Bryan Mitchell is the the developer of the popular Geared [$2.99 / HD] and Geared 2 [$2.99] games, which have reportedly been played by over 12 million people. He's partnered-up with an old school buddy Joshua Greenspan, who released Puzzling Penguins [Free] in 2009. Together, they've released a sequel, named quite appropriately: Puzzling Penguins 2 [99¢].
If you're familiar with the original game, this latest release features more of the "move-the-penguin-to-the-water" type puzzle-solving, but the graphics and music have improved, with the most obvious changes being a new isometric view of the playing area and the inclusion of snow-coated scenery in the background.
Attention League of Legends fans. If you've found yourself wanting to get your LoL on while on the go, then Maya Games might just have the prescription for you with their just released Legendary Heroes [Free]. While I don't think it was the intention of Maya Games to have Legendary Heroes be a straight up rip of Riot Games' super popular free-to-play action strategy title, it certainly seems to take some heavy cues from it in the visuals department, the gameplay, and the free-to-play structure.
Legendary Heroes gives you several different classes to play and progress with, and lets you control up to 3 of them simultaneously as you defend your own team's base and attempt to destroy your enemy's. Like many free-to-play games, Legendary Heroes utilizes a dual in-game currency of gold and crystals. Both can be earned in game through play or bought as IAP to speed up your progression.
While Legendary Heroes looks like a pretty solid League of Legends wannabe for iOS, it is missing one huge component – multiplayer. Currently, it's solely a single player experience. Maya Games is incredibly active in our forums though, and states that multiplayer is one of the top priorities for a future update if the game can do well enough to justify it. Until then, Legendary Heroes still seems like it might scratch that LoL itch if you're on the go, even as a single player game. If local or online multiplayer reaches the title in the future it could really take off in a big was, as the foundation of the game now seems pretty good.
We'll be diving deeper into Legendary Heroes in the coming days, but if you're curious, there's really no reason not to give the game a free download and check it out for yourself, and be sure to check out the forums where more player impressions, gameplay videos, and information straight from the developer can be found.
Living in Southern California, I spend most holidays in front of a space heater watching White Christmas on TV and wishing I was one-half of a musical comedy duo trying to gain the affections of two sisters while saving the inn of my old Army commander.
But more than that, what I want more than anything is the snow that the movie is named for. I sit inside daydreaming about that beautiful, luscious blanket of powder covering the ground (yes, I realized that they probably filmed that movie on a sound stage not far from me, but a girl can dream!) while red-faced children fling snowballs at each other. Alas, as that is unlikely to occur pretty much ever, I’ve been making do with Snow Fight [Free].
Final Fantasy Tactics [$11.99] on iPhone and iPod Touch has inspired numerous, uh, passionate e-commentaries since its release earlier this year. One of the components we've seen the most bickering about has been addressed: Tactics' latest update zeroes in on the port's decidedly unspectacular visuals on retina devices and supports the screen.
To be clear, the text is still tiny on iPhone 4S, for example, but it's apparently much less blurry overall. Also, the UI is noticeably sharper, and various assets like facial graphics and icons have been updated to mesh with the retina support. This update also rolls in some nebulous "bug fixes."
Off-topic, here, but we definitely want to note that Tactics is available at the lowest price it has ever been since its August release: as of December 19, it's $11.99 instead of $15.99. Still steep in comparison to other App Store games, but better.
If you already own the game and choose to update, note that you'll lose your auto-save data in the process because, reasons.
Toxic Blob's puzzle-meets-strategy game Sin or Win feels like it has some issues with its actual execution, but it's ultimately an entertaining-enough game that presents a really cool idea: moral choice as a viable, fundamental game-changing mechanic.
In games like Mass Effect 2, for example, its moral choice system boils down to being a space jerk or a space saint -- the difference between booting a dude through a window or getting chatty with him. There are other constructs that flesh out these decisions, but you don't change the way you fundamentally shoot stuff because of what you've done.
Sin or Win, on the other hand, incorporates two unique play styles and introduces basically two different kinds of puzzle games depending on your moral choice: sinning or winning. With a stroke of your finger, you can become the savior of its physics-enabled cavemen, or you can masterfully bring them to their individual fiery dooms. Each route has a unique kind of scoring and its own strategies. The choice, then, changes play.
