The Settlers for iPhone is a reincarnation of the classic PC-based title of the same name. With stunning visuals and audio to match, I found the game to be both immersive and addicting.

In association with Fox Mobile Entertainment, Two Tribes and Chillingo debut Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, a move tie-in to the million dollar Ice Age franchise. With stunning graphics, immersive gameplay, and rich animations, the game is faultless in my eyes.

Sulake Inc the guys behind the original online hit sensation Habbo Hotel brings Bobba Bar to iPhone and iPod touch. A watered-down, but graphically stunning version of the franchise.

Origin8 Announces ‘Sentinel: Mars Defense’ FREE for a Week

Camden, London based iPhone development studio Origin8 has announced that to celebrate this years Bomfire night here in the UK, they’re launching a special offer in which the first edition to their tower defense series, Sentinel: Mars Defense, will be discounted. Starting today, November 5th at 6PM GMT and originally priced at $0.99, Sentinel: Mars Defense will be FREE for a whole week!

“It’s Bonfire Night in the UK, and the thoughts of the nation turn toward really big explosions. Thanks to London-based development studio Origin8, iPhone/iPod Touch gamers worldwide can share in the joy of blowing things up today, as their breakout sci fi strategy game “Sentinel: Mars Defense” will be FREE for a week from 6PM GMT.”

Originally released in February of this year, and in case you’re not familiar with the game, Sentinel: Mars Defense is a 2D tower defense game which brings with it fully immersive 2D (but with sort of a 3D-effect) graphics. The game is centered around stopping ‘waves’ of creeps from reaching an end point. Along the way to aid you in this battle you’ll have to use different powered space-like weapons, each with their own specialties and strong points. The aim is to destroy all alien lifeforms, before they have to reach a series of ‘gates’. If your end defenses are destroyed, it’s game over.

Sentinel: Mars Defense has been described as: Incredible, with stellar graphics, and a great amount of ‘content’ in-game. Having played the game myself, I can add to the fact that that it was definitely worth it at the low price of $0.99, but now you don’t have any excuse. Sentinel: Mars Defense is now FREE, and I highly recommend you go and snap it up!

Update: While the offer doesn’t seem to have started yet, it’s well and truly past 6PM here in the UK, so I’m sure we can expect the change to propagate to the App Store soon!

Sentinel: Mars Defense

Our Rating: :: STELLAR

Category: Games / Strategy
Released: 2009-02-27
Price: $0.99

Preview: Jules Verne’s Secrets of The Mysterious Island

Following on from the immersive RPG that was Return to Mysterious Island, iPhone publisher Chillingo have announced they’re bringing a sequel to the store, announcing Jules Verne’s Secrets of The Mysterious Island is coming to both iPhone (and iPod touch), shortly. The first of the series hit App Store shelves in May of this year, and like most adventure based titles seemed to go down in a storm with the iPhone crowd. Recently I seem to be saying that a little too often about various titles, but having actually owned (and played) this title myself, I can say quite honestly say the adventure was thoroughly enjoyable to play through.

Based on a graphic novel by Jules Verne’s, and carrying on from titles such as 1112 and Cassandra’s Journey, the game sees you take the role of Mina, a sailor who becomes stranded on an island, somewhere in the Pacific ocean. As you trail and tap your way around the island, trying your up-most to survive, and finding objects and (more importantly) food along the way, you try to unlock the mysteries hidden within.

Described by Chillingo as an experience which will mirror that of Robinson Crusoe, this new release will carry on from where you left off. The game will start off with a helicopter crash, and continuing the theme of being stranded, you will have to guide Mina to safety. This time will also see you visit new locations including: Captain Nemo’s base and scouring the ruins of an unknown civilization. Eventually, you will realize the cause of the threat to the island, and will aim to prevent it.

For approximately 700 Mb, the player will find out the end of the adventure of Mina. Jules Verne’s “Secrets of The Mysterious Island” contains stunning 3D graphics, many ambient sounds, music designed to enhance the mysterious atmosphere and feel.

Continue reading Preview: Jules Verne’s Secrets of The Mysterious Island »

Chromodyne puts a refreshing twist on match-3. With vibrant visuals, and a great soundtrack, it’s a pretty polished title. It could just do with a few more little things ..

The Idiot Test 3 Hits Half A Million Downloads!

The original was first released on the Internet in 2006, and during that time it is said to have been played over a million times. Introduced to the App Store on September 20th 2009, and a collaboration between Nexx Studio and Ryan Curtis, the creator of the popular online flash hit The Idiot Test which inspired the creation of the App Store top selling app The Moron Test, The Idiot Test 3 is a flash-like port which in a sense merges these two hit titles together, and in a few words – tests your idiocy.

