January 08, 2018 by RSS Feed
PortraitCam ($3.99) by BrainFeverMedia is an app to help you achieve great depth effects on your photos, regardless of whether you have an iPhone capable of Portrait Mode or not. If you're looking to create some great portraits, then this app can definitely help. It's similar to apps like Patch, but with more features.
Ever since I got the original iPhone back in 2008, I fell in love with mobile photography. The camera specs weren't that great back then, but it was amazing just having a mobile device that was capable of snapping pics in an instant. Because even though the picture may be crap compared to today's standards, the memories will always remain, and that's why I love photography. With the iPhone 4, the camera upped the ante for the industry, and then just got better and better from there. Apple added Portrait Mode with the iPhone 7 Plus, which I missed out on as I had gotten an iPhone 7 that year instead. Now with my iPhone 8 Plus, I finally have Portrait Mode myself, and I use it whenever I can. Still, since I don't have an iPhone X, I don't have Portrait Mode with the front-facing camera. So I decided to give PortraitCam a shot to help out with my selfie game.
Fore Photo
Henry Lee
Interface-wise, PortraitCam is pretty simple and intuitive. The main screen of the app easily lets users choose whether to import an existing image from their Photo Library, or you can snap a new pic with the camera. In PortraitCam, you can use either the front or rear facing camera. If you don't have a device that's capable of Portrait Mode, then you can achieve similar effects with PortraitCam, which is nice. Those of you with an iPhone X, PortraitCam utilizes the X's TrueDepth Camera to preview and capture depth data, giving even better results.
PortraitCam can automatically detect faces in images, or you can fine-tune the depth masking by painting the sections you want to focus on. All of the tools in PortraitCam are categorized: Blur, Mask, Flares, and Filters. This makes it easy to find what you're looking for, and there's a lot of useful features at your disposal. The app is mostly responsive and effects are rendered quickly, so you get results instantaneously.
During my use of PortraitCam, I've found it to be a useful tool to add to my photography app arsenal. I don't take many selfies often, but ever since I've started using Portrait Mode on my iPhone 8 Plus, I wish I had the same functionality on my front-facing camera. With PortraitCam, now it doesn't matter if I take the occasional selfie, because I can edit it in this app and get pretty cool effects.
By default, PortraitCam will be set to Auto during the Face Detection stage, where it tries to automatically determine the faces in the photograph you've either imported or snapped within the app. For the most part, this auto detection works well, as it will get most of the faces masked for focus. But I did notice that sometimes it will miss some of my hair, or my glasses throw it off a bit (strong prescription so it shrinks what's behind the lens). So for me, I will always have to manually paint the focus mask on the smaller zones in the image. Fortunately, the brush works well enough and if you make a mistake, there's the eraser that's just as easy to use. There's also an undo and redo buttons for easy fixing.
Once you have your focus area set, the rest of the image gets blurred out. In the editing stage, you have a lot of options to go with. The default blur setting should be around the 25 percent mark, but you can adjust the blur amount by using the slider. If you want a more subtle effect, have it more towards the left, and for more blur, go right. With more blur, it's a much more stark contrast between the subject and the background, to the point where it definitely feels unnatural. So I recommend keeping it more to the left if possible, unless you have a background that works really well the more it's blurred.
PortraitCam also has tools like Aperture, which changes the shape of the blur. This can be a very subtle change, and sometimes you won't even notice the difference between them. There's plenty more that you can change with regards to the blurring: spin, highlights, fringe, depth, invert (subject blurred and background in focus), and depth map. There's even basic editing tools like exposure, vignette, and crop. If you need things like brightness, saturation, and the like, then you'll need another photo editor for that, since PortraitCam mostly focuses on the depth effect editing.
In the Mask category, users can edit the mask for the focus region, as well as choose between four different mask types: Depth Map (default), Radial, Landscape, and Gradient. If you're using PortraitCam mostly for portraits, then the Depth Map is usually what you'll stick with. But the other effects can be useful for scenery or inanimate objects, so it's nice to experiment with for interesting results.
