"If there is an app for that"

Take a Journey Through Gaming History in Evoland 2

February 28, 2018 by RSS Feed

Evoland 2 ($6.99) by Playdigious is the ultimate homage to classic RPGs that most of us grew up with in our childhood years. If you were a fan of the first Evoland, then you don't want to miss the sequel.

I grew up with consoles like the NES and Sega Genesis when I was a kid. Back then, there were plenty of great games, especially RPGs, that provided adventure and challenged players at the same time. As time went on, RPGs grew and matured, becoming much more detailed than their original counterparts and even blossoming in glorious 3D. If you're the type of person to get a bit nostalgic over gaming history, and also enjoy a ton of references, then Evoland 2 is a perfect match.

$1.99

Evoland

Playdigious

Graphically speaking, Evoland 2, like its predecessor, is rather impressive. The game provides an excellent visual timeline of the capabilities of gaming throughout the years, going from 2D and 8-bit pixels to more complex, 3D modeling systems. Still, even when you go through the 8-bit part of the game, everything is still quite detailed, so you can still make things out and it's not too plain looking. The colors in Evoland 2 are a nice, lush mix of vibrant brights and more muted, earthy tones. Animations are smooth and fluid, with no issues of laggy or choppy frame rates on my iPhone 8 Plus. The soundtrack is also a nice tribute to the classic RPGs that you've played in the past, and the game even pokes some humor into that from the very beginning.

In typical RPG fashion, players will find a storyline that is jam-packed with plenty of JRPG tropes and clichés, but done in a way that is supposed to be humorous and entertaining. You have the protagonist who doesn't remember who they are and what happened to them before the start of the game. You're in a village with various NPCs who all have their own quirks and charms. The silent hero gets sent out of the village to do some errands for someone, but you need a sword first! Help the daughter of the man who rescued you from the forest from a bunch of monsters and witness a catastrophic event that changes the world as we know it.

Yup, that sounds about right, doesn't it? Evoland 2 has the standard JRPG fare, but does it in a tongue-in-cheek way that is pretty meta and breaks the fourth wall. It makes jokes about mechanics from other games, such as The Legend of Zelda (cutting up shrubs), and there are a ton of references to look for if you've played any major RPG or adventure type game.

Since it's an RPG, players do have to go through the game in a chronological series of events, but there is the ability to grind for experience and level up. You know, when you want to be so overpowered that you can decimate anything in your way.

Evoland 2 expands on the previous game by adding in new game mechanics and elements. Instead of just the regular old adventure RPG game, Evoland 2 implements different mechanics that get introduced in games, such as shooters, card games, platformers, and more. It adds more variety than the original Evoland, and it keeps things fresh and interesting. With all of the different genre mashups involved, it's guaranteed that you'll never be bored by what Evoland 2 has to offer.

There are two ways to play the game: through the default touch screen controls, or by using a MFi controller. The touch controls, while they work, are a bit wonky in my experience. The bottom left has the non-fixed joystick for movement, and the bottom right has a fixed-position button for attacking.

While the controls do work, I found it to feel clunky at times. This is because the movement joystick freely moves around to where your thumb is, but it doesn't seem as responsive as I'd like it to be. I often found myself trying to turn and not, resulting in my attacking in the wrong spot. Or I would just run into an enemy instead. I hope that the controls get better optimized in the future, or at least allow for some customization, as there's currently no options.

On top of it all, Evoland 2 has three ways to play the game: Adventure, Good Old Arcade, or Hardcore Challenge. There's plenty of diversity offered with the different types of gameplay, and the challenge mode is great for those who want a real test of skill.

An RPG game that mixes many classic together in an all new story.

The Good

Evoland 2 is a great mashup and homage of RPGs through the years. The visuals look fantastic and are nicely detailed, even when it's supposed to be "less" detail for the old graphics. The music is excellent as well, as it serves up typical adventure fantasy fare. The different style of gameplay mechanics and elements that are introduced provide a huge variety, and it's a great way to go through gaming's history. And last but not least, the humor with the dialogue and references is top notch.

The Bad

Evoland 2 is great, but I wish that the touch controls were a bit better. It's hard to move quickly and aim your attacks properly, as it gets unresponsive and sticky at times. Hopefully the control optimization gets tweaked in future updates. For now, if you have a MFi controller, it may be the better way to play.

The verdict

As a fan of RPGs in general, I am liking Evoland 2 so far. I believe I had the original game, but didn't get around to playing it for whatever reason (this happens more often than not). The cheeky humor and references bring a smile to my face, and I love how the world transitions to different graphical styles. The soundtrack reminds me of older RPGs that I used to play too, so the nostalgia is nice. I just hope the controls get better in due time. It may just take some practice to get used to.

Evoland 2 is on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for $6.99. There are no in-app purchases. It's also available on Steam (PC and Mac) starting at $19.99.

