The Bridge is a Lie in Bridge Constructor Portal
December 21, 2017 by RSS Feed
Bridge Constructor Portal ($4.99) by Headup Games is a licensed mashup of both the Bridge Constructor and Portal games. If you're a fan of either franchise, or just like physics-based puzzles in general, then you'll get a kick out of Bridge Constructor Portal.
In 2007, a little puzzle platformer game came out called Portal. It came bundled with The Orange Box, but became a standalone game later on. Four years later, Portal 2 came out. I had the original Portal game before the sequel and played through some of it, but it was Portal 2 that really got me into the series. I beat Portal 2 and even did some of the multiplayer missions before I was officially done with it, but it's always been on of my favorite games ever made. I've been hoping for a third Portal for years, but as of now, Bridge Constructor Portal is the only thing we have. So I'll go with it, despite not having played a Bridge Constructor game before.
Bridge Constructor
Headup Games GmbH & Co. KG
Visually, Bridge Constructor Portal looks beautiful, as it is full of familiar scenes from Aperture Science's test labs. The game is rendered in 3D, though the "new employees" are flat, generic figures. If you've played Portal games from before, then the bright white test rooms are sure to feel like home, and the soothing, ambient glow of the portals make you feel relaxed. Bridge Constructor Portal also has some of your favorite things from previous games, such as turrets and even GLaDOS herself (complete with Ellen McLain, the original voice actress), which is a good reason alone to buy the game. Animations are smooth and fluid with no lag on my iPhone 8 Plus. The atmospheric soundtrack is quirky like the previous Portal titles, and sound effects are delightful. While this is a spinoff game, it certainly brings together everything I love about Portal.
In Bridge Constructor Portal, since it's a physics-based puzzle platformer, it still uses a level system. The game has a total of 60 levels that are split up among six chapters. Players must go through each stage in linear order, so to progress, you'll have to be a good Aperture Science Labs employee and successfully complete each test. The goal? Build safe paths to get the Bendies across hazards, traps, and other obstacles in order to get to their vehicles and continue their work. It starts out pretty easy, but things start to pick up gradually. Let's just say...some thinking will be involved when you get to later stages.
Controls in Bridge Constructor Portal are pretty easy and intuitive. On each stage, you must build roads and ramps for vehicles to drive on to get to their destination. You have metal scaffolds and suspension ropes, which you can use to your heart's content by switching between the two on the left side of the screen.
For scaffolds, just build them from an orange anchor point. Then connect the other scaffolds together until it reaches where you need it to go. These scaffolds can be converted to roadways with just a tap and vice versa. Suspension rope can be connected from a scaffold anchor to anchor points above, and they are necessary to hold the scaffolds up so that they don't face gravity's wrath.
But what happens when there are no anchor points for suspension rope? When that happens, you'll have to use the metal scaffolding for suspension, in a triangle-formation. Just don't convert them into roads, and you're all good! If you make a mistake, just double tap on the item you want to get rid of.
The premise seems simple, but things get more intricate and complex later on, especially when famous Portal gadgets get added into the mix. For example, you'll have to have one driver hit a switch for others, and then there are the portals themselves, propulsion gel, aerial faith plates, cubes, sentry turrets, acid pools, laser beams, and much more. They all add a unique mechanic to the level and you'll have to work with or around them to succeed.
The classic bridge construction simulator is combined with a Portal theme.
The Good
Bridge Constructor Portal is a nice spin off of the Portal games, because it seems that Valve can't ever have a trilogy. For what it's worth, Bridge Constructor Portal is satisfying in its own right. The graphics are top notch, the music and sound effects are just as delightful as the original games, and Ellen McLain back as GLaDOS is fantastic. Controls are fairly simple for the touch screen, and the puzzles themselves are quite challenging.
As someone who's never played Bridge Constructor before, I'm actually enjoying this interesting combination, and I think it works well.