To spice things up, PortraitCam has both flares and filters that you can apply to your images for fun. The Flares add various light flares to your image (so you can be like J.J. Abrams), and you can adjust the bloom, opacity, and even flip horizontally or vertically if you prefer it in a different originating spot. Filters has a handful of different vintage, black & white, and color filters that can change the overall mood and tone of your portrait. Unfortunately, you're limited to what the app offers, so if you aren't satisfied with what's available, you'll need to use another photo editing app.
When you're done editing your portraits, just tap on the Share button in the top right corner. You can save the photo directly to your Camera Roll, send it to Instagram or Tumblr, and the "More" option brings up the iOS Share Sheet.
Another nice feature with PortraitCam is the fact that you can quickly go back to your last edited image. On the main screen of the app, there's a "Last Edit" button in the bottom right. Tapping on this takes you directly to the last photo that you were editing, whether it was done or not. You get to pick up right where you left off too. So if you were editing and then had to do something else for a while, coming back to the app later doesn't lose your progress.
PortraitCam is a good option to consider if you don't have an iPhone that does Portrait Mode. The ability to import existing images for editing or snap a new pic directly from the app means there's a lot of versatility. The interface is also pretty simple and straightforward, and there isn't much of a learning curve so everyone can use it. The blurring effects are flexible and replicate the depth effect well enough for most, and having flares, filters, and other tweaks means more freedom in editing.
For the most part, PortraitCam works well, but it isn't without some flaws either. I did notice that sometimes the app didn't seem to register my taps, such as when I want to select an area to focus on, or a button for a tool. It usually will work if I tap it again, but it does seem to need a bit more optimization.
Another thing that I noticed with my use of PortraitCam is the fact that the edges of the focus region are definitely sharper than I'd like, as it is a fairly stark contrast with the blur in the background. I can tell a difference between what the actual Portrait Mode on the iPhone 8 Plus and something edited with PortraitCam because of the sharp edges. I wish that it would make the transition from focused to blur more gradual, as that would make it look and feel more natural. Still, if you have a subtle blur, then it's not too bad.
For what it's worth, PortraitCam is a decent tool for photographers. I like the auto detecting of faces, and with some patience, you can fine-tune the focus area by painting the mask in yourself. There are a lot of options to customize the blur, and the lighting flares and filters are a nice plus. Overall, I like having PortraitCam around, but I do hope that improvements are made so that the edited portraits feel closer to what Portrait Mode does with gradual transitions.
PortraitCam can be found on the App Store as a universal download for the iPhone and iPad for $3.99.
8.2
OVERALL
iPhone Integration 9
Lasting appeal 8
User Interface 8.5
Is engaging 8
Does it well 7.5
PortraitCam • Ultimate Camera
BrainFeverMedia
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January 05, 2018 by RSS Feed
Antihero ($4.99) by Versus Evil is the mobile port of the original Steam game. It's a turn-based digital board game that requires strategic thinking and features some light RPG elements in the mix. If you liked other games like Onirim, Card Thief, and SteamWorld Heist, then you'll like what Antihero brings to the App Store.
When it comes to games like JRPGs, I always liked to pick the character classes that let me do cool things, such as the Thief in Final Fantasy. I've always had a liking for the thief class, because they're usually agile and nimble, allowing you to do things like steal. When I saw Antihero, I was intrigued because it's a game that's all about being a "master thief" and running your own thieve's guild. I mean honestly, how can I say no to that? And while I didn't hear about Antihero until just days ago (it originally came out in July 2017), I have to say that this is a title that doesn't disappoint.
Onirim - Solitaire Card Game
Asmodee Digital
Card Thief
Arnold Rauers
SteamWorld Heist
Image & Form International AB
Antihero has a unique visual style that I'm loving from the get-go. The game is rendered in 2D but because of the angled, top-down perspective of the board, it feels like pseudo-3D. However, all of the character sprites are flat, so it's a nice contrast with the board itself. Each unit type has a unique appearance that makes it easy to differentiate from each other, and the Victorian-era towns have a cozy look and feel to them. The towns are dark and gloomy, but the red and blue shades of your guild versus the enemy are a nice complement to the somberness. Animations are buttery smooth and fluid on my iPhone 8 Plus, so I had no issues with lag or choppiness. The ambient soundtrack is also fitting for the Victorian setting, and it's delightful to listen to, along with the sound effects.
