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- iCasual Video: Kuboku
- Air Penguin Review
- MagicPlan: An Augmented Reality App For Making Floor Plans With Your iPhone
- Soccer Stealers Reloaded Hits The iPad Pitch
- Race After 1977 Review
- World of Goo Released for the iPhone
- Fantastic New Twitter App Tweetbot from Tapbots Released
- Gold & Chocolate Review
- Chillingo Announces Spring Delights and Many Games Ahead
- Monster Blaster Review
- Death Rally Update Hits App Store
- BeatStudio Review
- 108 Minutes Flight Celebrates The Life of Yuri Gagarin
| Posted: 14 Apr 2011 02:32 PM PDT iCasual is a free audio podcast that we deliver to you! |
| Posted: 14 Apr 2011 01:05 PM PDT  Air Penguin ReviewBy Jennifer Allen on April 14th, 2011Our Rating:   :: LIGHT FUNiPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Air Penguin is a simple yet fun tilt based platformer
Developer: Gamevil Price: $0.99 Version Reviewed: 1.0 Device Reviewed On: iPhone 4 Graphics / Sound Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars Penguins can’t fly and I’m not convinced they can jump either but no one told Air Penguin this. In an effort to save his family from melting ice caps, off Air Penguin goes, leaping across various icy platforms as well as slipping and sliding along the snow, and even riding turtles. It makes for an enjoyable and simple experience too, easily worth the asking price.
As well as leaping around, various moments require you to slip and slide across the snow. Again tilt controls ensure this is simple but with an element of danger too thanks to various pits scattered around. Riding on the back of a turtle is similar but with the added problem of sharks that you must avoid. It mixes things up nicely though. Even when you’re frustrated by a stage, you’ll find yourself going back for more. Besides the 100 stages in Story Mode which will certainly keep players busy, there’s also the Survival Mode which can get rather demanding. There’s 39 achievements too via Game Center which are quite well designed and satisfying to achieve. Air Penguin is the perfect example of a quality casual game. It’s simple yet gives you reason to keep playing. Plus it’s fun to drop into for five minutes at a time or for much longer too. [ Air Penguin Review is a post from 148Apps ]  Air PenguinBuy Now: $0.99 Our Rating: Released: 2011-04-14 :: Category: Games :: LIGHT FUNRead Our Full Review >> Apps mentioned in this post: Air Penguin |
| MagicPlan: An Augmented Reality App For Making Floor Plans With Your iPhone Posted: 14 Apr 2011 11:30 AM PDT
While I recommend watching the tutorial videos the app provides to figure out how the app works and how you are supposed to use it, you basically are supposed to stand in the center of a room, and aim at the floor corners of a room, lining up the 3-dimensional corner lines with the actual corener lines. You go around the room, taking a picture of each corner, including door positions, until you get back to the first corner of the room. This creates a floor plan for the room, which you can then edit to correct any errors that may have popped up through the photography process. You do this for every room of your property until you’ve created a complete floor plan. There are plenty of options for a variety of rooms and specific door types to make as accurate a floor plan as possible. The app is free to download, and it gives you a watermarked JPG, PDF, or web published version of the floor plan when you’re done for free. For $4.99, you can remove the watermark, and can pay $9.99 to have the file hosted on the web for 6 months by Sensopia, so other people can view your floor plan directly on the web – this is useful for people who would want to show off a floor plan to potentially interested buyers. This app is a unique use of augmented reality to try and bring some definite utility to augmented reality apps, which have otherwise been used to enhance location-based searches, and for gaming. This could also potentially make an otherwise difficult task much simpler thanks to the advanced technology we can carry around in our pockets. Source: TUAW  [ MagicPlan: An Augmented Reality App For Making Floor Plans With Your iPhone is a post from 148Apps ] Apps mentioned in this post: MagicPlan |
| Soccer Stealers Reloaded Hits The iPad Pitch Posted: 14 Apr 2011 10:30 AM PDT
Just yesterday Gamegou, the developer of last year’s Soccer Stealers, announced that they would be bringing their extensive footie experience to the iPad with Soccer Stealers Reloaded. This is very promising news, especially given that the last entry in this franchise landed a solid review score over at our sister site, The Portable Gamer.