The Bad
Again, while Bridge Constructor Portal is a good game to get your Portal fix, this is not an actual Portal game, which is disappointing. And while the controls work out well, I think that this game is best played on an iPad due to more screen estate. I found myself constantly trashing pieces or stretching out old pieces instead of what I actually wanted to do, which got annoying. However, I also think that time and practice can fix that issue too, so it's doable on an iPhone screen, as long as you have some patience.
The verdict
As a Portal fan who will probably never see a "Portal 3," I think Bridge Constructor Portal will have to do. It's a fine mashup, really, but don't come in to this expecting a full on Portal game, because that's not what this is. It's a challenging puzzler that will test your problem-solving skills, with a Portal theme, essentially. As a newcomer to Bridge Constructor, this is fine by me. The game itself looks great, the music is delightful, and I'm just happy to hear GLaDOS' voice once again.
Bridge Constructor Portal is a great entry point to both Portal and Bridge Constructor and should be a game for any puzzle platformer fan's collection. You can find Bridge Constructor Portal on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for $4.99.
8.9
OVERALL
Sound/Music 10
Graphics 9.5
Gameplay 9.5
Replayability 8
Game Controls 7.5
Bridge Constructor Portal
Headup Games GmbH & Co KG
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Can You Really Become a Parenting Hero With an App?
December 21, 2017 by RSS Feed
From the title, you'd be forgiven for assuming that Parenting Hero is some sort of childcare-based take on the frantic, peripheral-based Guitar Hero video game series. I have no idea what that might look like, but fortunately, we don't have to find out because Parenting Hero is nothing like Guitar Hero.
In fact, it's not a game at all. Instead, it's a companion app for the best-selling parenting manual "How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7."
Created by developer MythicOwl in collaboration with the authors of the book, Joanna Faber and Julie King, it presents you with different parenting scenarios and challenges you to choose the right responses.
Whatever choice you make, the app will give you feedback, explaining why a particular course of action might be helpful or unhelpful in your quest to produce happy and cooperative children. Also, you'll get a chapter reference for the source book, so that you can read about the issue you've just tackled in more detail.
Parenting Hero is from a particular school of parenting that encourages cooperation and encouragement over rules and discipline. In other words, it's a parenting manual for our time, underpinned by jangly hipster laptop ad-style muzak and charming hand-drawn artwork.
The Good
Parenting Hero is split into four sections: Handling Emotion, Engaging Cooperation, Resolving Conflicts, and Praise and Appreciation. Each of these parts contains scenarios, totaling 15, all of them illustrated and animated.
Aside from choosing which scenario to play, your only point of interaction is to pick from three responses. For example, when your child falls over you can decide to dismiss it, chastise your child for being careless, or offer support.
Yes, it's always pretty obvious which reaction you're supposed to choose - and your phone vibrates admonishingly when you get it wrong - but this doesn't matter. The most significant effect of the app isn't to teach us how to say the right thing, but to make you reflect on the negative responses you might have given in the past, when you've been tired, frustrated, and stressed, as every parent often is.
If you make your selections honestly, Parenting Hero will explain how your child might have felt about some of the things you've said. As parents, we have to say the lessons felt authentic, and the whole thing simply served as a reminder to be patient, empathetic, and respectful, which is no bad thing.
Conversely, it's very encouraging when Parenting Hero's ideal solution to a problem is one that you've used as well.
The Bad
Inevitably, there are limits to how useful a set of specific scenarios can be, and the scripted conversations between parent and child are undeniably idealized. If you pick the right response, your child cooperates perfectly without anybody getting angry or having to resort to coercion.
Yeah, right.
How much the simplifications of Parenting Hero bother you will depend on how far you agree with its lessons. As a parent, I was receptive to the app's conclusions. However, I can envision those with strong feelings about the importance of rigid discipline, or who have children who just aren't as pliable as the examples here, getting irritable.
