Across Age follows along in the same approach that other action RPGs for the iDevice do. Fans of this genre should check it out!

First Look: Undead: The Last Refuge from Bulkypix

At GDC I had a very quick chance to try out a new zombie (yes, another zombie game) game from Bulkypix called Undead: The Last Refuge. This one is, honestly, very similar to Call of Duty: World at War: Zombies. It’s a very fast FPS that really shows off what the iPhone 3GS can do. The framerate is as good if not better than CoD. The movement and animation is very fluid and quick as you can see in the demo below.

Later in the video you see 32 zombies on the screen at the same time. CoD maxed out at 9 if I remember correctly. Very impressive.

We’ll have to wait for the game to drop before we can see if it’s a really good game. I only had a chance to play a partial level and honestly had pick my chin up off the floor, I was that impressed with the 3D engine they are using. The game should launch by the end of the month for $2.99.

Hit the jump for the full marketing text about the game and a feature list.

Description: The coming of the Apocalypse had been announced for centuries, so we were not to know that it was so close. The dead have risen from the ground and destroyed everything in their path.
You have managed to survive until now, but you are alone and cut off… How long will you be able to survive?

Features:

• Experience fear and stress in a battle for your survival.
• Enjoy being in an entirely 3D-modelled environment with impressive graphics.
• Take on the hordes of dozens of zombies coming to drink your blood. A totally new scenario for the iPhone/iPod Touch.
• Let your weapons do the talking as you drive back your assailants.
• Use OpenFeint to survive and achieve success. Beat the highest scores to become world number one.
• Challenge your friends on Facebook or Twitter by posting your highest scores.

First Look: Strike Knight from Backflip Studios

At GDC this year we got a chance to take a look at a new game from Backflip Studios, Strike Knight. The game is a recreation of shuffleboard-type bowling you used to find in bars in decades past. The device in the app has a blue knight that never fails to make fun of missed shots.

The game offers both single player and multiplayer (pass and play) bowling. Take a look at the video for an idea of what the game looks like and how it plays.

Strike Knight will be submitted to the App Store next week, we should see it shortly after that.The game will be released free (ad-supported) much like Backflip Studios very popular Paper Toss.

Take a look at some screen shots after the jump.

Continue reading First Look: Strike Knight from Backflip Studios »

Battle Blasters is the sci-fi evolution of the one-on-one shoot-out, and it’s a good deal of fun. It seems simple at first, but has some subtle depth…

Namco Channel Isaac Newton in New Physics Puzzler

Namco last week released Gravity, a physics puzzler that channels Sir Isaac Newton, to create one of the more difficult iPhone puzzlers of late. The game focuses around placing various objects on the screen to use various physics properties to trigger a switch and complete the level.

As you can see from the trailer above, there is a huge variety of levels. They do ramp up rather quickly once the tutorial levels are complete. You can also create your own levels and a future revision will allow you to share these online.

When creating these physics based Rube Goldberg-esque contraptions, it became quickly apparent what makes this game special. While we’ve seen many other physics puzzlers, this one has a steampunk look about it, great 2.5D graphics, and a good variety. Here’s a short tutorial on the game.

I think Namco have a good start to a game right now, but there are some issues. I found myself constantly struggling with the controls of the game. Both in selecting and positioning them as they just didn’t seem to respond as I wanted. This eased with use, but I still want to see some refinements in the controls in an update.

Isaac Newton’s Gravity is available now in the App Store.

Isaac Newton's Gravity

Category: Games / Puzzle
Released: 2010-01-21
Price: $2.99 ON SALE: $1.99

Assassin’s Creed 2: Discovery Preview

Ubisoft invited us to a preview of Assassin’s Creed 2: Discovery last week. In addition, we got a chance to talk with the producer, Ben Mattes about the game and Ubisoft’s plans for the iPhone.

Assassin’s Creed 2 is a 2.5D adventure game that takes place in the same story as the console version, but in 2 chapters of the story that are missing from that console version. There’s about 6 hours of gameplay along the main story line in this game that is definitely more arcade like than the console versions.

