Cinco Paus is an Interesting and Experimental Roguelike
November 20, 2020 by RSS Feed
Cinco Paus ($4.99) by Michael Brough is a compact roguelike that's captivating and challenging. If you were a fan of Brough's other titles, such as 868-HACK, then you'll truly appreciate what Cinco Paus has to offer.
I've been playing and reviewing iOS games for years now, and one thing I love about it is discovering all of the quirky and eccentric titles that indies come up with. I mean sure, we all love a good triple-A game from a big name studio, but sometimes the real gems are from indie developers. And Brough is one of those devs. I remember checking out 868-HACK several years ago and falling in love with the unique gameplay. Needless to say, I became a fan of Brough after that, and am eager to check out anything new that he creates. Cinco Paus is another fine addition to my game collection.
First, some background regarding "cinco paus." The game's name, as well as all in-game text and even the App Store description, is in Portuguese. This is not a glitch or bug, so don't try to change it to your native language (I can't even figure that out, honestly). The phrase "cinco paus" literally translates to "five bucks," which is accurate in U.S. dollars. It also means "five sticks," which is what the game involves, though technically they're wands.
I'm not sure why everything must be in Portuguese, but I'm guessing that it's an experiment by the developer. That is, to demonstrate how most games appear to those who do not understand English, and have no option to change the game text to their own native language. While I don't understand the text in Cinco Paus right now, I'm finding learning through experimentation to be rather fun, and it certainly is an interesting approach.
868-HACK
Michael Brough
Visually, Cinco Paus is bit on the stranger side, as the cartoonish style is what I would imagine an acid trip being like. In fact, it reminds me of the art style of some adult swim cartoons, but honestly, it just makes Brough's game even more unique and special. The colors in Cinco Paus are bright and colorful, which are sure to bring a smile to your face, even if you don't understand what the game is saying. Despite this fact, Cinco Paus has icons (some straightforward while others are more obscure) that appear after you've used one of the staffs, so there's a little guidance as to what's happening. Animations in Cinco Paus are smooth and fluid, so there's no issues with lag or choppy frame rates on my iPhone 8 Plus. The game's soundtrack is also a bit weird, but delightful to listen to.
Since Cinco Paus is a roguelike, that means that each round is randomly generated, so it's never going to be the same game twice. The goal in Cinco Paus is to help your wizard character get from the starting point to the exit, which takes you to the next area. There's enemies that are in the way that resemble various animals, like frogs, prawns, and lizards. On top of that, there's items like keys to unlock chests, and even tomes that can modify the properties of your wands and staffs.
The controls in Cinco Paus are simple and straightforward, especially if you've played turn-based roguelikes before. Just swipe on the screen in the direction that you want to move to, and the wizard will do so, assuming that there's nothing in the way like a wall or enemy. You can swipe into an enemy to do a basic attack, but keep in mind that some take multiple hits to kill (life points indicated by the dots), and can hit you back as long as it's alive.
Fortunately, that's where the wands come in. At the top of the screen will be five sticks, which are the wizards wands and staffs. To use them, just drag the one you want to the wizard, and make sure that it's pointing outward in the direction you want it to face. Once you release your finger, it will activate, sending out a shot that can dish out some nice damage to enemies, so you want it to hit something.
But be careful when using these wands though, because you only have five of them, and they won't get replenished until you reach the next area. Also, icons show up next to each wand after it's used, revealing their properties. The properties get randomized with each game, so it may not be the same on your next run. The attributes can mean that a wand does double damage to frogs, or teleport you past an enemy. You won't know what a wand does until you use it, so it forces you to make use of your resources and also observe what they do.
Unless you know Portuguese, Cinco Paus will be one of those games that you may enjoy but have to figure out everything scientifically, as none of the text helps you out. It's different, refreshing, and a welcome challenge. And with a different loadout for each game you play, it's always going to be a surprise, and who doesn't like surprises?
CInco Paus is a quirky and lighthearted roguelike that's all about experimentation.