There are three ways to play Antihero: single-player Campaign, Go Online, and Skirmish. Going online requires creating an account, which is simple enough, and it allows you to do PvP with other players in asynchronous battles. Skirmishes can be done against the AI or with other players locally, but you can customize the rules for distinctive and interesting battles. However, chances are high that you'll be spending most of the time in the rich single-player Campaign.
In the Campaign, there's a large number of levels to play through, with the difficulty ramping up on each stage. You'll have to go through the levels in chronological order, and there's no option to skip a stage, so if you're stuck, well, you'll need to try harder. The first three levels serve as the tutorial and help you understand the rules and flow of the game.
To complete a level, you'll need to gather enough victory points before your opponent does. These are earned by completing various objectives, such as: infiltrating a church for Blackmail, assassinating certain public officials to fulfill Contracts, and more. The game tells you in the beginning what things you can do to earn victory points, so you just have to make sure you get enough before your rival.
Game flow and controls are simple enough. Each turn, your Master Thief can Scout, Burgle, or Attack, but each action costs an Action Point. Scouting lets you uncover hidden parts of the level, Burgle lets you steal some gold coin, and Attack can eliminate enemy units standing in your way. The Action Points refill on each turn. As you get coins, you can purchase units and expand your guild. Each unit does something different and you'll have to think about what's best for the situation at hand.
For example, Street Urchins can infiltrate businesses so you acquire resources faster (freebies each turn). Thugs can guard for two turns, Gangs can attack or evict enemy units from buildings, and Saboteurs can set up traps. You'll uncover more unit types as you get further along in the game, and each one has a useful skill that you'll want to take advantage of. As you get coins, make sure to use them to get more units if you're able to.
During each turn, you're also able to check your Guild and purchase upgrades. The upgrades cost lanterns, so you should generate free lanterns on each turn by controlling a Trade Shop. The upgrades unlock more unit types and can give your Master Thief more power, such as more Action Points and more damage when attacking. You can also choose Charity, which gives you free gold or lanterns each turn, but then you can't get an upgrade.
Once you've made use of all available actions for your units and have spent your upgrades or collected charity, you can submit your turn and then it goes to the opponent, rinse and repeat.
Antihero is a fantastic addition to anyone's strategy game collection. The cartoonish art style is rather special and unique, and the sound design is excellent, including the voice acting. The controls are simple (just taps) and they seem perfectly optimized for touch screens. The variety in unit types means a lot of strategy and planning is involved, and the levels can be rather challenging. It's also great that there is multiplayer, both online and locally, with the option for custom rule sets to make matches even more interesting. Each round starts off a bit slow, but once things get rolling, it's incredibly addictive.
While Antihero is a great game, it may not be for everyone. If you're not the type to methodically calculate your move in strategy games, then this may end up being frustrating, as the difficulty ramps up after the tutorial. Plus, matches can take a while, so you do need time to spare for this.
I'm usually not big on strategy games because I end up being terrible at them, but Antihero is definitely one I'll be keeping around. It has distinctive game mechanics that feel interesting and fresh, and the controls are optimized for touch. Plus, I get to live my dream of being a thief and having a guild all my own, so it's a keeper.
I recommend Antihero if you're a fan of board game style games or just want an in-depth strategy game for your collection. You can find Antihero on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for $4.99.
9.5
OVERALL
Graphics 10
Sound/Music 10
Replayability 9
Game Controls 9.4
Gameplay 9
Antihero - Digital Board Game
Versus Evil
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January 04, 2018 by RSS Feed
No matter where you look, it always seems like the concept of the apocalypse is ever present. From televisions shows to books and other media, the idea of the end of the world is everywhere.
Stand by You is an imaginative interactive graphic novel that is sure to entertain and engross you in its post-apocalyptic world where two characters rely on each other to survive the end of days.
If you enjoy gorgeous visuals and a truly interesting story, this is definitely a game for you.
