Posted 02/06/2012 at 7:30am | by Garrett Martin Path launched in 2010 as a single-app combo of Foursquare, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, with a focus on exclusivity. It limited you to 50 friends, the thought being that Path would prioritize the relationships that actually matter, and not just spotlight every kid you ever sat at a lunch table with in elementary school. Recently, Path increased that maximum to 150 friends along with a bevy of improvements, but even that still-limited tally doesn't explain why my Path friends list is so slim. The problem with Path is hardly anybody is using it. That's a little surprising, as Path is less cluttered and easier to navigate than Facebook. Creating posts is incredibly simple: click on an icon at the bottom of your screen and six buttons fan out in a quarter-circle. From here you can write whatever's on your mind, take and upload photos, pop up a location tag, and share what songs you've recently listened to (along with links to buy them). These all appear on a single screen along with your friends' updates. All the information you and your pals share pops up in one long, single scroll. Like Facebook, that could mean having to sort through multiple inane posts of sheer unrelenting vanity to find anything of substance about a friend or family member. That probably won't happen, though, because it's tough to find enough pals on the service to make regular use essential for most. It's tough to be an off-brand social network. Apps like Path are only as useful as the size of their user base, and Path has roughly 799 million less users than Facebook. I fraternize within various social circles, all of which are heavy with tech-savvy Internet addicts, and yet I struggled to find many Read More
Posted 02/03/2012 at 5:55am | by AJ Dellinger Who would have guessed that Adult Swim, the late-night network famed for its irreverent cartoons and live-action series, would prove to be one of the most consistent producers of quality iOS games? Its latest addition to the stack is Bring Me Sandwiches!!, which is one part platformer and another Katamari Damacy, topped with a dab of absurdity and slapped between two slices of bread. You'll take control of lovable loser Jimmy Nugget, a hapless employee at a local fast food restaurant. When a seemingly unquenchable glutton of an alien named Gourmo threatens to destroy the earth, Jimmy is called upon to save the day by meeting the otherworldly visitor's single, titular demand. Of course, an extraterrestrial isn't going to crave just any kind of sandwich; he's choosy about ingredients, so don't be surprised if you're asked to offer up a cat and fire hydrant sandwich. At the start of each vibrantly colored and well-designed level, Jimmy is handed a slice of bread. Running around using either the intuitive touch or tilt controls, you'll collect any and all items that are littered about the level to stack your sandwiches higher. While the controls work well, there are rare occasions where they don't seem responsive enough; jumping off the heads of other characters comes to mind. Some platforms are also ill-defined, though it's seldom problematic. Neither presents a significant hindrance, but the rest of the game is so sharp that the little flaws seem more prevalent. The bottom line. Bring Me Sandwiches!! is a genre-blender that takes the best parts of other favorites and makes them work together. It's so quirky, entertaining, and difficult to put down that you might find yourself in your kitchen, simply stacking random objects on bread because you just can't Read More
Posted 02/01/2012 at 9:48am | by Andrew Hayward Considered one of the all-time great fighting games on consoles and in arcades, Soulcalibur makes a surprisingly stellar translation to a touchscreen interface, with virtual buttons that deftly issue sweeping sword strikes and kicks, and a stick that lets you move your fighter ably around the stage. Soulcalibur still leads the weapons-based fighting genre today (with this week's release of Soulcalibur V on consoles), and this late-90s flashback serves up all of the original fighters -- including the staff-slinging Kilik, as well as sword-wielding samurai, Mitsurugi. While the combat isn't quite as robust as in later entries, this is still a satisfying affair that works well on both iPhone and iPad. Plus, this decade-old classic looks better than ever thanks to the high-resolution bump, though the rough textures of a bygone era aren't entirely absent. Soulcalibur remains a fast, fluid, and thoroughly exciting fighter after all this time, though this universal iOS port feels frustratingly incomplete. Omitting the beloved single-player mission mode is a drag, sure, but leaving out multiplayer – both local and online – is a truly baffling move for a competitive fighter. Additional modes are expected via updates, but at the full price of $15, or even the current launch price of $12, we shouldn't be left wanting such an essential feature.The bottom line. Soulcalibur is a great fighter, but it's currently a questionable value – at least until multiplayer is added. Product Company Namco Bandai Contact Price Requirements iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 4.3 or later Positives Stellar port of a true fighting game classic. Virtual buttons are responsive throughout. Universal app looks nice on all compatible iOS devices. Negatives No multiplayer, whether local or online. Rewarding mission mode from original console release also absent. Very pricey Read More
