Cut your way to victory

When the iPad was labeled as a media consumption device, it was meant as a derogatory description by the labelers. Over time users have developed and discovered a staggering number of non-consumption uses for Apple’s versatile tablet; I myself use it on a fairly regular basis for administration tasks from schedule creation to communication to document review and editing. I’ve patronized many vendors that have used iPads as transaction terminals, whether for convenience (as the case at a local farmer’s market) or cost savings and versatility in small independent stores.

Even with the proven business and work related uses of the iPad, I have to admit the original naysayers weren’t entirely wrong- the iPad excels in entertainment. Case in point: a new release from Romanian indie developers Catavani (represented by Bandello), Cut the Parachute: Enemy Invasion.

Like most good indie titles, Cut the Parachute: Enemy Invasion is an uncomplicated and straightforward affair. You man the last line of defense for your country against an unnamed invading force. Enemy planes patrol the skies, dropping soldiers and gear to overrun your position. Rather than waiting for them to land and finish the war, your task is to swipe the screen to cut the cords on their parachutes, causing them to plummet to the ground. Loot can be gained by allowing valuable gear and first aid kits to land safely, while game-ending death awaits if you cut the parachute of a slow-falling bomb causing it to detonate on impact instead of allowing it to land harmlessly. The loot you collect can be used to purchase various powerups such as cannons to make your task easier. 

The game was immediately reminiscent of Fruit Ninja due to the game interface, although the slashing is a bit more purposeful and rewarding that butchering produce. The gameplay is fluid and ramps up quickly from extremely easy to surprisingly challenging (should you attempt to salvage gear instead of slashing everything but bombs from the sky as I did on my first couple of test plays). The graphics and animation are a bit cartoonish, but it meshes well with the gameplay. While not in the category of iOS gaming titans like Batman: Arkham City Lockdown or Real Racing, this casual game managed to devour a good 20 minutes before I realized how much time had passed.

Cut the Parachute: Enemy Invasion is a solid game on it’s own, but the creators at Catavani have hinted at possible multi-level system expansion as well as other in-app purchases. The game is Game Center compatible available for all iOS devices via the iTunes App Store for just 99 Cents.

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iOS gaming for the (very) young

The good folks at Bandello brought news of a new app garnering praise at the recent Nordic Game Jam that, to be honest, falls outside my usual realm of focus. Bandello has offered a consistent mix of gaming, small (sometimes individual) developers, and pure innovation, so I always check out their latest and greatest. Their latest may be a game, but it’s unlike any other I’ve reviewed because of the target audience- the very young (5 and under) and their parents.

Jones – Change the World is the first iPad-specific game from Redgrim. The app is based off of the original Flash-based edition (available at Redgrim’s website). The game is at heart a simple puzzle; the player has to find the object that is different from a group of similar things while the Flavor Flav-esque Jones displays his breakdancing prowess. Bouncing birds, leaping gorillas, spinning cars, and so on are displayed in bright colors as the hero of the game Jones dances, offering encouragement each time the correct item is picked. As described by Bandello Jones – Change the World is “…an experiment in unprogressive gameplay…” focusing on bright colors, whimsical art, and an engaging soundtrack to keep the attention of your little one. Unlike most games, Jones doesn’t increase in complexity or difficulty as it progresses- a deal breaker for a mature player, but a necessity for the very young. Some pages may be harder than others due to the number of objects or minor differences, but the actual game mechanic remains constant. 

Most friends with children I’ve spoken to rely on movies to keep their children entertained during car rides (or whenever you may need them quiet and distracted), but I think that apps like Jones would be a great addition to your repertoire thanks to the added element of interactivity. A parent properly armed with video, interactive ebooks, and simple games like Jones – Change the World would be more than able to keep their prodigy from the grip of boredom when playing outside isn’t an option. The only criticism I could offer is that the game needs a simple animated cut scene to instruct the player how to play and to offer some sort of backstory or introduction to encourage engagement and longer-term interest.

The app is available now via the iTunes App Store for $2.99.

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A new year with Bandello

While looking over my backlogged App information, I came across some welcome news from one of my favorite sources Bandello. The indie game focused organization has a new game and some very promising news of broader horizons.

