping on screen fires a missile that explodes at the point of contact. However, keep an eye on your missile supply as running out means you are defenseless. The game ends if all the cities are destroyed, presenting you with an exploding Earth and a full-screen “THE END.”

The more you advance in the game, the faster the enemies come. Pretty soon it feels like you are just banging the iPhone’s screen repeatedly without reason. Yet to complicate matters the later rounds start you out with even less misiles, forcing you to be even more strategic with your targeting.

The key to Missile Command success is maximizing the impact of your missiles. When each one explodes, the range is wide enough to take out multiple bombs at once. So try and target a group when they are just appearing at the top of the screen.

There is a nice music option; either the retro Missile Command sounds or songs from your iPod library. Too few apps take advantage of the fact that most users have plenty of music on their iPhone or iPod touch they may want to listen to while playing.

Atari has brought over other classic games to the iOS platform. Along with Missile Command Ultra, retro gaming fans may also want to check out Centipede Ultra or Super Breakout Ultra. There is a menu screen that promotes these, however navigating out of it is tricky; tapping anywhere in this menu kicks you out of the game and sends you to the App Store. Swiping to the right, however, transfers you back to the Missile Command main menu.

Missile Command Ultra, however, is a clear winner with its touch-friendly, retro gaming. Support for Retina Display and fixing its minor bug are the only tweaks it needs for perfection.

[ Missile Command Ultra Review is a post from 148Apps ]


Missile Command Ultra


iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: $0.99
Our Rating: ★★★★½ :: RETROTASTIC
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2011-02-09 :: Category: Games / Action

Apps mentioned in this post: Missile Command Ultra

SRS iWow 3D Quick Look

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 09:30 AM PST

At Macworld this year, I got a chance to try out the new SRS iWow 3D. It’s an interesting little dongle that fits on your iPhone, iPad, or any iPod, including the touch, that has the 30 pin connector. When you connect it, plug in your headphones to it, and click the on button, it enhances the sound coming from your device in some interesting ways.

I have no idea what’s behind the magic that this little device does. What I do know is that it seems to enhance the sound impressively. The stereo separation seems much greater. The highs brighter, and the bass deeper. Works great with music, but the enhancement when playing videos was even more dramatic.

SRS has also created an iWow 3D app that lets you tailor the sound to your preferences. You can set the output for different devices such as headphone or speakers, and you can increase the treble and base to your preferences.

If the sound is important to you, it may be worth carrying around an extra piece to you. You can pre-order the SRS iWow 3D now from SRS directly.


SRS iWOW App


iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: FREE
Released: 2010-06-04 :: Category: Music

[ SRS iWow 3D Quick Look is a post from 148Apps ]

Apps mentioned in this post: SRS iWOW App

Minecraft World Explorer Review

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 09:04 AM PST

Minecraft World Explorer Review

By Chris Nitz on February 28th, 2011
Our Rating: ★★★½☆ :: WORLD BUILDING FUN
Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

If you like building worlds in you image, this just maybe the best game out there to let your mind run wild. However, this is not without its problems.

 

Developer: Robots and Pencils
Price: $2.99
Version: 1.5

App Reviewed on: iPad
Graphics / Sound Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
User Interface Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

Minecraft is one of those games that snuck up from nowhere and grabbed gamers’ attention in a hurry. The computer game has not even announced an official release date, yet it has sold over a million copies. This is mind boggling to many, yet exciting at the same time. Now this addictive game is starting to find its way onto iOS in the way of Minecraft World Explorer. This is a great idea that, sadly, is hampered by some poor execution.

If you have never laid eyes on the Minecraft world, it is a game that sparks your imagination. You have items like grass, sand, stone, snow, and other environmental building cubes. You use these items to construct a world however you see fit. The only limiting factor is your imagination and the amount of time you are willing to put into this endeavor.

