It feels like it’s been ages since I first set eyes upon Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds Minigame Adventure. Back then it consisted of a mere two games. Now the last of them have been added, bringing the total up to the initially promised twelve.

It makes for an extensive collection of mini-genres, from the “find the item” graphical adventure style of the Prequel through the old-school puzzle gameplay of The Red Weed (Part 1) and ultimately drawing to a close with the arcade-like viral infection of Dead London. It’s a collection that I’d easily recommend to fans of H.G. Wells’ classic tale for the typical going rate of $5. However, in celebration of Minigame Adventure‘s completion the price is getting a temporary 60% price cut for the weekend (2/3 – 2/5).

It should go without saying that being able to grab a collection of a dozen well-made, War of the Worlds-themed mini-games for $2 is significant. Even if it should, I feel the need to reiterate it. Both for dramatic purposes and because it would be foolish for fans of the novel/movies to pass this up. So here I go: Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds Minigame Adventure, a title which offers twelve mini-games, is currently on sale for $2. It’s a ridiculously good deal, and one that I’d recommend jumping on before it’s over.

$4.99

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds: Minigame Adventure

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Our Rating: :: LOTS OF POTENTIAL
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-02-01 :: Category: Games

Bloodnote isn’t the most exciting sounding of apps but it is extremely useful for those people who need to keep an eye on their blood pressure.

The app provides an easy way of entering blood pressure measurements as and when the user wants them to. It’s all laid out in a clear and concise manner so that the systolic, diastolic and pulse can all be consulted at a quick glance. All the user has to do is drag their finger to the relevant reading through a sliding scale. It takes seconds to enter figures.

Bloodnote keeps track of the readings according to the date so it’s easy for the user to see how things have changed over the passage of time.

Besides being useful purely for personal reference, it’s ideal for those who have been asked by their doctor to keep an eye on how things are progressing.

Bloodnote is out now and priced at $1.99.

$1.99

Bloodnote - Blood pressure control

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-01-17 :: Category: Medical

DeepSketch, a 2D and 3D sketchbook app for iPad, recently updated to version 1.4 adding the ability to zoom and pan around the user’s canvas to be able to add better detail into their work. The new version also adds more ink-like brushes with tapered ends, twitter integration as well as better save and export options. Created by Norway-based indie developer Mattis Folkestad, DeepSketch is known for its 3D sketch capabilities. Users only need to wear a par of 3D glasses to get the third dimension. Users are able to use automatic or manual control of depth with brush strokes to create customized art. Additional features include photo import, a large amount of export options and 3D control for the digital artist. This app requires colored, anaglyph 3D glasses (purchased separately) to create and view 3D images and does not work with polarized 3D glasses or with active 3D glasses used on 3D TV’s.

$1.99

DeepSketch

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-12-14 :: Category: Entertainment

The Nike+ GPS app is not only one of my favorite running partners, but its predecessor Nike+ was crucial in getting me across the finish line of my first marathon. For first-time and veteran runners, Nike+ GPS is a great addition to their workout as it features a simple interface, tracks all the good stuff such as calories, distance and pace as well as includes various half and full marathon training guides on its companion site.

As for my first 26.2 mile adventure, I finished the 2007 Chicago Marathon with a heat index of 92 degrees and the only thing that got me through to the finish line was my playlist and my running tracker, the original Nike+ that had the sensor in the shoe and one connected to my now old school iPod Nano.

These days, I use the Nike+ GPS app and if I pull the app dashboard up it has a total of 801.2 miles, 9’43″ average pace, 129:43:19 duration, 110,245 calories burned in a total of 226 runs. That doesn’t include a lot of the other runs I have on other apps or 2007-2008, but still shows how much I’ve used it. I also finished the Phoenix Marathon in 2010.

Why I choose to use the Nike+ GPS app is mainly due to being able to get slaps on the back by famous athletes such as Lance Armstrong and others via the in-app feedback function. I remember way back in the day when I ran my fastest mile and Lance came over my headphones and said congratulations. I was hooked.

A few updates later and now it features a slew of other voices as well as one of the coolest features I’ve seen in an app: the ability to challenge friends. My nephew (who is in the Air Force) and I use it quite a bit. Even better, it offers a blind challenge option where the challenger can create the challenge with or without the other person being able to see how far or fast the other person ran.

The reason why Nike+ GPS is a great marathon training partner is that it is very easy to track weekly runs, check that my pace was on track during and after my runs as well as set goals for myself be it running farther, longer or fast. And again, the elite athletes giving a verbal pat on the back is pretty sweet. Pair the app with its companion site Nike+ and the runner can also take advantage of training programs for 5K, half marathon and full marathon among others.

The app and the site are an essential part of my running training schedule. I give all credit to it for the two marathons and half marathons I’ve run and continue to use it to challenge my nephew on a regular basis. I highly recommend it as a running partner and or coach.

$1.99

Nike+ GPS

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad

Our Rating: :: COMPLETE
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2010-09-06 :: Category: Healthcare & Fitness

Niko, a new game slinging its way onto the App Store on January 19, unleashes the fury of a new unlikely superhero that looks like a Mogwai and has the stealth of a ninja. The gamer’s mission is to help Niko rescue his friends who have been captured in a mysterious Otherworld. To do so, the player must use sling shot action through the platform design to race through challenging game levels, dodge traps, flip over monsters, and collect achievements on his way to saving all his friends.

Developed by Sulake, the parent company of Habbo Hotel, one of the largest social game and online community for teenagers at 10 million monthly unique users, Niko is a freemium game that is free to download and play for the first six levels. The full game, with three versatile worlds and 28 total levels can be unlocked for $1.99. The app will be available on iPhone (3GS, 4 and 4S), iPad, iPad 2 and iPod touch.

Dungeon crawlers as a genre have certainly seen much success over the years, but that doesn’t mean that everyone loves them. It takes a certain kind of mentality to find joy in gathering tons of loot through repetitious fighting in order to fight stronger things (repetitiously) for better loot. Now assuming there was something else added to the proceedings to keep things from feeling less monotonous, something like that could draw in a bit more of a crowd. That is to say, draw in even more of a crowd. And what usually sells like crazy regardless of medium or platform? Humor.

With that in mind (I think), Ayopa Games and Drowning Monkeys have decided to unleash Dungeon Crawlers on an unsuspecting App Store. The game itself is a combination of more typical dungeon crawlers with multi-floored dungeons, loot and experience grinding and turn-based strategy RPGs. Players will control a team of four adventurers (an alchemist, priest, barbarian, and dwarven warrior) over the course of five chapters, each with their own distinct environments. They’ll also be going toe-to-toe with plenty of nasty monsters as they scrounge for stuff.

Dungeon Crawlers is slated for a January 26th release. A universal release, might I add. For a special “introductory price” of $1.99 no less.