Concept and Functionality:
In Stand by You, by Water Phoenix, you take on the role of Kyo-Ya, a boy who awakens to a destroyed world where (almost) everyone and everything has perished. He meets Asagiri, a girl who explains that she’s the only other living creature.
Asagiri is on a mission to atone for humankind’s sin of destroying the world by experiencing death for every creature and plant that has died. Kyo-Ya travels with her on her journey, and the interactive aspects of Stand by You bring you, the reader/player, right into the story.
Personally I’m a huge fan of interactive novels just like Stand by You. The visuals are incredibly detailed and truly beautiful to experience – it’s clear that quite a bit of work has gone into the artistic aspect of the app.
One thing I do want to mention about Stand by You is that it has graphic elements to it and might not be suitable for all audiences. There’s a bit of violence and the story itself is pretty depressing.
Features:
Stand by You is an interactive graphic novel at heart, and unfortunately this means there aren’t very many additional features to speak of.
One thing I do want to mention is the developer states that the average player should be able to finish the story in under five hours, which is a bit of a drawback if you really get into the story. On the other hand it’s the perfect companion on that long plane flight or train ride.
Stand by You also features a great transition system that helps the story flow. Scenes transition flawlessly, making the reading experience very clean and enjoyable.
Value:
Stand by You is available to download from the app store for $4.99 and is universally compatible with iPhone and iPad. There are no additional in-app purchases that I could find.
Overall, Stand by You is ideal for anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic stories and digital novels. The steep price tag is a bit of a drawback especially if you finish the story quickly, but it’s definitely an interesting game that will hold your attention.
Stand by You requires iOS 6 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Source link:http://www.theiphoneappreview.com/2018/01/stand-by-you-iphone-app/
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January 02, 2018 by RSS Feed
Sonic Runners Adventure ($2.99) by Gameloft is an action platformer game that serves as a nice homage to the classic Sonic games. If you enjoyed games like Super Phantom Cat 2, Mikey Shorts, and Le Parker: Sous Chef Extraordinaire, but want more high-speed action, then Sonic Runners Adventure is a perfect fit.
As a child, I remember having a SEGA Genesis console that I shared with my siblings. While I didn't have too many games, I remember having Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and playing it all the time. It was the game that made me a fan of the Sonic franchise, and I loved playing it and going fast as a blue hedgehog. I'm not sure if I ever actually beat the game, but I did replay certain areas often, always trying to do better than before. As the years passed, Sonic seemed to become less relevant compared to other games, such as the Super Mario Bros., so I didn't get them as much later on. But when I saw Sonic Runners Adventure on the App Store over the holiday, I didn't hesitate to pick it up.
Sonic The Hedgehog Classic
Sega America
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic
Sega America
Super Phantom Cat 2
Beijing Veewo Game Co., Ltd.
Mikey Shorts
BeaverTap Games, LLC
Le Parker: Sous Chef Extraordinaire
Play Pretend LLC
Visually, Sonic Runners Adventure looks amazing. The game is rendered in 3D that has a retro look and feel to it, similar to Horizon Chase. The different environments that are featured in Sonic Runners Adventure are bright, lush, and they bring back a sense of nostalgia for old-school fans. The character models are classic and also done in 3D, though some feel slightly off (like Sonic) for some reason. Animations in the game are smooth and fluid, with no issues of lag and choppiness on my iPhone 8 Plus. Sonic Runners Adventure features an upbeat and iconic soundtrack that is reminiscent of the original games, which just brings a smile to my face. Overall, the visual and audio design of Sonic Runners Adventure is a huge dose of fan service, and brings back a lot of memories for fans.
Like previous games, Sonic Runners Adventure is level-based, with different areas serving as chapters with a handful of levels each. To complete each world, there's a boss battle at the end before you can proceed to the next area. Each stage has a set of three objectives that can earn you stars, and at least one must be met in order to "complete" it. However, as some objectives can only be done with certain characters, there's a lot of replay value here. The objectives can include things like collecting a certain number of rings or defeating enemies, but they become more difficult (and the levels are lengthier) as you get further along.
