:: ALWAYS BET ON KNIZIA
When The SandBox first caught my attention, I thought it looked like a nifty little pixelated world-building game. In a way, it kind of is. However, I was thoroughly unprepared for just how many different aspects of this created world could be manipulated. Water will flow down hills, erode stone into sand, turn dirt into fertile soil, evaporate in extreme heat and freeze in extreme cold. Flowers and trees can grow. Weather will develop based largely on the environment. Players can even make rudimentary circuits to do anything from heating to creating light.
The SandBox is still very much in beta at the moment, but that's no reason not to get excited. What's already implemented is pretty amazing, actually. A lot of specifics are still up in the air, such as the final number of "story" levels (currently around 20), price and release date. It's kind of a shame because this is all so cool, but then again it's probably best not to rush things. Although the super-curious or anxious can try to get in to the beta. No guarantees, though. Regardless, be sure to keep an eye out for The SandBox whenever it does hit the App Store.
The game itself functions much like a top-down Minecraft, with a few other key differences. While surviving assaults by vicious monsters and crafting items from wood and stone are still a major factor, there's not much in the way of building. So while players can (and should) explore the world and create helpful tools and weapons for themselves, they can't construct a fortress to live in. Kind of a shame, but making something like that from this perspective would undoubtedly be tough to pull off.
With several "mobs" to fight, a number of different environments to explore and a day/night cycle (not to mention all the crafting), I think Microcraft should make for a good time. Whether or not it stays on the App Store for very long is up in the air at this point since it does share many a similarity to Mojang's runaway train of a game, as well as Notch's Ludum Dare spin-off, but I'd like to think that it's different enough to earn a permanent place among the other hundreds of thousands of titles up there.
:: JOBS OF THE NILE
:: OH SO ADORABLE
And Ninjatown Ninja Builder does just that. It incorporates elements from the classic and very recognizable Shawnimals style and lets users go nuts. Moods, body styles, backgrounds, clothing, colors and accessories can all be fiddled with in order to craft that perfect shadow warrior representation. Or just to make a goofy looking ninja. Whatever they're in the mood for, really.
In addition to the new app, Shawnimals and Venan have also released an update for Ninjatown: Trees of Doom!. Perhaps the app was made to celebrate the update, or perhaps it's the other way around. Or maybe it's just a coincidence. No matter the reason, owners of the iOS platformer can now enjoy a winter theme as well as new mountain and zombie ninja avatars.
Really though, Ninjatown Ninja Builder is what we're talking about here. And it's available on the App Store right now, ready to scratch that adorable ninja-making itch. The basic app is totally free, with two (thus far) additional content packs priced at $0.99 each.
:: WONDROUS WORDPLAY
:: RESOURCE-FULL
:: KEEPS ON GOING
:: WELL CRAFTED
:: HONORS STUDENTWe got a quick look at Casey's Contraptions from Snappy Touch and Mystery Coconut Games at GDC -- it's a physics puzzler where you solve the puzzles with toys and other everyday items.
And it's a great little puzzler. Take the contraption building of a physics puzzler like The Incredible Machine and make it quick and casual like Cut The Rope. Once you are done, filter all that all through the mind of an 8 year old and you get the idea of what Casey's Contraptions is bringing.
We can expect to see Casey's Contraptions to hit the App Store soon. I know I can't wait!
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:: INTERESTING
:: RECOMMENDED
