The iOS gaming thread

[NecroMorrius]

Damn, infinity blade 2 is tempting, in what way has it improved the original (which I loved). Im almost loathe to abandon the first one though as I am still trying to grind my way to some of the higher stat weapons. Which actually is something I would like see addressed in 2, the weapons being more attainable, some of them are clearly only going to be open to those who buy the in game currency.

I got almost every weapon in IB1

I've bought IB2 but haven't played much yet, so far the main difference seems to be socketable items, a deeper story and three weapon sets (sword+shield, dual wield, heavy weapons).

It still boggles my mind that I'm playing a game on a phone which looks way better (technically, at least) than the brand spanking new Zelda game I'm also playing.

[Distinct muttering]

I got almost every weapon in IB1

I've bought IB2 but haven't played much yet, so far the main difference seems to be socketable items, a deeper story and three weapon sets (sword+shield, dual wield, heavy weapons).

It still boggles my mind that I'm playing a game on a phone which looks way better (technically, at least) than the brand spanking new Zelda game I'm also playing.

Without any in game purchases!? How many blood lines did you do?

I must have played it for a good 15 hours and I think the most expensive item I eventually bought was around 100k. Mind boggled.

[ph0rce]

Without any in game purchases!? How many blood lines did you do?

I must have played it for a good 15 hours and I think the most expensive item I eventually bought was around 100k. Mind boggled.

I played quite a bit, bought a few of the higher weapons ( Infinity Blade included ) but it did take me a good long time to get to the point where I could afford the high end stuff.

Think I did 21 bloodlines all in all, completed the full game & reset back to the beginning but only did a couple more after that.

[Rev. Stuart Campbell]

Need For Speed Shift 2 Unleashed is free for both iPhone and iPad today, but only to US accounts. If you want a US account, it's piss-easy. Here's how to get one:

http://wosland.podgamer.com/?p=4054

Game:

http://itunes.apple.com/app/shift-2-unleashed/id444282358?mt=8

http://itunes.apple.com/app/shift-2-unleashed-for-ipad/id444284049?mt=8

(We UK schlubs can get the first one for free instead.)

[humdrum]

I wonder how that switching works? you would think that surely the game you download would be linked to that new US account?

As what would stop me getting someone with a US account and loads of games to login to my itunes, me redownload all there already paid for games, switch to my itunes account and yay all there games for free... (+ my own games ofcourse) all sitting on my device.

Unless it doesn't link the game to the account if its a free game? but that would make no sense either.

[Alex W.]

Simple decency. The only inconvenience is that you'll need to re-enter their iTunes password to update the apps on your iPhone.

(It's even more convoluted to update the apps via iTunes.)

My wife and I share a few apps via Home Sharing, I think Apple's okay with that sort of thing.

[Chooch]

It still boggles my mind that I'm playing a game on a phone which looks way better (technically, at least) than the brand spanking new Zelda game I'm also playing.

But there are only 3 or 4 locations that are completely on rails. I don't think it's half the achievement everyone makes it out to be - not much of a game either.

[Distinct muttering]

But there are only 3 or 4 locations that are completely on rails. I don't think it's half the achievement everyone makes it out to be - not much of a game either.

I don’t think the on rails thing is a technical limitation, more about simplifying the controls so you can concentrate on the combat. The areas are fully realised in 3D and the camera can be moved around them between battles.

I think there is more game than people give it credit for. I said it before, but I think it’s actually a rhythm action game at heart. It also has at its core one of the most addictive aspects for iOS games, levelling up. Grinding out for upgrades for some reason I just find damn enjoyable on iOS games, although strangely never been a massive fan on other platforms.

It looks bloody lush as well. I just don’t think number 2 offers up enough over 1 to make it worth investing in if you already have the first. That said, some DLC is on the way that sounds interesting.

[Rev. Stuart Campbell]

I wonder how that switching works? you would think that surely the game you download would be linked to that new US account?

As what would stop me getting someone with a US account and loads of games to login to my itunes, me redownload all there already paid for games, switch to my itunes account and yay all there games for free... (+ my own games ofcourse) all sitting on my device.

Nothing is stopping you from doing that, except that you'd need the person in question to trust you with their password and not use it to spend thousands of dollars of their money. The number of people in such a situation is probably trivial enough that Apple don't worry about it too much.

[gospvg]

@Stuart how did you get the 59 app page exploit on your ipod?

[Dudley]

As what would stop me getting someone with a US account and loads of games to login to my itunes, me redownload all there already paid for games, switch to my itunes account and yay all there games for free... (+ my own games ofcourse) all sitting on my device.

Quite apart from the other reasons mentioned, there's also a device limit.

[RubberJohnny]

If you’re looking for a new way to pay for Tetris, Electronic Arts has you covered. The publisher just launched another Tetris game for iOS devices, which includes the ability to sign up for the...T-Club.

Yep, the T-Club.

The T-Club costs $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year, and gives you access to “exclusive discounts and content, premium Tetris Log challenges, and a booster to progress [your] Tetris Log faster.”

Yep, you can level up in a Tetris game now, too!

Maybe I sound like an old crank, but what world have I awoken to?

This new app is available now for $0.99 on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

I’m going back to bed.

http://www.giantbomb.com/news/tetris-finally-gains-a-subscription-fee/3832/

2011 GAMING

[davidcotton]

Playing a lot of Temple Run atm. On the challenge of run a 1000 meters without picking up a coin. Nearly did it last night but got to 997 or something and just brushed the last coin, arrgh.