Speaking of lessons, it's a shame that the references at the end of each scenario are for chapters in a book rather than content that can be found online and navigated to with a tap on a link. Presumably, this approach is intended to drive sales of the book to parents eager to learn more, but it's unintuitive at the point of use.
The Verdict
Parenting Hero is charming and intuitive to use. Yes, it's quite expensive for an app that you can blow through in 30 to 40 minutes. Regardless, its lessons are backed up by serious research.
As parents, we can attest to its wisdom - at least when it comes to maintaining a positive relationship with a child who is already pretty well behaved.
Like any parenting manual, it won't provide any silver bullets, but it can at least give you some examples to reflect on whenever you're trying to resolve a situation without raised voices or tears.
7.8
OVERALL
iPhone Integration 9
User Interface 8
Is engaging 8
Does it well 8
Lasting appeal 6
Parenting Hero
MYTHICOWL SP Z O O
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HowUdish Helps You Stick to Your Diet When Dining Out
December 21, 2017 by RSS Feed
Reviewed by Sarah Hanlon
Being on a diet can be challenging, especially when you’re not able to cook for yourself. Finding a decent restaurant that serves food meeting your dietary requirements is now a lot easier.
HowUdish is an incredibly useful and easy-to-use app that helps you find dishes from local restaurants, no matter where you are.
Perfect for travelers and anyone who likes to dine out, this app is a must-have for anyone with dietary requirements.
Concept and Functionality: 
When you first open HowUdish, a free app by Felix Culpa Publishing, you’re asked a few questions about your diet preferences. You’re asked to set a target weight and select your diet strategy.
Once everything is set up, you’re free to begin browsing dishes from local eateries. One of the things I really like about HowUdish is that it lets you fine tune your cuisine preferences.
A very nice feature is that you can also choose to filter results by distance and whether or not they’re currently open.
I really like the layout of HowUdish. It’s very easy to navigate and find everything you’re looking for. Controls are intuitive and I like that you can swipe between dishes to find what you’re looking for.
Features:
HowUdish iPhone App
HowUdish has quite a few awesome features that make it a must-have app for everyone. Food options are displayed in a really cool way.
Each dish features an image that represents it and nutritional information such as calories, protein, fat, and carbs.
It’s important to note that nutritional information is based on similar recipes and isn’t an exact figure provided by the restaurant.
If you’re the type to share your experiences, HowUdish allows you to rate and review dishes that you’ve tried.
Personally I think this is an important feature of any local app because it gives users the chance to help others.
Value:
HowUdish is available to download from the App Store for free. I couldn’t find any in-app purchases.
Overall, HowUdish is a great app for anyone who wants to dine out locally without having to worry about finding dishes that work with their diet. I highly recommend giving it a try!
HowUdish: Dieting & Nutrition
requires iOS 9.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Source link:http://www.theiphoneappreview.com/2017/12/howudish-iphone-app/
credit : theiphoneappreview
FEZ Pocket Edition Will Change Your Perspective
December 19, 2017 by RSS Feed
FEZ Pocket Edition ($4.99) by Polytron is the official mobile port of the popular indie game that debuted in 2012 on Xbox Live Arcade. Due to the popularity of this indie darling, it expanded to other platforms after a yearlong exclusivity agreement. This is the game that primarily inspired other popular titles, such as Monument Valley.
If you've been paying attention to the gaming scene in the past few years, then you'll know that the Escheresque-style (inspired by M.C. Escher) puzzle platformer games have been on the rise. It really started to get popular with Monument Valley, but that had to get its inspiration from somewhere too, right? Well it did, and that was FEZ. This is the puzzle platformer game that started all of the shifting perspective styles that we see in other games, and it's finally available on mobile, after much anticipation. I bought FEZ a while back on Steam, but nothing beats having your favorite games in the palm of your hand while you're out-and-about.