First, there’s EpiX (developed by Blinzy Studios). This little gem is a happy mix of retro gaming, clever use of your iOS device’s touchscreen, and the joys of indulging in (what is for some of us) obsessive behavior. Like most indie games EpiX is a simple one- your Viking helmeted hero stands alone against waves of marauding orcs, with only your sword and special powers between you and certain doom.

The gameplay has only one control: tapping the screen. Touch the orcs (represented in retro 8-bit glory as a pixellated head) to “kill” them as they approach you from all angles. What sounds ridiculously easy becomes rather difficult to manage as the waves become thicker and thicker, populated by tougher and faster orcs that can blend in with the terrain (making them difficult to pick out). When the orcs get too close they do damage, shrinking your life meter. Augmenting your trusty sword are a variety of power ups such as Heal, Shield, and Fireball (with self explanatory effects).

The pixellated sprites and primitive electronic soundtrack invoke more than a little old school gaming nostalgia, and the uncomplicated gameplay is surprisingly engaging. While the game is billed as an epic orc-slaying venture, I found it to be more akin to an old school gaming version of popping bubble wrap (and if you’ve never indulged in this obsessive past time, it offers far more satisfying enjoyment than words can convey).

Like many solid indie games, one of the best facets of EpiX is the price- FREE. It is advertising supported but the splash screen pitches for other games aren’t intrusive and are something I’ll gladly endure for a quality time waster.

Secondly, Bandello has announced the much-praised game Nihilumbra (from Beautifun Games) could be making the jump from iOS to PC and Mac thanks to Steam Greenlight, Steam’s community-based sounding board for possible new additions to the Steam Store. Games with sufficient support are greenlit for the store, and the page provides the game developers feedback from interested game players they may not normally have access to. If you haven’t played Nihilumbra give the page a look; they need support from gamers like you!

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Mac + XBox 360 controller= awesome

One of the complaints about Macs for some time was their lack of gaming cred- anyone that cared about PC gaming in the slightest knew that you had to be running Windows to be able to play any of the worthwhile games available, from the days of DOS until the advent of consoles powerful enough to provide a PC-like gaming experience. Macs were great for graphic design, music, and photography, but gamers need not apply. 

This changed with the release of Steam for OSX. While not every title is available for Macs, Steam still offers an unmatched level of service for gamers: one stop shopping for everything from the latest cutting edge shooter to the simplest casual games, rolled in with cloud access (get a new computer? No problem- install the Steam client and redownload your purchases!) and good support for social networking.

Shortly after Steam made the jump to Mac, the then newly-released OSX App Store got in on the action as well. While the App Store can’t match Steam’s frequent sales prices, it’s a great resource for Mac enthusiasts looking for a new game (and a growing number of games are Game Center compatible, matching Steam’s social networking features).

The only thing lacking for some gamers is in the user interface. While I’ve been long conditioned to the keyboard/mouse combination used by first person shooters (all the way back to the original Castle Wolfenstein and Redneck Rampage) a lot of game enthusiasts prefer to use a game controller. Windows users can easily plug in one of a horde of USB controllers and get to fragging,but  Mac users weren’t so flexible. Thankfully a recent article from The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) offers some hope for those of you that aren’t as dedicated to traditional controls as I am.

The post describes using what they argue is the best controller out there- the XBox 360 USB handset. Depending on what method of gaming you prefer, just plugging the USB controller in may be all you need do. The online streaming game service OnLive will apparently use the controller natively with no further software or drivers needed. While it wasn’t tested, they believe that Steam’s recent Big Picture mode (designed for those using a big screen TV as their display) would likely accept the XBox 360 controller just as OnLive does.

Sadly, for those playing games that don’t natively accept a controller the going might not be as easy. The article offers a link to a stable, free driver for the XBox 360 controller that will work with many games that support controller input, and other software to help should your game need keyboard input.

I’ll be sticking with my keyboard and ArcMouse for as long as Valve keeps me enthralled with first person perspective games like Half Life, Portal, and Left 4 Dead; but for those of you that want a more console-oriented experience without the console there are finally answers. Grab that game controller and fire up your favorite title- those zombies aren’t going to shoot themselves!

