Love? There’s an App for That: The appSIZED Valentine’s Day Edition

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and people are: (a) hooking up; (b) making up; or (c) breaking up. Whether you’re on your way in, out or just looking around, here are some fun and games and apps to keep you occupied on one of the busiest days of the year.

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iOS App Review: Roads of Rome HD

Roads of Rome HD on appSIZED

Fend off wolves, mine for crystals and meet a whole bunch of other goals in Roads of Rome HD, a sim-building game that prizes efficiency and strategy in order to win.

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appSIZED: Top 10 iPhone and iPad Games of 2011

Quirky jellies. Adorable warriors. Reformist prison guard. Giant dancing unicorn. Funny army troops. FBI’s oddball puzzle agent. Elegant hand-to-hand combat. Cheerleader vs zombies. Ardanian wit meets tough strategy. These are appSIZED’s Top 10 iOS Original Games for 2011.

It was not easy coming up with appSIZED’s Top 10 games for 2011. This year, I wanted to give credit to iOS original titles – that is, fun, compelling and high quality games that first appeared on the iOS platform. The following games were chosen for the following reasons: they make use of the touch screen and multitouch well, they have excellent graphics and sounds, and they bring something new and/or great to their respective genres. I highly recommend that you put them on your app shopping list.

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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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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. 

Happy Halloween! Sam & Max, Gamebook 7, The Creeps and Zombie Pizza on Sale!

Sam and Max game book the creeps zombie pizza

There are already tons of awesome apps on sale this Halloween, and here are a couple more to add on your buy list.

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Sale Alert! Puzzle Quest HD, Gamebook Adventures and Stand O’Food (iOS)

Puzzle quest HD Gamebook Adventures Stand O'Food

There are a number of awesome games on sale today, and here are appSIZED’s top 3 picks:

1) Puzzle Quest HD ($1.99/iPad) – This award winning game is not just about match three, combo and tile elimination goodness,it’s also an excellent action/adventure game with a solid storyline. Don’t let this massive price drop from $4.99 go unnoticed!

2) Gamebook Adventures (All titles $2.99 only/Universal) – If you are looking for an excellent read that’s interactive at the same time, look no further than this excellent fantasy adventure series which puts you in control of the story. Take advantage of the 50% off rate on all Gamebook titles and stay tuned for the upcoming Temple of the Spider God Gamebook, out in November! Meanwhile, here are the gamebooks on sale:

Book 1: An Assassin in Orlandes
Book 2: The Siege of the Necromancer
Book 3: Slaves of Rema
Book 4: Revenant Rising
Book 5: Catacombs of the Undercity
Book 6: The Wizard From Tarnath Tor

3) Stand O’Food (Free/iPhone) – Time management games fiends, this unique food assembly game is a test of your skills, reflexes and efficiency. Think you have what it takes to slap a couple of burgers and drinks together? Think again.

If I missed anything, feel free to post in the comments section.

H(app)y shopping!

iOS App Review: Amelie’s Cafe HD

Amelie’s Cafe HD is an attractive but uninspired time management (TM) game that falls short of realizing its potential.

The secret to a good time management game is how it conceptualizes its core gameplay. The likes of Diner Dash practically invented the genre and since then, there have been many ways to improve and innovate on the time management formula. Let’s see how Amelie’s Cafe HD stacks up.

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Review: Island Tribe HD

More of a click-based time management game than strategy-based gameplay, Island Tribe HD nonetheless is a pleasant enough time waster.

I’ve played a fair number of building type of sim games, and there is something incredibly addictive about watching a mini-world come to life by building roads, structures, and gathering resources. The fun behind these games is the building part, and this is where popular PC port Island Tribe HD differs from your usual building game.

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