Monument Valley
ustwo Games Ltd
Monument Valley 2
ustwo Games Ltd
Visually, FEZ Pocket Edition retains the same classic art style as the original game. This means blocky, voxel-style graphics (think similarly to Minecraft) and pixel art mixed together in one. That's because the game starts off with just 2D graphics, but then the story unfolds and things move into a 3D perspective. The character sprites themselves are always in pixelated, 2D form, which is fun to watch as things shift between 2D and 3D. The color palette in FEZ is bold and vibrant, but there are times at night when it's darker and more eerie. Animations are buttery smooth and fluid on my iPhone 8 Plus, so I experienced no issues with frame rate lag or choppiness.
Another thing about FEZ that is well done is the music and sound. The game contains a soothing, ambient and atmospheric soundtrack that immerses you into the game world. I recommend grabbing your favorite pair of headphones and sitting back with this game, because you'll lose a few hours with it. The sound effects are also nice, as they're rather quirky and charming. Overall, FEZ Pocket Edition retains the great visual and audio design from the original game.
In FEZ, players will find themselves taking the role of Gomez as he tries to live day-to-day life at home. However, he must embark on an adventure and soon gets a cute little fez, which grants him the power to see beyond the normal world, and even other dimensions that were hidden in plain sight. You'll eventually get a Navi-like cube guardian who helps you in Gomez's journey, providing you with tips and guidance on what you must do. However, it's pretty straightforward: find cube shards scattered in each area and gather them all to restore order to the universe.
Controls in FEZ Pocket Edition are simple and optimized for touch screens. In the bottom left corner is an on-screen D-pad with four directional buttons for going left, right, up, and down. The bottom right area of the screen has buttons for interacting with objects and doors, jump, and talk. It's pretty elementary stuff, and works well for the most part.
Once you get past the part in the story where you can shift perspective from 2D to 3D, then all you have to do is drag horizontally on the screen. This lets you move the camera around, and lets you see parts of the area that you wouldn't have thought about before. Shifting the perspective opens up many new paths that you can take to reach places you wouldn't have been able to before, and it's good to experiment and see what you can find. FEZ has secrets and hidden treasures as well, so it's important to explore every nook and cranny.
The only thing I didn't like about the controls is that sometimes it gets a bit tricky to make the jumps that are further out. I had a few moments where I thought I tapped on the right buttons but I end up falling short, because the buttons felt unresponsive. Fortunately, there's no penalty to dying in FEZ, and you get infinite lives, so it's not a big deal if you mess up. Just be warned, though, that it does take a bit of practice and timing to get some jumps right in FEZ Pocket Edition.
While I'm still pretty early on in the game, I am loving it so far. I have the game on my Mac through Steam, but I find having it available wherever I go much more enjoyable. The game is also beautiful, and the ever-changing perspective lets you see things that weren't always there. It helps hone your observational skills. It's a fantastic puzzle platformer game with a ton of things to discover, so if you've never played FEZ before, then there's no better time than now to start.
Fez has been ported to iOS to deliver classic 2D platforming with a 3D twist.
The Good
FEZ Pocket Edition brings the lovable FEZ to our mobile devices. Even though the game is several years old, it's still as delightful and charming as ever. The graphics have a unique style, especially as you shift the perspective around constantly. The music and sound is incredibly done, as it fully immerses and captivates you as you play. The controls work out well for what it's worth, and the amount of secrets to uncover in FEZ mean this is one title you'll want to keep coming back to.
The Bad
There's a lot to love about FEZ Pocket Edition, but it's not perfect. If you've played the game before, then there isn't much new content in the Pocket Edition to warrant another purchase. And again, the controls could be better optimized for jumping and reaching hard-to-reach spots, in my opinion. But hey, there's no penalty for dying, so it's not that big of a deal.
The verdict
FEZ Pocket Edition is a worthy addition to anyone's mobile game collection. The game's unique visual style is captivating and lovable, and the music is relaxing. For a multi-platform game that was ported over, the touch screen controls work well enough for most, and it's a pleasant experience overall. There are many secrets to find in FEZ, so there's always a reason to go back to previous worlds and find things you missed. Overall, FEZ Pocket Edition is well worth the money.