Hot off the heels of the announcement of a brand new Command and Conquer at the VGAs, EA has announced... another Command and Conquer game. This one, however, isn't being hailed as the Next Great Thing From BioWare, and more relevant to our interests, is being targeted specifically at mobile, and the flavor of the moment, social.
So, what is it? It's called Command and Conquer Tiberium Alliances, and it's "the first MMO and first free-to-play" game in the often off-the-wall real-time strategy series. In the game, users will embark on a quest "for world domination" that will apparently have them squad-ing up with pals in order to form alliances. Real-time stats, news feeds, and "completely interactive and dynamic gameplay" are all being promised. Sounds neat!
That's all pretty vague, and that's a bummer considering this is an otherwise exciting bit of news that fans will definitely want to discuss. Hopefully we'll get our hands on the cross-compatible browser or mobile version soon and give you more concrete stuff.
While you wait, actually, you can sign up to participate in the game's closed beta on its web site. This beta starts on December 15 and rolls until whenever.
One of the coolest tactical turn-based games we've ever seen on iOS, Hunters: Episode One[$.99 / HD], is getting a sequel. Rodeo Games, the original creator of Hunters, have revealed with us that it is indeed working on Hunters 2. And guys, it sounds and looks radical.
Hunters 2, which is slated to hit Spring 2012, will build on the same combat that made the first game so popular, but it'll also throw in some notable new systems and weapons. For example, the team is dropping in a new mini-gun that fires blistering bursts of 10 rounds. That's especially hip, we're told, because it'll show off the game's new projectile system, which lets you see every round fired.
New enemies, environments, and mission types will naturally be part of the fresh package, but so will a fleshed out and scripted campaign mode featuring Rodeo's new hero character Caius Black. One of the promotional images we've received notes that he'll be "alone, wounded, and betrayed."
As if that wasn't enough, the game's engine has been scrapped in favor of a new one that'll integrate real-time dynamic lighting and "loads of customization options." Get a taste below:
Speaking of customization, that's something Rodeo is focusing on character-side, too. In Hunters 2, each Hunter will have a talent pool and you'll assign points in specific skill and build trees. Rodeo tells us that this system "really individualizes your Hunters and brings all sorts of new tactics" to the fold.
We'll be getting our hands on Hunters 2 in the coming weeks. If you'd like to try the original game, now is a great time -- both versions are on sale now at $.99 instead of their usual $4.99 and $6.99 price points.
Last week, we let you know that Rebuild [$2.99], the city-building time sink that we loved in our review and on our podcast, would soon be getting support for the original iPad, and today that update is now here. Rebuild was originally an iPad 2-only title, due to some technical limitations that the developer explained on her blog.
But, since that initial release, she has toiled away to lower the RAM requirements for the game which now allows it to be played and enjoyed on Apple's first iPad. There are further enhancements to the visuals for those of you who have been playing on an iPad 2, as well.
Also explained in that blog post is how difficult it would be to add Game Center support since the game was written in Flash and she'd have to dip into some Xcode-only stuff in order to patch the online service in. However, this has also been tackled on the development side of things, as Game Center integration with leaderboards and achievements is also available in this latest update.
If the technical limitations of your original iPad were preventing you from enjoying this excellent title, then now would be the time to spring into action and see what you've been missing out on with Rebuild.
We've beenkeepingtabs on Paradox Interactive’s Defenders of Ardania [$4.99 / Free] since its initial unveiling way back in February. While Defenders boasts beautiful artwork and a decent amount of content (including multiplayer), the majority of attention is centered on its gameplay, which attempts to move beyond the typical tower defense experience with some new and interesting ideas. Overall, despite some minor concerns with the UI and other areas, Defenders of Ardania is an excellent addition to the tower defense genre and is a must-try for any fan.
One of the first things you’ll notice when playing are the gorgeous visuals. The artwork showcases a variety of fantastical locales and certainly looks as if the developers paid extra attention to setting the scene for the entirety of the campaign. The actual units and towers look a little out of place, but I think that’s mostly a credit to the attention paid to the backdrops. Of course, heightened visuals aren’t going to necessarily make or break a tower defense game, but well done efforts deserve credit nonetheless.
It's hard to come up with an IP I have more fond memories of than the MechWarrior family. Anyone remember the actual BattleTech Centers? After spending a few hours in one of those, you basically become a MechWarrior fan for life. Anyway, MechWarrior: Tactical Command was announced mere moments ago, and is the first MechWarrior title designed for iOS. It's apparently even been in development since 2009, and it utilizes touch controls to facilitate a real time tactics system of battling. Check out the trailer:
Over 30 mech options will be included, along with an advanced weapon system and all sorts of missions to complete. Details aside from that are vague right now, but we expect more information to start dribbling out next year as the game gets closer to release.
