The iOS gaming thread

[Onze]

now out yet, but I'm looking forward to it having played it in the pub last year: Incoboto new game from Dene Carter

Has anybody got Incoboto yet? If so let us know whether it's worth dropping £1.99 on it?

[toythatkills]

Incoboto is iPad only, so don't get your hopes up, iPhoners.

[MK-1601]

Oh man, Ziggurat is such an awesome little game

[edit] Edge rightfully agrees.

NNnng. I was trying to hold my tongue about this but just can't.

If Ziggurat wasn't made by a 'scene darling' it would be completely non-notable. There are dozens if not hundreds of better arcade games on iOS. it certainly doesn't warrant such a ridiculously overwrought review. A single screen shooter with nice balance = EVOLUTION OF THE MEDIUM? This review was published posthumously after the author visited newgrounds and had an aneurysm.

[Grobbelboy]

NNnng. I was trying to hold my tongue about this but just can't.

If Ziggurat wasn't made by a 'scene darling' it would be completely non-notable. There are dozens if not hundreds of better arcade games on iOS. it certainly doesn't warrant such a ridiculously overwrought review. A single screen shooter with nice balance = EVOLUTION OF THE MEDIUM? This review was published posthumously after the author visited newgrounds and had an aneurysm.

I don't know who this 'scene darling' is, I just genuinely love the game and think Edge is pretty much spot on I like the minimalistic approach, the precise controls, the retro styling, the glorious visual feedback and sound effects and the sense of accomplishment you feel when you first reach the night or encounter a new kind of enemy. It's a far more skill-based and satisfying game than Jetpack Joyride and its imitators.

[ZOK]

NNnng. I was trying to hold my tongue about this but just can't.

If Ziggurat wasn't made by a 'scene darling' it would be completely non-notable. There are dozens if not hundreds of better arcade games on iOS. it certainly doesn't warrant such a ridiculously overwrought review. A single screen shooter with nice balance = EVOLUTION OF THE MEDIUM? This review was published posthumously after the author visited newgrounds and had an aneurysm.

Couldn't be more wrong. It's a beautiful little game, from whichever aspect you approach it. What do you want them to say in Edge, 'Great game! 9'? Because if you do, read another mag.

I imagine that 'scene darling' stuff is only relevant if you're the sort of weirdo who that sort of thing is important to.

[Rudderless]

NNnng. I was trying to hold my tongue about this but just can't.

If Ziggurat wasn't made by a 'scene darling' it would be completely non-notable. There are dozens if not hundreds of better arcade games on iOS. it certainly doesn't warrant such a ridiculously overwrought review. A single screen shooter with nice balance = EVOLUTION OF THE MEDIUM? This review was published posthumously after the author visited newgrounds and had an aneurysm.

Nonsense. The reviewer even says that Tim Rogers' stuff is "so much 'publish-now-edit-never' brain spew".

[MK-1601]

What do you want them to say in Edge, 'Great game! 9'? Because if you do, read another mag.

Or maybe review something more notable, if they're only going to cover a handful of iOS games a month?

[ZOK]

It's easily one of the best iPhone shooters there is, so its coverage is warranted.

To be honest old sport, it just sounds like you've got your usual bee in bonnet about a game that anyone with an unbiased view will recognise as fantastic.

How come? In fact, even as a type this I've worked it out...it's because the reviewer keeps mentioning Halo in the review! Man, you crazy!

[Cheeko]

I'm really enjoying it, I've been thinking about making an iphone game with a friend but it's seemed like it would be a fair bit of work to make something of a high standard, and then you see the elegance of Ziggurat and you realise if you're really clever about it you can make something quite simple.

How's everyone doing on scores on it? My best is about 140, my game center name is cheekorobbins if anyone's got similar scores or better.

My only real complaint is that sometimes, if you're using two fingers(one for each side) you can accidently touch the screen with both at the same time and your shot will get stuck to your gun. It tends to happen at the most intense moments of course and can end a game pretty quickly before you realise and can release it.