The Good
Cinco Paus is a special gem on the App Store. The game is full of quirkiness and charm, from the choice of language to the graphics and music. While many may not understand what the text says, the game is simple enough to figure out through mere observation and trial-and-error. I also like the randomization aspect, as it brings a fresh new experience on each run.
The Bad
While I like Cinco Paus for what it's worth, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. The language barrier may be bothersome for some, and the art style is rather unorthodox. Like they say, this game may be an acquired taste for fans of Brough's previous work.
This is definitely not a standard game, and takes a bit of getting used to. But if you can get through the hurdles, then it's rather enjoyable.
The verdict
As a fan of Brough's other games, I think Cinco Paus is another great hidden gem from him that I'm happy to have in my collection. The distinctive art style makes me think of obscure adult swim cartoons, and I think the experimental approach with Portuguese is a fascinating perspective on language barriers in games.
The gameplay itself is easy to pick up and learn after a few tries, and I enjoy the fact that each staff has a new set of properties in each game. It keeps you on your toes and you must try them all out in the first level to know and understand what their properties are. On top of that, there are a lot of other things in the game to learn as you play, such as enemy behaviors and what items do.
This is a game that will keep you interested and coming back for more. Cinco Paus is available on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for $4.99.
8.7
OVERALL
Replayability 9
Game Controls 9
Gameplay 9
Graphics 8
Sound/Music 8.5
Cinco Paus
Michael Brough
Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews
credit : appadvice
Kraino is a Retro, Action-Packed Platformer That's Completely Free
November 20, 2020 by RSS Feed
Kraino (Free) by Angel Dorantes is a side-scrolling action platformer that is reminiscent of classic games like Mega Man and Castlevania. If you enjoyed other iOS games like Goblin Sword and Sword of Xolan, then Kraino is an excellent choice to consider.
As someone who grew up in the '90s with the old-school platformer games, I can definitely appreciate any new foray into the crowded App Store market of platformers. Castlevania is one of my favorite series, especially the 2D ones that were on the old Nintendo consoles and past handhelds. There's nothing more satisfying than jumping to avoid obstacles and hack-and-slashing away at hordes of undead minions. So when I saw Kraino on the App Store, I was pulled in right away — the screenshots alone made me reminisce about my childhood. Needless to say, Kraino is a must.
Goblin Sword
Gelato Games Ltd
Sword Of Xolan
Alper Sarikaya
Kraino features a super retro, pixel art visual style that will make any '80s or '90s kid feel at home. The graphics are true to the classics that it draws inspiration from, and if I didn't know any better, I'd mistake this game for one that was on Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis. Even though it's a pixelated style, Kraino is still incredibly detailed and everything looks fantastic. The colors range from dark and gloomy tones to more vibrant and bolder hues. Animations are buttery smooth and fluid, so I experienced no issues with lag or choppy frame rates. I found the soundtrack to be fairly quirky and eerie at the same time, which means it's pretty delightful. It has a touch of metal to it, which is fitting considering there's skeletons and other baddies galore.
Kraino takes a lot of inspiration from the classic games, like Mega Man and Castlevania. There are six dungeons to make your way through, and they are rather lengthy. There are, however, checkpoints at certain points in the game, so if you die, you can pick up from the last checkpoint you reached, rather than start at the beginning. Each area features a series of connected rooms, and you must make your way through each one to face off against a tough boss at the end. The goal of the game is simple enough: hack-n-slash your way through to the end, and see how far you can get.
You'll always start the game with three lives. Controls are easy and intuitive. In the bottom left area, there are two buttons for moving left and right. In the bottom right corner of the screen are three buttons for your basic melee attack, jumping, and your ranged axe attack.
For the most part, the default button positioning works out well enough, as I had no real issues with moving around and attacking. Be warned though, because there's no way to customize the button size or positions, so you're stuck with them. Honestly, it takes a bit of practice to get used to them, but it shouldn't be too bad.
Again, you only get three lives in the game, and your health bar is displayed in the top left corner. If it's fully depleted, that means you lose a life. You also straight up lose a life if you fall onto spikes, so be careful for those. There may be opportunities for more lives or health by breaking lights and other objects, so make sure to explore every little nook and cranny. You can watch an ad to gain a continue, though, but this is completely optional. It's also the only time you'll see ads in the game.