The game plays out by giving you a series of seemingly ridiculously simple tasks to complete. Tasks range from tapping the right colored buttons on-screen, or identifying the right object, within a series of objects, to continue. Failing to complete the tasks results in you undoubtedly being called – an idiot, and the game restarts, allowing you to give completing it, another shot.

While the game is said to be fun – albeit painfully easy – many people have looked down upon the title as a throw-away one. Something which the App Store doesn’t need. Essentially, another fart app. But the numbers say otherwise.

The studio explained that it first introduced the title onto the store for a mere $0.99 in September, but a few weeks go they made the decision to make the title free. Since doing so, in just a few weeks, The Idiot Test 3 has seemed to have gained huge popularity. In fact, over the short period of time the application was free, The Idiot Test 3 was said to have peaked to the top of the App Store download chart in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, as well as ranking as the Top 100 App in over 18 countries.

According to the studio, in the past 2 weeks alone, the app was downloaded at the rate of 20 users/per minute worldwide. This means that the Idiot Test has now surpassed 500,000 downloads. Considering what this game actually is, you have to admit that’s pretty impressive, eh?

Due to the title’s recent success, Nexx are now announcing that they’ve submitted a new update, which should be live soon. Submitted this past Monday, The Idiot Test 3 (v1.1.0) will now include over 20 new brain teasing tasks plus some minor improvements around the game’s overall gameplay. Nexx studio have said though that they will be increasing the price of The Idiot Test 3 to $0.99 again, when v1.1.0 is finally approved by Apple – So if this is your thing, to get in quick!

The Idiot Test 3

Category: Entertainment
Released: 2009-06-10
Price: $0.99

First Teaser Released for Garters & Ghouls from Namco

In a teaser trailer released tonight, Namco gives us a first look at a new game coming to the iPhone. Garters & Ghouls is the first Namco game specifically created for the iPhone. Their other releases are franchises that we all know and love. Some we’ve loved for 30 years. But Garters & Ghouls is different, it’s new, it’s well, we don’t really know yet. Take a look at the teaser below and let us know what you think it will be in the comments.

Well, it’s got zombies, how bad could it be?

New Details of Need for Speed: Shift and NBA Live Released

Today we got some updates from EA on two highly anticipated franchise games coming to the iPhone. What we still don’t know yet are release dates for either. Though I think it’s safe to say they are trying to get them out in the next couple months in time for Christmas.

Need for Speed: Shift

The latest in this racing franchise from EA is Need for Speed: Shift. This iPhone translation looks like it will be a scaled down translation of the console game. While that’s a little disappointing, the previous in this franchise, Need For Speed Undercover [ our review ] was an absolutely excellent game on the iPhone.

Take a look at these screen shots for a look at the game. Note that I’m fairly sure that these are just mock-ups. They don’t look nearly as crisp as you’d expect for actual screen shots and there are other noticeable inconsistencies.

Unfortunately the specs read a lot like the previous version. 20 different customizable and upgradable cars (NFSU had 20 as well), 3 different racing environments, Tokyo, Chicago, and London (NFSU also had 3), 28 different events (NFSU had 20).

So, what is different?

The main thing is that there will finally be multiplayer. Unfortunately there’s no Internet multiplayer, only Wifi and Bluetooth. In addition I’m sure we’ll see the graphics quality upgraded a little. The previous one was very good for the time, but we expect more now. Take a look at the supplied stats below for more.

RIP IT UP AROUND THE WORLD
Rage on the roads of Chicago, London, and Tokyo in up to 28 Street and Pro racing events.

MATCH YOUR SKILLS AGAINST FRIENDS
Challenge friends to head to head races via Bluetooth multiplayer or WiFi.

MUSCLE OVER PERFORMANCE?
Get behind the wheels of 20 of the fastest, hottest, most powerful cars in the world and blow the doors off your competitors.

UPGRADE AND CUSTOMIZE
Take your ride to another level with Top Speed, Handling, Acceleration, and Nitrous upgrade features.

RACE FOR REWARDS
Earn points and trophies on the circuit for your Aggressiveness and Precision. Be a full-throttle Need For Speed superstar.

NBA Live

Considering the huge number of games in the App Store, over 15,000 at last count, there has yet to be a full 3D basketball game. NBA Live will change that. While we haven’t seen it yet, we’re hoping that it has the depth and great gameplay of EA’s last sports game for the iPhone, Madden 10. Take a look below for the stats, it’s looking good, though multiplayer is noticeably missing from the list.