9.2
OVERALL
Sound/Music 10
Gameplay 10
Replayability 9
Graphics 9
Game Controls 8
FEZ Pocket Edition
Polytron Inc.
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9 of the Absolute Best Free iOS Games of 2017
December 18, 2017 by RSS Feed
9 of the Absolute Best Free iOS Games of 2017
Whatever type of game you like to while away the hours of your spare time or fill some dead time when on a queue, 2017 has been an outstanding year for new games. The best ones are challenging to play and beautiful to behold. Here are 9 that we think really hit it out of the part (although none are baseball games ;-).
As with any game where you are pitched against opponents you don’t know, the results can vary quite a bit, and when the skill levels or styles of play differ too much it can be a bit frustrating but there any number of ways the developers can improve this and we look forward to follow up versions.
In App Purchases: Yes
Who isn’t a fan of Transformers? Nobody! That’s who. This game starts out with a smile on the face of anyone whose downloaded it and from there it only gets better. The support for 18 different languages makes this game a true global phenomenon. Whether you’re building your 1-Star, 2-Star, or 3-Star Bot or focusing on completing your daily mission, this game grabs your full attention and doesn’t let go.
One of the possible downsides of trying to leverage such a successful franchise is, of course, not doing justice to it and leaving its fans somewhat deflated. Not the case here. Kabam has done a terrific job with the game play and the graphics and have even included a AI mode for when you’re feeling a bit lazy.
In App Purchases: Yes
If you’ve ever played old-style lo-res retro games, maybe you’re old enough to have enjoyed a game or two of ZZT, then you’ll feel right at home with this wonderfully enjoyable retro style game. Once you put on the mask, your endless runner kicks into high gear.
It’s sure to delight even young gamers who have no idea what the previous sentence is all about. Whether you’re doing your best to get past spike traps or avoid enemies that might blow up (literally) and get so big they’ll block your way, this game is incredibly well designed and will keep you going to get to the next level and theme.
In App Purchases: Yes
You know if you’re into action/strategy games, there is no maybe, and if, like us, you love them, then Dawn of Titans is not to be missed. It will quickly immerse you in a fantasy world that will totally take your breath away. Extremely well designed with great attention to detail, you’ll control thousands of giant titans, earn divine gems, and achieve great victories.
This game is definitely “console quality” and will amaze you with its stunning 3D graphics nonstop gameplay.
In App Purchases: Yes
When you need to step away from endless running and blood & guts for a minute, The Trail will entertain you with a fresh story line that harkens back to the old west. But don’t be fooled, this is not “story heavy” and while you will have to walk around some to get started, the effort is richly rewarded. At times it might even remind you of the classic Oregon Trail, but The Trail is well beyond that venerable title in sheer gameplay fun.
Gather resources, create better tools and clothes, make it to a town, build a home and share that experience with other players in the same town. This is not an “edge of your seat” type of game, but if you’re more of a builder than a fighter, you will absolutely love your time spent with The Trail.
In App Purchases: Yes
What would a list of great games be without at least one racing game. And Asphalt Xtreme fits the fill in spades. It’s so much fun to play you might forget to break for lunch. The Asphalt series has been around awhile and we think the creators of this game have really brought it all together here. The cars are varied (35 to choose from) and fast and the scenery is thrilling. Oh and did we mention there are no roads?
The tag line “No Road, No Rules” is apt and is a hint at the fun you’ll have playing this beautifully done global racing game. The more races you do the more chances you have to win and the more winnings you’ll collect to upgrade your ride or buy a new one.
**
9 of the Absolute Best Free iOS Games of 2017 – TheiPhoneAppReview.com
Source link:http://www.theiphoneappreview.com/2017/12/9-of-the-absolute-best-free-ios-games-of-2017/
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