Tag: Online multiplayer »

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).

So those folks over at Spacetime Studios, they’re alright. After releasing two more than a little successful iOS MMOs (Pocket Legends, Star Legends), they’ve gone and put out a third. But what’s left after anthropomorphic woodland creatures and space-faring explorers? Vampires, natch.

Taking a page or two from the modern day vampire handbook, Dark Legends puts players in control of a young (as in recently turned) vampire simply trying to survive in a world that knows they exist and wants them gone. It takes a slightly different approach to the player’s interactions with the world this time around. Some missions put the player in direct control of their character as they cut a bloody swath through their enemies while others simply take real time to complete automatically at the cost of a little energy. Both provide experience and the like, of course. As expected, avatars can be customized with a number of special weapons and clothing items, as well as proudly displayed to others when playing together in a group or with guild mates.

Dark Legends is lurking on the App Store right now. Joining the ranks of the Undead is completely free, too. Typical micro-transactions and in-app-purchases are available those who want to show their support with money or pick up a few vanity items, though.

Gameloft's wave-based hack 'n slash RPG Dungeon Hunter 3 has at-last gotten a much-requested feature: online multiplayer. The 1.1.1 update adds 4 player online play through their own Gameloft Live servers. The modes include a co-op mode, where players go on the game's missions with three other players, helping to get higher ranks and collect better rewards from the levels. Player levels are viewable in the menu, so if some newbie jumps in with their level 1 in a level 40 game, then they can be kicked out like the noobs they are. As well, there's a player vs. player mode where 4 players duke it out in an arena to see who the mightiest warrior is, clashing steel and casting spells until one is left standing. Deathmatch mode is only for bragging rights, there are no coins or treasure to be had for victory here. The update is available now, alongside some other bug fixes and tweaks.

Clear the calendar and kiss those loved ones goodbye, celebrated iOS MMO Pocket Legends is turning 2 years-old. But this isn't any old birthday party, no sir. Spacetime Studios is doing it backwards by giving gifts to the party-goers, not the guest of honor.

What this means is that the developer has made all premium areas free to access. Now anyone can quest, loot grind, or pointlessly emote in each of the six exclusive zones (Sandstone Caves, Skeller's Return, Croc Feud, Frozen Nightmares, Shadow Caves, and Wyldwood). Those who've dropped some cash to access these areas already have no need to fret. All players who have paid to unlock these environments will be getting a special in-game vanity helm (the Frozen Crown of Gratitude) to lord over all those plebeians who didn't show their support monetarily. Similarly, everyone will be able to purchase a special 2012 Anniversary hat during the event which can bestow tiny clones of itself atop the heads of those who wave to the original wearer.

Star Legends users haven't been forgotten either. Bird, Elf, and Bear "Bobble Head" masks will be available throughout the week-long celebration. Anyone curious to see what all the fuss is about, get back to a game they might have been absent from for a while, or might just be between marathon sessions can check out both MMOs for absolutely free. Just act fast if oddball hats are a priority. The festivities will only last through the end of next week.

Air Wings is an online multiplayer deathmatch-style game that sees the player pilot a paper airplane in an attempt to shoot down the enemy and score as many points as possible. While the game is free to play, there’s a severe lack of content on offer, therefore the in-app purchases become almost essential.

To start I should probably point out that due to the online nature of the game, Air Wings requires a Game Center account and active internet connect to be able to play. There is a training mode, but after that it’s online only.

The idea is simple; the player pilots a paper airplane around an arena-based level, facing off against an online opponent. The game is points based, so collecting a gold coin (of which there are many throughout every level) will earn the player 50 points, shooting down an opponent will bag 1000, and destroying an enemy three times and winning the match sees an additional award of 2000 points. These all add to the player’s Game Center Air Wings leaderboard.

Now, bearing in mind the planes are made of paper, real weapons are out of the question. Instead Air Wings uses everyday objects and turns them into deadly projectiles which are scattered about the place. Expect to use pencils as missiles, rolled-up paper balls as bullets, suction cups as timed explosives, rubber bands as ricocheting bullets, and firecrackers are floating bombs. It’s a very neat little touch.

Controlling the planes is incredibly easy; simply tilt the iOS device left or right. It's very responsive, with the plane's turning speed matching how quickly the iOS device was tilted. All other relevant icons, such as the fire button, are all well placed and easily reached.

Air Wings also looks very nice. The planes are nicely modelled, and arenas are based on locations one might see every day, such as a warehouse full of boxes.

The only downside is that, while the game is free to play, content is severely lacking with only one plane and two levels on offer. In-app purchases are offered, with the likes of better planes (all with different stats) and new levels becoming accessible. These are a necessity to get the most out of the game.

Air Wings is an enjoyable and also surprisingly competitive game. The controls have been done well, and the matches are free from lag. Players with a couple of dollars spare for the in-app purchases should definitely give this a try.

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I make no secret of the fact that I am seriously addicted to Ticket to Ride on iOS. Of all the designer board games currently rushing to the App Store, none is as polished in presentation and gameplay as TtR. Unbelievably, the translation from analogue to digital is seamless.

Yet, something has been missing from the iPhone version of the game, Ticket to Ride Pocket.

Until now, that is.

Version 1.1 has just be released to the App Store and it contains what many fans (including me) have been waiting for: Multi Mode. Is Multi Mode true online play or something more akin to Words With Friends-style asynchronous play? From my experience, the answer is both.

Multi Mode is designed primarily to be played in asynchronous mode, with players taking turns at their whim over the course of hours, days, or even weeks. However, my experience has shown that many online players prefer to simply play their game online in real time, and Multi Mode easily accommodates that choice. So, it's the best of both worlds: head-to-head play when time permits, and asynchronous play for when it doesn't.

In fact, the straight-up multiplayer version of the game is preferable, as turns in Ticket to Ride can be very short indeed. While I don't want to imply that there are no strategic choices to be made in the game (quite the opposite, actually), the time it takes to play a turn is miniscule compared to a turn in Scrabble or Words with Friends. Asynchronous play is a welcome addition, but you may find yourself playing more than one game in real time.

If you've never heard of Ticket to Ride (gasp!) or never played TtR Pocket, I urge you to take a moment and read our glowing review of the game when it was released. Then, take the plunge and start building your railroad empire. I'll meet you online. My Gamecenter user name is Skinnerbox. Challenge me to a game anytime!

With not one but two popular MMORPGs under their belt already, one would think that Spacetime Studios might be interested in taking a little break. Nope. DroidGamers have discovered that, rather than simply being content with resounding success they've decided it's time to make yet another one. It's planned for mobile devices, it's going to be "... a bit of a departure from the formula that Pocket Legends established," and its called Dark Legends.

I wish I had more info to share about it, but after checking the initial forum announcement, their official Facebook page and the completely unhelpful teaser site (I know, what else could I expect from a teaser site?) I've come up with zip. Well okay, that's not entirely true. It's fair to assume that it'll probably have a somewhat darker theme than either of the developer's previous titles. It's also looking like Spacetime will be refining their Massively Multiplayer craft even further, and given the leap in quality from Pocket Legends to Star Legends it's certainly something to be excited about.

148apps will no doubt be keeping an eye out for further developments. In the meantime, I'd advise being patient. Or possibly keeping busy with one (or both) of those other mobile MMOs while waiting. Patiently.

[Via DroidGamers]