Minecraft World Explorer takes this building mayhem and brings it to iOS. There are no exploding cucumbers or flammable skeletons here, like there is in the computer version. It is just you, an assortment of construction materials, and a wide open world. Keep in mind, the world you play in is completely randomly generated right on the iPad. If you don't like what you receive, just delete the world and try again. A nice touch is that even the underground caverns make an appearance in the iOS version.

Another nice touch is the ability to bring in your hard work from the computer version of Minecraft. There is an easy to read tutorial that will help you get your crazy world ported right into the iOS app. This is a huge help for those that want to work on their worlds while on the road.

All this fun does come with some rather large downfalls. First off, there are no monsters in this version. You won't fear spiders, creepers, or skeletons invading your world here. Another downfall is there is no item construction. You won't be building a workbench so you can craft bookcases, picks, or armor. This is a light version of the game that will allow you to build a world free from harm. Having no enemies to fight is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because you are free to build with no worries of death, yet a curse as it does take away a bit of the charm that is fearing sunset in the game.

Those who enjoy retro visuals will have a lot to enjoy here. Everything is constructed of pixilated cubes, and that includes the sun in the sky. Items like snow, sand, gravel, and grass blocks are clearly distinguishable. Issues like open skies randomly appearing in areas you are digging are common, but resolved by simply moving around. Overall, this game carries the same retro look and feel as its bigger, computer based, brother.

The biggest issue comes in the performance of the game. The randomly generated world is huge. Rendering this massive playground is rather taxing on the iPad. Players will need to enjoy an abundance of loading screens and stutters as rendering this expansive world chokes the iPad's processor. While the game never crashed, I was met with plenty of lag just trying to get around my world. These stutters make for a frustrating gaming experience at times.

Unless you are extremely addicted to Minecraft, it would be a good idea holding off on purchasing this app until the official Minecraft game is released on iOS. This way you can compare the two and make the best purchase possible. That said, this is still a fun app, despite the performance issues.

[ Minecraft World Explorer Review is a post from 148Apps ]


World Explorer - Made for MineCraft


Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: $2.99
Our Rating: ★★★½☆ :: WORLD BUILDING FUN
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2010-12-17 :: Category: Games / Role Playing

Apps mentioned in this post: World Explorer - Made for MineCraft

An Exoskeleton for Your iPhone 4 from Rokform

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 08:30 AM PST

At 148Apps, we made a decision years ago to not review iPhone cases. There are just too many different cases with too many subtle variations to even try to take an authoritative stab at it. When an exceptionally different case like this comes along, however, we have to take a look. And not, of course, an authoritative review.

The Rokbed from Rokform was sent to us to take a look at and I must say I’m impressed. It’s a pretty formidable looking two piece all aluminum device, you really can’t call it a case, that slides with a very close fit around your iPhone 4. It’s precision milled by a company that’s been making aftermarket racing parts for years. And the precision is impressive but that precision doesn’t come cheap.

I’ve been using this on my iPhone 4 for a little over a week now and I must say I’m really impressed. I originally thought it would add too much weight or bulk to the phone at over an ounce, but I got used to it almost instantly. It’s easy to grab with ridges and valleys in all the right places. None of the ports or buttons are covered, and it still fits perfectly in my iPhone dock (once I removed the tray). And most importantly the aluminum frame doesn’t touch any of the antennas so it shouldn’t interfere with the reception.

One concern might be the headphone jack. While the three sets of headphones that I tried all worked fine, headphones with a large jack might not fit past the ridges.

Overall, I love this “case,” though I think of it more as an exoskeleton. Sounds tougher and more manly that way. It works well and feels very satisfying in the hand. It is very much on the expensive side at $79, but it is also extremely unique and it certainly does catch the eye.

Full specs after the jump.

Rokbed Specifications from the manufacturer, Rokform:

Proper design and fit are crucial when making an all aluminum cover for the famed iPhone 4. Our Rokform designers and testing team spent months on every painstaking detail. Each cover is hand assembled and inspected to ensure a perfect fit then serial numbered as authentic one of a kind Rokform.