On top of it all, there are power-up items that you can use to your advantage against the various creatures of the night (even though you're a skeleton). The power-up items are what you'd use for the ranged attack slot, and these can include throwing axes, saw blades that move along the floor and walls after you throw them, and more. They are pretty scarce though, so I'd recommend holding on to them only for boss fights, because the other enemies can easily be taken out with regular attacks.
Kraino is an excellent action platformer that's a great homage to the classics, and it's free with no strings attached.
The Good
Kraino is a true gem of a game, and it's hard to believe that something this good is free. The vintage pixel art graphics are a nice homage back to the golden days of gaming, and the music and sounds are super charming. For an action platformer, the controls work out pretty well, and it's intuitive enough for anyone. The stages themselves can get pretty challenging, and the boss fights are definitely something to look forward to.
The Bad
Kraino is a solid game, but there's always improvements that can be made. For one, I hope to see customizable control options in the future, because I think being able to change the button size and positioning could help some people out. And while the only time you'll see an ad is if you want to get a continue in the game, there's no way to get rid of ads or even just support the developer (no in-app purchases). This is a freebie game where I would like to see a tip jar to contribute to.
The verdict
As someone who grew up with these types of games, I am in love with Kraino. Everything about it just takes me back to my youth — the pixel art, the music, the core game mechanics, and the whole dark castle setting. It all brings a smile to my face, and I still can't believe this game is free. It's pretty high quality for the price, and there's no intrusive ads or in-app purchases, which is a rarity these days. I just hope to see controller options in the future.
Kraino is on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for free.
8.9
OVERALL
Graphics 10
Sound/Music 9
Gameplay 9
Replayability 8.5
Game Controls 8
Kraino
Angel Dorantes
Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews
credit : appadvice
Nature, Time, and Space Intertwine in the Puzzling Kenshō
November 20, 2020 by RSS Feed
Kenshō ($3.99) by FIFTYTWO is a match-three block sliding puzzle game that provides players with a surreal experience. If you enjoy games like Threes!, but want visuals like Campfire Cooking, then you will love what Kenshō has to offer.
When life gets hectic, I like to sit down and play some games to relax. My go-to for this task is usually puzzle games that make me think, because I don’t like to just let my mind rot away. While I feel like I’ve played most puzzle games that the App Store has to offer, sometimes they slip under my radar and I don’t get a chance to play them. Kenshō is one of those games, and I’m glad that I’m discovering it now.
Threes!
Sirvo LLC
Threes! Free
Sirvo LLC
Campfire Cooking
Layton Hawkes
Visually, Kenshō is absolutely beautiful. The game is completely rendered in 3D that is stunning, with blocks that truly pop out at you and vivid dreamscapes of nature that unravel a deeper story. There’s also gorgeous particle effects and lighting that make the game stand out from the crowd. The color palette in Kenshō consists of bold and vibrant hues that contrast nicely with the dark backdrops, and the cutscenes between levels are fun to watch due to the graphics coming to life. The animations in Kenshō are buttery smooth and fluid, so there were no issues with lag or choppy frame rates on my iPhone 8 Plus. The ambient and atmospheric music is also captivating and immersive, while being a delight to listen to as you play. Honestly, Kenshō is a marvel in terms of visual and audio design.
In Kenshō, you’ll find the levels locked away behind doors, with each of them featuring some kind of creature from nature guarding it. While I’m not completely sure how many levels there are total in the game, I know that each stage is broken up into several different parts, so one level can be rather lengthy, especially since things get more challenging as more mechanics are introduced. The goal is simple and straightforward: slide the blocks to match at least three like-colored squares in a line, either horizontally or vertically. Eventually you’ll need to match the blocks with key fragments, which lead to key pieces. The key pieces are necessary to clear that part before moving on to the next one.
Controls in Kenshō are straightforward and intuitive. If you’ve played Threes! before, then you’ll know how this works. Slide your finger on the screen to move all tiles in that direction. You can also slowly drag to see a preview of what that move would look like before you complete it. At the top of the screen is a preview of the next block, so there’s strategy and planning involved.
