iPhone/iTouch app and game thread

[Crawley]

Anyone tried Pinball Arcade? Was thinking of getting that based on some positive comments from the Gamers With Jobs podcast.

It has 4 real world pinball tables (Arabian Knights, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Black Hole, and Theatre of Magic) with others coming in the future. A bit pricey at $8 for all the tables but if its good and there are more to come I'm in.

[Bullwinkle]

Anyone tried Pinball Arcade? Was thinking of getting that based on some positive comments from the Gamers With Jobs podcast.

It has 4 real world pinball tables (Arabian Knights, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Black Hole, and Theatre of Magic) with others coming in the future. A bit pricey at $8 for all the tables but if its good and there are more to come I'm in.

I tried it.  It's good, but I was thinking the iPad screen would make the table more visible from an overall perspective.  I never quite found an ideal view (a constant problem with video pinball games, IMO).  I couldn't quite stomach the $8 for the full plunge, though.

[Crawley]

Decided to dive in and buy all the Real Pinball tables for the $10. I'm really enjoying it on the iPad.

The only table I've played previous was Arabian Knights in various formats (PC, 360, real) and think it was a real good version of it. The only thing that seemed off to me was the spinning of the lamp (seemed stiff). But other than that I had a lot of fun with it.

The best table of the pack is Theatre of Magic. It's pretty close to Medieval Madness quality. Great layout and lots of fun story elements. Very high scoring table too. If you buy one table from the collection this is the one to get.

Ripley's Believe it or Not was kinda disapointing. It seems to have some framerate issues on my iPad (gen 1) so while I'm enjoying it I just wished it played slightly better.

Black Hole is the worst of the bunch as there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to it. But can still see playing it when I just want to play something a bit more mindless.

Found playing in portrait mode worked best but landscape looks a bit better and Camera 3 was the best option for me on all tables.

[Misguided]

Black Hole is a much older design, from around 1980. It was groundbreaking for its time, but is very different (and much more difficult) than the others.

[Gratch]

Maybe this was common knowledge, but I just found out today that the brilliant Fairway Solitaire has been released for iOS. 

[heloder]

Grand Theft Auto 3 and Grand Theft Auto Chinatown are both $.99 this weekend.

[kathode]

Final Fantasy Tactics finally released an ipad-native version (... for $17.99).  Reading mostly positive reports on GAF and toucharcade.

[Laner]

Bard's Tale is a huge file size.  Bigger than Infinity Blade II by half or so.

I also got about halfway through, but I think I just ran out of steam.  I imagine buying it and not getting very far on the iPad, honestly, and so it'd just be taking up a lot of space on there.

Still, I do have fond memories of what I did play.  I'll be interested to hear how it plays, anyway.

They're adding the original Bard's Tale trilogy to the iOS remake as free title updates... the first one is now available.

http://toucharcade.com/2012/02/20/original-the-bards-tale-trilogy-heading-to-ios-version-in-free-updates/

I also discovered Akalabeth (Richard Garriot's precursor to the Ultima series) is available for iOS:

http://www.ultimaaiera.com/akalabeth/akalabeth-for-iphone/

[Clanwolfer]

I'm hoping to have a very, very early Lite version of my game available in the next week or two. Are shameless plugs here okay?

[Bullwinkle]

I'm hoping to have a very, very early Lite version of my game available in the next week or two. Are shameless plugs here okay?

I look for "senior member" or a large number of posts for something like that.

You're good.

[Enigma]

Modern Combat 3 (universal) is 99 cents today.

[Harkonis]

I'm hoping to have a very, very early Lite version of my game available in the next week or two. Are shameless plugs here okay?

cool

[Hetz]

Modern Combat 3 (universal) is 99 cents today.

Thanks for the tip!  I picked it up.

Also, most other Gameloft games are 99 cents today, due to the new iPad being out.

[Gratch]

Modern Combat 3 (universal) is 99 cents today.

Thanks for the tip!  I picked it up.

Also, most other Gameloft games are 99 cents today, due to the new iPad being out.

Mine should be here this afternoon...can't wait to stock up on some new games in HD!

[Hetz]

Modern Combat 3 (universal) is 99 cents today.

Thanks for the tip!  I picked it up.

Also, most other Gameloft games are 99 cents today, due to the new iPad being out.

Mine should be here this afternoon...can't wait to stock up on some new games in HD!

Yeah, I got one of the new iPad's yesterday and I am really impressed. The screen looks great!

[Gratch]

Majesty was basically unplayable ona the iPhone (everything was simply too small), but is awesome on the iPad.