When you heap this on top of an already solid game, the question really becomes, why haven’t you downloaded it yet? Anyone who enjoys the fun of a day on the pitch will certainly find plenty to enjoy. Be sure to let us know what you think about it in the comments after you have taken it for a kick or two.  Soccer Stealers Reloaded HDiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad Buy Now: FREE Released: 2011-04-13 :: Category: Games / Sports [ Soccer Stealers Reloaded Hits The iPad Pitch is a post from 148Apps ] Apps mentioned in this post: Soccer Stealers, Soccer Stealers Reloaded HD |
| Posted: 14 Apr 2011 10:04 AM PDT  Race After 1977 ReviewBy Blake Grundman on April 14th, 2011Our Rating:  :: NOT A SMOOTH RIDEiPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Despite the game’s massive tracks and branching paths, nothing can replace the necessity of solid control.
Developer: Xpect Games Price: $4.99 Version: 1.0.0 App Reviewed on: iPhone 4 Graphics / Sound Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 2.56 out of 5 stars
If you are stepping behind the wheel of a game set in a post-apocalyptic setting, it is safe to assume that hardcore racing simulations should be the furthest from your mind. There is no better evidence of this than the game’s car models: they actually lack the ability to flip over. Vehicles will skid on their side for immense distances, be careened into by other race participants, or even slammed into concrete and otherwise solid embankments, only to have either the passenger or driver side doors remain in contact with the ground at all times.
In a racing game, imprecise controls alone can spell death, but luckily for Race After 1977, the game has some redeeming qualities. For example, many of the ten tracks contained in the game are massive and contain several branching paths, scattered throughout. Even if it has very little influence on the outcome of the race, the illusion of options makes each race feel more exciting. Another positive working in the game’s favor are the detailed environments, which not only appear expansive, but contain quite a bit of detail as well. Just be sure not to look too closely, because under a microscope these textures don’t quite hold up as nicely. To tie Race After 1977 up with a nice bow, it would be best described as an interesting setting for a racing game with a solid track collection that is unfortunately weighed down by poor execution on the part of physics and vehicular control. Given a little more time it could be something very special, but it could use a bit more engine work to have everything firing on all cylinders. [ Race After 1977 Review is a post from 148Apps ]  Race After 1977iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Buy Now: $4.99 Our Rating: Released: 2011-04-07 :: Category: Games / Racing :: NOT A SMOOTH RIDERead Our Full Review >> Apps mentioned in this post: Race After 1977 |
| World of Goo Released for the iPhone Posted: 14 Apr 2011 10:04 AM PDT One of my favorite games, World of Goo, has been released for the iPhone. It’s the king of physics puzzlers and now, it’s on the iPhone and iPod Touch. You may remember how excited I was when the iPad version was finally released. 2DBoy prioritized that version over the iPhone version, and the app really shines on the iPad. The iPad was the third platform I played through the game on, and the touch interactions really make the app shine. Those interactions are now on the iPhone and I can finally take the balls of goo with me! By the way — already bought the iPad version of World of Goo, no worries, there’s an update available now that makes it a Universal app and will now work on your iPhone or iPod Touch.   World of Goo HDiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad Buy Now: $4.99 Our Rating: Released: 2010-12-16 :: Category: Games / Family :: PERFECT FITRead Our Full Review >> [ World of Goo Released for the iPhone is a post from 148Apps ] Apps mentioned in this post: World of Goo, World of Goo HD |
| Fantastic New Twitter App Tweetbot from Tapbots Released Posted: 14 Apr 2011 09:30 AM PDT
In my few hours in testing it, I’m really impressed. While it’s not revolutionary, it does do just about everything right. I can already tell that it’s going to be my new client of choice. All the standard features are here, along with some interesting new interactions that speed up your use of Twitter. Tweetbot also has a new and interesting way to handle lists. By clicking on the Timeline header, you can select to view your main timeline or any of your lists or lists you subscribe to. So far my favorite feature is the way you get to the conversation view. Simply swipe to the right to pull up the conversation – it works quickly and easilyy. Tweetbot does not offer push notifications, but it does already integrate with the great Boxcar. If you’re looking for a new Twitter client, Tweetbot looks like a great option. We’ll have a full review soon.  Tweetbot - A Twitter Client with PersonalityBuy Now: $1.99 Released: 2011-04-13 :: Category: Social Networking [ Fantastic New Twitter App Tweetbot from Tapbots Released is a post from 148Apps ] Apps mentioned in this post: Tweetbot - A Twitter Client with Personality |
| Posted: 14 Apr 2011 09:04 AM PDT  Gold & Chocolate ReviewBy Blake Grundman on April 14th, 2011Our Rating: :: WHO IS HIDING?iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Never have shell games looked so neat.