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A charming intergalactic puzzler

The big gaming companies in the world of iOS (Zygna, PopCap, Rovio, etc.) get tons of attention paid to each new offering in the iTunes App Store. I prefer to focus on the smaller independent gaming publishers; organizations that put out fantastic products that may fly under the radar due to the overwhelming number of apps available.

Digital Dreams Games is a perfect example of such an organization. The budding  indie game developer hasn’t been around long, but in their short existence the founding trio has been prolific, releasing a total of six games (two specifically for iOS devices). Considering that there are well over 700,000 active apps in the iTunes store (stat courtesy of 148apps.biz) such a small newcomer is very hard to spot, but their latest offering Cowbeam is worthy addition.

The oddly named game focuses on the story of Hank the alien’s amorous frustration. He’s found the love of his life in a cow from Earth, but is at a loss because he can’t win her heart with his otherworldly physique. The gameplay consists of finding lots of cows throughout the universe for him to research so he can devise the perfect bull body to win the affection of his crush.

Cowbeam is at heart a riddle-based puzzle game. Each solar system contains a cow, and you’re provided a limited number of choices to find it amongst the solar system’s planets. Each planet has a clue, such as the planet with the cow has craters or doesn’t have rings. Some planets have bonus stars as well- you’ll need to collect them to unlock later levels or additional planetary picks. Each planet’s cow is unique addition to your gallery patterned after it’s host planet.

While the concept is a simple one, the gameplay is engaging due to some very well done 3D graphics and excellent use of the touch interface. The player spins the planets of the solar system to bring the desired planet to the forefront, then spins the planet chosen to search for hidden icons signifying clues, stars, or the elusive cow. Should you find the cow Hank’s ship zooms in and beams it up. Run out of guesses and you’ll have to start all over again with a new set of clues waiting for you.

Cowbeam is charmingly engaging. While each solar system takes just a few minutes, the game isn’t quickly finished- it contains over 50 levels spread out over 9 galaxies, and the difficulty level ramps up appropriately as you go further into the game. Even though you may find your cow, you must also collect stars to unlock additional galaxies, and the stars have no clues to help you find them (although they do provide an additional pick, making your task a bit easier). The crowning jewel of the game is it’s artwork and animation; the cutscenes are as entertaining as most of what you’ll see on Cartoon Network lately, and the game’s overall artwork is outstanding.

Cowbeam was enjoyable to play for multiple reasons- my aforementioned affinity for indy developers, the whimsical plot and animation, but most importantly it’s a unique take on an simple idea. With dozens of imitators and ripoff games out there, games that actually offer something new are well worth my time.

Cowbeam is compatible with all iOS devices (although for iPhone users they recommend iPhone 4 or later; 3GS performance has been less than optimal) and is available now via the iTunes App Store for just $1.99.

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More Game Sale Madness

This in courtesy of TUAW (The unofficial Apple Weblog): more game sales! The aforementioned Steam sale is listed along with numerous others from Crescent Moon Games, EA, SNK, Ubisoft, and others. Many of the sales listed are for iOS devices, from free to 99 cents (including arcade favorite The King of Fighters).

Many of these sales will be ending soon, so if you’re in the mood for a new game or two act soon!

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More retro gaming on iOS? Yes, please!

Casual games were the first big wave of gaming on iOS; there were numerous simple but addictive apps that have made small indie developers a great deal of money. Angry Birds, Doodle Jump, and Fruit Ninja were huge hits. This explosion was soon matched by the second wave: more complex casual PC games like Plants Versus Zombies. Soon thereafter iOS gaming began to show an identity of its own with perennial complex hits like Infinity Blade.

During this cascade of gaming another, quieter movement was spawned by an April Fool’s Joke. The iCade may have been a prank, but consumer interest caught fire and it soon became a reality. This opened the door for one of my favorite categories: classic games. While some like MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, a software emulator allowing the user to run the software behind their favorite classic arcade games) were short lived, many more found life in iOS. Many of Atari’s hits have found their way back to the hearts of gamers via the Atari’s Greatest Hits app. Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, and Duke Nukem are just a sampling of the games revived by nostalgic iOS users.

