Remember back when that new fangled CD-ROM technology was just starting to make an impact on the PC market?  Suddenly developers went from having to squeeze their software onto floppy diskettes to having virtually unlimited storage space.  One game that redefined this era in PC gaming was a little game by the name of Myst.  Taking advantage of CD hardware, the game was one of the first puzzle/adventure games to feature a fully rendered three dimensional world.  It was technology far ahead of its time.

Fast forward nineteen years, and developer Cyan Worlds is bringing the game to a completely new audience on iPad as realMyst.  Designed for iPad 2 and newer, the developers are taking full advantage of the hardware, allowing players to navigate the world, without loading, for the first time ever.  It is awesome to see that this classic has been reborn for a completely new generation of players to enjoy.  You don’t want to miss out on this chance to interact with this piece of history.

$6.99

realMyst

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-06-13 :: Category: Games

Gameloft’s juggernaut of a mobile phone MMO has just hit the 1 year-old mark. While celebrating the occasion with a huge update isn’t exactly out of the ordinary it’s still certainly something worth talking about. Especially because it includes a number of additions as well as one particular feature players have been clamoring for over the past twelve months.

The list of new stuff is fairly extensive. Various bug fixes are to be expected, as well as some new quests. Players will also receive a free gift box, a special Thank You letter, access to new items and pets, and will be able to mess around with the new Lottery system. Those who have been playing for over three months will also get a special Anniversary pet. And it wouldn’t be a proper celebration without some flagrant fashions (i.e. new clothes for NPCs) and fireworks that can be purchased as well as simply viewed in all their explosive glory. Last but certainly not least, Gameloft has given the fans what they want and included 3G support. So now Order and Chaos can be enjoyed pretty much anywhere.

The festivities have already begun, so make sure to get on that downloading. Everyone else who isn’t already playing can download it now for $6.99, which includes a free 3 months of play ($0.99/month after that).

$6.99

Order & Chaos© Online

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-04-27 :: Category: Games

Image via Cult of Mac.

Previously, one of the most important features of Minecraft, the ability to craft objects from material found in the game, was left out of Minecraft – Pocket Edition. Mojang has a tradition for taking game development slowly. It took the original Minecraft over a year of a completely playable beta for them to release what they called the 1.0 release. So it was no surprise that they planned to do the same with Minecraft – Pocket Edition. Crafting is part of Minecraft – Pocket Edition’s 0.3.0 update. Notice that they aren’t even calling Minecraft – Pocket Edition a 1.0 game yet. So in a way, Minecraft – Pocket Edition is still a beta.

Other features in the update include cows and chickens, damageable items, making resources harder to gather, and dropping items. I won’t be a true fan of the iOS version of Minecraft until it’s at par with the PC version and let’s me connect to multiplayer servers. But this update is a good start.

$6.99

Minecraft – Pocket Edition

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-11-17 :: Category: Games

It’s been a long time coming. At least, it probably seems like a long time to all those disgruntled iOS users. Anyway, at long last, Plants vs. Zombies has gotten a major update that includes a number of features that many have been missing (i.e. taking issue with their absence). Read on for the nitty-gritty.

More mini-games are being added to the already robust list, including the Zombiquarium, Portal Combat and Beghouled Twist. Anyone unfamiliar with these mini-titles should know that they’re all interesting and fun in their own ways. Especially Beghouled Twist, with its hybrid of classic zombie-on-plant carnage and match-three puzzles. Of course, Portal Combat is interesting, too. The addition of reality-bending gateways that let plants fire across multiple rows (careful that the zombies don’t use them to get closer!) make for some cool overkill moments.

A new puzzle game has also been included in addition to I, Zombie (which itself has received an Endless Mode). Vase Breaker is now a particular favorite of mine as it takes the random “card” distribution used in many other extra modes and hides it underneath a grid of unmarked vases. Some may contain plants, some may contain zombies. Players have to play conservatively and smart if they’re going to have any chance of making it to the end. And yes dear iPad users, at long last the Zen Garden has also been included. Raising oddball plants like our PC counterparts is finally, blessedly, an option.

