Dec 26 2011

iOS App Review: Youda Survivor HD (Full)

Youda Survivor on appSIZED
Youda Survivor may remind you of the Farm Frenzy series, but on its own, it  is a refreshing time management (TM) title with a touch of RPG that offers a bit more depth and strategy than your garden variety TM game.

 

You find yourself stranded on a strange island where the people think you’re some kind of god. Now, this storyline is a bit too familiar, especially when it comes to building simulation/TM games. This time, you’re magical Youda – bringer of rain, harbinger of harvests and plenty. But, since you’re not a god nor magical, you need your strength and energy to do wonders. This clever twist makes the gameplay of Youda Survivor HD an interesting, challenging and strategy-laden TM game.

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Dec 13 2011

iOS Game News: Jelly Defense Out With Winter Levels!

Jelly Defense Fluffyville on appSIZED

Everybody’s beloved tower defense game Jelly Defense is out with a Yuletide update. (If you don’t have it yet, here’s why you should make Jelly Defense part of your Christmas app list)


Our favorite jelly friends and foes alike are decked out in quirky Christmas gear (yes, even the grumpy old’ lieutenant!), singing Christmas songs and slugging it out in the snow.

Jelly Defense Whipped Cream Soft Core

Fluffyville and Whipped Cream Soft Coreare two new winter levels which are unlocked after passing through Neck Creek. Don’t forget to check out the snowman!

Completely free, these new levels should keep Jelly Defense fans busy this Christmas. Ho-ho-ho!

Game: Jelly Defense (Universal)

Price: $2.99

Developer/Pubisher: Infinite Dreams

Ver: 1.10

Dec 13 2011

iOS App Review: Magic Defenders

Magic Defenders on appSIZED
 

Magic Defenders is not your usual castle defense game – thanks to its cleverly executed and fast-paced gameplay, a bit of RPG-type character customization and a charming and quirky art style offers a much needed break from the monotony and familiarity of the genre. 
 

Magic Defenders is one example that castle defense need not be monotonous, or boring. You can choose from two characters with different spell casting strengths and cast three different kinds of powerful spells to take out advancing enemies, creating some kind of magical vortex where the spells are applied. For example, the fire spell summons a huge ball of fire to eliminate groups of enemies. 

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Dec 10 2011

iOS Sale Alert! Pacquiao’s Pound for Pound, 2 EA Games Gone Free, and EPOCH On Sale!

Pacquiao pound for pound flight control mirrors edge epoch

Because it’s the season to be jolly, some great games have gone on sale early into the Yuletide season! 
 
1) Pound for Pound (Universal/FREE) – Manny Pacquiao fans might want to check out this boxing game with an RPG flavor, to throw some fancy punches, rescue a damsel in distress and be Pacquiao for a few hours. The game needs some work in the controls department, but as far as likeness goes, this freebie for a limited time is a must for Pacquiao fans. 
 
2) EPOCH (Universal/$2.99) – Apple’s former Game of the Week for iPad is a futuristic, cover shooting action game boasting of some pretty gorgeous graphics courtesy of UnrealEngine, the guys behind Infinity Blade. Now that it’s on sale for a limited time, make sure you don’t miss it! 
 
3) Mirror’s Edge for iPad (iPad/FREE) – You gotta love EA for their daily freebies! Mirror’s Edge is a platform game where the Runners (such as Faith, the character you’ll be playing) are the last bastion of freedom in a dystopian future. You can do some pretty fancy running and jumping tricks while admiring the city scenery. The iPhone version is also FREE! 
 
4) Flight Control HD (iPad/FREE) – This is the game that launched a thousand line drawing games. As part of EA’s freebie deals, this retro-inspired iOS classic is one for the books. The iPhone version is also FREE. 
 
EA’s other games are also on sale, including Dead Space, Apple’s iPad Game of the Year pick, so don’t forget to visit the EA page in the App Store. 
 
 
H(app)y shopping! 
 

Dec 10 2011

iOS App Review: Farm Frenzy 2 – Pizza Party HD

Farm frenzy 2 pizza party HD on appSIZED  
 

The unique time management gameplay of the Farm Frenzy series is back in a bigger, sleeker and better package. Fans of the series will feel at home; newcomers can jump right in and enjoy themselves. Farm Frenzy 2 – Pizza Party HD is highly recommended for casual gamers! 

 

I’m a veteran of the Farm Frenzy (FF) series – then and now, and still hooked on the classic FF time management formula.
 

Farm Frenzy is not called Farm Frenzy for nothing. This hugely popular time management (TM) game series for the PC is all about farm production but with unique game mechanics. You have at your disposal animals and machines to produce “building blocks” of various farm products, and in this case, ingredients for your very own pizzerias! However, you don’t just produce goods and combine them to create more complex products, you also have to contend with wandering bears that drive away your animals. 

Dec 4 2011

iOS Weekend Sale Alert! Ninjatown, Shift 2 Unleashed, Unlikely Suspects and Space Miner HD!

