When I first played Terra Noctis, I came away with an incredibly positive opinion. Sure it had its share of problems. In fact, it had a ton of small ones. However it was still a cool platformer that was well worth the somewhat hefty (comparably) price of $2.99 at the time. The cost has dropped down to $0.99 since then, but even that might be “too much” some some frugal shoppers. Which is why BulkyPix has brought in Everyplay Interactive to adapt a special free-to-play edition they’re calling Terra Noctis: Free Dreaming.

Free Dreaming is more or less the exact same game, albeit with a few noticeable adjustments (and a lot that aren’t so noticeable). It is, of course, free. Players can enjoy the same level of content found in the original, purchase power-ups in the shop, unlock levels with red fairies, etc… The freemium content is there, mostly in the form of purchasable fairies, but refusing to pay doesn’t gate off content so much as evenly pace its distribution. With the exception of a “Fairy Cloner” that permanently doubles the amount of fairies earned, it can all be acquired normally with a bit of patience.

In addition to the new payment (or lack thereof) model, as well as some stylish hats, there have been a number of small improvements that add up to make this the version to own. The Pumpkin Shop is accessible from anywhere, even mid-level. The shop’s interface is much easier to navigate. Virtually all of the tiny bugs and crashes have been squashed.

This definitive edition of one of the App Store’s best (and prettiest) platformers is available right now. And as I’ve already said it’s completely free. No more excuses, people.

FREE!

Terra Noctis: Free Dreaming

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-02-02 :: Category: Games

A good many people have been enjoying collecting starites since Scribblenauts Remix first hit the App Store. It’s a pretty nifty game, after all. The down-side to games like this is that they eventually end once each level has been completed. There’s always the fun of revisiting completed stages in order to see what other bizarre ways its puzzles can be solved, but once it’s done it’s pretty much done. Until the developers release more levels for it, that is.

5th Cell has just made a new batch of 20 levels available for purchase, on top of the preexisting 50. I’m sure there are at least a few players out there who’ve been wishing there was more for them to do since they ran out of content, and an announcement like this should certainly brighten their day. Now they’ve got 20 more levels to bombard with adjectives and nouns as they attempt to grab that starite and have a good laugh in the process.

The level pack is available right now via in-app purchase, and will only set players back $0.99

$0.99

$1.99

Scribblenauts Remix

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Our Rating: :: SPARK OF GENIUS
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-10-12 :: Category: Games

Egg Ball and BulkyPix are about to release a new platformer on the App Store. Please hold all sarcastic golf claps until I’ve finished. It’s not exactly an under-represented genre, but JAZZ: Trump’s Journey certainly looks to be a stand-out title.

It’s not just the traipsing through New Orleans circa the 1920′s. It’s also the awesomely stylized graphics, as well as the plot (inspired by the life of one Louis Armstrong no less) involving bringing jazz music to life for the first time in human history. Then there’s the way the game’s music will build, layer upon layer, as Trump begins recruiting musicians. There’s so much about this game that sounds awesome.

Of course, we’ll have to wait for it to come out before knowing if it lives up to expectations. It certainly looks like it will, though. Fortunately it won’t be an incredibly long wait. JAZZ: Trump’s Journey is scheduled for a universal January 19th release. No word yet on a price but I’m going to assume that whatever it is, it’ll be worth it.