[Vemsie]

I don’t think the on rails thing is a technical limitation, more about simplifying the controls so you can concentrate on the combat. The areas are fully realised in 3D and the camera can be moved around them between battles.

I think there is more game than people give it credit for. I said it before, but I think it’s actually a rhythm action game at heart. It also has at its core one of the most addictive aspects for iOS games, levelling up. Grinding out for upgrades for some reason I just find damn enjoyable on iOS games, although strangely never been a massive fan on other platforms.

It looks bloody lush as well. I just don’t think number 2 offers up enough over 1 to make it worth investing in if you already have the first. That said, some DLC is on the way that sounds interesting.

I agree with pretty much all of this. 1 looks good, but 2 looks incredible on my iPad 2. These games have pretty good art direction in general, but that Japanese village with the swimming koi, temple and lush forest in the background looks seriously stunning. The lady with wooden face was a cool design l thought. What they did with this was adding more story and variety. More locations, more enemy types, different fighting styles, more varied AI and gem slots. Good enough for me, it's not that expensive in the first place.

[Cheeko]

Loving temple run, how do you resurrect after dying though? Can't work out how to get that objective.

[ZOK]

You have to buy the resurrection wings in the shop, and use those during a run.

They can be tricky because you have to touch them to activate them, which often causes me to die! Anyway best technique with them in general is to save them till you've run 2000M or so, once they're activated they don't last for ever, but it's worth killing yourself as when you get resurrected you run more slowly for a while, which is handy.

Another general tip is to upgrade the coin magnet first, especially if you don't want to do any IAPs.

[Vemsie]

Defeated the first boss in IB II on my first go, received a price wheel, won a super strong heavy weapon with over 100 attack power and am now parrying and hitting the shit out of high-level enemies. Fun stuff.

[Boozy The Clown]

Utterly addicted to Orbital.

1 button gaming rocks.

[ZOK]

I'm playing IB2, I never played IB. Hey, it's dumb fun! But you all know that.

What I don't know is, what's the point of mastering weapons? Presumably you're always questing for money to buy better weapons that supersede whatever you've mastered, and as far as I can tell you can't sell weapons you've mastered (or not mastered)...or can you? As you can see, I'm confused, help please!

Also, anything else that I should know that would be obvious if I'd played IB?

[ph0rce]

You have to buy the resurrection wings in the shop, and use those during a run.

They can be tricky because you have to touch them to activate them, which often causes me to die! Anyway best technique with them in general is to save them till you've run 2000M or so, once they're activated they don't last for ever, but it's worth killing yourself as when you get resurrected you run more slowly for a while, which is handy.

Another general tip is to upgrade the coin magnet first, especially if you don't want to do any IAPs.

You don't have to touch the wings to activate them, just double tap anywhere on the screen & they appear. They last for 30 seconds too.

I'm top of the ten people on my friends list who've played this by a considerable margin, anyone else playing this can add me if they want, GC is the same as my user name.

Current top score is 1.6 million, not tried using the wings yet in a proper game, just done it once to unlock the multiplier / achievement.

[ZOK]

You don't have to touch the wings to activate them, just double tap anywhere on the screen & they appear. They last for 30 seconds too.

I'm top of the ten people on my friends list who've played this by a considerable margin, anyone else playing this can add me if they want, GC is the same as my user name.

Current top score is 1.6 million, not tried using the wings yet in a proper game, just done it once to unlock the multiplier / achievement.

Added, and cheers for the tip! You wouldn't believe how many times I've died trying to turn the wins on

[The Bag]

Question for you all, I've found some time to do any update to my iOS game so I'm adding some achievements. Some of these achievements will be for things I can tell the player has already done, should I unlock those straight away or make the player do them again?

I think they should just unlock.

[Cheeko]

You have to buy the resurrection wings in the shop, and use those during a run.

They can be tricky because you have to touch them to activate them, which often causes me to die! Anyway best technique with them in general is to save them till you've run 2000M or so, once they're activated they don't last for ever, but it's worth killing yourself as when you get resurrected you run more slowly for a while, which is handy.

Another general tip is to upgrade the coin magnet first, especially if you don't want to do any IAPs.

Thanks, what's your GC username?

[ZOK]

Thanks, what's your GC username?

ZOK 167, but make sure you read ph0rce's post below mine!

[Mr Do 71]

Ready, Steady, Bang is currently free.

Ready Steady Bang is A beautifully addictive quick-fire dueling game

[dizogg]

Playing Game Dev Story, it's good but where do I go when I'm just making amazing games on a whim and I've got my own console? Can you "complete" it?

What other kairosoft games are good?

[The Bag]

Grand Prix Story

[Sfan]

Mega Mall Story.

[deerokus]

They're all good (I own all of the ones avaialble on iOS :<) but Mega Mall and Grand Prix are the most addictive I think, and I think Mega Mall has scope to last longer than most of their other games as it is the closest to a fully fledged management game. Grand Prix is the closest to Game Dev in gameplay terms. I haven't played the football one which is only on Android at the moment, but it looks a lot like those two.

Hot Springs is the only one I really didn't get into. Oh! Edo Towns seems similar to that one from brief play.

Pocket Academy is pretty much Theme Hospital in a school.

[MrHendo]

Space Miner & Space Miner HD are both free at the moment!

Cheers for this, currently massively addicted to Space Miner : Space Ore Bust.

Was pleasantly surprised, wasn't expecting much but it's a great game.