Tic Tac Toe Tiki Taka Let’s You Play With a Friend or Your iPhone
September 08, 2017 by RSS Feed
Reviewed by M. Chau
Tic Tac Toe is an extremely popular game the world over and is probably one of the first games you learned to play. Kids to adults enjoy the challenge and fun of this game.
Tic Tac Toe Tiki Taka by Selassie Akakpo is a digital version of the classic time-passing game, “tic tac toe” and it’s a very cool way to play it on your iPhone.
Available for $2.99 through the iTunes Store, Tic Tac Toe Tiki Taka – XOX Noughts And Crosses Game With Intelligent And Difficult AI (the full name) offers players the ability to sharpen their gaming skills without needing a physical second opponent.
Features: 
Despite its long name, this app’s features can really be summed up in the first three words of its title–tic, tac, toe.
Simply put, Tic Tac Toe Tiki Taka keeps the general concept of the classic, popular children’s game but adds in a few modern spins.
Players in this version get to see bamboo “H’s” and “X’s” instead of the traditional “X & O” pattern. Keeping with the bamboo theme, playing as a cute panda is also an option in the two-player game.
For players who don’t have that extra friend to play against, Tiki Taka offers AI of three different levels to challenge yourself against. For anyone who has ever played pen and paper “tic, tac, toe,” picking up this app version of the game will be no problem at all.
Even though the app offers three different levels of AI to battle against, experienced players should still be able to beat the AI with relative ease. Overall, while the features of this app are charming, they don’t seem to offer that much more than a traditional version of the game.
Appearance and Layout:
Tic Tac Toe Tiki Taka iPhone Game
The design of this game is top-notch and its appearance and layout are easily its strongest attributes.
Bamboo-crafted playing pieces take their places on the gaming board as you work your way to victory as the “champion.”
Panda versus Bamboo makes for a charming two-player option offered within the app as well.
Additionally, Tic Tac Toe Tiki Taka’s layout is simple enough that even a small child could easily grasp both the navigation throughout the app and the rules of the game very easily.
Because of its fun graphics, easy navigation, and simple gaming concept, this app is definitely very child-friendly.
Value: 
At almost $3 per game download, the price on Tic Tac Toe Tiki Taka definitely seems steep. Arguably one of the greatest appeals to traditional tic tac toe is the ease and affordability with which the game can be enjoyed; all that’s required usually are pen, paper, and a opponent.
While some players might find the option to enjoy playing against an AI ‘bot worth this app’s price tag, the majority will probably pass up Tic Tac Toe Tiki Taka for cheaper gaming options.
The graphics and extra “twists” that this digital version are certainly creative and fun but whether it offers enough to justify the app’s price is for you to decide.
Tic Tac Toe Tiki Taka iPhone app requires iOS 6.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
TheiPhoneAppReview’s rating:
Source link:http://www.theiphoneappreview.com/2017/09/tic-tac-toe-tiki-taka-iphone-game/
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Blast and Infect Source Code in Dual-Stick Shooter ATOMINE
September 07, 2017 by RSS Feed
ATOMINE ($2.99) by Broken Arms Games is a dual-stick shooter roguelike that feels futuristic and technical. If you enjoyed games like The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth and Soul Knight, then you will love what ATOMINE brings to the App Store.
As much as I like to de-stress with some relaxing puzzles, sometimes I need a bit of "pew pew" action to unwind, especially if I'm upset about something. For these moments, I strongly prefer arcade style games, specifically dual-stick shooters. This is because these games let me take out my anger in the form of lasers and explosions, which is much more productive than say, me punching a wall. Plus, the action gets my blood pumping, and I feel alive with adrenaline. Who doesn't like that feeling? I can't get enough roguelike dual-stick shooters in my life, so when I saw ATOMINE on the App Store, I had to get my hands on it.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
Nicalis, Inc.
Soul Knight
Zeyang Li
Deus Ex GO
SQUARE ENIX Ltd
Visually, ATOMINE has a unique aesthetic. The game is fully rendered in 3D with an angled, top-down perspective. There's a bit of minimalism with the graphics, as the structures and character sprites are like digital blueprints and various geometric shapes. In a way, ATOMINE's visuals remind me slightly of Deus Ex GO, just without the finished polish. The colors used in ATOMINE range from soft, muted shades to bright and vibrant hues that contrast nicely with each other.