For those that crave something even closer to your old school gaming days I have good news (courtesy of TUAW) in the form of a soon-to-be-funded Kickstarter campaign. The GameDock turns your iOS device into an old-school console game system, but unlike the iCade it goes the full Monty by making your device a defacto cartridge. The GameDock consists of a small docking station for your device with USB ports in front for classic rectangular Nintendo Entertainment System game pads and a video out on the back to connect to your TV.  Just drop your iOS device into the dock and enjoy some of your favorites all over again, and this time you can sit as close to the TV as you like. Those without a TV (or those that would rather not tie up their set) can opt to using the screen on your device instead via built-in Bluetooth connectivity. The GameDock is compatible with all iCade games or any other dock-ready game that supports two players and the GameDock’s 1080p video output.

The makers have upped the ante even further by including a dashboard function allowing you to change your game via the controller. Had I been able to do so with my childhood’s game console I might have lost the ability to walk altogether as I wasted away in gaming bliss. While I love the concept of the iCade, the GameDock is a welcome addition to the ranks of gaming accessories.

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Kickstarting Game Development

I’ve been a bit enamored with Kickstarter lately; while I had heard of it quite a while ago but only recently have I started perusing some of the campaigns that the site has hosted. There are many worthy projects; I’ve posted on a couple of the accessory-themed ones I’ve invested in: AirBudz, the passive sound enabling earbuds (still not yet fully funded), and Foco, an iPad sound-enhancing device that reached their funding goal and is currently in production.

Kickstarter isn’t just for hardware; I’d like to share yet another worthy project with you courtesy of SuperPunch: Lilly Looking Through. Lilly Looking Through is a game in development for every OS: Mac, Windows, and Linux. The game’s beautiful illustration and animation initially caught my eye; I love animation and the game has a classical Disney-esque feel. The heroine Lilly must be guided through a series of puzzles and challenges “…as she seeks to rewrite the past, change the present, and unlock the ultimate mystery. “

I spent a short while playing the free demo version and was immediately hooked. The musical score adds to the ambiance of the game, and the demo is very polished for a teaser. The mechanics of the game are similar to another favorite indie puzzle title, Machinarium. You guide Lilly and interact with the environment with your mouse (or trackpad); solving puzzles in order to progress further into the game. On the game’s initial screen you have to overcome obstacles in Lilly’s path both through direct interaction and by having her perform specific tasks. If you are having a hard time figuring out how to solve a puzzle or progress to the next task just click the help icon for a visual clue.

Games of this sort don’t fit neatly into any one category. It’s part strategy, part casual game, and a ton of indie charm. The Kickstarter donation levels start at very low contribution levels (just $10 will get you a digital download of the game, two high resolution desktop wallpapers, and regular updates on the status of the project should it be fully funded).

I think the reason I’ve become so enamored with projects like Lilly Looks Through is that Kickstarter has become such a great tool to bring innovation and creativity to life. Not that long ago projects such as this one would need to seek funding from family (if possible) or a loan (often difficult to obtain). Not only does your investment help someone bring their dream to market, it can net you a great deal on a unique product or service. Check out the embedded video and try the free Mac, Windows, or Linux demo; if you enjoyed it as much as I have please donate to their campaign.

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Show your love for Angry Birds Space

Even if you live under a rock you’ve likely heard of the record setting Angry Birds line of games available in the App Store. The first Angry Birds practically heralded the wave of casual games that put iPhone and iPod Touch gaming on the map, only to be duplicated with the release of the HD version for the iPad and the newer Angry Birds Seasons. Now Rovio is back with the latest and greatest rendition of everyone’s frantic fowl, Angry Birds Space. This newest version has been astoundingly

popular, rolling up 10 million download in the first three days!

For those of you that just can’t get enough of the adorable angry ones, you’re in luck! Our friends at MobileFun.co.UK have announced that they are the sole retailers as of this posting to carry the new Angry Birds Space-themed iPad and iPhone cases. Both cases snap on your i-Device easily, and have cutouts to accommodate all ports and controls. While not intended for maximum protection like the Otterbox lineup, these cases do offer good protection against bumps, scrapes, and scuffs accumulated from daily use. Several designs are available for the iPhone 4, 4S, iPad 2, and new (third generation) iPad. 

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