 

Shift unleashed 2 Ninjatown unlikely suspects space miner HD on sale

 
Just when you thought the massive Thanksgiving holiday app shopping spree was over, this weekend is just full of more surprises and great deals! There are so many to choose from, but here are some handpicked appSIZED recommendations:
 
1) Shift 2 Unleashed (iPhone/iPad) – Love racing? Love the Need for Speed series? Then you wouldn’t want to miss EA Mobile’s freebie of the day. Yup, you read it right – it’s FREE.
 
2) Ninjatown: Trees of Doom (iPhone/iPad) – Climb your way to the top, ninja-style, in this utterly charming game kids will also love. The game is FREE for a limited time to celebrate Venan Entertainment’s new game, Book of Heroes for the iPhone.
 
3) Unlikely Suspects HD: Full (iPad) – Hidden object adventure fans with a penchant for crime solving ought to check out this interesting title from MumboJumbo games, now on sale for $2.99 only. You might want to check out their other titles, such as the Luxor series and Midnight Mysteries titles, which are also on sale.
 
4) Space Miner (iPhone/iPad) – One of my favorite games, Space Miner HD makes busting up space rocks awesome thanks to its deep gameplay and wicked sense of humor. The fact that it’s FREE this weekend only is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so grab it now. 
 
H(app)y shopping! 
 
 

Dec 3 2011

iOS App Review: Infinity Blade II

Infinity Blade 2 on appSIZED

The stunning visuals, mysterious and complex storyline, elegantly simple controls and focused, one-on-one combat made Infinity Blade phenomenally successful. Sink your teeth into this incredible sequel, and see for yourself why Infinity Blade II raises the bar even higher for iOS and mobile gaming.

The tyrant god-king, wields the extremely powerful Infinity Blade to perpetuate his reign and draws strength from our hero’s bloodline. Infinity Blade was a never ending cycle of fighting enemies and gaining strength in order to ultimately defeat the god-king. In the hotly anticipated sequel, Infinity Blade II, the storyline delves deeper into the mysterious Deathless ones (introduced in the first, via complex route of exploring the game’s secrets) and our hero’s mysterious origins. Our hero seeks not only to avenge the death of his father (Infinity Blade), but also free the Worker of Secrets from the hands of the Deathless, in order to learn the truth about himself and his bloodline.

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Nov 26 2011

iOS App Review: Midnight Mysteries – Devil on the Mississippi

Midnight Mysteries: Devil on the Mississippi is the spooky, exciting sequel to Salem Witch Trials, an atmospheric hidden object detective thriller that is an exciting mix of history and literature. A must have!

 
Mark Twain needs your help. A demon is after him, but he doesn’t know why. And what does William Shakespeare have to do with all this?  
 
Midnight Mysteries is a popular series of hidden object/point-and-click detective adventures featuring prominent literary figures. Now ported to the iPad, the first installment came last year with Midnight Mysteries: Salem Witch Trials which landed on appSIZED’s list of top 10 games for 2010. Continue reading →

Nov 21 2011

iOS Sale Alert! Samurai Bloodshow, Airport Mania 2 HD, Assassin’s Creed HD and Infinity Blade

Samurai Bloodshow Airport Mania 2 Assassin's Creed Infinity Blade

appSIZED has been away for a couple of days, but just back in time to deliver today’s top sale picks:
 
1) Samurai Bloodshow ($0.99/Universal) – This unique new title from Sega is a gorgeous tower defense game that makes use of tradeable cards. Don’t miss this one!
 
2) Airport Mania 2: Wild Trips HD ($1.99/iPad) – Fans of the original time management favorite, Airport Mania: First Flight, rejoice! The sequel boasts of more colorful and exotic locations and the same delightful gameplay that made the original such a hit.  The iPhone game Airport Mania: Nonstop Flights is also free!
 
3) Assassin’s Creed HD: Altair’s Chronicles ($0.99/iPad) – Revisit the exciting action adventure Assassin’s Creed for the awesome price of less than a dollar!
 
4) Infinity Blade ($2.99/Universal) – If you don’t have Infinity Blade yet, then you are missing out on a lot! This console quality title is a complex action/RPG game and one of the best examples of gaming for the iOS.
 
If you want to add to the list, feel free to leave a message in the comments section!
 
H(app)y shopping!

Nov 21 2011

iOS App Review: Dragon Portals HD

Dragon Portals HD appSIZED

Set free the dragons locked by mystical orbs in Dragon Portals HD, a wholesale iPad port of the already beautiful iPhone version, and its unique match three mechanics bolstered by a fantasy storyline and beautiful music.

Very few match three games can claim to be unique, and the genre is dominated by the vertical tile board à la Bejeweled. The developer of Dragon Portals HD, 10 tons ltd, is in fact no stranger to match three games, with the likes of Azkend and Heroes of Kalevala to its credit. Dragon Portals HD, however, is a very different type of match three puzzle game set in the fantasy world of Dragonia.

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