While things start out easy, it gets more difficult and challenging as you progress. You’ll have black, crumbled blocks that move but can’t be matched with anything, stones that won’t move at all, and more. Key pieces also start having walls on the sides, meaning it will only get cleared out when you make a match on the sides that aren’t blocked. When you take all of these into consideration, Kenshō gets pretty hard. Once the board fills up with blocks that don’t match, then you’ll have to restart that part over.
A block sliding puzzle matching game with a great design.
The Good
Kenshō is definitely a puzzle game that stands out from the rest. At this point it’s a bit older, but still worth a download. It has exquisite and excellently done visuals that are immersive and engaging. The original serene soundtrack is another fantastic touch to the game, and it’s recommended to play with headphones to get the full experience. Controls are easy and intuitive, and the various game mechanics that are gradually introduced keep things fresh. And once you complete a stage, the game rewards you with a moment to kick back and relax with the peaceful cutscenes.
The Bad
Kenshō is a great game, but there’s one thing that I found kind of annoying. While you can "skip” the cutscenes by doing a long-press, this is more of a “fast-forward” function than a full on skip. I feel that sometimes these scenes are a bit long, and I just want to get to the next chapter. I think making it so that it skips the scene entirely would optimize the overall experience for those who prefer it.
The verdict
Even though Kenshō has been out for several months, I’ll admit that I messed up by letting it slip by me all this time. However, I was going through my iPhone games and stumbled upon this, and decided to launch it and give it a go. I’m so glad I did, because Kenshō is a real hidden gem for me. The game looks amazing, the music is relaxing, controls are simple, and the puzzles are great for those who appreciate strategy and challenge. Kenshō is a distinctive match-three block sliding game that everyone should check out.
Kenshō is available on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for just $3.99.
9.3
OVERALL
Graphics 10
Sound/Music 10
Game Controls 9
Gameplay 9
Replayability 8.5
Kenshō
FIFTYTWO
Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews
credit : appadvice
You're the Law in JYDGE, a Dystopian Dual-Stick Shooter
November 20, 2020 by RSS Feed
JYDGE ($4.99) by 10tons is a dual-stick shooter that is a follow-up to the studio's previous hit, Neon Chrome. If you enjoyed other games like Kick Ass Commandos and ATOMINE, then you'll get a kick out of JYDGE.
It seems that dystopian futures are a popular trend lately, given some current events, and with recent releases like "Blade Runner 2049." While I'm one of the few out there who don't particularly care for the "Blade Runner" franchise, I still like the idea of dystopias, as they make for other interesting forms of art and entertainment, such as video games. I was a fan of Neon Chrome when it first came out, but I know that not everyone enjoys the roguelike aspect of it. Fortunately, JYDGE is here, and it's like an improved Neon Chrome that doesn't disappoint.
Kick Ass Commandos
Anarchy Enterprises
ATOMINE
Broken Arms Games Pty Ltd
Neon Chrome
10tons Ltd.
Visually, JYDGE is stunningly beautiful. Everything in the game is rendered in 3D with a top-down perspective, so you get to see a lot of the level in a single glance. The world that JYDGE takes place in is dark and dim, but filled with bright neon lights that provide excellent contrast. Everything is also super futuristic and reminiscent of "RoboCop" and "Blade Runner 2049," from the flying police car to the fanfare at the end of a successful mission. It's easy to discern enemy targets from hostages, and the JYDGE unit just looks cool. Animations are smooth and fluid on my iPhone 8 Plus, so I had no issues with lag or choppy frame rates. The soundtrack is rather atmospheric and immersive, as it fits the dystopian nature perfectly. Sound effects are also a nice touch.
While JYDGE and Neon Chrome share the similarity of being a dual-stick shooter set in a dystopian world, JYDGE is not a procedurally generated roguelike, which is what Neon Chrome is. Instead, JYDGE features pre-made levels split up across four acts that are set and do not change, even if you play it multiple times. Each mission must be cleared with at least one medal before you can move on to the next one, and some require a certain number of medals before they're available.