Developer: Cocobic Price: $0.99 Version: 1.0 App Reviewed on: iPhone 4 Graphics / Sound Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars
If you were to simply analyze this title from, well, its title, you would assume that being of both gold and chocolate descent, most likely this would be a game that will appeal to women. Really, are there two items on this planet that they appreciate more? All vaguely sexist and ironic comments aside, the game’s name is actually referencing the color scheme that is used predominately throughout the game.
As the animated sprites pass through these bright streaks of light, their true form will be shown. If they are innocent their colors will be washed upon intersection. On the other hand, if the creature is more nefarious, its true form will be shown as an outline around its existing frame. Upon the skyline clearing of the interaction induced light extravaganza, players will have to pick out the imposters by pressing the sprite and dispatching them from the screen.
[ Gold & Chocolate Review is a post from 148Apps ]  Gold & ChocolateiPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Buy Now: $0.99 Our Rating: Released: 2011-04-04 :: Category: Games / Adventure :: WHO IS HIDING?Read Our Full Review >> Apps mentioned in this post: Gold & Chocolate |
| Chillingo Announces Spring Delights and Many Games Ahead Posted: 14 Apr 2011 08:30 AM PDT Gaming app behemoth Chillingo has just released details on their Spring lineup and it’s looking pretty strong for pretty much all tastes comprising of a mixture of casual and more complex concepts. There’s Spider Jack, a game that looks guaranteed to enthrall fans of Cut the Rope. You have to help Jack the hungry spider collect up all the flies in each level. The trailer looks like the perfect combination of cute cartoon graphics with pretty simple yet compelling gameplay. Continuing the simple yet fun theme, there’s Spoing that has a great looking indie style to it. This time round you have to guide little Spoing, a rather cute little black ball thing, levels while collecting gems and avoiding monsters. It’s looking rather simple in the trailer suggesting you direct the ball around by flinging him up trampolines, hopefully it’ll get a bit harder as the levels progress. The ability to create your own trampolines certainly has a lot of potential. D.A.R.K promises a mixture of science fiction horror survival RPG elements alongside 3D two stick shooting action. The trailer doesn’t appear to offer any in game footage but the premise certainly sounds intriguing. Screenshots certainly look atmospheric. A possible rival to Dead Space? Another cryptic title is that of Swords & Soldiers – an iOS conversion of the Wiiware and PC game of the same name. Only one image has been released so far and it makes the game look rather ‘busty’ offering some buxom blonde women in, er, knitted form. Chillingo promises 2D side scrolling strategy action so it’ll be interesting to see how Swords & Soldiers turns out. Vampire Rush looks a bit more obvious with Torchlight/Gauntlet style gameplay. As the trailer suggests, there’ll be plenty of hack n slashing fun to be had as well as some elements of tower defense too. Hopefully there’ll be plenty of looting to do too. Dream Track Nation offers slightly mental looking 2D racing action. Physics will play an important role here in order to leap through the numerous obstacles ahead and frantic racing seems to be the order of the day here. It’s also going to include a level designer which should promise some great creations amongst you and your friends. As always, check back here for the latest on all of these titles as we hear about them. While you wait though, take a look at the selection of screenshots below. [ Chillingo Announces Spring Delights and Many Games Ahead is a post from 148Apps ]  |
| Posted: 14 Apr 2011 08:04 AM PDT  Monster Blaster ReviewBy Jennifer Allen on April 14th, 2011Our Rating: :: PREDICTABLE FUNiPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Monster Blaster offers some pretty standard Tetris/Match Three style puzzle fun but the emphasis is on fun.
Developer: Touch Apps Price: $0.99 Version Reviewed: 1.0 Device Reviewed On: iPhone 4 Graphics / Sound Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 3.38 out of 5 stars Combining Tetris and the Match Three puzzler is certainly something that’s been done before. There’s a reason why it’s so frequently imitated, though: it’s a heck of a lot of fun. Monster Blaster is a pretty by the book puzzle game, but it’s one that adds its own dash of personality to things.