Explosions are aplenty in the game, and they have fantastic block particle effects when they happen. And if you're a fan of cool screen effects, ATOMINE has a nice visual "glitch" that occurs when you're hit by enemy fire. Animations are smooth and fluid, so I had no issues of lag on my iPhone 7. To top things off, the game has a blood-pumping electronic soundtrack that fits the overall theme, and the sound effects are fun to hear. Needless to say, the developers did not disappoint with the visual and audio design of ATOMINE.
While players who pick up ATOMINE and start playing don't get a narrative, there's actually a story behind everything, and it's rather interesting.
Things start out in 2011 with Sergey Ulasen, who discovered STUXNET, which is a computer virus that spread through Microsoft Windows and targeted the Siemens Industrial control system. It lay dormant for years, waiting to activate. STUXNET is the first malicious spyware that is able to spy on and subvert industrial networks, and even includes a programmable logic controller rootkit. STUXNET has been infecting and largely affecting targets such as nuclear power plants and oil drilling systems.
Atomine is a virus created soley for putting an end to STUXNET. However, the only catch is that ATOMINE starts off fairly weak, and must grow in strength in order to reach and infect STUXNET while compiling itself into the source code.
In ATOMINE, players embark on procedurally generated runs that involve waves of enemies coming at you before you can proceed. You'll have to defeat all enemies to reveal the portal that takes you to the next stage. Each run gets split up into about 12 stages (nine regular areas and three boss fights), which may not seem like a lot at first, but the game is much harder than you think.
Controls in ATOMINE are simple and intuitive. In the bottom left corner is the virtual joystick for freely moving your Atomine virus around the floor. The bottom right corner has the joystick for aiming and attacking. A subtle line helps indicate your aim. These joysticks are not fixed in position, so players are able to freely move them to a new spot just by touching their thumb on the screen.
As you defeat foes, they will drop green orbs, which may contain experience points, energy, or weapon modules. When you collect enough XP, your Atomine version increases, meaning it's stronger than before. Energy's your health in the game, so it decreases when you get hit. But finding energy refills it by one.
The weapon modules are the biggest and most coveted drops that you'll want. These modules unlock many different options for customizing your Atomine, and they modify your weapons and play style. The modules change your bullet type, number of bullets, rate of fire, and other mutators that prove extremely useful in battle. There's a ton of modules to find, so it only adds to the replay value of ATOMINE.
While ATOMINE is considered a roguelike in the fact that runs are procedurally generated and you'll start from version one if you die, it's not a full roguelike. In fact, it's more of a roguelite because you still have access to all of your weapon modules. So there is some visible progress, if that's one of the reasons you don't like roguelikes.
An action packed dual stick shooter with procedurally generated levels and a rogue-like set up.
The Good
As a fan of dual-stick shooters, I must say that ATOMINE is an excellent addition to my collection. I love the high-tech digital world that it takes place in, and the explosions are awesome to see. The soundtrack is also amazing and icing on the cake. Controls are customizable and responsive, which is just what you want in a dual-stick shooter.
While the game seems short with only about 13 total areas in each run, the frantic action and pace make for a true challenge. Enemies detect your presence as you go, so players can't expect to ever be safe when entering a new room. Enemy variety also keeps things fresh since you don't know what you're going to get on each run.
Having the weapon modules is another great part of the game, since players can customize their character to their heart's content. It opens up many different possibilities, and if you prefer finding your own play style in dual-stick shooters, this is a perfect fit.
The Bad
For the most part, ATOMINE is an excellent dual-stick shooter with a splash of roguelike elements. However, I would think that this game isn't for everyone, since it's pretty difficult, even in the beginning. But with some time and practice, this game gets fairly addictive.
The verdict
ATOMINE is a worthy addition for anyone's dual-stick shooter collection. The game is jam-packed with beautiful visuals and effects, and the soundtrack is refreshing. Controls are responsive and adjustable, which is a bonus. And while the game is hard, it's pretty addictive and hard to stop once you figure things out.
