Magicka in Review: Quirky and Cute, But Not Quite Magical

wpid-Photo-Apr-14-2013-1155-AM.jpg

Magicka for iPad was featured Game of the Week by Apple. It is a sidescroller where you constantly move forward in a linear fashion with enemies attacking you from both sides. At your disposal are elemental runes which you can combine into various spells, each with their respective properties. For example, lighting and water don’t go together, but if you combine lightning with fire, you can cast a thunderbolt spell. Some spell combinations produce powerful spells – you can create meteor storms, blizzards, explosions, which are unlocked as rewards after completing a level. (Like it so far? read on …)
wpid-Photo-Apr-15-2013-1229-AM.jpg

Shop Til You Drop with appSIZED’s Black Friday Massive Sale Alert!

It’s Black Friday once again as we celebrate Thanksgiving with a slew of apps and games on sale! To guide you through the hordes of apps at your disposal, here are some of appSIZED’s very own recommendations. Just click on the name of the app to take you straight to the iTunes page:

1) Plants vs Zombies HD (NOW $0.99/iPad only) – if you don’t have it yet! Check out our review of this awesome, iconic tower defense game!

2) Avengers Initiative (NOW $0.99/Universal) – HULK SMASH!

3) Infinity Blade II (NOW $2.99/Universal)- Gorgeous, elegant and action-packed sword fighting RPG adventure. One of the best games on the iOS ever. Read the review.

4) Infinity Blade (NOW $0.99/Universal) – The game that started it all.

5) Gangstar Rio: City of Saints (NOW $0.99/Universal) – If you love cars, guns and some badass adventure, then go pick this up now!

6) Need for Speed: Most Wanted (NOW $2.99/Universal) – If you love racing games and a thrilling chase, check this out!

7) Mega Mall Story (NOW $0.99/iPhone only) – Their apps go on sale rarely, so Kairosoft fans and newbies to one of the most addictive simulation games known to man, you can test the waters with this game.

8) Jazz: Trump’s Journey (NOW $0.99/Universal) – Lest this music game/platformer be buried in the massive price drops going on, this gorgeous little game has a lot of charm and soul.

9) Autumn Dynasty (NOW $3.99/iPad only) – Gorgeous real time strategy (RTS) game that, in my opinion, is perfectly suited for the touchscreen device.

10) Fieldrunners (NOW $0.99/iPhone) – Experience the original 2008 tower defense game that set the bar for thousands to come. Check out the review of Fieldrunners and its awesome sequel here.

11) Pocket Informant Pro (NOW $7.99/Universal) – Powerful calendar/task/notes management software that helps you organize your life!

12) Quickoffice Pro HD (NOW $4.99/iPad only) – A personal favorite of mine, Quickoffice Pro HD is also a viable alternative to your Pages/Keynote/Numbers apps, in one easy to use app.

13) ReaddleDocs for iPad – PDF viewer/attachments saver/file manager (NOW $1.99/iPad only) – Readdle is a trusted brand when it comes to productivity, so you might find this app useful for school and work.

4) Docs to Go Premium (NOW $9.99/Universal) – Looking for a way to make your iPad more productive? Docs to Go is a one stop shop for documents, spreadsheets and presentations on your iPhone and iPad.

Attention, time management fans and casual gamers, do not miss the massive blowout care of Alawar Entertainment! Most of their iPhone and iPad games are on sale, or totally free! Check out their massive collection of apps here and apps reviewed on appSIZED here.

Likewise, another favorite of mine, G5 Games, also has tons of games on sale! Check out their games here and appSIZED reviews of some of their games here.

That’s it for now. Keep watching this post for more picks from appSIZED!

p.s. In case you are on the lookout for some cool new stuff from Apple, such as an iPad mini perhaps or a retina Macbook Pro, make sure you don’t miss their own Black Friday sale on the Apple page. Free shipping for selected items!

Fawning Over Felines? Show My Cat is Instagram for Kitties

 

Love cats? Love looking at kitty photos? Show My Cat promises itself to be your very own kitty Instagram, featuring photos of your beloved feline. No more “spamming” your Facebook friends with kitty photos, here, you have your own space to share your kitty photos with fellow cat lovers.

Continue reading

Adonit Writer Plus Keyboard: A Review

The New iPad and Adonit Writer Plus

Since I got my first iPad in 2010, I have been ambivalent about buying a separate wireless/bluetooth keyboard to be able to use it. I’ve since taught myself to use the iPad itself for long periods of typing – but the accuracy of touchscreen typing leaves a lot to be desired, especially if you have auto-correct turned on.

When I first heard of the Adonit Writer Plus keyboard, I couldn’t resist giving it a try, and the $100 pricetag, intimidating as it is, turned out to be worth it. I simply knew Adonit as a good brand for iPhone/iPad accessories, and I am a big fan of their beautiful Jot stylus. The finishing, quality and attention to detail are to me, very, Apple-like. Having learned of this award-winning bluetooth keyboard with case for the iPad, I decided to check it out for myself. Here are my thoughts on Adonit Writer Plus:

Continue reading

From Revolutionary to Resolutionary: Should You Buy The New (3rd Gen) iPad?

You say you want a resolution?* The revolution happened in 2010, when the iPad was first introduced (to insane Internet frenzy, if I may add). Since the iPad was introduced in 2010, the iPad cannibalized PCs and netbooks, singlehandedly spawned a new category of mobile computing device and plenty of competitors, and revolutionized the way we interact with computers.The iPad is a game changing device, loved many times over for its beauty, speed, portability, and accessibility and criticized for the same old reasons – no USB port, no expandable storage card, the closed nature of its operating system, etc.The iPad 2 was a significant upgrade in terms of looks and capacity. The boxier iPad gave way to a svelte form, and a white variant was introduced. Still, many tech bloggers found the upgrade not compelling enough, since it did not come with the much-anticipated retina display then only found on the iPhone 4.The new iPad (3rd gen) looks just like the iPad 2, only a little bit thicker and heavier. On the inside, there are improvements to the hardware and processor. Now that the 3rd generation is out, the burning question is, should you get one? Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

2011 Best App Ever Awards: Make Your Voice Heard!

Best App Ever Awards

The 2011 Best App Ever Awards is a great way to recognize our favorite games and apps as well as discover new ones from among the nominees. In its fourth year running, a staggering 287,643 nominations were placed by users at the site between November 22nd and December 31st, 2011.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

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

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!