There are power ups to acquire, too, that aid you in your progress. For example, there’s a driller that once unleashed wipes out the row below it, a bomb that destroys everything around it as well as a freezing move and the imposing sounding ‘Monsternate’. It’s simple stuff but once appropriately combined can make for some great combo moves. Controls work simply enough with touch based controls throughout to rotate the blocks. Monster Blaster is a game you’ll have seen before but one that you’ll still reap some enjoyment from. A series of achievements encourage you to keep persevering as well as the ever satisfying global leaderboards. Don’t expect huge revolutionary moves here but do expect some pleasant fun that will pass the time nicely. [ Monster Blaster Review is a post from 148Apps ]  Monster BlasteriPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Buy Now: $0.99 Our Rating: Released: 2011-04-05 :: Category: Games / Arcade :: PREDICTABLE FUNRead Our Full Review >> Apps mentioned in this post: Monster Blaster |
| Death Rally Update Hits App Store Posted: 14 Apr 2011 07:30 AM PDT
From the onset, Remedy released Death Rally as a universal app, and has promised regular, free updates. It has since quickly climbed the app store charts, and the first update has just arrived short of two weeks. Along with bug fixes and other technical enhancements, version 1.1 includes:
Remedy has hinted at more updates to come very soon. Besides new tracks and cars, the addition of multiplayer has been promised (both local and online), as well as an appearance by a certain Mighty Eagle. The game originally shipped with 5 vehicle and 5 weapon types, all of which can be upgraded, as well as 5 core track types that are rotated and re-used throughout. For anyone interested in the original PC game, Remedy has issued a free, re-release of it that has been tailored to run on modern hardware. You can download it from the Remedy Entertainment website.  Death RallyUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Buy Now: $2.99 Released: 2011-03-31 :: Category: Games / Racing [ Death Rally Update Hits App Store is a post from 148Apps ] Apps mentioned in this post: Death Rally |
| Posted: 14 Apr 2011 07:04 AM PDT  BeatStudio ReviewBy Phillip Levin on April 14th, 2011Our Rating: :: MAKE YOUR OWN BEATSUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Play the drums on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.
Developer: Frontier Design Price: $2.99 Version Reviewed: 1.0 Device Reviewed On: iPhone iPhone Integration Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
When you boot up the app, you’ll encounter a screen featuring icons of different kinds of drums, symbols and other percussion instruments. You tap on an icon to trigger the sound effect of that instrument. While the main screen doesn’t show them all, there are 30 different variants of different percussion instruments. You’ll find everything from snare drums to bass drums to high hat symbols to ride symbols and everything in between. The number of instruments here is excellent and allows you to create genuinely impressive soundtracks. If you’re willing to invest the time, you can use BeatStudio as a potentially powerful tool to create your own music. The app features multi-track recording and editing, allowing you to layer different percussion sound effects over one another, eventually blending together your own music. But it won’t come easy. There is a bit of a learning curve to using the app’s full-screen editing screen. The app doesn’t really explain how it works too well, and you’ll have to use trial-by-error to figure out how to use the editing system successfully. The app also features a bunch of other useful options. For instance, you can import any song from your iPod library and BeatStudio will convert the song, allowing you to listen to a BeatStudio version of the song, showing you how to play it with its instruments. The feature is pretty cool, actually. BeatStudio offers instant fun for anyone with an interest in percussion. It’s easy enough to pick up and play that anyone can enjoy it. Simultaneously, there’s enough depth and options here that serious users can do quite a bit with it too. [ BeatStudio Review is a post from 148Apps ]  BeatStudioUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Buy Now: $2.99 Our Rating: Released: 2011-04-07 :: Category: Music :: MAKE YOUR OWN BEATSRead Our Full Review >> Apps mentioned in this post: BeatStudio |
| 108 Minutes Flight Celebrates The Life of Yuri Gagarin Posted: 14 Apr 2011 06:04 AM PDT It’s quite astonishing to think that it was 50 years ago, on April 12th 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to enter space. Thanks to that 108 minute flight, our perspective on the world changed in a way that people of this generation probably can’t fully comprehend. It’s a pivotal moment in history and rightfully deserves its place on the app store in the form of 108 Minutes Flight.
Even better, the app in question will be entirely free to download, making this surely an ummissable purchase for space and history fans. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the release of this app. [ 108 Minutes Flight Celebrates The Life of Yuri Gagarin is a post from 148Apps ]  |
The control system is entirely tilt based. Air Penguin jumps regularly so it’s a matter of tilting the iOS device appropriately so that he can leap onto the next platform. It takes a bit of practice to master but that’s where the challenge lies. Some of the platforms that Air Penguin needs to leap on aren’t very sturdy either with them quickly crumbling the moment you land. The trick is to work out the best route to get to the end of the level. Along the way there are numerous fish to collect too, both for your own satisfaction and also so that you can put them towards various special powers to aid your progress. 