[ZOK]

142 is my highest. You're on my friend list and you're ahead of me with 173 kills.

DAMN. YOU.

[Harsin]

I bought the DLC levels for Scribblenauts on my iPad last night. But when I try to access them on my iPhone it wants me to pay for them again?

[Alex W.]

It should give you them for free when you go through the normal buying process, if it's a universal app.

[Distinct muttering]

Anyone got drawsome? It's basically a knock off of catchphrase, although you basically draw anything from inanimate objects to movie characters.

The problem is there doesn't really seem to be any decent scoring, no time limit, and if you don't get te answer who should be punished? You the guesser, or the drawer?

However, I suggest it could be could be potential comedy gold with forum members, especially if some screenshots were posted up of some of the efforts. Downside is this hilarity would cost you 69p, anyone got it yet?

[MK-1601]

How come? In fact, even as a type this I've worked it out...it's because the reviewer keeps mentioning Halo in the review! Man, you crazy!

You're an idiot.

I'm not raging over it. I can take a fairly educated guess at who wrote it and don't think they're dumb. Just rolling my eyes at the "early 2000s Edge" fashionable dev + breathless hyperbole combo.

...

Anyway, I've got the arse about something else now! Waking Mars: why no Lite version w/ in-app upgrade?

Spider is one of my favourite iOS games ever, but I've no idea if Tiger Style have still 'got it' all these years later, and I can see it being an acquired taste (I like Metroidvanias but didn't like Aquaria or most other recent takes on the formula).

I know it's only 3 quid, but there's so much 79p and free stuff vying for attention.

[toythatkills]

Right, Triple Town fans, give NomNom Combo a go. It's free.

It's a similar concept, but not Yeti Town similar. You place creatures (and predators) on a grid and if you match three they level up and change colour. If you place a predator next to its prey (they'll be the same colour) the predator will eat the prey. If you place the prey next to its predator it will run away.

From initial plays, it seems to have a better set up than Triple Town. You start with less turns so games feel more finite, but you can "continue" and get more turns when you run out for coins. The big thing, though, is that it gives you enough coins to cover it rather than holding them back like Triple Town does so that you have to IAP or play loads of pointless games to save coins up.

-

Also, osu!stream has had an update, and its song packs are 2/3rds off for a few days. So $1/69p to play four VVVVVV songs in it.

[Harsin]

EA have had to pull The Simpsons: Tapped Out from the app store due to it being a bug filled mess and major connectivity issues. Nice to see them bringing over the QA they're famous for on consoles to iOS.

They're blaming it on the game being more popular than they expected, which is also the line they parrot when one of their 360/PS3 goes tits up.

[toythatkills]

All these bugs were found while it was still in beta in Canada, then they just released it worldwide anyway. Kind of makes you wonder what the point of the beta was.

[Stanley]

I'm not raging over it. I can take a fairly educated guess at who wrote it and don't think they're dumb. Just rolling my eyes at the "early 2000s Edge" fashionable dev + breathless hyperbole combo.

I've no idea what circles you mix in but "fashionable" - really? Rather then get all jealous making bitchy remarks tell us what you disagree with that they've written about the game and why.

Edge can only ever review a selection of games each month regardless of platform, if they think this deserves coverage because it's a great game I don't see the problem. Thats what reviews are for, as essentially buying guides.

[scissorkicks]

GoatUp is reduced as a promotion alongside Gridrunner, have to say I'm really enjoying both of them

Gridrunner is fabulous. Looks great, controls spot on (as most of Yak's iOS games seem to be). Absolutely addicted to it. Also didn't realise until I'd been playing it for hours that you get the Vic-20 and C64 versions if you hold it landscape. Wonderful stuff.

[joeplus]

Little Acorns is popular and excellent. The controls seem floaty at first but they make more sense the more you play. All the levels have replay value and it looks nice.

