iPhone/iTouch app and game thread

[Caine]

Against my better judgment (I already have 4 other handheld RPG's that I've barely scratched the surface on), I picked up Avalon this morning and spent a couple hours with it.  Technically, it's quite a remarkable achievement.  The environment looks fantastic, the animations are great, the music is good (although it's very annoying that the track starts over every time you enter or exit a room), the UI is very user-friendly, and the whole package is incredibly polished.  It really does feel like you're playing Oblivion on a handheld.  The world seems huge and there's plenty to do, although the map isn't the best and it's easy to get lost without any sort of quest marker.  Especially in the dungeons.  I got a call about halfway through a dungeon, got completely turned around, and it took me forever to find my way back out.

That said, it's such a completely and utterly generic "Ye Olde Fantasy" world that I'm having a hard time getting into it.  I also found myself fighting with the camera more often than the enemies until I switched to a 3rd person fixed perspective.  I'd highly recommend doing that right off the bat.  It's also incredibly easy so far (I can one or two hit nearly every enemy), but I'm sure that will change as I get further on.

I'd give it a cautious thumbs-up, depending on what sort of game you're looking for.  It's definitely grown on me the longer I've played today, and looks like it will be a fun ride.  It still blows my mind that I'm playing something like this on a phone.  

you know, I spent about 15 minutes trying to find Avalon on the app store.....

   Sorry dude.

care to share?

it's actually Aralon, not Avalon.

thanks ceekay.  

that does look good.  i can deal with generic fantasy rpg if it looks and plays this good.  i wonder how it will play on my old 3g (likely, bad) but i am anticipating getting an ipad/4g soon so i will get this while the sale is good.  

and i see it won't play on this one at all.  bummer. 

[Gratch]

Against my better judgment (I already have 4 other handheld RPG's that I've barely scratched the surface on), I picked up Avalon this morning and spent a couple hours with it.  Technically, it's quite a remarkable achievement.  The environment looks fantastic, the animations are great, the music is good (although it's very annoying that the track starts over every time you enter or exit a room), the UI is very user-friendly, and the whole package is incredibly polished.  It really does feel like you're playing Oblivion on a handheld.  The world seems huge and there's plenty to do, although the map isn't the best and it's easy to get lost without any sort of quest marker.  Especially in the dungeons.  I got a call about halfway through a dungeon, got completely turned around, and it took me forever to find my way back out.

That said, it's such a completely and utterly generic "Ye Olde Fantasy" world that I'm having a hard time getting into it.  I also found myself fighting with the camera more often than the enemies until I switched to a 3rd person fixed perspective.  I'd highly recommend doing that right off the bat.  It's also incredibly easy so far (I can one or two hit nearly every enemy), but I'm sure that will change as I get further on.

I'd give it a cautious thumbs-up, depending on what sort of game you're looking for.  It's definitely grown on me the longer I've played today, and looks like it will be a fun ride.  It still blows my mind that I'm playing something like this on a phone.  

you know, I spent about 15 minutes trying to find Avalon on the app store.....

   Sorry dude.

care to share?

it's actually Aralon, not Avalon.

thanks ceekay.  

that does look good.  i can deal with generic fantasy rpg if it looks and plays this good.  i wonder how it will play on my old 3g (likely, bad) but i am anticipating getting an ipad/4g soon so i will get this while the sale is good.  

and i see it won't play on this one at all.  bummer. 

This recent flood of iPhone games (Aralon, Eternal Legacy, Dungeon Hunter 2, Infinity Blade, etc.) was the driving factor behind my recent iPhone 4 upgrade.  I was going to do it eventually anyways, but all these cool games just pushed me over the top. 

[Gratch]

:sigh:  Secret of Mana hits the App store tonight.

God damn you Squeenix.  Like I didn't have enough to play already...

[godhugh]

:sigh:  Secret of Mana hits the App store tonight.

God damn you Squeenix.  Like I didn't have enough to play already...

Really? Hurray!!

[Gratch]

:sigh:  Secret of Mana hits the App store tonight.

God damn you Squeenix.  Like I didn't have enough to play already...

Really? Hurray!!

Already available...if you're in New Zealand  

I think I'm going to wait on this one though.  Too many games already, and I the Mana series has never been my favorite.  I'm sure I'll get it eventually, but it's not a must-buy at this point.  This, on the other hand, I'm absolutely giddy about.

[wonderpug]

Eagerly awaiting impressions on how the virtual d-pad is on Secret of Mana.

[godhugh]

Eagerly awaiting impressions on how the virtual d-pad is on Secret of Mana.

Downloaded and played for a few minutes (enough to get through the initial forest). Controls seem pretty good. The d-pad is a little squirrely, just like they always are, but it's certainly accurate enough to do the job. I did turn off "Directional Assistance" in the options and that seemed to improve things a bit. The game certainly brings back a lot of fond memories. I think I'm definitely going to have a good time playing back through it.

[Crusis]

I want to give a big thumbs up to Dungeon Hunter 2 HD. Between all the freaking games I purchased on sale, this has been played the most. It feels sort of like Dungeon Siege 2 but on the ipad. Aralon has gotten some game play but I keep going back to DH2.