Posted 01/31/2012 at 9:39am | by Will Herring Speaking as someone who spent my formative years in a small Southern suburb, I have always been baffled by the idea of big-city dating. I’ve tried (and have subsequently been frustrated by) the dimly lit, dubstep-droning bar scene, and it feels like most career-driven twentysomethings spend more time in front of their MacBooks than they do mingling at mixers. Like many iPhone-slinging singles who have grown sick of crowded clubs, I’ve turned my attention to a handful of novel apps to help steer me toward a meaningful relationship. And while I certainly understand the hesitation that might come with waving an iOS device around like a date-demanding divining rod, I’ve come across a few urban dating apps that make meeting new people a bit less complicated. OKCupid’s Locals feature makes location-based meet-ups a breeze. Popular offering OKCupid (free) boasts an iOS app that’s both feature-packed and user friendly. Many of the features are carried over from the website, but it’s the GPS-based Locals function that has earned it a spot on my Home screen. Locals lets members find nearby matches on the fly, and even has a built-in text chat function to help get the conversation started if a potential partner catches your eye. Alternatively, it never hurts to try a more streamlined approach, and HowAboutWe (free) is all for getting you out and about without wading through pages of dating drama. OKCupid is more about meticulous match percentages and algorithms, while this app focuses on the act of dating, with users posting sentence-long ideal activities that potential suitors can then follow up on. It’s online dating, but drama-lite. Call it a “micro-dating” app, but don’t call HowAboutWe’s ever-active users boring. But if leaping headfirst into anonymous adventure isn’t quite your speed, you Read More
Posted 01/30/2012 at 9:42am | by J.R. Bookwalter Apple and education have always gone hand in hand, but Cupertino has taken a bold leap with iBooks 2, a full version update offering zero new features for those of us who graduated from school long ago. But for iPad-toting students, the company’s new digital textbook initiative is a revelation. iBooks 2 is the same as it ever was, adding only the ability to read interactive, multitouch textbooks on the iPad, purchased via iBookstore on your tablet or through iTunes on the desktop; iPhone and iPod touch users are sadly left out on this fresh feature. But despite Apple’s hyperbolic marketing, iBooks 2 arrives with a mere nine textbooks from two of the three top publishers. The real revolution is the price: $14.99 compared to $75 for a print textbook. Available titles cover high school basics (algebra, biology, chemistry, and physics), but Apple nabbed one exclusive: E.O. Wilson’s Life on Earth, a work in progress whose first two chapters are free, while future entries can be purchased when released. You’ll need to clear space on a 16GB iPad, though, since textbooks consume nearly 1GB or more. Despite an otherwise modest update, textbooks are a joy to use. Almost everything on the page is interactive, including graphics, diagrams, photos, and videos. Objects can be enlarged or rotated with a pinch of your fingers, and you can even highlight text just by swiping with any digit. A Study Cards section consolidates notes, highlights, and glossary items in one place, and everything was fast and fluid on my iPad 2.The bottom line. Non-scholars may have no urgent reason to install iBooks 2 other than maintaining version parity, but the update is worthwhile as a glimpse into the future of education. Kids, I'm jealous: If my generation Read More
Posted 01/27/2012 at 4:30pm | by J Keirn-Swanson Sure, there are tons of leveling up games where you repeat a similar task through increasing complexity and those are fun and all, but if you're looking for a bit more excitement in your daily gaming routine, check out these price drops. Whether you're fighting off hordes of zombies, putting the smack down on Deathstroke, or getting the knack of Expelliarmus, your pulse will be pounding. They've hit the price with a Sectum Sempra spell and slashed it down from $4.99 to $2.99 for this engaging universal app, and believe us when we say it's worth it. Over 40 levels and over 100 characters means this game universe will take months to master. This is a limited time sale so if you haven't picked up this Hogwartian adventure, we suggest you wave your wand and Accio App Store pronto. (And we'd really like to believe that this is just a prelude to them finally porting Years 5-7 over to the iOS platform.) The Warner Brothers franchise games are seeing massive price cuts. They must be mad! Or else they're part of the escaped lunatics who've busted out of Arkham Asylum and are intent on turning Gotham City into a madhouse. Down from $5.99 to $2.99, this game puts you in the mask of the Dark Knight himself. Are you up to taking down the Joker? You'll get your chance, after Two Face and tons of other level bosses. Speaking of slashing, you'll be doing plenty of that when you pick up your katana against zombies. Defend your dojo and do it on either your iPad or your iPhone because both of these babies are free. These brain lusting undead will over run Japan and only you are there to stop them before it's Read More