[Gratch]

What was the name of the iOS RPG that was created by former Bioware employees?  It was only about an hour long, with the promise of additional chapters.  I'd like to give it a look now that I have an iPad, but can't remember what it's called.  

Oh, and after 5 attempts of not being able to even get past the 2nd Majesty level on the Easy setting, I've decided this game just isn't for me.  There's obviously something I'm missing, cause I am seriously awful at this game.

[Cragmyre]

The Majesty level with the goblins?  I ended up just making two warrior guilds and upgrading my blacksmith to as high as the level would let me.  Rangers and Wizards were too squishy for that level it seemed, though the wizard tower was a good way to see into the unexplored areas because of the spell.  Though the Warriors had no problem exploring, but they did prefer attack flags.  The reason I had two warrior guilds is because with only 4 warriors, they would all come back to defend the castle or their home, where as with 8, some would still be available to take out the goblin huts and towns.

As for the RPG, I have no clue.  I haven't found any rpgs that have struck my fancy just yet.

[Bullwinkle]

What was the name of the iOS RPG that was created by former Bioware employees?  It was only about an hour long, with the promise of additional chapters.  I'd like to give it a look now that I have an iPad, but can't remember what it's called.  

Oh, and after 5 attempts of not being able to even get past the 2nd Majesty level on the Easy setting, I've decided this game just isn't for me.  There's obviously something I'm missing, cause I am seriously awful at this game.

Emissary of War.

I didn't realize there was a Bioware connection.  I looked it up.

I really enjoyed that game, actually.  Good story with fun characters, but don't go in expecting typical Bioware.  At all.  It's very light.

[Gratch]

The Majesty level with the goblins?  I ended up just making two warrior guilds and upgrading my blacksmith to as high as the level would let me.  Rangers and Wizards were too squishy for that level it seemed, though the wizard tower was a good way to see into the unexplored areas because of the spell.  Though the Warriors had no problem exploring, but they did prefer attack flags.  The reason I had two warrior guilds is because with only 4 warriors, they would all come back to defend the castle or their home, where as with 8, some would still be available to take out the goblin huts and towns.

Thanks, I'll give that a shot.  Thought you had to go the Wizard route, as it mentions them in the mission briefing.  I always find myself seriously struggling for money...need to rethink my approach.

As for the RPG, I have no clue.  I haven't found any rpgs that have struck my fancy just yet.

Give either Rimelands or Pocket RPG a shot.  Both are fantastic.

[Cragmyre]

The Majesty level with the goblins?  I ended up just making two warrior guilds and upgrading my blacksmith to as high as the level would let me.  Rangers and Wizards were too squishy for that level it seemed, though the wizard tower was a good way to see into the unexplored areas because of the spell.  Though the Warriors had no problem exploring, but they did prefer attack flags.  The reason I had two warrior guilds is because with only 4 warriors, they would all come back to defend the castle or their home, where as with 8, some would still be available to take out the goblin huts and towns.

Thanks, I'll give that a shot.  Thought you had to go the Wizard route, as it mentions them in the mission briefing.  I always find myself seriously struggling for money...need to rethink my approach.

I also made a couple of guard towers to help protect my warrior guilds and my blacksmith.  I sort of had warrior guild, guard tower, blacksmith, guard tower, warrior guild    I tried a marketplace at first, but trolls kept on coming and attacking it, so I decided for this level to go without healing potions.

As for the RPG, I have no clue.  I haven't found any rpgs that have struck my fancy just yet.

Give either Rimelands or Pocket RPG a shot.  Both are fantastic.

Are they turn based RPGs?  I don't really want action rpg - I have my xbox for those

[Misguided]

Rimelands is turn-based. Been around for awhile, but definitely fun.

[Gratch]

As for the RPG, I have no clue.  I haven't found any rpgs that have struck my fancy just yet.

Give either Rimelands or Pocket RPG a shot.  Both are fantastic.

Are they turn based RPGs?  I don't really want action rpg - I have my xbox for those

Rimelands is turn-based with a pretty unique dice-based combat mechanic.  I thought it was a blast.  Pocket RPG is more of an action-RPG.  Quite Diablo-esque, and very fun.

Of course, there's also Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions, which is the greatest turn-based RPG in existence.

[Bullwinkle]

Did no one see that the name of the game you described is Emissary of War?

Sometimes I feel like I'm typing in a void...

[Cragmyre]

Did no one see that the name of the game you described is Emissary of War?

Sometimes I feel like I'm typing in a void...

That is weird Bullwinkle, I could have sworn your post wasn't there before 

[Gratch]

Did no one see that the name of the game you described is Emissary of War?

Sometimes I feel like I'm typing in a void...