The controls in Sonic Runners Adventure are simple and intuitive. Since the characters automatically run forward, you're just in charge of timing the jumps. To do this, just tap anywhere on the screen. If you tap twice, they'll do a double jump. The third tap lets your character do their unique ability, depending on their type. For example, Speed characters (Sonic, Shadow, etc.) get a third jump, while Fly characters (Tails, Rogue, etc.) will glide. There's also the Power characters like Knuckles, though I have not unlocked that yet.
If you've played Sonic games before, then you should know how it goes. Run, collect the rings, and defeat enemies by jumping on top or into them. When you get hit, you lose all of the rings you've collected so far, and if you have no rings the next time you get hit, then it's game over. So if you take damage, hurry and gather at least one ring to recover.
As I played Sonic Runners Adventure, I noticed that the game can be a bit grind-heavy. This is because you can collect a large amount of rings through each stage, and you're also awarded more rings upon completion. Plus, if you can get the rainbow ring on a stage, you get a bonus level where there's many rings to collect.
Your ring stash is important, as you can use it to continue on stages (good when you die a lot on a troublesome stage), buy other characters from Team Chaotix and Team Dark, buddies that enhance your character abilities, and boost items. Each character can also be leveled up by spending rings, and their abilities get stronger as they are higher in level.
Sonic Runners Adventure is a fantastic homage to the classic games from yesteryear. The graphics are stunning on the crisp Retina HD and Super Retina displays while retaining the vintage style. The soundtrack is nostalgic and delightful, along with the sound effects. The controls are super simple and optimized for touch screens, and there's a lot of replay value thanks to the objectives that require certain characters. A lot of content is available and there are no in-app purchases.
While there's a lot to like about Sonic Runners Adventure, it's not without some flaws. Fans of the previous game may be sad to see that there's no more randomized, infinite levels, and some levels can be incredibly difficult, resulting in a tough wall to climb. I've been stuck in the second world (the desert) area for a good while now, and it's rather aggravating.
Another thing I noticed is the fact that you can move so fast in this game that it's hard to see upcoming obstacles that you need to avoid. Because of this, you may have to play a stage numerous times, and hope you remember the layout and get your jump timing right at those tough parts. And while the controls work for the most part, sometimes it can feel unresponsive, or there's a delay, resulting in many frustrating deaths.
As a big Sonic fan from the golden age of gaming, I think Sonic Runners Adventure does a lot of things right. The visuals and music take me back to my childhood, and the controls work well for what it's worth. It's also great that you have a wide variety of characters to choose from, including older ones.
However, I think the game gets a bit too difficult at times, especially the desert area. I've been stuck there for a while (I tried maybe almost 50 times) because one level was way too lengthy, the yellow of the desert made it hard to see some obstacles and enemies, and everything moving super fast doesn't help when you can't see clearly. I had to get help from my fiancé, who's much better at games in general, and even that took a few tries. The developer should do some balance tweaking, in my opinion, to make it a less frustrating experience.
Still, if you're a fan of Sonic games, or want fast-paced platformers, then Sonic Runners Adventure is a fine addition to your game collection. Sonic Runners Adventure is on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for just $2.99. There are no in-app purchases.
8.8
OVERALL
Replayability 9
Graphics 9
Sound/Music 9
Gameplay 9
Game Controls 8
Sonic Runners Adventure
Gameloft
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December 22, 2017 by RSS Feed
Forgotten King ($2.99) by Jan Hrnjak is a challenging and mysterious puzzle game involving medieval kings and dungeons. If you enjoyed games like Campfire Cooking and Mr Future Ninja, then you'll appreciate what Forgotten King brings to the App Store.
About 10 years ago, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass came out. It was one of my favorite Zelda games, and one of the few that I actually managed to beat without much help from other sources (aka my boyfriend). Even though I'm usually not a stealth fan, the parts of the game where you had to sneak past the Phantoms were fun, and I enjoyed them because they were puzzles in itself. With Forgotten King, memories of Phantom Hourglass come back to me because the gameplay is similar.