It’s not all mini-games, however. Popcap has also included support for several languages (Spanish, French, etc), as well as some new items in Crazy Dave’s shop and the expected Game Center achievements. Take note: some of the extra stuff such as bonus I, Zombie levels and the like are gated behind purchases via in-game coins. These coins are earned fairly regularly through simply playing the various modes so it’s not a big problem, but players should know that they won’t be able to jump right in to all the new stuff immediately. Worst case scenario; they get to sample the first level of a given mode or game type, then spend a few rounds of doing whatever to earn enough cash to unlock more stages.

Once this update goes live tomorrow (4/19), the iOS version of Plants vs. Zombies will finally be comparable to its PC counterpart. Both for the iPhone and the iPad. Rejoice, fellow iOS users! Rejoice and stop all the bellyaching!

$0.99

Plants vs. Zombies

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-02-15 :: Category: Games

$0.99

Plants vs. Zombies HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-04-01 :: Category: Games

A little over two years ago, Jason Fanguy wrote up a review of Scanner Pro, a portable scanner app by Readdle (also known for other popular file management and productivity apps like Printer Pro and ReaddleDocs).

Many updates ago, when Scanner Pro was on version 1.2.5, Jason described the app as “best in class,” the interface as “refreshingly clean,” and was amazed by the clarity of the text-heavy documents he scanned. Now, many updates later, Readdle has released the 4.0 version of powerful Scanner Pro. This update focused on making Scanner Pro the best scanner app for the iPad.

Since the new iPad boasts such a powerful camera, it’s become the ideal device for an app like Scanner Pro. It’s now a universal app. But the iPad version isn’t just a scaled up version with better graphics. The app has been completely redesigned with the iPad in mind. Other important new features include faster image processing, folders to organize scans, and a search by name or date option.

Three major updates later, Scanner Pro is the same price ($6.99) as it was when Jason reviewed it two years ago.

$6.99

Scanner Pro by Readdle

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2009-10-09 :: Category: Business

Previously tremendously popular on the PC and Mac, the Midnight Mysteries series of hidden object games have transferred across to the iPad well with the likes of Salem Witch Trials and Devil on the Mississippi proving successful, amongst others.

Hidden Object puzzle fans now have a new delight to enjoy in the form of Haunted Houdini. The title focuses on the mystery of Harry Houdini and his determination that if there is anything after death, that he would let his wife know of this. Haunted Houdini focuses on his wife’s quest and the unravelling of the illusionist’s past.

Fans will love the plethora of puzzle based missions and questioning of various apparitions along the way. Haunted Houdini looks to be an ideal intelligent yet casual hidden object gaming experience that will enthral fans of the genre for many hours to come.

Haunted Houdini is out now, priced at $6.99. Avid players can opt to pay $2.99 extra for an additional bonus chapter and game mode.

$4.99

Midnight Mysteries: Haunted Houdini (Full)

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-03-21 :: Category: Games

As a companion to the 2012 Swimsuit Edition, Sports Illustrated has officially launched its companion iPhone app. The free version of the app allows access to a selection of photos for each of this year’s models, while those who pay the $6.99 upgrade will get every single photo from this year’s issue as well as exclusive videos, the ability to rotate the photos, and more. Those who already have a subscription to the magazine can grab the premium version of the app for free, all you have to do is punch in your subscription info and the upgrade is yours.

For those who want to show off to friends, the app also supports Airplay, so if you happen to own an Apple TV you can easily stream all the content directly to your HD television. Furthermore, due to “popular demand,” SI has included pinch-and-zoom capabilities, so you can get up close and personal with all those beautiful… bikinis. What? You’re just checking the labels to see what sort of swimwear to buy your wife, right? Yeah, that’s what we’ll tell her.

FREE!

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2013

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-02-14 :: Category: Sports

Pro adventure game developers Telltale Games have released the newest chapter of their popular Sam & Max games on iOS. These classically styled adventure games that follow the zany exploits of the sleuthing dog and rabbit duo are generally split up into shorter, episodic titles, and the same is true for this release. Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space – Episode 1 ‘Ice Station Santa’ is the first of five episodes in this new adventure and in this episode, Sam and Max take on none other than the big jolly man himself.

This game will include a core story mode as well as a “Whack da Ratz” mini-game and a soundboard where players can craft their own quotes using character voices from the game. Sam & Max: Beyond Space and Time: Episode 1 is currently available in the iOS app store for $6.99, and is a universal app that can be played on iPhone, iPod, or iPad.

$2.99

Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space Ep 1

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-01-25 :: Category: Games