It’s been a long time coming. At least, it probably seems like a long time to all those disgruntled iOS users. Anyway, at long last, Plants vs. Zombies has gotten a major update that includes a number of features that many have been missing (i.e. taking issue with their absence). Read on for the nitty-gritty.

More mini-games are being added to the already robust list, including the Zombiquarium, Portal Combat and Beghouled Twist. Anyone unfamiliar with these mini-titles should know that they’re all interesting and fun in their own ways. Especially Beghouled Twist, with its hybrid of classic zombie-on-plant carnage and match-three puzzles. Of course, Portal Combat is interesting, too. The addition of reality-bending gateways that let plants fire across multiple rows (careful that the zombies don’t use them to get closer!) make for some cool overkill moments.

A new puzzle game has also been included in addition to I, Zombie (which itself has received an Endless Mode). Vase Breaker is now a particular favorite of mine as it takes the random “card” distribution used in many other extra modes and hides it underneath a grid of unmarked vases. Some may contain plants, some may contain zombies. Players have to play conservatively and smart if they’re going to have any chance of making it to the end. And yes dear iPad users, at long last the Zen Garden has also been included. Raising oddball plants like our PC counterparts is finally, blessedly, an option.

It’s not all mini-games, however. Popcap has also included support for several languages (Spanish, French, etc), as well as some new items in Crazy Dave’s shop and the expected Game Center achievements. Take note: some of the extra stuff such as bonus I, Zombie levels and the like are gated behind purchases via in-game coins. These coins are earned fairly regularly through simply playing the various modes so it’s not a big problem, but players should know that they won’t be able to jump right in to all the new stuff immediately. Worst case scenario; they get to sample the first level of a given mode or game type, then spend a few rounds of doing whatever to earn enough cash to unlock more stages.

Once this update goes live tomorrow (4/19), the iOS version of Plants vs. Zombies will finally be comparable to its PC counterpart. Both for the iPhone and the iPad. Rejoice, fellow iOS users! Rejoice and stop all the bellyaching!

$0.99

Plants vs. Zombies

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2010-02-15 :: Category: Games

$0.99

Plants vs. Zombies HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2010-04-01 :: Category: Games

Okay folks, time to get ready. Start clearing off some space on that iOS device and set aside plenty of alone time because Hunters 2 is looming on the horizon. And not one of those “further away than it seems” horizons. I’m talking the kind of horizon that’s really, really close.

The original game was something of a smashing success, but it wasn’t exactly perfect. Many users took issue with the somewhat limited arsenal, the lack of much variation for the contracts, the repetitive environments, and so on. Well Rodeo Games has taken the criticism to heart. Hunters 2 will feature the same ridiculously awesome strategy gameplay, but also includes more. As in more of everything. More weapons, more environments, more gear, more environments, and even more features. Such as a full-blown campaign mode (*SQUEEE!!!*) It’s also looking pretty spiffy with the new real-time lighting effects. And are those new enemy types I see in those screen shots? I think they are.

Regrettably there still aren’t any real specifics about the launch, but Rodeo Games estimates that we can all look forward to seeing Hunters 2 on the App Store in just a couple of weeks. How much it’ll cost is still up in the air, but honestly, does it really matter? I’m fairly certain there are a ton of iOS users that are anxious to jump on it as soon as it’s available, no matter the price. Myself included.

Dungeon crawlers as a genre have certainly seen much success over the years, but that doesn’t mean that everyone loves them. It takes a certain kind of mentality to find joy in gathering tons of loot through repetitious fighting in order to fight stronger things (repetitiously) for better loot. Now assuming there was something else added to the proceedings to keep things from feeling less monotonous, something like that could draw in a bit more of a crowd. That is to say, draw in even more of a crowd. And what usually sells like crazy regardless of medium or platform? Humor.

With that in mind (I think), Ayopa Games and Drowning Monkeys have decided to unleash Dungeon Crawlers on an unsuspecting App Store. The game itself is a combination of more typical dungeon crawlers with multi-floored dungeons, loot and experience grinding and turn-based strategy RPGs. Players will control a team of four adventurers (an alchemist, priest, barbarian, and dwarven warrior) over the course of five chapters, each with their own distinct environments. They’ll also be going toe-to-toe with plenty of nasty monsters as they scrounge for stuff.

