The App Shelf for iPhone and iPod touch
Top Shelf Apps for week of May 15, 2012New apps added every Tuesday! |
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Reviews
Review: Ramp Champ - An Addictive Arcade Bowling App
Price: $1.99
App Store Link: Full / No Lite Version
Verdict: Love it!
Replay Value: Very High
Pros: Quick, simple, and fun with tons of prizes, achievements, and replay value.
Cons: Prizes could be more interactive.
Bottom Line: Ramp Champ might just be the best arcade bowling / ski ball app on the App Store.
There are have been many attempts to bring Arcade Bowling to the iPhone OS, and while some of the apps are quite a bit of fun, Ramp Champ definitely gets the gold medal. Instead of the traditional ski ball setup, Ramp Champ uses 4 different themed scenarios to keep the game fresh and interesting, with 4 more scenarios downloadable via in-app purchasing. Some of the themes involve clowns, ninjas, sharks, space-invaders, just to name a few. Each scenario also comes with it’s own unique set of achievements specific to that level.
To add in a little extra incentive, players earn tickets based on their score and can cash them in for various prizes. The prizes don’t’ do much, but they’re fun to collect on your prize shelf along with achievement trophies.
The controls are very fine-tuned—difficult enough to make earning achievements challenging, but accurate enough that your score still relies upon skill. The themes add an element of variety and fun to the game that similar apps are missing, and the prizes and achievements give you incentive to keep replaying and save up your tickets.
It’s hard too find many negatives about Ramp Champ. Personally, I think I’d like to see the developers do more with the prizes, such as adding sounds and animation to some. I also hope the developers continue to add new scenarios for in-app purchasing.
Overall, I think Ramp Champ has all the essential elements necessary to make it a winner. Fun gameplay, multiple scenarios, lots of rewards, downloadable content, and all with an easy pick up and play style. If you’ve ever been a fan of ski ball, you’ll probably enjoy Ramp Champ.
Wolfenstein Goes RPG
Price: $2.99
App Store Link: Full / No Lite Version
Verdict: Love it
Replay Value: High
Pros: Lots of gameplay; fun story; great graphics and controls.
Cons: Not a true first person shooter (though this does have its benefits).
Bottom Line: If you’re expecting the gameplay of this app to be very similar to Wolfenstein 3D Classic or expect tons of non-stop action, you might be let down, but if you can get yourself out of that mindset, Wolfenstein RPG is an exciting and enjoyable game.
Wolfenstein makes its second appearance on the iPhone OS in the form of Wolfenstein RPG—an interesting mix of first person shooter and turn-based RPG. Originally developed to accommodate the mobile phone platforms, which weren’t ideal for fast paced gameplay, Wolfenstein RPG’s transition to iPhone OS, where expectations are significantly higher, is surprisingly successful.
You play as Sergeant B.J. Balzkowicz, a captured Special Ops agent who has managed to escape from his cell in order to carry out his mission and survive long enough to escape the infamous Castle Wolfenstein. Throughout the game’s nine levels and supposed 8+ hours of gameplay, you’ll find yourself gathering intelligence, collecting lost treasure, and of course, gunning down Nazis.
Just like other first person shooters, you’ll have access to a large arsenal of weaponry, including your feet and fists. However, in addition to endless shootouts, you’ll also spend time reading documents and on-screen conversations with other characters. Thses elements help to create a much more in-depth story line than you’ll find in Wolf 3D Classic and similar FPS.
The biggest difference between Wolfenstien RPG and other FPSs is that the game is completely turn-based. The way this mechanic works is fairly simple. Any single action you take, whether it’s walking, shooting, using a health pack, and so on, counts as one game action. Once you take an action, all enemies around you take a single action before play returns to you. While this kind of gameplay might not be as fast-paced as typical FPSs, it still manages to get fairly intense, and outside of combat situations, you don’t notice the turn-based play since you’re the only one taking turns. Instead, all of your actions become consecutive.
The controls are well done. Movement is controlled with a translucent on-screen d-pad. The app’s menu system also makes good use of touch controls. You can use taps to scroll through weapons, or simply tap and hold to bring up a pop-up menu and make an instant selection. Tapping your health meter offers the option to use a health pack, and two side toggles allow quick access to the map and your inventory. The only real flaw with the control scheme is the tap-to-shoot system.
