"If there is an app for that"

Control the Environment in Stagehand: A Reverse Platformer

February 08, 2017 by RSS Feed

Stagehand: A Reverse Platformer ($1.99) by Big Bucket Software is a unique platformer that breaks the mold of what you think you know about platformer games. If you enjoyed games like Le Parker: Sous Chef Extraordinaire and The Incident, then you will love what Stagehand has to offer.

As someone who was born in the late ‘80s, I grew up with platformers, especially the popular ones back then like Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog. I definitely was not as good at those games compared to others out there, but I loved them all the same. There was just something about skillful running and jumping, collecting coins, reaching the end goal, and seeing how far I could get with the starting three lives that I couldn’t get tired of. Almost 30 years later, I still love platformer games, but let’s face it — they’re pretty much all the same, just with a different skin. So when I first heard of Stagehand last year, I was fascinated because first, it was from the same guys behind The Incident and Space Age, and second, a platformer where you don’t control the character but the stage? Color me intrigued! I’ve had the beta of the game for the past few months, but now it’s finally available to the public, and I must say, you won’t be disappointed.

If you grew up with Super Mario Bros. games, then you will feel right at home with Stagehand. This is because the game sports a completely retro 16-bit aesthetic that is bright and colorful, just like the games from my childhood. Despite the pixel art style, the environments are still incredibly detailed and textured, and Frank’s sprite (the same guy from The Incident) is rather elaborate, right down to his facial expressions in reaction to whatever happens on the stage. The game also features a nice dynamic day and night light cycle in the background that clearly tells you that time has passed since Frank began his journey. Animations in Stagehand are buttery smooth and fluid, with no lag on my iPhone 7. The game also has a fun and quirky chiptune soundtrack and vintage sound effects that are certain to bring a smile to your face. Once again, I believe Big Bucket Software knocked it out of the park with Stagehand’s visuals and audio, but that’s to be expected.

Unlike traditional platformers, Stagehand does not have set levels. Instead, it plays more like an infinite runner in the fact that players will always start on “Monday,” and then must see how far they’re able to take Frank. As the light cycle changes and goes into night and then the next day, Frank will find himself in new areas. However, if you run into a wall or obstacle, fall, get hit by spikes, or whatever may (and could) happen to Frank, then you’ll have to start over from the very beginning. However, don’t be fooled — Stagehand is procedurally generated, so while you always begin on Monday, it won’t ever be the same experience because the placement of platforms and obstacles won’t be in the same spot as before. While this is not for everyone, I personally love randomly generated levels because it keeps things interesting and fresh each time you play. The speed of the game also makes things a bit frantic, so you have to work on your hand-eye coordination if you want Frank to get anywhere.

The controls in Stagehand are simple and intuitive, but it does take a bit of time and practice to get used to since it’s not a traditional platformer. In Stagehand, Frank will move forward automatically and like any other platformer, the game is side-scrolling so that happens without any extra input from you. However, since you control the stage, it’s easy to do — just place your finger on the various platforms and pillars and drag them up or down to move them. Some items, such as conveyor belts and spikes, can’t be moved, so watch out for those. Frank will hop automatically if the platforms aren’t too high, but you can also move the platforms to give him extra momentum as well, which is great for making longer jumps and reaching coins. Again, the controls are responsive and work well, but time and practice are required if you want to do well at all. And if you have an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, there is haptic feedback, which is a plus.

Since Frank can end up dying in some pretty hilarious ways, Big Bucket Software made it easy to share your killer achievements at the end of each run. If you think something is share-worthy, the game generates an animated GIF of his final moments and you can share it however you want through the native iOS Share Sheet.

I haven’t gotten too far in Stagehand yet because my hand-eye coordination is not that great, but again, practice makes perfect. Still, I love the amazing pixel art that Big Bucket Software crafted for this game, and the sounds are downright delightful. As a big fan of platformers, I truly love and appreciate that the developers managed to create something that is completely unique and has never been done before, because let’s face it — originality is getting hard to find these days. Stagehand is a nice treat and a great distraction these days, so this is a game that will be staying on my device for a while.

I highly recommend giving Stagehand a try if you like fresh platformers with a modernized twist. You can find Stagehand on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for just $1.99. There are no in-app purchases, but as a bonus, there are iMessage stickers included with every copy.

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credit : appadvice

from : Mid Atlantic Consulting, Inc.

Free Apps to Download TODAY ONLY 02/08/2017

February 08, 2017 by RSS Feed

Fitbit Finder - Find your lost fitbits , Kids Card Matching Educational Shapes and Color Learning Game for Toddlers , Cursive Writing App - abCursive 4 and more

iPhone:

Cursive Writing App - abCursive 4 ( $1.99 → Free ) Yosuke Oki Each letter of the alphabet can be practiced separately in lowercase form. The app indicates where to start each letter and how they connect via animations. Once you’ve gotten the hang of things, you can work on sample sentences or create your own words to practice.