I highly recommend getting ATOMINE if you're looking for dual-stick shooter action. ATOMINE is available on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for just $2.99. There are no in-app purchases.
9.2
OVERALL
Replayability 10
Game Controls 9.5
Graphics 9
Gameplay 9
Sound/Music 8.5
ATOMINE
Broken Arms Games Pty Ltd
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Shift Into a New Perspective With the Artistic Motif
September 06, 2017 by RSS Feed
Motif. ($1.99) by Tarik Canturk is an artistic puzzle game that is both relaxing and challenging. If you enjoyed other recent titles such as Linelight and Vignettes, then there's a good chance you'll like what Motif brings to the table.
Life has been rather stressful for me as of late, so I have found myself taking refuge in more games of all kinds. It's a perfect retreat from reality for me, as I can forget about my troubles for a while and still keep my mind stimulated. One of my favorite genres are puzzles, and while I feel like I've played them all, I can't help but look for new ones to try. When I saw Motif on the App Store this week, I was intrigued because it looked so simple — there had to be more to this, right? Out of curiosity, I gave it a chance, and it's a perfect way to relax.
Linelight
Brett Taylor
Vignettes
Skeleton Business
Visually, Motif is as simple as they come. The game is entirely in black and white, featuring basic lines and shapes for the graphics. The only bit of color that you'll find is the red dot representing a handle in which you drag the parts with. The game is rendered in 2D so everything is flat and minimalistic, which should be appealing to those who prefer this aesthetic. Animations are smooth and fluid, including the subtle falling snow overlay. There's a soothing atmospheric soundtrack that plays in the background, and the sound effects are rather whimsical. As a fan of simplicity, I think the developer did a great job with Motif's visual and audio design.
Like most puzzle games, Motif is level-based. That means that players must solve the previous puzzle before they are allowed to move on to the next one. At the moment, Motif contains over 100 puzzles for you to figure out.
The goal of each puzzle is to recreate the desired motif, shown at the top of the screen, with the pieces that are given to you. The play area is divided into a specific number of pieces for each stage, and the parts are equally symmetrical to the number of pieces the board is split up into. Because of this, players must be careful when they are choosing where to place the pieces.
Controls in Motif are natural and intuitive. You can only move the one piece, which is marked by the red dot. Drag it around with your finger and watch as it splits up into multiple copies of the same piece. It will spin and shift as you move it around. You want to position it so that all of the pieces match up with the indicated motif at the top.
The game is able to recognize if you're stuck due to repeated shifting of the pieces, but never getting the solution. Once this happens, there's a signal in the top right corner that informs you of a hint system. However, the catch is that you can only get one hint a day, so use it wisely.
The nice thing about Motif is the fact that you aren't penalized for taking too long, and there aren't any move restrictions in place. Even though the puzzles get trickier as you advance, it's still relaxing because you play at your own pace.
Motif is a simple yet challenging puzzle that's all about recreating art.
The Good
Motif looks like a barebones game, but the concept is unique and artistic. If you're a fan of simple design, then you're sure to appreciate the aesthetic here. Controls are simple and straightforward, and the puzzles are fun to solve. Even if you don't get it on the first try, watching the lines shift and come together can be rather mesmerizing to watch. This is a great way to unwind after a long day.
The Bad
While I like Motif for what it is, there are still some flaws. For one, I don't like that I only get one hint a day. I don't think that is enough, honestly. Maybe two or three a day, but you just get one more added daily until it's full. Something like that is a bit more reasonable, at least to me. I also wish that there were more colors in the game, because just black and white can get boring after a while. Still, these don't affect the gameplay too much, and are just small quirks.
The verdict
As a fan of puzzle games, I'm enjoying Motif so far, even though I've only downloaded it this morning. I love simply designed games, and Motif falls under that category well. The gameplay is also fun and challenging, though things start out easy enough. Controls are responsive as well, so there's no issue there. I just wish more hints were available, but it's not a deal breaker.
I recommend giving Motif a try if you're in the mood for a relaxing and artistic puzzler. Motif is available on the App Store as a universal download for $1.99.
8.6
OVERALL
Game Controls 9
Gameplay 9
Replayability 8.5
Graphics 8
Sound/Music 8.5
Motif.