NOTHING BUT NET. NBA LIVE by EA SPORTSTM delivers the most realistic 5-on-5 action available for iPhone® and iPod touch®!

Tip-off anytime, anywhere, and watch your game come to life in vivid 3D. Even replay your most awesome plays. It’s fun and intuitive enough for the casual gamer, but also delivers the authenticity to meet the demands of the most hardcore basketball fans.

AUTHENTIC TEAMS, REAL STARS, TRUE LEGENDS
With real NBA rosters, you can dominate the game as Dwight Howard and other NBA All-Stars. Or unlock legends and elevate your game with true Hall-of-Famers.

MULTIPLE MODES FOR EVERY KIND OF NBA ACTION
Match up all 30 NBA teams in the new 82-game Season Mode. Play a casual game in Exhibition Mode, or battle all the way to the Finals in the ultra-intense Playoff Mode.

PLAY WITH TOUCHSCREEN CONTROL
Control the game with a virtual analog stick. Use the accelerometer to accurately shoot free-throws. Touch the clip board to pick from a number of offensive plays or to select your defensive strategy.

TAKE IT TO THE RACK WITH A SOLID SOUNDTRACK
Stay in the zone with 15 music tracks from artists like Matt and Kim, Snoop Dogg and Xzibit.

COMMENTARY FROM A BROADCAST LEGEND
Hear legendary announcer Marv Albert accent the action as you rain 3s from downtown.

Ramp Champ, a reimagined skee ball game from DS Media Labs and Iconfactory finally showed up in the App Store today. Rarely have we seen such anticipation for a game from indie developers. Unfortunatly to me, the build up doesn’t match the pay off.

Real Racing has taken a little longer than anticipated to reach our anxious little hands. The extra time was used to fine tune and perfect the game. It appears from the time I’ve spent with the game that it was well worth it.

Hands-On with New Games From Glu Mobile – Including Super KO Boxing 2!

Yesterday we got a chance to get our game loving fingers on some new games from Glu. The biggest of which is Super KO Boxing 2, a continuation of one of Glu’s biggest selling games on feature phones. We also got a chance to see a new tube racing game, Alleygator, a Family Guy game, and the nearly final version of Minigolf Wacky Worlds. Also got some great news about updates for Glyder and the Transformers Cypertoy.

Super KO Boxing 2

Super KO Boxing 2 is a very fun, comical boxing game that works well on the iPhone, even in the early version I saw. The game controls were an incomplete early version that we played but consisted on taps and combinations on certain hot spots on the screen.

You can play in multiple modes, career, challenge, verses, and endurance modes in 3 different circuits. Your opponents include some favorites from the original game and a some new ones, 12 fighters in all.

Meet Big Gip

Name This Tough Guy

Super KO Boxing 2 is currently scheduled for a September release. No multiplayer is currently planned, but they are considering adding it.

Super KO Boxing 2 – Name A Tough Guy Contest

In conjunction with the release, Glu are holding a contest to name one of the new boxers in Super KO Boxing 2. It’s this cave-man looking guy, one of the games most powerful boxers that you need to come up with a name for.

The winner will get a $250 iTunes Gift Card and an iPod Shuffle. 4 runners-up will also win prizes.

For full contest details and to enter, you can submit a comment on this post, or enter at the event page on Facebook.

Alleygator

Alleygator is a casual game title from Glu, what they call a Glu Snack. In this timed racing game, you are an alligator trying to get out of the sewers as quick as possible. You swirl around the sewers avoiding obstacles and grabbing powerups on your way out.

There are 6 different sewers in the 25 different levels.

Alleygator is expected to release in September.

Family Guy Uncensored

A series of 7 different mini games, all of which contain lots of little inside jokes for Family Guy fans. The mini games in general look really fun and re-playable, and there’s also a very cool story mode that guides you through all of the 54 levels. I think overall this will be a pretty good title. The only problem I see with it is that it doesn’t have any voice acting in the game.

September is the planned release for Family Guy Uncensored.

Glyder Update Coming!

We also got some good news for Glyder fans. If you have completed the game, you’ll be happy to know that Glu have submitted an update that gives you more gems to collect.

Glyder

Our Rating: :: Highly Recommended

Category: Games / Adventure
Released: 2009-04-06
Price: $0.99

Transformers CyberToy

We also got to see an update to the Transformers CyberToy that takes great advantage for the music library access in iPhone OS 3.0. With this upcoming update you can make Bumblebee dance to the music you are playing on your iPhone. He has 4 different dance routines and will choose one based on the genre of music you are playing.