Tapping center screen fires your weapon. This same action also allows you to interact with objects if they’re usable, such as pushing walls to check for a secret passage. Unfortunately, this can lead to a lot of wasted ammo because if you’re unable to interact with such an object, your weapon fires instead. This is particularly bad if you like to meticulously search for secrets. Switching to a melee weapon before you begin searching can prevent the loss of ammo, however.
Wolf RPG graphics are much improved over Wolf 3D Classic. They are colorful, detailed and slightly cartoonish, which is perfect for the light-hearted tone of this app. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing these graphics reappear in a true Wolfenstein FPS.
All in all, Wolfenstein RPG is a very enjoyable app with plenty of action/adventure goodness packed inside a turn-based, candy shell. It might not be the same type of gunslingin’ fun you’re used to from FPSs, but it’s definitely hard to call this Nazi fighting, mutant bashing, zombie killing adventure boring. If you’re a fan of Wolfenstein or similar titles, and don’t mind trading a little bit of non-stop action for some extra storyline, Wolfenstein RPG is probably a safe bet.
Chillingo’s Inkvaders Arrives in the App Store
Price: $0.99
App Store Link: Full / No Lite Version
Verdict: Love it
Replay Value: High
Inkvaders is a highly polished Zombieville U.S.A.-like, side scrolling survival shooter. The game builds on many mechanics already in place for the genre. If you enjoyed Zombieville U.S.A. and wouldn’t mind playing a game that’s strikingly similar, download Inkvaders while it’s only 99¢.
Inkvaders by Chillingo is the latest side scrolling, survival shooter app to poach its concept and gameplay mechanics from the very successful, Zombieville U.S.A., but at least it did so with style. In fact, the two apps share such similar gameplay, controls, and weapon systems that odds are if you’re a fan of one, you’ll be a fan of the other.
Inkvaders’ side scrolling, shoot’em up action takes place against 3 different backdrops, the Moon, a military base, and a city street. Except this time, instead of killing zombies, soldiers, or mummies, you’ll be slaughtering alien invaders. The game offers three difficulty levels and two modes of play, Story and Endurance, neither of which offers much distinction over the other.
When it comes to gameplay, it’s almost impossible not to compare the game to Zombieville U.S.A., though I’ll try to avoid it the best I can. The controls are simple, almost NES-like in style. Your character, a lone astronaut, can move left or right on the screen and blast aliens with the attack button. Also, as long as your boost gauge isn’t depleted, your astronaut can make extended jumps to grab meteors (i.e. cash) and avoid aliens.
Players can collect additional various power-ups throughout the levels by tapping on them, such as ammo, health or boost. Every level also has a “Rush” power-up, which, if triggered, sends a horde of speedy, but easy-to-kill aliens your way. This is great for cash, but bad for ammo and health.
Players get the chance to manage their ammo and health and purchase weapon upgrades about twice per level by stopping at a vending machine. There are only three weapons to upgrade as opposed to Zombieville’s six (oops! No more Zombieville comparisons). All of Inkvaders’ weapons can be upgraded several times; in fact, I couldn’t find an end to the upgrades during my time with the app.
Unfortunately, the game has many of the same flaws as Zombieville U.S.A. (I can’t seem to stop the comparisons). There’s really only one enemy graphic, albeit sometimes garbed with different equipment. The levels can start to feel long and repetitive, and after a bit of time with the app, gameplay might start to feel boring or tedious.
Overall, Inkvaders is very well put together. The animations are unique and gory, the soundtrack is exciting, and gameplay is smooth and fun. It’s probably the second best app of its kind next to Zombieville U.S.A. (and in some ways, it’s even better). My biggest complaint about Inkvaders is that I feel like it didn’t realize its full potential. To me personally, the app seems like a clear attempt to improve upon the concepts of an already existing title, and while Inkvaders accomplishes this to some degree, I feel that with the level of professionalism displayed in its development, the app could have been so much more, such as one of the first unique side-scrolling platformers for the iPhone OS, right along side of Bounce On and Castle of Magic.