Tarik Canturk
Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews
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Light Up the Shapes in the Puzzling Glowish
September 05, 2017 by RSS Feed
Glowish ($1.99) by The One Pixel is a sequential puzzle game that proves itself as a true brain teaser. If you enjoy logical games like Linelight and TENS!, then you'll love what Glowish has to offer.
I've been under a lot of stress as of late, so I've been spending more time playing video games to help me unwind and relax. One of my favorite genres for achieving this are puzzles, because I like to de-stress while keeping my brain stimulated. While I've gone through a ton of puzzle games on the App Store during my time here at AppAdvice, I can't help but be on the lookout for new ones. So when I saw Glowish on the App Store, I had to get my hands on it.
Linelight
Brett Taylor
TENS!
Kwalee Ltd
Visually, Glowish carries a super minimalistic aesthetic that is pleasing on the eyes. Everything is rendered in a 2D fashion, but there's a bit of depth with the shadowing on the blocks, so they pop out a bit. Glowish features a nice mix of soft pastels and bright, vibrant hues that create nice eye candy. There are several different color themes that you can pick from if the default isn't your cup of tea.
The thick, glowing white outline on the various shaped blocks is noticeable from the get-go and makes it easy to recognize which blocks get turned on. Though the animations are soft and subtle, they're smooth and fluid with no issues of lag on my iPhone 7. The game has a tranquil, zen-like soundtrack in the background, and the sound effects are quirky and fun. Overall, the audio creates an excellent atmosphere for the type of brain-teasing puzzles that Glowish offers.
Like other puzzle games, Glowish is level-based, and players must go through the stages in chronological order. At the moment, Glowish has over 100 preset levels, so there's a lot of content for your money.
The goal of the game is simple: get all of the various colored shapes to light up. When you touch a shape, all other switches that share the same shape or color light up as well. While it sounds easy enough, it's much harder than it looks on the surface.
If you aren't in the mood to go in a linear fashion, there's also a Random Mode, where you get randomly generated puzzles thrown at you. This is perfect for those who prefer an infinite experience, because the possibilities are endless here.
Controls in Glowish are as simple as they come. Just tap on the shapes to toggle them on or off. As mentioned earlier, tapping on one also lights up any other blocks that are either the same shape or color. Because of this, you'll end up turning previous ones off because you tapped another shape that shared a similarity to the first one. The key to Glowish is finding out the correct sequence to push in order to get them all lit up. Patience is key to the game, though sometimes you can also solve them through trial-and-error.
Glowish is perfect for those times when you want challenging puzzles but don't want to get too frustrated. There's no penalty, move restrictions, and stars to worry about. Just some critical thinking. If you're stuck, there are hints that you can use, and the restart button wipes everything clean for you to start over.
Glowish is a great addition to anyone's puzzle collection if you like games that make you think.
The Good
Glowish is a great addition to anyone's puzzle game collection. The game features a simple and clean design that is appealing, and it's complete with atmospheric music and sounds. The addition of different color themes available from the get-go (no in-app purchase required) is nice, as it adds variety and everyone should find a theme they like. The puzzles are challenging and the random mode is a great way to just unwind.
The Bad
While Glowish is a great game, it bothers me slightly that it sells hints through in-app purchase even though it's a paid download. This has always bothered me, but I suppose it's just how the mobile game market is now. Personally, I would rather just keep trying to solve the puzzles on my own, so the hints are completely optional.
The verdict
Glowish is a fantastic brain teaser puzzle that I've fallen in love with over the past few days. The design is bubbly and cute, and the music is soothing. While there's no tutorial to show you how to play, it's not needed and fairly straightforward. The puzzles definitely make me think, and having randomly generated ones is a nice addition. As a big fan of puzzle games, Glowish is one that I'll be returning to time and time again for some relaxation time.
I recommend giving Glowish a try if you're looking for a challenging sequential logic puzzle game. Glowish is available on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for just $1.99. There are in-app purchases for more hints if needed.