[Slartibartfast]

Anyway, I've got the arse about something else now! Waking Mars: why no Lite version w/ in-app upgrade?

Spider is one of my favourite iOS games ever, but I've no idea if Tiger Style have still 'got it' all these years later, and I can see it being an acquired taste (I like Metroidvanias but didn't like Aquaria or most other recent takes on the formula).

I know it's only 3 quid, but there's so much 79p and free stuff vying for attention.

I took the plunge on Waking Mars. I am finding it pretty compelling, has a great sense of atmosphere. However, I'm not a great fan of the controls as I don't like covering the screen with my hand as much as it makes you (but then again I think I've been spoiled with recent icade games). Also, so far, there hasn't been too much 'game' to it. You explore, cultivate some martian plants with seeds etc, but there hasn't been any real sense of danger yet. Still, I am enjoying it, love the sense of place, but feel it's a game some will love and others just won't get along with it at all. I'm sure this doesn't help you very much, and just furthers your disappointment that there isn't a demo available.

[Harsin]

How does Waking Mars handle on an iPad 1? I'm wary of paying for games now as so many run like a dog on the first gen device.

[Asura]

Apparently "Trails In the Sky" is coming to iOS:

http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Multiformat/The+Legend+of+Heroes%3A+Trails+in+the+Sky/news.asp?c=38529&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PocketGamerLatestAdditionsiphone+%28Pocket+Gamer+-+Latest+additions+%28iPhone%29%29

This should be good news; I know a lot of people in the PSVita topic have been recommending it.

[K]

Waking Mars looks awesome, I have to say – like a kind of cross between Exile and Spider. How does it actually play?

[toythatkills]

Apparently "Trails In the Sky" is coming to iOS:

I've a feeling this will be awkward on a touchscreen.

Beat Hazard just went free. Better on XBLIG but could be worth a go, before the inevitable realisation that the controls are shit.

[Flub]

I love playing Beat Hazard Ultra on my iPad. Ace little game. I can get 27% into an epic 29 minute mp3 of the classic Amiga demo music Jesus on E's

[K]

I’m really enjoying Waking Mars at the moment; it’s a bit like a cross between Exile, Slime World, The Dig and Samorost. The only pube in the ointment is the jetpack controls, which are a bit wonky when trying to go straight up – you have to touch the top centre of the screen, which feels a bit unnatural and obscures your view. But that aside, the game’s had a lot of love put into it, and it really neatly makes a compelling game mechanic out of balancing a simple ecosystem.

[Rev]

I've a feeling this will be awkward on a touchscreen.

Beat Hazard just went free. Better on XBLIG but could be worth a go, before the inevitable realisation that the controls are shit.

I find the controls to be fairly great, one of the better twinstick jobs around. Special weapons are a bit unreliable, but the core shooting is fine. A+++ Recommend.

And if you're being snobby, it's clearly best on PC not XBLIG.

[toythatkills]

And if you're being snobby, it's clearly best on PC not XBLIG.

Probably, but it's only a few pence on XBLIG so it has the best price:quality ratio

There's a chance that it's just me that this is going to interest, but Nimblebit's next game (still a long way off) has a preview on TouchArcade.

http://toucharcade.com/2012/03/05/gdc-2012-nimblebits-next-game-is-pocket-planes/

It's called Pocket Planes, and apparently is a lot more gamey than Tiny Tower, there'll be proper strategic elements to it. It's still going to be a free-to-play thing with IAPs so I doubt there's any way to lose, but it sounds like there are loads of different ways to play it that will vary in how profitable they are, so you'll be able to play better.

[Qazimod]

Maybe old news, but there's a new original shoot 'em up from the Danmaku Unlimited developer coming later this week. I still haven't played that game yet, and my dabblings with the Cave titles prove how rubbish I am at this sort of stuff, but Storm Strikers does look pretty and fun...