Yep, I saw it.  DL'ed this morning...thanks.

[Bullwinkle]

No worries.  Glad you found it.

[Clanwolfer]

Decided to hold back on the earliest Lite release - I don't want to put out something so beta I don't like it yet. Going to spend a bit of time on an art asset or two, and tune the engine until I'm happier with the realism of the results, and I like the interface better.

By way of apology, have a screenshot of the in-development beta!

[Gratch]

I'm not a huge fan of Angry Birds (most of these "physics" games are lost on me), but have to admit that Angry Birds Space is pretty damn clever.

[Hetz]

Yeah, I'm enjoying it. It also supports the new iPad display. It looks really nice!

[Bullwinkle]

Make sure you try Siege Hero.  It's the one I've enjoyed the most.  Nothing super unique to it (you throw rocks and fire and bombs from the front with a tap as opposed to from the side with a pull, so that's something), but it's very satisfying.

[The Grue]

I'm not a huge fan of Angry Birds (most of these "physics" games are lost on me), but have to admit that Angry Birds Space is pretty damn clever.

Yeah, I am enjoying it as well.

[rittchard]

Any of you playing Draw Something?  Apparently it's extremely popular right now.  Basically it's a turn-based Pictionary type game.  The fun is seeing if you can draw something resembling anything that your friends can guess.  My skill is so horrible I cringe before I hit the send button.  Incredibly I've seen some amazing drawings people have done but in general it's just a lot of scribbles.

[The Grue]

Any of you playing Draw Something?  Apparently it's extremely popular right now.  Basically it's a turn-based Pictionary type game.  The fun is seeing if you can draw something resembling anything that your friends can guess.  My skill is so horrible I cringe before I hit the send button.  Incredibly I've seen some amazing drawings people have done but in general it's just a lot of scribbles.

I've not played it, but my big question with this is with those amazing drawings people do....do you have to wait a half hour for them to draw them?

[Ralph-Wiggum]

Any of you playing Draw Something?  Apparently it's extremely popular right now.  Basically it's a turn-based Pictionary type game.  The fun is seeing if you can draw something resembling anything that your friends can guess.  My skill is so horrible I cringe before I hit the send button.  Incredibly I've seen some amazing drawings people have done but in general it's just a lot of scribbles.

I've not played it, but my big question with this is with those amazing drawings people do....do you have to wait a half hour for them to draw them?

You can guess any time. And once you get it correct then you just see the final drawing.

[The Grue]

Any of you playing Draw Something?  Apparently it's extremely popular right now.  Basically it's a turn-based Pictionary type game.  The fun is seeing if you can draw something resembling anything that your friends can guess.  My skill is so horrible I cringe before I hit the send button.  Incredibly I've seen some amazing drawings people have done but in general it's just a lot of scribbles.

I've not played it, but my big question with this is with those amazing drawings people do....do you have to wait a half hour for them to draw them?

You can guess any time. And once you get it correct then you just see the final drawing.

See it when he's done with it in an hour?

[The Grue]

Also, I am amazed that not every picture in this game is a dick and balls.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

Any of you playing Draw Something?  Apparently it's extremely popular right now.  Basically it's a turn-based Pictionary type game.  The fun is seeing if you can draw something resembling anything that your friends can guess.  My skill is so horrible I cringe before I hit the send button.  Incredibly I've seen some amazing drawings people have done but in general it's just a lot of scribbles.

I've not played it, but my big question with this is with those amazing drawings people do....do you have to wait a half hour for them to draw them?

You can guess any time. And once you get it correct then you just see the final drawing.

See it when he's done with it in an hour?

You aren't notified/can't see the drawing until the other player has finished and submitted it.

[Bullwinkle]

Yeah, Draw Something is async multiplayer, so you take your turn and wait for the other person to take theirs.  Like Words with Friends, you usually submit your turn, then exit the app and do other stuff.  The best way to play these is to have multiple games going at the same time.

There are a bunch of these (I have a very similar one on my WP7 called Duudle that's pretty good, though it has a timer for your turn), and I'm not sure why Draw Something, which was so late to the party, became the winner so soon after its release.  I imagine it's the perfect storm of usability.  It's simple to use (apart from newbies always using the too thick default pen) and can be used by artists and dorks like me who can't draw well. 

The only thing I don't like is that the keyboard takes up drawing real estate when you're guessing, but the drawing screen doesn't show it, so you often get art that's obscured.  I am certain there's a way to make it disappear, but it's not apparent.

[Teggy]

One person I have been playing draw something with has been putting words in their pictures - kind of made me wonder if people send the answer back and forth just for coins. Played correctly its pretty amusing, though.