The very first time most people play a freemium sim, they reach a point where they think "that's it?" After all, you've put time and possibly money into growing your crops, building your tower or expanding your kingdom, and then you want to, you know, do something with them. It's a feeling that passes, but it's always a bit of a letdown.
Battle Nations [Free] blasts that letdown into bits, because while you build up your military base you're also building up an army, and that army gets to fight. It's part freemium builder, part turn-based strategy game. You use the money you earn from the crops you grow to build your army and keep it in tip-top shape. Then you bring the hammer down on friends and foes alike.
A couple of weeks ago, Tough Guy Studios released their first iOS game called Time Ducks [$1.99], and I'm going to be honest, I bought it based solely on the fact that it was called Time Ducks. I figured with a name like that, there was no way I could go wrong. As it turned out, Time Ducks ended up being a pretty fun and unique take on line drawing games, and it sort of sat on the back burner as something I'd been planning on writing about.
Unfortunately, in the iOS space, there are just so many games coming out on a daily basis that good intentions can oftentimes slip by the wayside. Well, a few days ago, Tough Guy released their trailer for Time Ducks, and it's so absolutely insane that it basically forced my hand in the matter as I had to share it with the rest of you. If you're familiar with groundbreaking classic films, then the Time Ducks trailer might look familiar to you, but even if you aren't familiar with the source material there is plenty to enjoy in the craziness found within it:
Guys, Christmas is right around the corner. Real Racing creators Firemint delicately reminded us of that we're zeroing in on the holiest of holidays with one well-positioned holiday-themed update to its awesome puzzle game, Spy Mouse [$.99 / HD].
Starting now with an update, World 1 in Spy Mouse and Spy Mouse HD have been turned into winter-y paradises, complete with snow, candy canes, and other decorations. The team has also turned the game's icon on its head with a bit of Christmas cheer and even added a new challenge to Agent Squeak's backpack.
Flight Control [$.99 / Lite] for the iPhone and iPod Touch have also been updated, though not with anything Christmas-related. These two versions now have a new level featuring a vicious thunderstorm with lightning that can damage your planes. The HD version [$4.99], on the other hand, now rocks a "Moon Base" map with asteroids and four new vehicles: land shuttles, satellites, rockets, and UFOs.
Interestingly, all three versions of Flight Control now have a "rewind" feature, which allows you to, er, rewind time in order to, say, avoid a collision. The catch? They need to be purchased.
You wanted it, and now it's here: The Game Bakers's beautiful real-time strategy RPG, Squids [$1.99], is now on the iPad. The team dropped the support as Universal, which means if you already own it, you can now play the game on iPad for $0. Otherwise, you can pick up the iPad and iPhone version for the usual $1.99.
During review, we got a chance to see Squids on the big screen, and even that non-optimized state, we were really impressed with how it looked and technically played. But here's some things we didn't get to see: the new 3D "anaglyph" version of the Halloween map, which has been rolled into this update on top of screen rotation functionality, new bug fixes, and new localizations including Russian, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.
If you've got some of those silly 3D glasses, give the Halloween map a spin and tell us what you think. We're currently digging around in TouchArcade's toy box, but we've been coming up empty.
The week of weird PR shenanigans continues with Ubisoft's surprise release of Assassin’s Creed Recollection [$2.99]. We've been posting about the few details that Ubisoft has been leaking out, specifically how the game boasts things like "deep tactical gameplay" and "challenging political battles."
Now that the game is finally released, we'll get to see just how challenging these political battles are. Hopefully my opponent doesn't use the "reveal 13 year long affair" ability. We're downloading the game now and hope to have a review up shortly!
Bryan Mitchell is the the developer of the popular Geared [$2.99 / HD] and Geared 2 [$2.99] games, which have reportedly been played by over 12 million people. He's partnered-up with an old school buddy Joshua Greenspan, who released Puzzling Penguins [Free] in 2009. Together, they've released a sequel, named quite appropriately: Puzzling Penguins 2 [99¢].
Final Fantasy Tactics
Last week, 
Guys, Christmas is right around the corner. Real Racing creators 
You wanted it, and now it's here: 
