A Gaming Diary
iPhone
Racer (iPhone)
Jul 27th
One of those incredibly simple games that packs a hugely addictive punch.
Cars scroll down the screen, you slide your finger left and right so your car avoids them. That’s it.
It’s very polished, has online leaderboards (I was 535th in the world for Normal mode, last I checked) and I keep going back to it.
I really think you should go and buy it now. I was very sceptical when I read about it, thinking it looked a bit too simplistic to be worth even 59p, but it’s great. Take my word for it.
Air Coaster (iPhone)
Jul 27th
Generate a random roller coaster or build one in the simple-but-powerful editior. Then go into the 3D view and ride it. It’s not really a game, just a toy, but it’s a very, very good one it you like roller coasters. I’ve been building very silly coasters and then been showing them off to my wife so she can ride them. It’s that type of app.
It’s impressive, fun and well worth the bargain price of 59p. I’m very pleased with it.
(Oh, and there is a basic game mode, shown in the screenshot above, but don’t worry about it, it’s not worth even a passing thought. I’ve also just noticed how rubbish that screen shot looks. Don’t worry, the game itself runs very well and looks a lot nicer in motion.)
Harbour Master (iPhone)
Jul 27th
It’s very much like Flight Control, but I think I prefer it. The main difference, apart from the visual difference between planes and boats, is that the ships carry cargo and, one unloaded in a harbour, you have to get them back out to sea. It’s an interesting twist and one that improves the game for me, as does just the general feel of the thing. Flight Control alternates between dull and frantic, Harbour Master seems better tuned and doesn’t have the same periods where nothing much is happening.
I’m not going to delete Flight Control from my iPhone, but I doubt I’ll be playing it much any more. Mind you, I wasn’t before.
Doom Resurrection (iPhone)
Jul 27th
Another level done in bed last night. It was awesome. Playing on the lowest difficult level, as I am, I find myself often close to death, but I’ve only died once so far. It’s a good balance for me, I think. There’s danger if I’m careless, but if I keep my wits about me, I’m not going to suddenly find myself in a heap on the floor.
It’s really very playable indeed and while the story is completely unnecessary, it doesn’t get in the way too much.
I think I’ve been playing this in a good way by making it a special game that I keep for occasions where I can do it justice and not taking it too fast. I think it’s well worth the six quid price tag, but I can imagine that if you were to buy it and then blow through it one extended sitting you might not feel the same way.
geoDefense (iPhone)
Jul 27th
Another weekend, another level or two completed.
This is probably my most-played iPhone game now. I adore it. It’s just a shame that I really haven’t got anything new or useful to say about it. It’s a great tower defense game and, well, that’s about it. Just at least try out the Lite version, okay?
Rolando Lite (iPhone)
Jul 27th
Not, actually, the complete rip-off of Loco Roco that it appears to be. It’s got some ideas in common – tilting to roll little round guys around primary-coloured levels, for example – and from the screenshots you could be forgiven for getting the wrong impression, as I did.
It’s more of a puzzle game, though, and feels more precise and stressful than its PSP-based inspiration. I’m quite impressed – and the Lite version actually gives a good chunk of levels. I’ve not finished it yet, because I got to a level that I actually had to think about, so I stopped playing. I will go back, though, and if I manage to finish it off, I’ll be interested in the full game.
Pipe Mania (iPhone)
Jul 27th
So, when I last blogged about this, I was playing the Lite version and had tried an Arcade level and had my arse well and truly kicked.
However, after I blogged I started it up again and won the same level with ease. Funny how often that sort of thing happens. Anyway, that win, along with the game being on sale for a very limited time (it’s back up to full price already), prompted me to spend my hard-earned 59p.
I’m glad I did. It’s a fantastic little puzzle game so far, with no annoyances or barriers to get in the way of enjoyment. I have a great time laying out levels, it’s absolutely full of different modes and I haven’t even had to do any of the scrolling Arcade levels yet. Great stuff – and if the sale was still going on I’d send you off to buy it right now.
Pocket God (iPhone)
Jul 27th
When I wrote about Trixel earlier today I mentioned that it was probably the only game I shouldn’t have bought. I forgot about Pocket God, which kept me confused for about ten minutes and amused for about two. It is hugely popular, I know, but I have no idea why. Not a clue.
However, it had an update over the weekend that added in a proper, real mini game.
You bounce on clouds and tilt left and right to land on other clouds to bounce even higher. It’s not great, but it’s at least half decent and thus improves Pocket God a million percent, approximately. Hooray!
Ferrari GT Evolution Lite (iPhone)
Jul 27th
It’s a racing game. Guess what type of car you drive. Go on, guess. Yeah, well. Shut up. Right. It’s a racing game. There are lots of control options, but none of them work very well. I tried it several times to try and get comfortable with at least one of the control methods, but I didn’t manage it.
It looks nice and, to be fair, I know other people manage to get on with it fine, but it’s really not for me, not even for 59p.
Wolfenstein 3D Lite (iPhone)
Jul 27th
Controls work surprisingly well, after some fiddling, but, look…
…it’s Wolfenstein, which felt archaic in 1994. Bring on Doom classic.