If you’ve played Zombieville and quickly tired of it, or if you find yourself thinking that “after you’ve played one of these games, you’ve played them all,” then Inkvaders probably isn’t the app for you. However, if you’re a huge fan of Zombieville U.S.A., Sparta, or Mummys Revenge and want a similar app with a new twist, I can highly recommend Inkvaders, especially at its introductory price of 99¢.
Video Review: The Price is [definitely] Right!
![Video Review: The Price is [definitely] Right!](http://media.theappshelf.com/app_icons/pricerighticn.png){kind=icon}
Price: $4.99
App Store Link: Full / No Lite Version
Verdict: Like it!
Replay Value: High
One of my greatest memories of staying home sick in grade school was watching The Price is Right. So, naturally, when I saw Ludia’s take on the popular daytime TV Show in the App Store, I had to “come on down(load)!” Check out the video review below and head past the break for the written review.
Note: As of right now, the game is on sale for $2.99 in the App Store! Go get it cheap while it lasts!
The App is strikingly similar to the game show. There are two modes that you can choose from to play: Classic Mode and Three-Strikes Mode. Classic Mode begins at Contestant’s Row for your first chance at a pricing game. You win by bidding the closest to the price of the item without going over. You get six chances to move out of Contestant’s Row or it’s game over.
The second part of classic mode can be any one of sixteen different pricing games, all of which should be very familiar to you if you’ve ever watched the show. Since there are so many, I won’t explain each one individually to you. Rather, the game actually does a great job of explaining them instead. Be advised; as with the real Price is Right, sometimes luck will do you more good than actual educated guessing on product prices.
The third part of the game is the Showcase Showdown. In this section, you’re goal is to get as close to $1.00 in two spins on the big wheel without going over. The wheel is separated into sections each labeled in $.05 increments. The game itself is fairly straightforward. Spin, and hope you don’t go over.
If you win the Showdown, you and another player (computer or otherwise) will advance to the fourth and final part of the game, the Showcase. In each Showcase, the players will be shown a loosely-themed set of prizes. Just like Contestant’s Row, you’ll want to bid the closest to the actual retail price of the items without going over. Unlike Contestant’s Row, the difference between your Showcase bid and the retail price must be lower than your opponent’s. There is the added bonus that if you bid within $250 of your Showcase, you’ll win both Showcases.
Three-Strikes Mode plays similarly to Classic Mode with a few differences. First, you’ll play consecutively through each of the parts, win or lose. Each time you lose (with the exception of the second part), you’ll get a strike. Three strikes and you’re out. This particular mode lends itself to one of the other features that I’ll get to here shortly. Once you complete the Showcase—and assuming you haven’t gotten three strikes—you’ll move back to Contestant’s Row and continue cycling through until you strike out.
The game does a great job at making you feel like a part of the show. The soundtrack is all authentically transcribed so you could hardly tell the difference between the game and the television show. Each item you have to price comes with actual footage from the show, Barker’s Beauties and all. The graphics and gameplay, while not on the cutting edge, do a lot of justice to their TV counterpart. Fans of the show will get a kick out of dropping Plinko chips down the board, trying to stop the mountain climber from jumping off the cliff, or playing any of the pricing games made available.
There’s also a two-part achievement system included in the game. The first part is a simple ranking system that rates your pay-outs with titles like “Come On Downer” or “Pro Pricer” depending on how much money in prizes you can obtain in a single sitting (remember that Three Strikes Mode?). The second part awards achievements for each of the nineteen different games you play throughout the whole of the App. Once you’ve unlocked all nineteen achievements, you can play any of the games individually through the achievements menu. That’s a lot of opportunities for replay.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t any problems with the game. The sound effects can sometimes get a little obnoxious and overpowering. Also, there are a few times in the game where a firm press on the screen yields a delayed or no result. There’s also a considerable amount of time spent on loading screens in between each part of the game. Each of these problems wasn’t enough for me to stop playing, and at least one of these could be fixed by a simple volume adjustment.