You get the medals by completing specific objectives (three total) on each quest, and you can replay them to try and get ones you've missed. These objectives can be easy ones, such as "Destroy all targets" or "Rescue all hostages." The second and third goals are usually harder, as they'll want you to get exit under a certain time limit, or take no damage.
The controls in JYDGE are simple, intuitive, and work well. The bottom left corner of the screen is your virtual joystick for moving freely around the environment. The joystick on the bottom right will aim and automatically shoot once it determines a hostile enemy in range. A laser helps you see where you're aiming. A button above the aiming joystick lets you interact with the environment, such as looting crates and talking to hostages.
Once you have special weapons equipped, such as rockets, there is a button to use your special ammo instead of regular. A refresh button is also there for you to reload your weapon. Each special and ammo type have their own number of rounds, but you have infinite ammo, so it's more like a cooldown between rounds.
If you think having all of the buttons on-screen makes it too cluttered, you can toggle the control displays in the settings. There are other things you can change as well, including audio, display, and some gameplay elements.
As you kill enemies and loot crates, you'll acquire a nice amount of cash. The cash may be spent to purchase cyberware slots and cyberware upgrades. Cyberware are enhancements to the JYDGE unit that make it more potent in battle. Up to four cyberware items can be equipped (if you have the cash for all slots) and include things like reducing damage, electrify nearby hostiles, a laser-assisted drone, and more. Your weapon, the Gavel, also has upgrades for special weapons and ammo that you can buy. There's a ton of cyberware and gavel upgrades available, and they can alter your play style to your liking.
JYDGE is an incredible game for any dual-stick shooter fan.
The Good
JYDGE is an incredible game for any dual-stick shooter fan. The graphics look great and truly bring out the dystopian theme, along with the immersive soundtrack. Like other games in the genre, the controls are simple enough for anyone to pick up, and I had no issues with movement or shooting. The auto-shoot feature is also rather helpful, since it doesn't require any additional input from you. And with all of the objectives to complete and upgrades to unlock, there's plenty of replay value. Plus, being able to customize your JYDGE to suit your own play style is awesome.
The Bad
While JYDGE is fantastic so far, I think the price for the game is a little high for an iOS game. For the launch, it's 50 percent off for the first week, but after that it will go up to $9.99. Since there are only 18 levels total, it doesn't seem like enough content to warrant the full price, especially on iOS. For the sale price it's fine, but otherwise, I feel a bit iffy on it's worth for mobile.
The verdict
I'm having a lot of fun with JYDGE so far. I know real dystopias are no fun, but JYDGE makes it so when you're armed with a super weapon and a ton of enhancements to take out the baddies. The graphics are great and a nice homage to sci-fi series like "Blade Runner," and the music is well done. The controls work out nicely and the objectives prove to be rather challenging, so you'll definitely be spending some time with this game.
JYDGE is available on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for $4.99 for a limited time only. After the promotional period, it will go up to $9.99. JYDGE is also available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and XBox One for $14.99.
8.7
OVERALL
Sound/Music 9
Gameplay 9.5
Replayability 8
Game Controls 8.5
Graphics 8.5
JYDGE
10tons Ltd
Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews
credit : appadvice
It's Full of Sparks is a Charming and Philosophical Platformer
November 20, 2020 by RSS Feed
It's Full of Sparks (Free) by Noodlecake Studios is a fast-paced platformer that will have you contemplating life by the end of it. If you enjoy games like Sonic Runners Adventure or FEZ, then you'll like what It's Full of Sparks has to offer.
Most of us enjoy fireworks, but have you ever wondered what the life of a firework is like? Yeah, me neither. Honestly, it's never occurred to me, but it's interesting enough to make a game about it, since It's Full of Sparks exists. I consider myself having quite an open mind to things, so It's Full of Sparks is one of those games that I had to check out for myself. What Noodlecake did was create something that's as fun as it is philosophical.
Sonic Runners Adventure
Gameloft
FEZ Pocket Edition
Corporation Polytron Inc.
