Apple iPad Apps | Gear Diary

Review: Gemini Rue Brings Excellent Adventure Gaming to Android, Launches with New Humble Bundle

Back in 2011 Wadjet Eye Games released Gemini Rue for PC, a sci-fi dystopian adventure with intriguing story and characters. Earlier this year they released the game for iOS devices to acclaim, and now it is available for Android through newly launched Humble Bundle 8! Loved it on iOS, and it remains one of the best mobile games this year! Type of app: Sci-Fi Adventure game Platform/where to buy: Android version in the new Humble Bundle; Also available in the Google Play Store and iTunes App Store Developer: Wadjet Eye Games Description: Gemini Rue has loads of content, including: *…

Gear Bits

‘LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga’ Arrives on iTunes App Store

I was a huge fan of LEGO Star Wars and LEGO Star Wars II way back in 2005 and 2006 when they were released and a fan of the subsequent 2007 ‘Complete Saga’ release. The PC & Mac versions arrived in 2009 and 2010, and now have landed on the iTunes App Store as a universal iPhone/iPad release.

Game Diary, Reviews

The Shadow Sun Hands-On Coming December 19th, We Go Hands-on!

I’ve been talking about The Shadow Sun from Ossian Studios for three years now since it was first announced. I’ve also been able to play beta and preview builds of the game. Now approved by Apple and is headed for a December 19th release, I wanted to give a few quick thoughts with a full review coming next week! Type of app: Role-Playing Game (RPG) Platform/where to buy: Coming to iPad / iPhone / iPod Touch December 19th; will be available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Ossian Studios Description: • A premium, full 3D Western RPG with a story…

Music Diary, News & Features

Spotify Adds New Free Capabilities, 20 Markets, Led Zepplin Catalog!

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.

Gear Bits

Sorry Apple Weather, That Is NOT How You Calculate Wind Chill

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.

Gear Bits

Aspects TD Turns Tower Defense on Its Head, Lets YOU Attack!

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.

Gear Bits

New Space Runner Game Galaxy Run Blasts onto iTunes App Store!

‘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!

Game Diary, Reviews

Elixir: The League of Immortality HD for iPad Review

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.

Gear Bits

Battle Command Brings Multiplayer Combat Strategy to iOS and Android

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!

Gear Bits

Check Out the Official Trailer for ‘The Shadow Sun’

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!

Game Diary, Reviews

Mystery of the Opera Review – Brings Chilling Drama to iOS

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!

Game Diary, Reviews

Puzzle Retreat Coming to Amazon Appstore, Is Already Awesome on iOS

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!

Game Diary, Reviews

Silent Valley: Mystery Mansion HD Cloaks iOS in Secret Terrors!

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!

Game Diary, Reviews

Temptation Episode I HD Brings Chilling Mystery Adventures to iPad!

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!

Game Diary, News & Features

Rosetta Stone Arcade Academy Debuts on iOS

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).

Gear Bits

Grab Build-A-Lot 3 HD for iPad and iPhone for FREE This Week!

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!

Game Diary, Reviews

Puzzle Knights Melds Match-3 Fun and Strategic Battles!

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!

Game Diary, Reviews

Stand O’ Food Empire Brings Freemium Time Management Fun to iPad!

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 !

Game Diary, Reviews

Treasure Seekers III HD Follow the Ghosts Collector’s Edition Adds to a Great Experience

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.

Game Diary

Steve Jackson’s Sorcery Part 1 Gets Massive Update As Part 2 Readies for Release!

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!

Game Diary, News & Features

Jane Jensen Returns to Revamp Adventure Game Classic ‘Gabriel Knight’

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.