Assassin’s Creed 2 was accidently released a couple weeks ago. While no one will say exactly what happened, our best guess is that they were testing the infamous App Store approval process and forgot to set the release date out in the future.

Now the official release date is February 1st and the price is expected to be $9.99, but that’s not final. Ubisoft aren’t stupid, they just like other developers, know how to put their apps on sale to get exposure.

Read on for more screen shots and a video demo of Assassin’s Creed 2.

Continue reading Assassin’s Creed 2: Discovery Preview »

Train Conductor is a stylish hybrid of line-drawing and traffic management that forges its own track amongst some crowded genres, and stands out as a result.

Give it some time, and geoSpark’s gravity will suck you in. It is a finely-honed, pick-up-and-play experience that is simple, but not easily mastered.

Your path to hell starts here, and it’s a stiff one. The Inferno is an attractive action puzzler that will have you dodging all kinds of dangers, just be prepared to die…a lot!

Sherlock Holmes combines some interesting ideas with lame mini-games & unpolished mechanics. It’s a mixed bag that is intriguing at times, despite it’s many rough spots.

The racing sub-genre defined by Crazy Taxi finally gets some love, and it’s a solid effort. Parcel Panic is a few stops short of greatness at this point, but still lots of fun.

The Muppets Animal Drummer is half rhythm game, half drum kit toy. It’s a light-hearted take on the genre with not much depth, but a good amount of charm.

Mobigame combines tangrams, unblock puzzles, and Twister for their follow-up to EDGE. Cross Fingers is a quality puzzler that makes a simple concept special with multi-touch.

Don’t expect to control your punches and kicks in Ragdoll Legends. Flinging yourself is the best and only strategy, and it’s not very compelling.

Update to Space Invaders Infinity Gene a Late Christmas Present From Taito

Space Invaders Infinity Gene is easily one of my favorite games of the year. It’s an amazingly wonderful re-imagining of the Space Invaders world, one of the oldest video games around.

Space Invaders was originally released in 1978 and I can’t count the number of quarters I dumped into the machine down at the neighborhood pizza shop. So while my love for SIIG might be a little tainted with nostalgia, it still stands as a fantastic game. The method of play in this game is basically the same as the original. You are shooting at advancing aliens — the twist here is that the game evolves from the original Space Invaders to a progressively different and more interesting game as you score more points and progress through the levels by filling the evolution gauge. With each filling of the gauge, the game evolves into a new one bringing increasing weapons and level changes.

This update brings, much like the Fieldrunners update, integration with OpenFeint. This allows you to compare your score with your OpenFeint friends and also includes new achievements to work toward. While the first version of this game was amazing, it left me wanting more. This new update adds new levels to work towards as the evolution gauge fills.

Here’s a video demo of the game from Taito.

One of the interesting feature of this game which I all but ignored in the first release is the Music Stage. In this stage you select a song from your device music library and play a level that’s specifically tailored to that song. Each song generates a different level. With this update you can rate and share your favorite Music Stage levels with friends.

Space Invaders Infinity Gene

Our Rating: :: PLAY ME NOW :: Read Our Full Review >>

Category: Games / Action
Released: 2009-07-28
Price: $4.99

Pac-Man CE on the iPhone just isn’t quite as cool as the original. The diminished graphics, imperfect controls, and lack of leaderboards help to lessen the experience.

The Simpsons Arcade is a decent side-scrolling brawler, but it’s sorely limited by having only one playable character and no multiplayer options to speak of.

Namco Winter Sale — Many Great Games $0.99

Namco has joined the great Holiday sale craze and put many of their games on sale. Some of them at the lowest prices we’ve ever seen for them. Included in the sale are Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man for $2.99 each. The lowest prices we’ve seen for those games. Also, the recent release, excellent game Pac-Man Championship Edition is on sale for only $0.99! Another recent release, Garters and Ghouls is also only $0.99.