Specifications:
• All Aluminum construction made from 6061 T-6 anodized aluminum.
• CNC Machined from solid Billet for ultimate durability and precise fit.
• 6 sided protection defends iPhone 4 against shocks, drops and movement.
• Weighs 33.5 grams, just over an ounce.
• Balanced feel and easy access to all buttons, sim card, headphone jack
and charging slot.
• Zero grounding precise fit; metal does not touch any part of the antennae.
• Designed, manufactured and assembled in Orange County, California USA.

[ An Exoskeleton for Your iPhone 4 from Rokform is a post from 148Apps ]

TreeConnect Review

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 08:04 AM PST

TreeConnect Review

By Phillip Levin on February 28th, 2011
Our Rating: ★★★½☆ :: ADDICTIVE
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Simple but strangely entertaining.

 

Developer: TreeApps
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.1
Device Reviewed On: iPhone

Graphics / Sound Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 3.69 out of 5 stars

TreeConnect is one of those games that can instantly be enjoyed by nearly anyone.

The game, developed by TreeApps, tasks you with a simple but challenging goal: match the colors to connect the pieces as fast as you can. The game’s screen is split into two sections. On the bottom screen are your colored buttons. On the top screen is the chain of colored pieces. You must press the colored button that corresponds with the color of the target piece, and then it will be replaced by the next piece in line. The goal is to press the right color, but really the challenge is to do this as fast as you can, stringing together as many pieces as you can without pressing a wrong color. When the time runs out, the game tells you exactly how many colors you got in a row without error as well as how many errors you made in total.

You can choose to play with anywhere from two to five colors at once – the more colors, the more difficult. Furthermore, you can also choose how long you want each session to last – 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute or 3 minutes.

The awesome part about TreeConnect is how fast the game hooks you. I handed my iPhone to a friend and said, “Check this out.” Within seconds, he was smiling and saying how much he liked it. I tried this again with another friend, and the result was the same. This is truly one of those games that anyone can play and enjoy with little more investment than starting the app up.

There’s also a multiplayer mode here, which allows you to play with a friend via Bluetooth. Definitely a cool extra.

Although this isn’t a music game, it definitely involves rhythm. After all, you have to press the appropriate color at the right time, and doing so back-to-back creates this flow-like experience that can’t help but remind of games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero. That being the case, it would be cool to have more sound effect and soundtrack options to play to.

Interestingly, while TreeConnect delivers this almost instant kind of entertainment, the rush doesn’t last particularly long. There’s not much variety to the experience, and after a while, it dulls a little.

For a dollar, TreeConnect is a hard game to pass up. I definitely see myself whipping this one out next time I have a couple of minutes to kill. It’s fun, addictive and anyone can enjoy it. Check it out.

[ TreeConnect Review is a post from 148Apps ]


TreeConnect


iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: $2.99
Our Rating: ★★★½☆ :: ADDICTIVE
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2010-09-03 :: Category: Games / Puzzle

Apps mentioned in this post: TreeConnect

Pig&Chicks Review

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 07:04 AM PST

Pig&Chicks Review

By Phillip Levin on February 28th, 2011
Our Rating: ★★★½☆ :: CHALLENGING
Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

A sidescrolling adventure that only costs a buck — and it’s pretty good too.

 

Developer: Hocobi
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Device Reviewed On: iPhone

Graphics / Sound Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 3.63 out of 5 stars

When it comes to assessing an iOS app, I think that price point plays a particularly important role. This is especially true in comparison to reviews of other mediums, such as console games, films and Blu-ray movies. After all, there really is no standardization of price or expected price when it comes to iOS apps. As with all reviews, though, each experience must be evaluated independently and for its own strengths and weaknesses. But I believe that the cost of admission weighs particularly heavy in the process of critiquing iOS apps.

That’s why I’m so impressed with Pig&Chicks from Hocobi. The game is only a dollar, and yet you get a full-length adventure game.