8.4

OVERALL

Graphics 9

Sound/Music 9

Gameplay 9

Replayability 8

Game Controls 7

$6.99

Evoland 2

Playdigious

Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews

Free Apps to Download TODAY ONLY 02/28/2018

February 28, 2018 by RSS Feed

Time Guru Metronome , Fontmania - Write on Photos , Blue Light Therapy and more

iPhone:

Time Guru Metronome ( $1.99 → Free ) Decibel Consulting/Avi Bortnick Time Guru isn’t your everyday metronome. Sure, it allows you to get in sync by defining your tempo via a slider or tapping to create it. But where it really shines is in its ability to improve your timing by randomly removing beats, forcing you to keep tempo on your own for brief periods. The app also includes the ability to save presets, 35 sound sets, and a highly accurate audio engine.

Universal:

Fontmania - Write on Photos ( $4.99 → Free ) Apalon Apps Fontmania will help social media addicts stand out from the crowd. The app’s intuitive interface features a single, non-intrusive sidebar to help you design the perfect photo. It provides access to a vast collection of artwork and handpicked fonts. Everything that’s added to your photo can be moved, resized, and rotated with common gestures. There’s no limit to what you can add, either. Your final creation can be as simple or complex as you like. Fontmania also provides quick access to your favorite social media sites for easy uploading.

Blue Light Therapy ( $1.99 → Free ) Alexander Stone Blue Light Therapy immerses you in all shades of blue. The color blue has been shown to activate the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the brain, which is the region responsible for transitioning from asleep to awake. It’s best to use the app in the morning in a well lit room. Simply set the session time and enjoy the wave rippling experience.

Duck Warfare ( $0.99 → Free ) allen park These ducks mean business. The GÜSCO corporation is trying to force you out of your home, but the ducks aren’t going to stand for it. Tap to send your duck troops into battle. As your enemies fall, you’ll be able to collect duck bucks that can be used to purchase new, more powerful troops. The game includes five areas, 25 levels, 40 enemies, and 24 ducks to unlock. There’s also a Quacky Duck mini-game to enjoy in between the strategic action.

Source link: http://appadvice.com/apps-gone-free

Experience the Highs and Lows of First Love in Florence

February 27, 2018 by RSS Feed

Florence ($2.99) by Annapurna Interactive is an interactive storybook that details the highs and lows of a young woman's first love. If you like games that are more about the storytelling and experience, such as Life Is Strange, then you will be charmed by Florence.

Ah, first love — we've all had one, or are still in a relationship with one. I remember when I had my first boyfriend at the age of 16, and I thought that it would last forever. Nope. It's a learning experience, and one that I'm quite thankful for. So when I saw Florence on the App Store, I was drawn in by how relatable this experience seemed to be. I had to check it out for myself, and this is definitely one that pulls at your heartstrings.

$2.99

Life Is Strange

SQUARE ENIX Ltd

Visually speaking, Florence is beautiful, though I suppose that's to be expected from the lead designer of Monument Valley. The game is entirely hand drawn in a simple art style that evokes the "slice of life" aesthetic. The color palette in Florence features a nice mix of soft pastels and brighter hues, along with darker, gloomier shades. Each kind of color conveys a different meaning and emotion in Florence, so the variety that it offers is nice. Animations are smooth and fluid, so I had no issues on my iPhone 8 Plus. The soundtrack to Florence is also pretty whimsical and emotional, as it helps convey the sentiment that you're supposed to feel during particular scenes.

Since Florence is an interactive storybook experience, the "game" is broken up into a handful of different acts, and there could be one to three chapters per act. The chapters are simply titled with one or two words, but they're enough to tell you what scenario is going to happen next. The titles are also relatable to our real lives as well, which is what I love about the game.

The story of Florence goes like this: Florence is a 25-year-old woman who has a daily routine, like we all do. Get up, get ready for work, commute and check social media, work, talk to mom on the phone, go home, eat dinner, sleep, rinse and repeat. It's a rut that we all feel stuck in sometimes. Then Florence meets a cello player named Krish, and they begin dating. Krish is responsible for changing how Florence sees the world and herself.

Like any relationship, there are the ups and the downs. Each chapter represents a different experience in Florence and Krish's relationship. As you explore their connection to each other, you'll get to play various mini-games vignettes. You'll be there when they flirt with each other on their first date, to witnessing their first heated argument, and then helping each other follow their dreams and passions. But eventually they grow apart, like most of us do with our first love.

One thing that I love about the mini-games is the fact that they resemble actual, real-life experiences when it comes to dating someone.

For example, as Florence and Krish first start talking to each other, the puzzle pieces that resemble their chat bubbles are six pieces. It symbolizes how hard it can be to come up with conversation topics on the first date. As they grow closer with one another and know more about each other, their chat bubble puzzles only have three pieces.

There are only 20 chapters total in Florence, and it's easy to get through them all rather quickly. Still, it's a roller coaster of emotion, and by the end of it, you feel closer to Florence than you ever did, and you may even know exactly what she's been through.

An interactive storybook that is filled with mini games, and follows the story for a first love.