Overall, if you’re a fan of the show, you’ll really enjoy this App. It’s 76MB of pure nostalgia. Even if you’ve never seen the show before, there’s still a lot of fun to be had.
Video Review: iPhone Makes The Game of Life Even Better.
Price: $4.99
App Store Link: Full / No Lite Version
Verdict: Love it!
Replay Value: Very High
Give the wheel of fate a spin, choose your path, and see how you make out in The Game of Life. EA just released the classic board game title for the iPhone OS, and it’s a winner. If you like board games, you should definitely pick this one up.
EA and Hasbro have teamed up to release another classic board game app to the iPhone OS, and let me be the first to say, Life has never been better than on the iPhone. In this app, EA has managed to accentuate all of the best parts of the Hasbro classic, The Game of Life.
Players have the option of selecting a Solo or Multiplayer game, consisting of 2-4 players total. In a Solo game, all opponents are controlled by the CPU. Next players choose their vehicle color and in-game avatar.
Once those initial decisions are out of the way, it’s classic Game of Life gameplay from start to finish—only better. As the game unfolds, players dive into the game board, surrounded by amusing pop-up art style 3D graphics, and thanks to the touch screen, players can even spin the game’s trademark wheel!
Thankfully, almost everything about the app is automated, so unlike most board games, gameplay is actually fast-paced. The developers of the app definitely did a great job paying attention to the expectations of their audience; for example, the CPU’s turns can be fast-forwarded or skipped all together. This mechanism speeds up gameplay and can even make Solo play quite enjoyable. Plus, because the app auto-saves on exit, it’s great for quick, casual play.
On first impression, I only have one complaint about the app. When players choose their in-game avatar, they are limited to four pre-named choices: John, Bill, Mary, and Rachel. It’d be nice if players could enter their own name and possibly be able to choose from more than four portraits.
All in all, this is possibly the best board game to iPhone translation I’ve played since Scrabble. All the classic elements of the game are intact, from choosing a carrier path, to getting married, to buying a house, to having kids, all the way to retirement. Plus the automated, fast-paced gameplay, fun 3D environment, and pocket-sized portability give the iPhone version a major advantage over the traditional game. So if you’re a fan of the original, or just looking for an amusing way to pass the time with friends, you can’t lose with EA’s version of The Game of Life.
Video Review: Diabolika - A Fiendishly Clever Puzzler
Price: $1.99
App Store Link: Full / No Lite Version
Verdict: Like it
Replay Value: High
Diabolika is a clever, alternative puzzler for the iPhone OS. The goal of the game is to keep the number of red-demons below the given threshold by strategically placing and detonating exploding monster tiles on the game board. While gameplay might be a little slow paced, the app is perfect for casual play.
Tired of match 3 puzzlers on the iPhone? Who can blame you? Let’s take a look at a fresh, new puzzler for the iPhone OS called Diabolika, where instead of matching, you simply blow things up.
Diabolika dubs itself as “the fiendish turn-based game of chain reactions.” The goal of the game is simple: Keep the number of red-demon tiles on the board under twelve. Every five rounds, new red-demons spawn randomly on the game board—the higher your level, the more demons spawn. Your job is to make them all explode.
To accomplish this feat, players must strategically place exploding monster tiles around the board and detonate them. There are 9 different kinds of monster tiles, each with a unique explosion pattern and radius. When a monster tile explodes, it will destroy all red-demon tiles its blast radius. It will also detonate any other monster tiles in its blast radius. This, of course, is where the strategy comes in; you can use this technique to create massive chain reactions that can potentially clear the entire game board.
At the beginning of each round, players choose one of three randomly selected tiles to place on the board from the palette. Tiles can be rotated before placement, to allow for maximum blast radius benefit. Once a tile is placed on the board, another random tile is added to the palette. As an alternative to placing a tile, players can tap a tile on the game board to detonate it. The game ends if demon tiles are added to the board when 12 or more are already present.
Personally, I found the game to be a very laid back, but enjoyable puzzler. Though at times, it did feel like the game was a little too slow paced. Adding varying difficulty modes might fix this issue. That said, the game was definitely fun and perfect for casual play.
