While some folks express concerns about royalty payouts and business models, the reality is that people love Spotify because it allows them to listen to the music they want to when, where and how they want. And today they are announcing ways that even more people can enjoy the service, and an expansion of the free service for tablet users.
When I was a kid, the concept of ‘wind chill’ was new; the National Weather Service didn’t start reporting it until the 1970s, and it took a while longer to become popular with news viewers. Now it has evolved into ‘Real Feel’ or ‘Feels Like’ rather than just ‘Wind Chill’. Either way, Apple’s Weather app doesn’t have a clue.
I love tower defense, and know that with games such as Plants vs. Zombies and Kingdom Rush there are several Gear Diary members who spend way too many hours on just-one-more-turn! But imagine a game where instead of just planning your defense, you actually got to attack your enemies!?! That is exactly what the newly released Aspects TD delivers.
‘Auto-runner’ games are fan favorites, and I know my kids have enjoyed a variety of them. A new release has gotten loads of attention with some new features and fun twists on standard gameplay elements – Galaxy Run. The game is featured on the app store and feedback from a couple of friends is that Galaxy Run is a blast!
Yawn … another week, another fun game from Vogat & G5 Entertainment. Of course I am joking, but it is at the point where seeing those names raises expectations. Fortunately, with Elixir: The League of Immortality they once again deliver a high quality experience with a great mix of hidden objects, puzzles and find-the-item gameplay wrapped around an engaging story.
Spacetime Games is on a roll, releasing multiplayer games for iOS and Android across genres that are free to try and a blast to play. The latest of these games is Battle Command. It uses a standard build, battle, enhance format, followed by upgrades and so on. And while it is familiar – it is a blast to play!
If you are a fan of iOS role-playing games (RPG), chances are you’ve been tracking The Shadow Sun for a very long time (I first wrote about at the end of August … in 2010!). What started as an iPhone-only game now supports the iPad, and even takes advantage of the iPad Air! Today we get the official trailer!
An easy and powerful trope is having a woman kidnapped and the fiance left to solve the mystery to find her and set her free. We had it last week (in reverse) in Silent Valley and we have it again now. But sometimes a trope is a launching off point for an excellent game – that is the case here!
I got an email from The Voxel Agents about their game Puzzle Retreat coming to the Kindle Fire, and as I looked at their site and the trailer I noticed it was already on iOS and Android, so I gave it a shot. Guess what? It is breezy, engaging, and loads of fun. Check it out!
Recently I reviewed Temptation: Episode I from Vogat and G5 Entertainment, a haunting tale of magic and mystery brought to life through the casual hidden object genre. Now they are back with Silent Valley: Mystery Mansion, another dark and mysterious tale full of dread and misfortune. The story is once again wonderfully integrated and enjoyable to explore – another great game!
Last year I reviewed Whispered Fear: The Cursed Doll from Vogat and G5 Entertainment, a haunting tale brought to life through the casual hidden object genre. Now they are back with Temptation. Episode I, another dark and mysterious tale full of dread and misfortune. The story is once again wonderfully integrated and enjoyable to explore –making this another great game!
The popular Rosetta Stone® language learning modules now have game! The company has launched Rosetta Stone Arcade Academy where users can expand their Spanish linguistic skills through various games within a mobile application. Users can get the app (149 MB) on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad for free (as of October 2013).
I reviewed Build-A-Lot 3 HD almost exactly a year ago, praising the game for the inherent challenge balanced with a system that was reasonably forgiving, resulting in a satisfying experience that was neither dull nor frustrating. This week G5 are offering the game for FREE on iPad & iPhone – but hurry because the deal ends on October 27th!
When I saw the basic information for Puzzle Knights I was intrigued: Match-3 system, strategic battle system, online challenges and level-up system. Playing the game was every bit as much fun, with plenty of enemies to challenge and a continuously enjoyable puzzle system. With the recent update the game is even better, and is definitely worth checking out!
Given the huge success of their freemium games Virtual City Playground and The Secret Society, it is no surprise that G5 Entertainment is taking the ‘freemium sandbox’ route with more of their properties. Stand O’Food is a popular time-management game series, and with Stand O’Food Empire you can now build new restaurant chains with Ronnie, Nikki and Clarence !
While hidden object games are more about screen design, mechanics and puzzle integration, I love series like Mystery of the Crystal Portal and Treasure Seekers that include a plot to follow with interesting characters. I already reviewed the main Treasure Seekers III game, now G5 and Artogon have released the Collector’s Edition – if you haven’t played yet, get this one.
I loved Sorcery! when I reviewed it back in May, describing it as a game that combines classic fantasy story, told as a ‘create your own adventure’, loaded up with fantasy RPG gameplay, with a unique and engaging visual style. As we await the November Part 2 release, Inkle has released a major update making Part 1 worth playing again!
When you think of the classics of adventure gaming, you think of LucasArts and Jane Jensen, of Maniac Mansion and Gabriel Knight. We have seen many LucasArts game brought back through TellTale Games, and now Jane Jensen herself has returned to revamp Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers for a 20th anniversary release in mid-2014.
A few months ago I reviewed the iPad version of Special Enquiry Detail 2 – Engaged to Kill HD and found it lived up to the high level of the original. Now G5 and Floodlight have released the game for the Mac. The port works perfectly, with the characters and mystery every bit as intriguing as before. Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: Mac; available in the Mac App Store Developer: Floodlight Games / G5 Entertainment Description: Special Enquiry Detail 2 has loads of content, including: Six highly intriguing chapters 44 locations to examine…
Brightstone Mysteries: Paranormal Hotel takes you on a journey with Detective Bridget “Biggi” Brightstone as she explores a hotel that holds many mysteries. This is a classic Cateia game, like many others G5 has published for iOS, and I love the way they put together games that combine hidden objects and puzzles in a story-based adventure. Type of app: Adventure Game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version available here); available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Cateia Games / G5 Entertainment Description: ? 50 arduous levels to conquer ? Five intriguing chapters to navigate ? 15 puzzling mini-games to master…
Gorilla Band is for kids. Completely, unapologetically for kids. Like my 5-year old. Who adores this app. Gorilla Band, by the folks at Wasabi (who provided us with a copy to review), is an interactive children’s book for iOS and Android devices. The main storyline, aimed at children between the ages of 2 and 7, is about gorillas who play instruments and form a band. The gorillas don’t like the classical music they’re being taught – they want to play rock ‘n’ roll, of course. Fortunately, their music teacher welcomes their interests. The story begins with two gorillas who don’t like…