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Mineshaft: Dynamite Blast Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Jennifer Allen on November 14th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: SIMPLE BUT ENJOYABLE
Puns aside, Mineshaft: Dynamite Blast could probably do with some more depth.
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Hungry Lizards Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By David Rabinowitz on June 4th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: JUMPING REPTILES
Hungry Lizards is a casual arcade game in which players control a jumping lizard and try to catch flying bugs.
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Rails Review

iPad App - Designed for iPad
By David Rabinowitz on January 11th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: TRAIN LOGIC
Rails is a logic and timing game that will really make players think.
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War of Eclipse Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Rob Rich on December 4th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: DOWN
Fight to reclaim the planet from an army of gigantic mutant flying things in Game Stew's latest one-touch time killer.
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Irrupt Review

Posted by Rob Rich on October 5th, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Developer: Sets and Settings
Price: $0.99
Version: 1.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 3GS
Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
User Interface Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar

[rating:overall]

A lone astronaut has to wander through an endless meteor storm. Is he sacrificing himself in order to save the lives of his crew? Has he been sentenced to some kind of space-Purgatory? Maybe this is what really happened to David Bowman (2001: A Space Odyssey)? Whatever the reason for his ultimately fruitless journey, it makes for an entertaining one-button game.

Irrupt is every bit as simple as it sounds. The nameless astronaut flies from the left of the screen to the right, miraculously starting over from the left again after each pass, in an endless loop. While avoiding meteors, naturally. Tapping and holding the screen causes him to cease his movement for a few moments, while simultaneously charging a boost. Releasing the screen then launches him forward at different distances based on how long he was charging. With each completed circuit the number and speed of the meteors increases, rapidly shifting from fairly easy to downright nail-biting. Every now and then power-ups that activate meteor-blasting guns will drop, but catching them can be tricky and they aren’t entirely vital to one’s success.

iOS games don’t get much more accessible than Irrupt. Tap, hold, and release. That’s all there is to it. The complexity and insanity is in the timing. Meteors can miss by virtual inches, but they can also hit by such a small margin. It means any small mistake can end a run in less time than it takes to blink, but it also means that some steadily developed skills can lead to fairly significant scores. Of course, “high score” is kind of a relative term here. So far I’ve only managed to hit 25. It’s much more challenging than it sounds.

Of course all this simplicity and accessibility could be viewed as “too much” for some people. Aside from the constant grind for a better score - and possibly bragging to Game Center friends - there’s really nothing else to it. Not that I personally think it needs anything, but I suppose an unlockable or two such as new spacesuits or something would be nice.

There’s no way anyone would mistake Irrupt for a “complex” or even a “deep” game, but it does simple fun very well. There’s no leveling up or upgrading to be had but it’s a great time killer for high score chasing iOS gamers.

PlicPlic Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By David Rabinowitz on September 28th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: FLY HIGH
Use your reflexes to control a cute umbrella as it floats up and up, just make sure to avoid the birds!
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NinjSmash Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Blake Grundman on September 22nd, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar :: MINDLESS ENTERTAINMENT
Sometimes a game doesn't need to be overly complicated to be fun. NinjSmash sets the bar low enough to trip over, and manages to find a way to be entertaining anyway.
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Fire Escapes Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By David Rabinowitz on September 22nd, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: SAVE THE BABIES
Be a hero and save babies in this very simple game that requires precise timing and the ability to multi-task.
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Hambo Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By David Rabinowitz on April 26th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: STELLAR GAME
Hambo is a phenomenal physics puzzle game. The app has hundreds of levels, a detailed store, great graphics, and fun levels. Be sure to download this game!
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GoldMiner OL Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By David Rabinowitz on March 30th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: DIG FOR GOLD
Gold Miner OL is an easy to pick up and play game that involves timing and aiming a grappling hook. Players hook onto gold and other valuables in hopes of getting rich.
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Little Rockets Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Rob Rich on March 6th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar ::
Get adorable little rockets to gather resources, then get them to the exit in once piece. Just make sure to have a well-planned flight path set up.
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Oddy Smog's Misadventure Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Bonnie Eisenman on July 5th, 2010
Our rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: BEAUTIFUL
Oddy Smog's Misadventure is a beautiful, tremendously fun journey through a smog-choked chute. In Oddy's quest to escape the System, you fly upward using the cogs of the machine.
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