Transformers CyberToy is available now. The version 1.2 update will be available soon.

TRANSFORMERS ™ CyberToy

Category: Entertainment / Family
Released: 2009-06-18
Price: $1.99

The 8 Lb. Gorilla in the Room – EA Casual iPhone Games Label Launched

EA has announced recently that they have started a new label to focus on casual iPhone games. Their first release is out now and we took a quick look.

This small group of apparently skinny-leg jean wearing hipsters will focus on creating a casual game per month for the iPhone. Their first release, Zombies & Me (App Info) was released this past weekend. The game is an interesting yet simple little game.

The idea if the game is that you are in the middle of a zombie invasion. You are tasked with protecting your grandmother who stays in her house and shouts one liners at you every once in a while. The government is bombing the zombies, you must guide them into the marked bomb targets. You do this by running around, past the house, and the zombies will be drawn away from the house and follow you. When they cross a bomb target, they will stay and wait to be destroyed. Zombies aren’t the smartest. The game ends when either you get hit by a bomb, or the house is destroyed.

The controls are simple — you just touch in the direction you want to go. This of course leads to the inevitable problem of you covering the screen with your hand so you can’t see what is happening on the screen. Tilt controls might have made this better, but yet more difficult.

The thing that’s really missing from their first release is any form of community. They have recently posted on their Twitter stream that they will add a global high score system to the game if enough people download the app. To me, this misses the mark.

For casual games to really stand out from the crowd, they need to be integrated with a social gaming platform from the start. I really think that EA/8 Lb. Gorilla should include a social gaming platform with all of their games. Perhaps they should integrate with one of the existing systems like OpenFeint or ngmoco:)’s Plus+ network. I really hope they don’t create their own system, there are already too many systems to really serve the needs of the consumer.

To release a casual game isolated from everything else on a communications device just doesn’t make any sense anymore. It’s an area where EA has lagged behind, really most of the large developers have lagged behind. Let’s hope that they get something ready in time for their second or third release.

In spite of the missing community features, not a bad first effort. From the things I’ve read about the group they have pretty loose reigns — it will be interesting to see what they come up with next.

More pics after the jump.
Continue reading The 8 Lb. Gorilla in the Room – EA Casual iPhone Games Label Launched »

If you’re a fan of the Sims or any of the other “Virtual” games that Last Day of Work has created then you will feel right at home with Virtual Families. You should still be leery of the fact that this game is in fact a port of a PC/Mac game and it shows in the difficulties I had with controlling the game.

E3 Wrap-up: Red Rocket Games Shows Little Runner, Mevo

Red Rocket Games is new to the iPhone, and their first game, Little Runner is a fun, simple casual game where you level the path of you never-stopping little runner. You do this by raising and lowering pieces of the road before the runner gets there. There are slight changes to keep things interesting with each increasing level. Take a look at the trailer here:

The music is good, and it’s a good simple little game at $0.99.

Mevo – Simplified Rhythm Game

Little Runner

Category: Games / Arcade
Released: 2009-06-09
Price: $0.99

Red Rocket also announced a new music based rhythm game, Mevo. It’s a simplified rhythm game with just left and right on screen buttons, instead of the usual four, in time to the beat of the songs. The better you are with the rhythm, the better your little guy moves.

The app should be submitted to the app store soon and looks promising as a perhaps more casual rhythm game. Screen shots are below.

iBomber stands above the crowd with its great interface, ease of use, challenging levels, and inspiring soundtrack.

Real Racing Revs Up

I got a pleasant surprise in my inbox today, and I hardly slept last night for playing it so much.

Hot on the heals of their great update to Flight Control, Firemint have submitted to the app store a completely different game, Real Racing. Possibly the best racing game we’ve ever see on the iPhone, it’s coming really soon and I’ve got a final build ad-hoc copy. I’ve commented before about how great of a game this is. The final version is even better. It has amazing fit and finish and looks even better than the previous versions I’ve seen. Well done Firemint!

The racing game features 12 tracks, 26 cars, and five different game modes. The most interesting feature, to me, is the asynchronous multiplayer mode. Very well done, and a ton of fun to play.

If you’re on Twitter, you can follow the game specific Twitter account, or become a fan of the Facebook page.

No word yet on price, we’ll see that when the app goes live. And we’ll have a full review ready for when the app goes live. That is if I can stop playing it. For now, check after the jump for the official trailer video, more screen shots, and the official app description.