The story involves a bunch of super-powered baby chicks who have escaped from a mad scientist’s lab. Like all good mad scientists, there are megalomaniac-like plans involving world domination. But these chicks won’t have any of it. They just want a peaceful existence. On their way to Dark City, they encounter a pig named Alfie who grew up outside of the city. The pig and the chicks decide to team up and head out.

You control both Alfie and the chicks are if they were one character. The game takes the form of a sidescroller, with Alfie constantly running forward. Using simple swipe controls, you swipe the screen to trigger Alfie to swing the chicks forward in a whipping-like motion. Since Alfie is always moving forward, all of the challenge comes from timing your swipes. Whenever an enemy comes on screen, you must perfectly time your swipe in that direction to hit the enemy and destroy it. The same is true when you come across obstacles, such as spiked gaps in a level. With a well-timed swipe, Alfie will throw the chicks towards the chasm and use them as a bridge. If you fail to swipe in time, Alfie will be damaged by the enemy or obstacles and lose health. If he loses enough health, it’s game over and the level starts from the beginning.

The game does a lot of things well. There are nearly 100 levels in Pig&Chicks, and they’re divided into 9 different theme worlds. There’s a healthy variety of themes here. You’ve got everything from forests to mines to snow. What’s more, the game keeps throwing plenty of new obstacles at you as you progress further into the adventure, keeping things entertaining along the way. It also does a solid job of becoming increasingly more challenging as it progresses.

That said, the title is far from perfect. While there are a ton of levels, many of them look so similar that you’ll feel like you’ve already played them before. Perhaps if there were fewer levels per world this wouldn’t be such a problem. Also the controls are simple in theory, but they do come with a bit of a learning curve. They’re tricky to get the hang of, and I imagine many players will chalk it up to poor game design and not give the game much of a chance. Lastly, the framerate is not smooth and when there’s a lot of action on screen, it dips often.

Pig&Chicks is still a fun, challenging iOS game. When you consider it’s only one dollar, you can’t help but feel you’re getting a pretty good bang for your buck.

[ Pig&Chicks Review is a post from 148Apps ]


Pig&Chicks


iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Buy Now: $0.99
Our Rating: ★★★½☆ :: CHALLENGING
Read Our Full Review >>
Released: 2011-02-03 :: Category: Games / Adventure

Apps mentioned in this post: Pig&Chicks

Igloo Games Arcade Gets 1.4 Update and Limited-time Price Drop

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 06:04 AM PST

Igloo Games contacted us recently to let us know that it has released a 1.4 version update to its popular Igloo Games Arcade, as well as temporarily dropped the price of the app.

The app consists of a collection of many of the developer’s other iOS releases, including Dizzy Bee, Dizzy Bee 2, Bed Bugs and Flippin’. All four games have a 4-star rating on the iTunes App store. We’ve also reviewed several of the apps and gave them very positive reviews as well.

In Dizzy Bee and Dizzy Be 2, you’re tasked with tilting the iPhone to save Dizzy Bee’s friends by leading them to safety. Bed Bugs, meanwhile, stars a sleepwalker who you must protect from beg bugs who attack him while he goes on his midnight stroll. Lastly, there is Flippin’, which the developer describes as an action puzzle game that combines aspects of both Tetris and Bejeweled.

The 1.4 version update includes a variety of additions. The studio has added Game Center Achievements to all four games – all together creating 64 different achievements. There is now Game Center Leaderboards support for Dizzy Bee, Dizzy Be 2 and Beg Bugs. And Bed Bugs now features a versatile scoring systems that scores combos and quick hits. What’s more, all four games now support retina display.

And for a limited time, the app is available for a dollar. Igloo Games Arcade usually sells for $2.99.


Igloo Games Arcade


Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Buy Now: $2.99
Released: 2010-04-01 :: Category: Games / Action

[ Igloo Games Arcade Gets 1.4 Update and Limited-time Price Drop is a post from 148Apps ]

Apps mentioned in this post: Igloo Games Arcade

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