[Gratch]

Chrono Trigger likely coming to iPhone/iPad.  Oh hell yeah!  

Now if they just get Xenogears converted over (either on iPhone or PSP, don't care which), I'll be a happy camper.

[PR_GMR]

A good friend of mine named Dan Panuska made and published a little game for the Iphone called Blob Eat Blob. If you want to try it out and purchase it for 1 buck, please do so. I picked it up last night and it was simple-timewaster fun. You play a cosmic blob that must eat smaller blobbies while avoiding the gargantuan ones. Only 1 buck!  

[Purge]

A good friend of mine named Dan Panuska made and published a little game for the Iphone called Blob Eat Blob. If you want to try it out and purchase it for 1 buck, please do so. I picked it up last night and it was simple-timewaster fun. You play a cosmic blob that must eat smaller blobbies while avoiding the gargantuan ones. Only 1 buck!  

That is called whoring.

[PR_GMR]

A good friend of mine named Dan Panuska made and published a little game for the Iphone called Blob Eat Blob. If you want to try it out and purchase it for 1 buck, please do so. I picked it up last night and it was simple-timewaster fun. You play a cosmic blob that must eat smaller blobbies while avoiding the gargantuan ones. Only 1 buck!  

That is called whoring.

I prefer to call it pimping. 

[CeeKay]

Pimping ain't easy.


 unless you're a dirty little whore.



 like PR 

[Arkon]

So, due to the amount of travel I do for work now, (Usually one week every month, sometimes more), I decided to use some money from Christmas, then chip in the rest to pick up an iPad. I have an iPhone for work, and I really wish I could "piggyback" on the wireless data plan for my phone and use it for my iPad since I got the 3g version. While I use very little data on my phone, I can see using it much more frequently with the iPad. My wife will also get a lot of use out of it when I am home and on the computer, she can use the iPad and likewise in reverse..

Anyway, my first impression is that the screen is beautiful. I downloaded some free books for the kindle app and was amazed at how easy it was to read. I had tried reading on my iPhone before and it just was way too small. The interface is the same as the iPhone so I was already used to how it worked. Perhaps surprisingly, I found browsing the app store to not be as easy on the iPad as it is on the iPhone, but perhaps I am looking in the wrong place for things. I also found some of the category pages were not formatted correctly and I ended up getting a long text list of apps with poorly formatted HTML.

Does the iPad not charge when plugged in via USB to a PC? Last night when I connected it, it made sure to point out in the top right that the device was not charging.

Any recommendations on a case and do folks recommend screen protectors? For the case, I would like something that can double as a stand I think.

Lastly, I have read this whole thread and found some good suggestions on apps, and am looking specifically for RPGs.  What is the final feeling on Infinity Blade and Chaos Rings for the iPad?  Do they hold up as well now as when they first released?  Planning on picking up The Quest and Rogue Touch.

[Gratch]

Does the iPad not charge when plugged in via USB to a PC? Last night when I connected it, it made sure to point out in the top right that the device was not charging.

I can't speak for the iPad, but I know the iPhone does charge off a USB port.  That said, when my PC goes into sleep mode, the iPhone stops charging.

Lastly, I have read this whole thread and found some good suggestions on apps, and am looking specifically for RPGs.  What is the final feeling on Infinity Blade and Chaos Rings for the iPad?  Do they hold up as well now as when they first released?  Planning on picking up The Quest and Rogue Touch.

Infinity Blade is great fun, but keep in mind that it's not an RPG by any means.  It's much closer to a sword-&-sorcery version of Punch Out.  Chaos Rings still holds up very well, and is still my personal favorite RPG's available on the iPhone.  It's very much a console-style JRPG though (looks and feels very similar to Final Fantasy VIII imo), so steer clear if that's not your thing.   I wasn't crazy about The Quest, but suppose it's probably worth a look for $.99.  If you're looking for an open world RPG like that, I'd recommend going with Aralon or Ravensword instead. 

[Arkon]

Does the iPad not charge when plugged in via USB to a PC? Last night when I connected it, it made sure to point out in the top right that the device was not charging.

I can't speak for the iPad, but I know the iPhone does charge off a USB port.  That said, when my PC goes into sleep mode, the iPhone stops charging.

Lastly, I have read this whole thread and found some good suggestions on apps, and am looking specifically for RPGs.  What is the final feeling on Infinity Blade and Chaos Rings for the iPad?  Do they hold up as well now as when they first released?  Planning on picking up The Quest and Rogue Touch.

Infinity Blade is great fun, but keep in mind that it's not an RPG by any means.  It's much closer to a sword-&-sorcery version of Punch Out.  Chaos Rings still holds up very well, and is still my personal favorite RPG's available on the iPhone.  It's very much a console-style JRPG though (looks and feels very similar to Final Fantasy VIII imo), so steer clear if that's not your thing.   I wasn't crazy about The Quest, but suppose it's probably worth a look for $.99.  If you're looking for an open world RPG like that, I'd recommend going with Aralon or Ravensword instead. 

