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Pits of Death Review

+ Universal & Apple Watch App - Designed for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
By Rob Rich on June 17th, 2015
Our rating: starstarhalfstarblankstarblankstar :: MIND THE GAP
Pits of Death is a little clumsy on the Apple Watch, but it’s a neat throwback to some truly old-fashioned games.
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Aliens Versus Humans 2.0 is Coming, and I Helped!

Posted by Rob Rich on September 20th, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: A HEAVENLY HOMAGE :: Read Review »

When I first reviewed Aliens Versus Humans I found it to be full of promise, but the lack of a Geoscape and base maintenance of any kind sapped some of my enjoyment. What’s already there is great stuff, but in the back of my mind - and most likely in the back of everyone else’s - it just wasn’t the complete experience. However, Leisurerules has been hard at work since the initial release and are preparing to hit the App Store with their 2.0 update early next month. Just in time for XCOM: Enemy Unknown if all goes to plan. I’ve had the fortune of being able to check it out early, and I can honestly say it’s not going to disappoint.

So why is Aliens Versus Humans 2.0 special enough to warrant such attention? Because it’s essentially a totally different game. The original AvH missions are being sectioned off as “Training Missions,” while the real meat of the game has been designated “Onslaught.” In Onslaught players can expect the kind of portable X-COM experience they’ve always wanted. The Geoscape, ‘pedia, recruitment, research, staffing, manufacturing, and base construction (with multiple bases) is all present and accounted for. It’s practically perfect X-COM in all its immaculate and frustrating glory, only now you can play it whenever and wherever you want. And I helped.

Jim Coughley (coding, artwork, sound, music, testing), contacted me after my review of AvH had gone live, we had a brief back-and-forth regarding our mutual love of the original series and thoughts about what AvH could use in terms of various improvements, then before I knew it I was asked to help out as an advisor for future versions. In other words I take a look at various builds and offer feedback. According to Jim, this was largely due to my love of the series as well as the way I “…didn't hold back in [my] comments and criticisms and [my] feedback came with sound reasoning…” And now I take a moment to blush (seriously). The lack of a Geoscape was a major (and fairly obvious) issue but we’ve also discussed smaller things like interface tweaks and menu layouts. As someone who loves video games, and especially X-COM, this has been an awesome and surreal experience all-around.

I’m obviously proud (and possibly a little biased) about how Aliens Versus Humans is turning out, but that shouldn’t keep you X-COM fans from checking it out. It really is fantastic and once the 2.0 update goes live it should fill that strategic alien-fighting gap quite nicely. But if you’re still not sure there’s always the free version, limited to early missions only and no Onslaught mode, to try out which is slated for the same release window as 2.0 (early October).

Gun Runner Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Jason Wadsworth on May 25th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: RUN AND GUN
The name says it all. This clever homage to classic side-scrolling shooters is easy to enjoy but hard to master.
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Battle Legend Infinity Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Rob Thomas on January 31st, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: FIGHTING NOSTALGIA
This free retro-inspired offering will bring a smirk to the face of anybody who grew up on the 8 and 16-bit eras. Just make sure you're ready for the grind.
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Chillingo Channels Geometry Wars in Infinity Field for iPad

Posted by Blake Grundman on February 1st, 2011

I know this may be slightly blasphemous to say on a site like 148apps.com, but portable gaming, even iOS gaming in particular, owes quite a bit of its success to the proliferation of consoles.  Many of the ideas that are pioneered on platforms like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 eventually find their way to the iOS in one form or another.  This isn't a bad thing, it just leads to issues when developers try to shoehorn console centric gamestyles onto a device that lacks the proper control mechanisms.

One such game that has made its impact on iOS platform in the form of numerous different titles is Geometry Wars.  Despite Activision actually releasing a proper Geometry Wars title, many other developers have found inspiration in everything from the control scheme and mechanics, to the futuristic art style.  Chillingo's (now part of EA Mobile's publishing wing) upcoming iPad release, Infinity Field, seems to be doing a little more than just borrowing ideas, as you can see in their most recent debut trailer.


As becomes very evident after viewing this footage, Chillingo is looking to bring their own perspective to the genre that Bizarre Creations built.  Featuring boss battles to go along with the standard barrage of enemies might go a long way toward helping to distinguish Infinity Field from Activison's prior offering.  It will also be interesting to see what kinds of power-ups and weaponry are also added to the experience, seeing as how this was very limited in Geometry Wars.


If nothing else, Infinity Field looks like it could be a strong contender, given its iPad specific focus.  Using all of the extra real estate on screen that the device exclusively has, could make for very intense action, pending the controls are as solid as they look to be.  Clocking in at only $1.99, it might be worth giving a look and letting us know what you think in the comments.



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