Augmented reality apps are steadily increasing in complexity, letting users do more and more with the cameras in their devices. One such app is the new app MagicPlan, developed by Sensopia. What MagicPlan does is that it lets you create floor plans for homes simply by using your camera in your iPhone 4 or iPod touch 4th Generation. While the iPad 2 isn’t mentioned, the app would presumably work with it as its cameras are 720p, just as the other 2 devices, which is likely why the iPhone 3GS is not supported.
Despite being raised in the United States, I am an individual that has a healthy appreciation for the sport that the rest of the world calls “football.” As much as I much as I enjoy watching a bunch of grown men grope themselves on the gridiron every Saturday and Sunday, nothing can match the thrill of watching a well played match on the pitch. For this very reason virtually every type of of soccer game that has been released on the iOS has found permanent residence on my iOS devices, and it looks like I will need to make room for one more.
Easily the biggest improvement to the games doesn’t actually appear on screen, because it is the price tag, because now it is completely free. Even more remarkable is that despite the price drop, there are still more features included in the game. Here are some of the new things that are in store:
Do you remember the film Mad Max? Now imagine they designed a game that was devoid ofMel Gibson’s presence, but contained all of the grit a grime of a world that peaked in the year 1977. If Race After 1977′s fiction is to be believed, were civilization to come to a screeching halt forty plus years ago, mankind would break itself into nomadic tribes that compete against each other in vehicular racing for regional supremacy. Sure, it may sound like the script from a Need For Speed prequel starring Vin Diesel’s father, but maybe this arcade racer has a bit more going on under the hood than it initially appears.
Another sticking point are the weakly implemented controls. No matter which schema you chose to use, whether it be the digital steering wheel, analog left and right buttons, or device tilt, all will leave you wondering why everything feels so floaty. There is a lack of precision at every level that prevents the player from ever feeling completely in control of their car.
The latest, and could be greatest Twitter client app has hit the App Store. In development for many many months, Tweetbot from Tapbots is finally here.
Anyone who has ever seen a cliché television program or film attempting to portray urban life on the streets has most likely seen someone attempting to unwitting swindle observers using what has commonly been referred to as a shell game. Whether performed with actual shells and pebbles, or plastic cups and ping pong balls, the key of the game is to trick passersby into losing track of where a singular hidden item is located. While this always successfully bilks the masses on the tube, could this work as an actual game design? Gold & Chocolate aims to find out.
Set against the dark backdrop of a star speckled night sky, illuminated characters float and hop about, instantly grabbing the player’s attention. The trick is, and this is where the previously mentioned shell game comes in, because some of these seemingly harmless creatures are actually anything but. Upon tipping the iOS device, shooting stars and meteors will begin to flood across the night sky.
There are any number of different patterns that are used to confuse the players as to where the evil minion lies, many using misdirection tactics that heavily resemble an interactive shell game. Though the art style provides a certain aesthetic appeal, that still can’t disguise the fact that Gold & Chocolate provides ninety levels of very little variation in mechanics. This may be an amusing distraction while trying to wind down before bed, but don’t expect your interest to be sustained beyond a couple of sessions.
Like Tetris, a series of blocks gradually fall down the screen. The difference here is that they all comprise two blocks together rather than different shapes. Each of these blocks are then different colors with pictures of different monsters on them, which then have to be matched to each other to form four or more pieces. Other than that, it’s the typical sort of gameplay you’d expect from such a game. It is, however, enjoyable and fun. Each of the monsters add a quirky silliness to the affair, giving this title some much needed personality. 
Remedy Entertainment, best known for the Max Payne series of videogames and Alan Wake, recently unleashed Death Rally to the app store. Death Rally is a top-down, combat racing game, and is actually a remake of the company’s first title from 1996. It features a single-player career mode where you can earn money to upgrade vehicles and their accompanying weapons. The core goal is to win races by any means necessary, including wrecking your opponents. There are a few cameo appearances along the way by John Gore of Minigore fame, Barry Wheeler from Alan Wake, and videogame legend Duke Nukem himself, all as boss racers.
As someone who plays the drums, I find a percussion-based app like BeatStudio to be particularly entertaining and appealing. The app comes from Frontier Designer, who has also designed and released several other music-creation apps, including iShred, GuitarStudio and PianoStudio.
The app, soon to be released on the App store, promises biographies of Yuri Gagarin and Chief Designer Sergei Korolev, a diagram of the flight plan and a photo gallery. It also comes with a counter that displays how much time has passed since Gagarin’s flight and the ability to send old fashioned Soviet style holiday postcards dediated to the date in question.| You are subscribed to email updates from 148Apps - iPhone App Reviews, iPhone Game Reviews, and iPhone News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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