Well, I love JRPGs so it looks like I will be picking up Chaos Ring.  Will have to do some more investigating on Aralon, it looks pretty decent.  I would kill for a graphically remade version of the wizardry games or even the old Might and Magic games (World of Xeen).

[Clay]

Does the iPad not charge when plugged in via USB to a PC? Last night when I connected it, it made sure to point out in the top right that the device was not charging.

It requires more power than most USB ports supply, so no -- it usually will not charge via USB. Hence the small power adapter that comes with it (versus the one that comes with the iPhone).

[Gratch]

Will have to do some more investigating on Aralon, it looks pretty decent. 

Here's a few reviews.    It's not perfect (controls take some getting used to and there are more than a few bugs), but Aralon truly feels like you're playing Oblivion on your phone.  It's quite remarkable.

[Arkon]

Has anyone tried The War of Eustrath?  It looks like a tactical turn based RPG.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-war-of-eustrath/id381058279?mt=8

[Arkon]

Will have to do some more investigating on Aralon, it looks pretty decent. 

Here's a few reviews.    It's not perfect (controls take some getting used to and there are more than a few bugs), but Aralon truly feels like you're playing Oblivion on your phone.  It's quite remarkable.

Well, I would love to be able to say the reviews were spot on...except the game freezes every time I try and give my character a name.  Hopefully I can find a way around this.

[The Grue]

Will have to do some more investigating on Aralon, it looks pretty decent. 

Here's a few reviews.    It's not perfect (controls take some getting used to and there are more than a few bugs), but Aralon truly feels like you're playing Oblivion on your phone.  It's quite remarkable.

Well, I would love to be able to say the reviews were spot on...except the game freezes every time I try and give my character a name.  Hopefully I can find a way around this.

I know this seems pretty dumb to ask, but have you tried rebooting?  I've not ha any crashes in Aralon.

[ravenvii]

Does the iPad not charge when plugged in via USB to a PC? Last night when I connected it, it made sure to point out in the top right that the device was not charging.

It requires more power than most USB ports supply, so no -- it usually will not charge via USB. Hence the small power adapter that comes with it (versus the one that comes with the iPhone).

It does charge, just very slowly. It won't charge if you actively use it, but once it goes to sleep it will slowly charge.

[Misguided]

Been having a blast with Solomon's Keep the last few days and it's free right now. It's basically a dual-stick dungeon (or rather, tower) crawler where you play a wizard. You get to choose which powers you upgrade when you level, which gives it a lite rpg feel and also decent replayability.

[mytocles]

Hmmm, I could swear I saw Aralon for $6.99 USD when I was researching it (thanks to the recommendations here)... but the latest pages I linked to said it was $9.99.  Anyone know if the higher price is due to more recent patches, or just "site variability" on cost?  It sounds like a game that I would like a lot; I just don't know when to grab it based on the glitches-to-cost ratio.   

[DonD]

AppShopper is your friend:


Yep, they raised the price.  Register on the site, add it to your wishlist, and you'll get email if/when the price drops.

[Bob]

I bought Chronos Gear awhile ago and am just revisiting it.  It's an excellent clone of the Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes game from the DS. I think it may actually be a better game than M&M:CoH.

It's 99 cents right now.

[Bob]

Riener Knizia's Labyrinth iPhone version .99 cents.  Very cool tile laying game.

Ninjatown Trees of Doom free today and into tomorrow.

[wonderpug]

If anyone hasn't heard of it, Ninjatown Trees of Doom is damn good fun.

[CeeKay]

Devil May Cry 4 on the iOS?

http://www.slidetoplay.com/story/devil-may-cry-4-refrain-hands-on-preview

[Bob]

100 Rogues free today (Jan 11)

[CeeKay]

Super Soviet Missile Mastar is coming next month for free.

[Gratch]

Uno is only $.99 today as well.  It's a pretty good version of the game.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

If anyone hasn't heard of it, Ninjatown Trees of Doom is damn good fun.

Really? It seemed pretty basic and repetitive to me. But it was free so I can't complain. I wouldn't pay for it though.

[CeeKay]

holy flashback.... Death Rally is coming to the iOS.

[CeeKay]

then there is always Maxplosion, which apparently is Capcom ripping off 'Splosion Man.

[wonderpug]

If anyone hasn't heard of it, Ninjatown Trees of Doom is damn good fun.

Really? It seemed pretty basic and repetitive to me. But it was free so I can't complain. I wouldn't pay for it though.

How high did you get?  The first 1000 feet are pretty simple, but 1000-2000 gets pretty challenging.  I mean, this isn't a game on-par with Baldur's Gate or something, but for a simple arcade action thing it's pretty fun.

[CeeKay]

Road Blaster is out now for 99 cents.

[CeeKay]

Angry Birds Seasons knocked out by an 8th grader.

[The_Man]

Scrabble is free as of right now.

[Gratch]

Scrabble is free as of right now.

I've probably put more time into Scrabble than all my other iPhone games combined.  It really is a fantastic version.