Lara Croft GO
SQUARE ENIX Ltd
Visually, It's Full of Sparks is gorgeous and a sight to see. The game's fully rendered in 3D with beautiful, crisp architectural structures. In a way, the graphics remind me a bit of Lara Croft GO, except cleaner because you're not dealing with ancient ruins. It's a modernized low-poly look that is rather trendy these days, and definitely eye catching. The colors in It's Full of Sparks are a nice mix of soft pastels and bold, vibrant hues that mesh together to create a lovely world of fireworks. Animations are smooth and fluid, with no issues of lag or frame rate choppiness on my iPhone 8 Plus. The music is rather whimsical and charming, and the sound effects are fun and quirky.
Since It's Full of Sparks is a platformer, it's level-based, which is pretty standard. The game starts off with a firecracker who's all fine and dandy, that is, until they realize that once the fuse (spark of life) is out, they explode and die. With that in mind, the goal of the game is simple: get these sentient firecrackers safely to the water to put out the fuse, and live a little longer. Ultimately, if you're successful on the journey, you'll meet The Old One, which is a mythical firecracker that's never had their fuse lit.
While you can enjoy the game at your own pace, there are also stars to earn depending on how fast you complete a stage. The faster you are, the more stars you get. From my experience so far, you'll need to replay a level multiple times to memorize what to do, and then do everything correctly on your speed run. This is great for competitive players.
Controls are simple and intuitive. In the bottom left are two buttons to move your firecracker left and right. On the right side, after you collect the corresponding artifacts, are colored buttons. When you obtain the colored glasses, you'll be able to see or unsee certain obstacles and objects that can help guide you safely across. You have to tap on these buttons at the right time to toggle them, and make sure you get the timing and positioning of your firecracker correct, otherwise, it may lead to untimely deaths.
It's Full of Sparks is a game where you're going to die a lot. Each time your firecracker dies, whether by exploding or falling, you'll have a chance to try again with a new firecracker. These firecrackers count as "lives." You start the game off with a handful of firecrackers, but once you're out, you'll have to get more lives.
Fortunately, the game can be fairly generous with giving you more lives for free. You can slowly get a few lives at a time as a free gift every so often, or watch a video ad to get 15 at a time. If you enable ads, you get 25 more. If the video ad system bothers you, unlimited lives can be bought via a $2.99 in-app purchase.
A beautifully rendered 3D platformer that lets you play as a firecracker.
The Good
It's Full of Sparks is definitely a gem in the App Store, as it's fun, challenging, and makes you ponder your own life (existential crisis, anyone). The game has stunning graphics that are pure eye candy, and the music is delightful to listen to. The levels start off easy enough, but the difficulty ramps up at a nice pace. It's also great that the game allows you to either play at your own pace or do speed runs, since you can move on to the next level without earning stars.
The Bad
While there's a lot of good about It's Full of Sparks, it's not perfect. During my testing, I experienced a handful of crashing right after "completing" the first stage. The game would just freeze up and become unresponsive, resulting in force quitting and trying again. It happened twice in a row before I was able to have it not crash and proceed with actually playing the game. I'm not sure what the cause is, but it should be ironed out in the next update.
I like the idea that each new life is a new firecracker, but I also think that you can burn through your lives too quickly since things get a bit twitchy. Though there are free ways to obtain more firecrackers, I feel like it's pushing you towards the in-app purchase.
The verdict
Despite the minor inconveniences, I'm enjoying It's Full of Sparks a lot. The game is downright beautiful on Retina HD and Super Retina displays. The whimsical music is great to relax to, and the controls are easy enough for anyone to learn. I always like challenging games, as it's incredibly satisfying when you manage to overcome a stage you're stuck on, and It's Full of Sparks provides just that. Hopefully the kinks get ironed out sooner rathe than later.
It's Full of Sparks is available on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone or iPad for free with in-app purchases.
8.3
OVERALL
Graphics 9
Replayability 8
Game Controls 8
Sound/Music 8
Gameplay 8.5
It's Full of Sparks
Noodlecake
Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews
credit : appadvice
Follow Mid Atlantic Consulting
Subscribe Mid Atlantic Consulting
APP review today