Dungeon Crawlers is slated for a January 26th release. A universal release, might I add. For a special “introductory price” of $1.99 no less.

I’m obviously excited about Legendary Heroes. It’s got me all in a tizzy, so to speak. But why is it so noteworthy? Read on for a better explanation than “it’s looking freaking awesome!”

First of all, it does indeed look awesome. It’s another iOS strategy game, which tend to fit the platform quite well. It features some pretty impressive-looking graphics. It takes the typical 2D castle defense genre and adds a third dimension, so there will be multiple paths to take in order to reach the enemy’s tower. Lots of power-ups can be used to bolster the team’s stats. And then there are the heroes.

Eight different heroes, each with their own abilities. Smaller units are still around, but it’s the direct control of the hero unit that really sets Legendary Heroes apart. Plus it sort of fits with the name. Anyway, it’s looking like an iOS mash-up of castle defense strategies, the fodder-pounding available in games like Dynasty Warriors and the inclusion of unique player-controlled hero classes that has been all the rage lately thanks to League of Legends.

Really now, how could someone not get excited about that combination? Oh but don’t just take my word for it. There’s a cleverly placed trailer sitting down there that should close the deal. Legendary Heroes will be out sometime in early 2012 and will be free-to-play.

Zombie Invasion HD, previously known as Defense Craft, has just seen an update for the iPad. Why any of this required a name change, which subsequently led to a bunch of time wasted trying to figure out why the heck the game I was trying to link to didn’t exist, is completely beyond me. However, it’s a thing and it exists now. Best to talk about it.

Whatever it’s official name is at this point, the game is primarily about tower defense. Players fend off hordes of weird floating zombies using even weirder towers. The original release offered up close to 25 levels, multiple enemy and tower types as well as a handful of themes. This update increases the amount of stages on hand, giving players even more zombie-fighting goodness.

As some added incentive, Zombie Invasion HD will be free for the next few days. Why not take a look? Try out some of those new levels perhaps?

FREE!

Zombie Invasion HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-12-01 :: Category: Games

It appears as though a new tower defense game has been thrown into the mix, and it offers up something that most others in the genre don’t: two more sides. That is to say, it takes the concept of grid-based tower construction and bumps things up from 4 sided boxes to 6 sided cells. It’s name is HexDefense and it’s the new, Open-GL using kid on the block.

HexDefense adheres to the more “open” style of defense gameplay in which the towers themselves are used to block enemy movement. At least, some of the levels do. Others appear to be of the more traditional set-path variety. Regardless of the layout, players will have to protect their base from enemy waves for 35 levels. Earning funds to place and upgrade more towers, naturally.

Seeing as it’s already in the App Store and is totally free, it’s something for strategy aficionados to consider.

$0.99

HexDefense

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-11-08 :: Category: Games

Tower defense fans rejoice! Origin8, makers of the rather popular and critically acclaimed Sentinel 3: Homeworld have seen fit to drop the price for a limited time. Okay, it wasn’t entirely their doing but rather Openfeint’s FireSale promotion. Although technically it was the thousand Openfeint gamers who voted for the price drop, I suppose.

Regardless, Sentinel 3: Homeworld is temporarily marked down to a dollar. That’s right, for an indeterminate about of time it’s possible to get a hold of one of the App Store’s most celebrated tower defense titles for next to nothing. Even better, as special “Thank You” for all the love, Origin8 has also temporarily dropped the price of the Campaign 2 DLC. So that’s another dollar. Just in case anyone was wondering, that’s $5 worth of some of the most highly regarded TD goodness for a mere $2.

I’m sure there are a fair number of people reading this who already own the game, but I also imagine a fair number of them have yet to get the DLC. No time like the present, right? And everyone else who loves tower defense games but still doesn’t own it, wave those lame excuses bye-bye.

$2.99

Sentinel 3: Homeworld

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-11-26 :: Category: Games