PAC-MAN Championship Edition

Our Rating: :: SERVICEABLE PORT :: Read Our Full Review >>

Category: Games / Action
Released: 2009-12-10
Price: $2.99

Garters & Ghouls

Our Rating: :: GOOD ROMP :: Read Our Full Review >>

Category: Games / Action
Released: 2009-10-29
Price: $4.99

PAC-MAN

Category: Games / Family
Released: 2008-07-11
Price: $4.99

Ms. PAC-MAN

Category: Games / Family
Released: 2008-07-11
Price: $4.99

Other great deals include Star Trigon, Pole Position, Burgertime Deluxe, Brain Exercise, Mr. Driller, and Worst Case Scenario for $0.99 each. The games are on sale for these prices until 12/27. Check out all the Namco sale apps at the App Store.

House M.D. is an unexpected logic puzzle hybrid that is interesting at first, but quickly loses steam. A handful of images and sound clips add some window-dressing, but little else.

Gameloft Announces ‘Countdown to Christmas!’ Sale

Never one to be outdone by the likes of EA and other game publishers, Gameloft has announced their own holiday promotion, which starts today. For the next 7 days leading up to Christmas, Gameloft has placed 7 of their titles on sale for $0.99. Here is the complete rundown:

Brain Challenge $4.99 > $0.99
Castle of Magic $1.99 > $0.99
Castle Frenzy $1.99 > $0.99
Shrek Kart $4.99 > $0.99
Terminator Salvation $2.99 > $0.99
Real Tennis 2009 $4.99 > $0.99
Real Soccer 2010 $4.99 > $0.99

Old School meets New School. Sporting a wonderful pixel art style, Beat It! surpasses tired rhythm game conventions with its stylish mash-up of beat machine and puzzle game.

F1 2009 From Codemasters Appears on the App Store

You know, PR people are odd. They push and push and push to get you to cover their apps. Then the apps just magically appear on the App Store and the PR people are quiet. Ok, now I can actually see the game, play the game, but you don’t want me to know that it’s out? I just don’t get it.

Anyway — F1 2009 Game from Codemasters popped into view at $6.99. We’re downloading it now and we will see how it goes. The screen shots look ok, but they aren’t up to the quality of Real Racing. But how’s the game play? Well, I have 87 MB to go.

Stats look pretty good:

RACE ALL 17 OFFICIALLY LICENSED CIRCUITS
Feel the exhilaration of speeding around iconic circuits like Monaco, Spa Francorchamps and Silverstone, or enjoy dramatic night racing at Singapore.

TWO GREAT GAME MODES!
Put in a flying lap in Time Trial, perfectly tuned for on the go gaming, or take on Endurance for the ultimate test of skill and consistency and set your fastest average time over a number of laps.

PR people are weird.

F1 2009 Game

Category: Games / Racing
Released: 2009-12-14
Price: $2.99

Origin8 Submits Space Station: Frontier for Approval

Origin8, makers of the popular tower defense games Sentinel: Mars Defense and Sentinel 2: Earth Defense, are set to take the fight to space. Their third sci-fi strategy game takes place a century after the last title, and according to Origin8…

Space Station: Frontier sees the player in charge of a deep space mining operation in dangerous territory on the edge of Solar System. By constructing and powering networks of mining tools and weaponry – centred on the titular space station – players must juggle resource harvesting with the defence of their station against hordes of hostile alien ships.

As you can see from the trailer below, Space Station: Frontier adds some interesting wrinkles to the core defense gameplay, as there is an upgrade and management component to your expanding space station. Origin8 has stated that this is a persistent upgrade system, allowing you to level up your station with a variety of purchased tech, and then carry over your customisation across all game modes.

Space Station: Frontier was submitted for approval on December 14th, so we should be able to get our hands on it within the next couple weeks. The full list of features is as follows:

Construct weaponry and mining tools using an intuitive tower defense style interface.

Design and power vast networks of structures, then defend them against alien incursion!

Earn upgrades and unlocks for your space station to increase its power and abilities!