Overall, Diabolika is a fun and fresh puzzler that offers something different than its closest competitors. While gameplay pace may be a little slow for some, it’s definitely fun to see what crazy chains you can create and how long you can survive.
Video Review: Isotope: A Must Buy Space Shooter!
Price: $1.99
App Store Link: Full / Lite
Verdict: Love it!
Replay Value: Very High
Isotope: A Space Shooter is perhaps one of the most complete and well-designed games on the app store. Graphics are elegantly simple and gameplay is surprisingly deep thanks impart to Isotope’s detailed ship customization options. If you don’t try Isotope, you’re missing out, so at least give the free lite version a shot.
At first glance, Isotope might seem like just another simple survival app, but after you spend a little time with the game you’ll realize it’s much, much more. In fact, Isotope is possibly one of the most detailed games on the App Store.
Isotope is a retro space shooter with simple, yet spectacular neon-glowing graphics and addicting gameplay. In campaign mode, players fight through waves of enemies over the course of 30 missions—ranging in difficulty level from very easy to insanely impossible, leveling up skill points and earning money to unlock additional levels, ships, and abilities.
Once players have enough cash, they’ll want to click into the store where there are 40 different ships available for purchase, all with varying stats and designs. The stats and design affect which and exactly how many upgrades the ship can be equipped with. Power-up come in the form of abilities, modules, and satellites.
Abilities are special activated powers for your ship. Some abilities include time stop, proximity bombs, and the “Mega Laser.” Modules help boost your ships stats, and satellites provide you with a mini “satellite” ship with its own special ability—such as shooting approaching enemies—that follows your ship around.
Eventually, once players have their ship built up enough, they can also try out survival mode. Like most survival games, the goal of this mode is to keep your ship alive as long as possible against an endless onslaught of enemy ships. One nice feature of Isotope is that it allows you to choose your starting wave, eliminating the need to repeat unnecessary waves.
Overall, Isotope or by its full name, Isotope: A Space Shooter, is an exceptional iPhone app definitely worth the purchase. Controls are perfect, graphics are explosive, and gameplay is addicting. My only gripe with the game is that it doesn’t offer a multiplayer deathmatch mode; personally, I’d love to see this in a future update. Unless you absolutely hate survival or space shooters, Isotope is a must buy. And for those that aren’t convinced, at least give the free lite version a try.
Video Review: Q*Bert Returns in Q*Bert Deluxe
Price: $1.99
App Store Link: Full / No Lite Version
Verdict: Love it
Replay Value: High
Classic Q*Bert hops into the App Store, making his first authorized appearance. For fans of the classic, the game is just like you remember it with a few extras added in. For newcomers, Q*Bert offers unique gameplay that lies somewhere between the realm of platformer and action-puzzler—watch the video and see if it looks like your cup of tea.
August seems to be the month of the classics for iPhone OS, and now another hot title has been added to the mix: Q*Bert Deluxe.
Originally published in 1982, Q*Bert—the armless, orange, and long-snouted, platform jumper—now holds a special place in the hearts of many old school gamers.
Sony did a great porting this app to iPhone; Gameplay feels exactly like the original. For those that aren’t familiar with Q*Bert, the action of the game takes place on block-built pyramids. As Q*Bert, the player’s goal is to change the color of every block to the designated color by hopping on it, and all while avoiding the obstacles and enemies thrown your way.
In addition to classic gameplay, the developers have thrown in a few extra “themes,” including Modern & Jungle. Jungle mode sets out to change both graphics and gameplay with new unique levels; Modern Mode is simply a graphically updated version of classic. There is also an option to vote for which additional themes should be included in the next update.
Like many other ported apps, Q*Bert suffers slightly from imperfect controls. This seems to be the biggest obstacle of the iPhone OS in general. Players control Q*Bert with simple screen swipes, and for the most part this works quite well; however, it is definitely possible for players to experience occasional swipe-to-movement inconsistencies, and in a game like Q*Bert—where speed, timing and precision can be imperative to success—those inconsistencies can occasionally be a problem.
Overall, I’d call this port a success. Despite a few minor control issues, Q*Bert is definitely back in all his former glory. Whether you’re a newcomer or old school gamer, Q*Bert offers a large dose of fun, and is the perfect combination of challenging platformer and simple “pick-up and play.”