9.3
OVERALL
Game Controls 10
Replayability 9.5
Graphics 9
Sound/Music 9
Gameplay 9
Glowish
The One Pixel, Lda
Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews
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TENS! is a New Approach to Sudoku Puzzles
August 31, 2017 by RSS Feed
TENS! (Free) by Kwalee is a combination of Sudoku and block-dropping game that proves to be fun and rather addictive. If you are a big fan of logical puzzle games, similar to Threes! and Blyss, then you'll love what TENS! has to offer.
Life gets stressful (going through a rough patch myself right now) so I like to unwind with puzzle games after a long day. While I have several consoles, I still prefer to turn to my iPhone lately for games, just out of convenience. While I'm familiar with Sudoku, I don't often play it myself because it's not my usual preference when it comes to puzzles. However, when I saw TENS! on the App Store, I was intrigued by the concept and had to check it out myself, as it's not your traditional Sudoku-style game.
Threes!
Sirvo LLC
Blyss
Dropout Games Private Limited
Visually, TENS! has a pretty simple and clean aesthetic that is pleasing on the eyes. Like many games these days, the design is flat so it's rather minimalistic. The typeface is easy to read, and the colors are a nice mix of pastels and bright hues. If the default color scheme doesn't do it for you, there are additional ones that can be purchased through in-app purchases. There are smooth and fluid animation transitions as lines add up to 10 and get cleared out while adding to your point total. The game also has quirky clicking sound effects that are fun to listen as you play.
In the initial free download of TENS!, players have access to the Normal Mode with Endless and Challenges. You can get an Expert Mode if you want more of a challenge, but it is only through a $2.99 in-app purchase, and it includes an exclusive skin.
In the Endless Mode, you try to get as high of a score as possible before you run out of space on the board to fit the given blocks. Challenge is more puzzle-like and features different objectives that you must complete, such as beating a specific point threshold.
The point of TENS! is to drag dice onto the grid and have a total of 10 in a row or column. When this happens, you get a point for however many dice are in that line, and there are bonus points for getting combos, multi-line clears, and even getting rid of all dice on the board. Once there are no more spaces to fit the die pieces, then it's game over.
Controls are simple in TENS. At the bottom of the screen are three dice pieces that you can choose from. Just tap-and-drag the piece you want and place it somewhere on the board where it fits. Once it's placed in, the number on the row and column change to reflect the total number in it right now. When you've used the three pieces, the next set of three take their place.
You then repeat the process until no more moves can be made. If you make a mistake, there's an Undo button, but since the game is free, you'll have to endure an ad each time you want to use it. That is, unless you opt for ad removal, which costs $1.99.
TENS! is a fantastic new approach to Sudoku style puzzle games that is sure to delight everyone.
The Good
TENS! is a unique approach to dice and Sudoku, and it's rather enjoyable. The game's minimalist graphics are appealing, and the sound effects are fun. Even if you don't play Sudoku on a regular basis, TENS! is not too overwhelming in difficulty and it's easy to follow. Controls are simple and the different modes offer a good amount of variety. Plus, if you need more, the Expert mode and other theme choices should satisfy you.
The Bad
As a free game, TENS! is supported by ads — a lot of them. I felt like there was an ad every few minutes. I try not to use the Undo button too often either because it means sitting through a 30-second ad. I am not a fan of obnoxious ads, and TENS! has them. I wish it wasn't so intrusive.
I'm also not a huge fan of how each theme will cost you a dollar, and there's different prices for ad-removal and Expert Mode. I think the game should just include one all-or-nothing IAP, rather than nickel-and-dime you for every small thing.
The verdict
As someone who enjoys all kinds of puzzle games, I find TENS! to be rather refreshing. It's a new approach to Sudoku, and it's much more fun and straightforward. The default color theme is fine with me, but it's nice that there are plenty of other options available if you're seeking a particular theme (there are sports ones) or color. TENS! is proving to be rather addictive, and I'm going to look into purchasing the Expert mode later on. It's gorgeous, challenging, and addictive. I just wish that the ads weren't so annoying.
I recommend TENS! to fans of puzzle games, specifically Sudoku. You can find TENS! on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for free with in-app purchases.
8.8
OVERALL
Replayability 9
Game Controls 9
Graphics 9
Gameplay 9
Sound/Music 8
TENS!
Kwalee
Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews
credit : appadvice
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