Enjoy the story-based campaign mode where you are humanity’s last chance for survival.

Play one of the freeform, endless modes and compete with other players worldwide using the online leaderboards.

Mission mode provides quick tactical challenges. Beat a scenario to earn achievements!

Full OpenFeint integration provides multiple user profiles, complete offline support, online scores and lots achievements to earn.

Awesome music & sound effects by Earcom!

Also, as we reported last week, you can experience the original, critically-acclaimed Sentinel: Mars Defense for free until Christmas…

Sentinel: Mars Defense

Our Rating: :: STELLAR :: Read Our Full Review >>

Category: Games / Action
Released: 2009-02-27
Price: $1.99

Namco Bandai Bringing Ridge Racer to the iPhone

According to Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, Namco Bandai it set to release a version of their classic arcade racing franchise to the iPhone. Ridge Racer: Accelerated is tentatively scheduled for a worldwide release before the end of the year.

The Ridge Racer series has been gracing a variety of gaming platforms since 1993 with its unique, drift-heavy racing style. The iPhone version looks similar to the recent PSP editions of the game, where you race against up to 12 competitors. The controls are said to be accelerometer-based, and the screenshots show a gas pedal & brake located either both on one side, or one on each side of the screen. Both behind the car and front bumper camera options are visible as well.

Not much else is known regarding the feature list of the game, but we should be finding out soon enough considering the tentative release date. The price of Ridge Racer: Accelerated has not been revealed at this time.

Plushed Submitted to App Store, Final Trailer Released

Blacksmith Games have been mentioned alot recently in the news because of the Appvent Calendar promotion they organized, where developers have been offering a free game a day until Christmas. In the meantime, Blacksmith have been preparing their much-anticipated, first iphone game “Plushed” for release, and have just announced that it has been officially submitted to Apple. The final trailer was released in conjunction, and can be seen here:

A few months back, Blacksmith Games held a contest where the public would decide the price of Plushed based on the number of new Twitter followers the company could obtain. Besides helping to spread the word about the atttractive game, this promotion ultimately drove the price down to $1.99 from a max of $6.99. Here’s what you can expect according to Blacksmith:

What happens when the fairytale world of a cute little girl turns into a cursed kingdom where she is queen? Her favorite plushie sets out to save her, of course. Guiding her loyal plush through several haunted meadows and creepy castles, you must use your wits to bring down the Evil voodoo mouse and his army of wacky minions! It’ simple; get to the castle, save the princess. You’ve seen it before, but not like this. PLUSHED! The adventures of the reluctant bunny knight…

- more than 20 unique and funny characters: Every character has different qualities, which will amaze you. You’ll encounter Bunny Knight, Pizzaeater, Batcow, Kubicorn, Lil Red, Schizo Spider, Milk Gunner Fairy and many more
- unique gameplay: Control different items with your finger or by shaking your iPhone to attract enemies, defeat level bosses, to solve tasks and to do many other exciting things
- marvelous story: a typical fairytale? Not in this game
- hand-drawn backgrounds and game assets:The game’s design has a distinct visual style that merges the happy world of childhood fairytales with a somewhat macabre twist and dark humor.
- 3 world bosses that have to be defeated
- 9 extensive and unique levels: Explore the fabulous and adventurous world in PLUSHED!
- 4 minigames for even more fun
- 2 control options
- fancy soundtrack
- This game is designed specifically for the iPhone

Although essentially a match-three variant, bitFlip brings a bunch of style and some welcome innovation to the mix.

Not since the movie Fantasia have hippos in pink sportswear made such an impact! Hippo High Dive takes a simple concept to new heights with some TLC.

Finger Arts delivers a clever mix of the latest news feeds with word jumbling action to create a title that is unique and topical.

Fans of physics puzzlers will definitely want to feast on this smorgasbord of balancing, stacking, and toppling goodness.

“…in essence, if you like to play Farmville and are looking for some more farming action on your iPhone – iFarm is your game. Plus you can’t go wrong, it’s free.”