Video Review: BallStar lacks star power.
Price: $0.99
App Store Link: Full / No Lite Version
Verdict: Didn't Like It
Replay Value: Low
Every once in a while I like to pick up an app that looks like it will be a good time waster. Unfortunately, I felt like BallStar by Diverted was a waste of time.
The concept is simple enough to grasp. Using the accelerometer built into your device, you guide the ball towards the star as it shows up on the screen. Each time you place the ball over the center of the star, it moves locations. Each level is timed, as indicated by the time bar at the bottom of the screen. The amount of stars you need to hit for the next level to start is also located on the bottom left. The time for each level remains the same, but the amount of stars needed increases each level.
The game functions well enough. Each time you successfully roll over a star, the background changes color to indicate that you got it. The controls are pretty smooth, but the graphic of the ball moving across the board is a little dicey at times. Additionally, there are times when the star seems somewhat resistant to the ball. It kind of reminds me of what it must be like to roll an Atlasphere over a scoring pod in American Gladiators.
Gameplay Video and the rest of the review after the break.
There’s a surprising lack of features for the game as well. While the game does record your highest score, it lacks a scoreboard to compare scores with other friends you may pass the game off to. I really feel that this is a must for speed-skill games like this. Otherwise, there is little motivation to come back to them. Also, the game lacks a quit function and a decent menu system. Your options at first are to solely start a new game. Once in the game, the only option you have is to pause the game. There is no way to go back to the main screen except by quitting the app.
Overall, though, I just found myself getting bored with the app. The first time I played the game, I scored 330 (a decent score compared with those who had reviewed the app on the iTunes Store). After that game, I lost interest and haven’t loaded the app again until now to write this review. The game was (and currently is as of this writing) on sale for free in the App Store. I can’t imagine feeling good about paying for this app. So, if you want to get it, now is your chance. Maybe you’ll enjoy it more than I did.
Video Review: Gameloft’s NFL 2010 Scores Big!
Price: $7.99
App Store Link: Full / No Lite Version
Verdict: Love It!
Replay Value: Very High
Gameloft’s NFL 2010 obliterates the current standards of sports gaming on the iPhone OS, even possibly raising the bar for all genres. The game has amazing graphics, gameplay, and controls. At the moment, you’d be hard pressed to find a better football game for iPhone—Of course I say this pre-Madden 2010, which also has high expectations, but even Madden might have its work cut out for it after NFL 2010. If you’re a football fan, this app is more than worth the price
Gameloft’s NFL 2010 is the first fully licensed, fully featured NFL sports game for iPhone OS, and it’s definitely a winner. The app features a full list of NFL teams and rosters for the 2010 Season. The game features 4 play modes, including exhibition, season, play offs, and quick play, along with 3 difficulty modes and several customizable options.
Graphics, music, and sound are phenomenal and certainly comparable to other portable platforms. The app also features a real announcer that is very well voiced, if occasionally a bit repetitive. At any time during play, you can pause the game to access instant replays, team rosters, or call timeouts.
Gameplay for NFL 2010 differs in many ways from console-based Football games, but in a beneficial way that lends itself well to the iPhone controls. That said, players still use a D-pad to control movement and make selections from a playbook of over 200 plays.
Offense is one area where gameplay differs. Instead of using buttons to pass, you tap the player you wish to pass to. The likelihood the players will catch the ball is designated by the colored icons over their head. In addition to throwing, the QB can scramble or toss the ball out of bounds to stop the clock.
After selecting a play but before the snap, pressing the coach-cam button shows the intended paths for your players; this can be helpful for planning. In one of the more unique features of NFL 2010, you’ll often see time slow during a play. This means one of your players has the chance to act. On offence, this occurs before a tackle, giving you the option to juke, spin, or plow. On defense you’ll get options to deflect or intercept passes and another set of options to fast tackle or slam tackle (which is more likely to cause a fumble). It might not be exactly like the gameplay you’re used to, but it’s definitely fun, fast, and fitting for iPhone. In my opinion, NFL 2010 is a Touchdown for the iPhone.