Continue reading Real Racing Revs Up »

Search For Satisfaction: the Lack of Full-Featured iPhone Games

The Search for Satisfaction
Nobody really expected the App Store to be such an enormous success. There are currently over 41,000 apps in the store, and more than 12,000 publishers. (These stats come from our sister site, 148apps.biz.) Since its debut, the App Store has produced games that scorn typical expectations of “mobile gaming” and present polished, cheap entertainment in an easily accessible form. Apple has taken advantage of the iPod Touch and iPhone’s gaming abilities, and is pushing gaming apps in its ads. By all accounts, the iPhone is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world of handheld gaming.

But while the App Store is booming, there’s a sad lack of real games in the App Store. I’m talking about games that draw you in with knotted narratives, games that you can really sink your teeth into. I’m talking about games that could make the folks over at Nintendo and Sony fret over the futures of their precious handheld consoles.

Just look at the Top 100, and you’ll see what’s missing. At the time of writing, the #1 game is Stick Wars—a “good” game, perhaps, but hardly an overwhelming demonstration of the iPhone’s capabilities. The #1 free app is the “Urinal Test,” which speaks for itself; the #1 paid app overall is the Moron Test—that’s high-quality stuff right there. Two more examples: Doodle Jump and Flight Control are bestsellers that have met with both popular and critical acclaim, and for good reason; they’re wonderful casual titles. But their success is a testament to a marketplace that craves casual play, a marketplace where the cheapest often wins. iPod Touch and iPhone owners tend to buy games as if they were candy: sugary snacks that can be consumed mindlessly, and thrown away once the sweetness has been sapped. Those aren’t the kinds of games that will catapult the iPhone to true greatness as a gaming platform.

And that’s what we gamers would love, really. The diversionary games are wonderful, but serious gamers are still lusting after real games. Imagine a world where your PSP or DS has been made obsolete by your phone. That’s the world I want to be in; why carry two devices when you can have one? I want quality titles that will last more than a few hours. As a New York Times article lamented, “Those searching for a deep, meaningful, narrative-driven experience will generally have to
Continue reading Search For Satisfaction: the Lack of Full-Featured iPhone Games »

A battle card strategy game that starts out feeling like challenging game of Chess but soon feels more like a simplistic game of Checkers

Kaloki Adventure manages to master that fine line between too easy and too tedious while also being very complex without being complicated. The game is a solid buy to say the least for anyone who likes a tycoon style of gameplay.

A solid golf game that will remain on your iPhone for as long as you have it. With bright graphics, quality controls, and fun multiplayer, this app is definitely a winner.

You’ve played it on your Mac and PC, and you know how seriously addictive it can be. It’s Here. Peggle for iPhone. PopCap Games latest touch title brings the experience you all know and love, to iPhone (and iPod touch) – but is it really worth plunking down for? I’ve been putting it through it’s paces.

Deer Hunter 3D from Glu

The team over at Glu were kind enough to give us a little hands on time today with their latest title, Deer Hunter 3D. This is their first Atari license on the iPhone and it looks really impressive. You can definitely tell that a lot of care went into the production of this game.

For those of you not familiar with the game, the idea is that you are a game hunter looking for deer, moose, bears, and various other wildlife. The game starts out on the GPS screen looking for animal tracks. Once you find the tracks you can then zoom into a very lush and wonderfully rendered environment. From there, you aim your gun, zoom in with the scope, and try to bag a kill.

Continue reading Deer Hunter 3D from Glu »

Rolando 2 Teaser Trailer

Firemint Games Provides Flight Control Sales Numbers

Firemint Games, the developers of the 148Apps five star rated game Flight Control, have just released their sales figures for the app while it held the #1 spot in the iTunes App Store. The period covered stretches from March 24th to April 25th 2009, which is a sizable amount of time for an app to hold that position.

Here’s some of the information from the report:

Continue reading Firemint Games Provides Flight Control Sales Numbers »

Picking up and sorting cute little robots into different coloured docking stations. That’s Robotco. This game is sure to test your organisation skills as well as your reaction time, in this ever frantic condition!

Smule has done it again with one of the most innovative uses the device has seen thus far. Leaf Trombone is a prime example that creativity is alive and well in the app store.

Built on speed and launched just in sync with the new upcoming movie, Fast & Furious The Game is the official title from game development studios iPlay, FireMint and Universal Pictures . After the first teaser edition; Fast and Furious: Pink Slip – It’s back! More cars, More locations. More .. everything.

Circuit Defenders is a disappointingly ordinary tower defense game, despite some nice features like in-depth upgrades. We recommend passing on this one.

With it’s colourful (almost psychedelic) approach, Touch & Go! is a well designed title based on that ‘Match 3′ concept we all know and dearly love. Saying that, the way the game is presented does shake the genre up a little!