Campfire Cooking
Layton Hawkes
Mr Future Ninja
Appsolute Games LLC
Visually, Forgotten King is beautiful with the retro pixel art style that is fairly common in throwback games these days. Everything is rendered in 2D with bright and colorful hues. In the beginning of the game, as the story reveals itself, players will find an almost Disney-like fairy tale plot unraveling in a book, and it's lovely to read through. Animations are smooth and fluid, with no issues of lag or choppy frame rates on my iPhone 8 Plus. The game has a soothing, rather whimsical soundtrack that fits well with the fairy tale theme, and the sound effects fairly realistic. I mean, that sound of spikes coming up from the ground sounds believable to me, after all. Overall, the developer did a great job with the visual style and audio design.
In Forgotten King, players will find a chapter system for levels. However, at the moment, there is only the first chapter available, which has 18 stages (15 regular and three bonus ones). It may not sound like a lot at first, but the game itself is pretty tough, so it will take some time to get through this first set of puzzles, depending on your skill level. The developer has promised more chapters in updates, and it'll always be free. So if you manage to get through the first 18 stages of the game, there's more to look forward to.
In Forgotten King, you'll discover the tale of a King who once ruled the kingdom in a fair and just way. But there were four dark lords who reigned underneath the King's kingdom, and they eventually cast a spell that stripped the King of all power, his crown and throne, and locked him away in an eternal prison in the void.
Now this is where you, the player, comes in. Your job is to help the King through the deadly trials that await him, where he has to sneak past the patrolling guards, solve puzzles and figure out the mystery behind the Dark Lords. Only then will the King be able to have his spirit freed from their dark magic, and back to ruling his rightful kingdom.
Somewhere on each stage is a green gem. You have to grab it before you head to the exit door on the floor, because the gem unlocks it. There are also apples to collect, which you'll want to get if you want to do well. There's three stars to earn on each level, which is dependent on the number of deaths (you get three chances), apples collected, and reaching the door with the gem. The worse you do, the less stars you earn.
Controls in Forgotten King are simple, though a bit unique so it takes some time to get used to. Buttons that resemble bullseyes appear on the screen to indicate the direction that the King can move in. The King continues walking until he reaches a corner or an intersection, where you must then choose the direction you want to go in. Think of the buttons as a giant D-pad that shows up on the screen only when you can move in a certain direction, because sometimes only one, two, or three buttons appear.
Timing and precision is everything in Forgotten King. You need to figure out the right moment to make your move in order to not be stabbed to death by spikes from the floor or impaled by the guards. Your movement is very limited, so you'll have to observe first before moving. Observation is also key if you are a perfectionist and want to find every single secret in the game, as there are many hidden mysteries to uncover.
Like I mentioned before, the game may only have 18 levels right now, but these puzzles get tricky, and you may end up dying a lot (at least I am), so it will take time to complete. Granted, sometimes the puzzles get frustrating, but over time you learn what mistakes were made and end up avoiding the same error twice.
Forgotten King has a lot of good things going for it. The hand-drawn pixel art is incredibly well done and packed with detail, and the music by Fat Bard is excellent. Even though the puzzles can be a bit frustrating, I learned from my mistakes and just try again, so it clearly motivates you because they end up being so obvious. The controls are simple enough and work well for the restricted movement system of the game. I'm also looking forward to seeing the new chapters added with each update.
While I like Forgotten King overall, I think the controls are a bit weird. I think having a simple d-pad in the bottom corner could have been enough, since the current control scheme has me reaching out with my thumb or finger on my iPhone 8 Plus screen. Perhaps the developer can consider optional touch screen controls in updates.
I'm still early on in Forgotten King, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far. The puzzles themselves are meticulously crafted so that they're challenging, and a true test of skill. The vintage pixel art is also beautiful to look at, and the soundtrack is immersive. The controls work okay, but it would be preferable to have an option that lets one play the game with one hand on a larger device, I think. Still, this is a fun and challenging puzzle game that will test your patience.
8.6
OVERALL
Graphics 9
Sound/Music 9.5
Gameplay 9.5
Replayability 8
Game Controls 7
Forgotten King
Jan Hrnjak
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