The Good

Florence is an excellent storytelling experience with the slice of life plot. It's the story of your first love, which we've all been through at some point, and it hits close to home. It highlights all of the good and the bad of a relationship, and provides valuable life lessons. Plus, the visual style and music evoke even more emotion from you. It's hard to not tear up just a bit while playing this.

The Bad

The only negative to Florence is the length. Again, it's only 20 chapters long, and it's easy to get through them all (or at least most) in less than an hour. For the amount of money, some may not think it's worth it. However, if you appreciate a good story, then Florence's tale is worth it.

The verdict

Once I started Florence, it was hard to stop. I went from knowing nothing about Florence to knowing everything about her daily life and then about her and Krish. It reminded me of my relationships, and I'll admit it — I got quite emotional. I love slice of life experiences, and Florence is definitely one you don't want to miss.

Florence is on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for $2.99.

8.5

OVERALL

Game Controls 10

Sound/Music 10

Graphics 9.5

Gameplay 8

Replayability 5

$2.99

Florence

Annapurna Interactive

Source link: http://appadvice.com/reviews

Free Apps to Download TODAY ONLY 02/27/2018

February 27, 2018 by RSS Feed

Spinning Lamp , Clipomatic - Text on videos , Noted: Audio & Voice Recorder and more

iPad:

Spinning Lamp ( $2.99 → Free ) Mantid Interactive LLC Spinning Lamp can enhance any environment. It’s a digital recreation of the enchanting spinning lamps that adorned bedrooms and living rooms years ago. The app includes five different themes to choose from, all of which will light up your room with vibrant colors. You’re also able to choose from five music playlists or utilize your own. Swipe vertically to control the intensity of the lamp, and tap to release pixie dust. The app also includes a sleep timer, display clock, and three different backgrounds.

Universal:

Clipomatic - Text on videos ( $6.99 → Free ) Apalon Apps Clipomatic turns your spoken words into on-screen text. Just hit record and say something. Your words will instantly appear as stylish captions on the top of the video you’re recording. You’re able to edit the words and the time that they appear if necessary. The app includes a wide variety of text styles, video filters, and support for 40 different languages.

Noted: Audio & Voice Recorder ( $0.99 → Free ) Digital Workroom Ltd Noted is the perfect tool for long meetings, busy conferences, and important lectures. While capturing audio, you’re able to take text notes and have the time stamped within the recording. Tag key moments with a tap that can be quickly revisited later. You’re also able to capture or import images as main reference points. The app includes iCloud syncing, noise reduction, support for external keyboards, text search, and the ability to export content in TXT or M4A formats.

Week Calendar Widget Pro ( $1.99 → Free ) Crater Tech LLC Week Widget isn’t a standard calendar app in any way, shape, or form. It taps into your iDevice’s native calendar app in order to populate a Today view widget with everything that’s coming up on your schedule. When you launch the app itself, you’re greeted with ways to customize the look and content of the widget. Week Widget includes a day timeline, a week timeline, and the ability to scroll through days and weeks.

Source link: http://appadvice.com/apps-gone-free

Free Apps to Download TODAY ONLY 02/26/2018

February 26, 2018 by RSS Feed

Giflay - GIF Viewer , SamCard Pro-business card scanner&reader&visiting , Deflecto and more

iPhone:

SamCard Pro-business card scanner&reader&visiting ( $3.99 → Free ) SamTeam Stop wasting time manually adding business card information to your personal database. Instead, snap a photo and let SamCard do all of the work for you. The app is able to automatically recognize business card text and add it to the appropriate fields. Just make sure you have the business card in good lighting. SamCard's anti-shake photo shooting mode should also help you achieve fantastic results.

Universal:

Giflay - GIF Viewer ( $1.99 → Free ) KIM KYUNG MIN Giflay is all about simplicity. It automatically grabs all of the GIFs from your photo library and presents them in a large scrollable grid. GIFs can be imported from your computer over Wi-Fi as well. You’re able to play GIFs, zoom in, and view them frame-by-frame. Your GIFs can also be gathered into albums and passcode protected. The app also includes eight color themes, the ability to open GIFs in other apps, and the ability to share GIFs.

Deflecto ( $0.99 → Free ) Brian Williams Deflecto is Missile Command for the mobile generation. The clouds above the city send objects raining down, threatening the civilization. It’s up to you to fling them back towards the clouds and eventually destroy them. The more clouds you destroy, the faster they will become. Try to avoid deflecting important power-ups because they will be lost forever. The game includes nine levels.

Windy ~ Natural White Noise ( $0.99 → Free ) Franz Bruckhoff Windy combines natural wind recordings with stunning artwork to help you sleep, relax, study, or meditate. It utilizes stereoscopic 3-D audio that’s optimized for headphones, so you can drift off into your own little world. The six natural wind recordings can be mixed with rain, river sounds, birds, and crickets. There’s also a whimsical story embedded within the app, allowing you to follow Windy on her journey to breathtaking locations.

Source link: http://appadvice.com/apps-gone-free