Posted 01/27/2012 at 6:48am | by Will Herring Whether you're looking to challenge someone to a game of chess or go toe-to-toe in a match of phrase-based jousting, a quick trip to the App Store's overstuffed library won't leave you wanting for turn-based action. Hero Academy, a new tactics title from Robot Entertainment -- a studio formed in the wake of Ensemble Studios' closure -- is a lighthearted social strategy game that matches cutesy "My Little Tolkien" combatants with ultra-accessible grid-based gameplay. Players pick one of two diverse "Heroic Teams" -- the conservative knight/wizard/cleric combo of the Council, playable from the get-go; or the slightly more sinister Dark Elves, available as an in-app purchase -- before taking to the battlefield, where they're tasked with protecting a precious supply of crystals from their opponent's onslaught. Each team is allotted five actions per turn, and a rotating selection of randomly chosen units, power-ups, and perks to deploy keep the action flowing nicely. The gameplay is punchy, and the variety of unique units and power-ups creates a solid selection of strategies to try out from match to match. Carefully equipping powerhouse players with defense and attack buffs can be just as effective as making clever use of the "premium squares" scattered throughout the play field, but take it from me: strategy aside, a kamikaze crystal attack is always effective. Academy borrows the social structure from another turn-based titan, Zynga’s ultra-popular Words With Friends, allowing players to challenge random opponents or pick fights with friends and followers from their social networks. It all works very well, although I did come across a couple of connectivity quibbles when playing on the go. It wasn't enough to deter me for long, though, and if the folks at Robot continue to consistently support it, I can see Hero Read More
Posted 01/23/2012 at 9:48am | by Andrew Hayward Upon first glance, Super Crate Box seems singularly focused on the speedy collection of the titular objects, which pop up randomly on the screen one at a time until nabbed. Each bumps up your top-of-screen tally, but also equips you with a surprise weapon: a laser rifle, rocket launcher, or mines, among other possibilities. However, as you nimbly leap from platform to platform trying to boost your score, the screen fills with anxious alien foes, all aiming to nix your pixel protagonist. It's impressively – and almost obnoxiously – difficult at first, and the lack of a tutorial and tips don't help. Most folks struggle to hit double digits for some time, and many cite the occasionally sticky virtual controls for every little folly. It's OK: I've been there too. Super Crate Box isn't impossibly hard, just easily misunderstood. Luckily, the game's initially imperceptible layer of strategy reveals itself through your constant and inevitable failure, and that initial urge to zip around and play as quickly as possible subsides. Once you realize that success in Super Crate Box ultimately relies on skillful enemy management and weapon use, the pace slows down, the little details stand out, and the game's true brilliance shines through. Regardless of your skill or leaderboard ranking, Super Crate Box commands attention. Even amidst rapid-fire deaths, I still logged hundreds of attempts due to that compulsion to one-up my high scores and those of my pals. It's an unrivaled App Store obsession, and the charming aesthetics and simple mechanics make it feel like an unearthed relic from a bygone era. That said, the virtual buttons do falter every so often, and the experience is slightly diminished on iPhone where thumbs can obscure the action.The bottom line. Super Crate Box is Read More
Posted 01/20/2012 at 4:30pm | by J Keirn-Swanson If you're like us (trapped in tonight by predicted snow), you're craving a little action, a little excitement, a little elbow in someone's face gaming, swords clashing, buckles swashing, and all the rest. Well, have we got some two-fisted deals for you. BAM! Just one of the many Gameloft titles with their price-throats cut, sinking them to their knees at $0.99. Whether you're unleashing your skills on the iPhone or iPad, for a dollar you'll be kicking butt and trying to save your daughter from a corrupt secret agency. Weapons and gadgets are at your disposal, but you'll need your wits more than anything. If martial arts and manga style graphics are more your speed, save yourselves 4 smackers by dropping $2.99 on this popular fists of fury game. Create teams that suit your fighting style, collect trading cards in the gallery, or just enjoy the beautiful graphics as you fight your way to the top. Also rocking a free iPhone and free iPad version, Shake Spears is a game of GLORY, HONOR, and FAME! You'll compete in knightly tournaments jousting your way into the favors of a beautiful lady through four worlds of battle against changing bosses everywhere. If the battle proves to much for your skills with lance, whip out some magic and ride to glory. Tags: Read More