Hidden Wonders of the Depths (Full) ( $1.99 → Free ) G5 Entertainment Swipe to match three or more underwater items to complete different objectives before time expires. Mahjong-style mini-games are also thrown into the mix to break up the gameplay. Each completed stage will award you with a new piece of an item for your mermaids home. The game includes 204 stages, 25 levels, bonus content to unlock, and achievements via Game Center.

iPad:

Hidden Wonders of the Depths HD (Full) ( $2.99 → Free ) G5 Entertainment Swipe to match three or more underwater items to complete different objectives before time expires. Mahjong-style mini-games are also thrown into the mix to break up the gameplay. Each completed stage will award you with a new piece of an item for your mermaids home. The game includes 204 stages, 25 levels, bonus content to unlock, and achievements via Game Center.

Universal:

Fitbit Finder - Find your lost fitbits ( $5.99 → Free ) Cloforce LLC Lost your Fitbit or just worried you might lose it someday? Fitbit Finder is here to assist. Simply launch the app and it will automatically discover any Fitbit units nearby. As you move around, the app will indicate how close you are via cold and hot colors. When you’re about two to four feet away, the indicator will display a fiery red. It’s basically a game of cold and hot.

Kids Card Matching Educational Shapes and Color Learning Game for Toddlers ( $2.99 → Free ) Eggroll Games LLC Various amounts of cards will appear on the screen face down. Your child can tap on them to reveal what’s on the flip side. They must then find all of the matching pairs of shapes and colors to complete each game. When tapped on, your child is able to hear the object or color pronounced. The app also includes a Show Me mode where the cards are all face up, making it easier to play.

Drop The Chicken 2 ( $0.99 → Free ) Jesse Kuronen Chuck has been captured by an evil monkey ring master. To escape from the circus, you must help Chuck perform pool diving tricks while catching bugs along the way. While Chuck is on his platform, you’re required to move a wide variety of objects to ensure he safely lands in the pool. When you believe you have everything just right, flip the switch and see how he performs. The game includes 100 puzzles, five bonus levels, and in-game helping hands.

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

Amelia Story Book for Kids is a Must-Have Interactive Book

February 08, 2017 by RSS Feed

Amelia Story Book for Kids is a recently updated version of the original app; Amelia and Terror of the Night.

This updated effort is simply wonderful and a must-have addition to the apps you buy for your kids.

We love how the creepiness of Amelia, like other books, movies and drawings fits neatly into the same vein as Alice’s adventures in Wonderland. We are incredibly excited about this update: Amelia Story Book for Kids by developer OhNoo Studio.

The app’s eBook story is a brilliant way to entertain your children, and if your aesthetic sensibilities are anything like ours, also entertain yourself while you’re at it.

Concept and Functionality

Like most apps for children, the concept behind Amelia Story Book for Kids very closely resembles a traditional print publication, only one that’s been tweaked with more than a few modifications. For instance, you’ll get standard page turning delight here, as well as text to read.

However, there are many things you could never find in a book. Things such as 60 hidden stars that unlock secret scenes and 4 mini-games to keep your little ones on their toes.

What sets Amelia Story Book for Kids apart from other works that offer added entertainment? The fun factor. Each and every page has elements to be unlocked and observed, rewarding the reader with stars for their efforts.

This means your child not only gets a full and gorgeous eBook style story through Amelia Story Book for Kids, but also an engaging world to explore, poke, and otherwise test at their leisure. We can’t get enough of it, and assuming your children share your quirky art sense, they won’t either.

Graphics and Artwork

Now, let’s talk about the fun stuff! We’ve been in and around the children’s illustration world for some time, and we have to admit, Amelia Story Book for Kids is an absolute knockout.

The characters are completely unique and the artwork hand drawn and gorgeous to the last drop of ink.

Furthermore, the story is properly balanced between creepy, quirky and endlessly entertaining. The mere premise of the whole thing is enough to keep the child turning pages, as well as the adult, we think. Also, be sure to hold out until the end, as it comes with a surprisingly twisty ending.

Overall Value

Amelia Story Book for Kids is a truly stupendous example of how one should design and create an eBook application for children.

It’s brilliant and accessible from top to bottom, as well as cheap on the wallet. Costing only two bucks, you’ll get one mountain of content, as well as an infinite number of opportunities to spend some quality time with your children.

Amelia Story Book for Kids requires iOS 6.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

TheiPhoneAppReview’s rating:

Arcade Shooter Glitchskier is a Blast From the Past

February 07, 2017 by RSS Feed

Glitchskier ($1.99) by Shelly Alon is an action-packed arcade shooter bullet hell game that is just about as retro as it can possibly get. If you enjoy vintage skeuomorphism in your games, such as with Her Story and Telepaint, and you want to shoot stuff up, then Glitchskier is definitely the game for you.

These days, I’ve been going through a lot of stress so I have found respite in video games, as I’ve always done for many years. While a lot of my gaming is on the PlayStation 4 these days (nothing beats killing hordes of monsters in Diablo 3), sometimes I need a break from that too and so I turn to my 3DS or iPhone for some games. Even though I usually like to relax with puzzle games on iOS, these days, I really feel the need to just blow some stuff up. For those moments, I like to turn to arcade shooter games, because these are the types of games to be played in quick sessions, but you still get enough satisfaction each time. When I saw Glitchskier on the App Store from Shelly Alon, I knew I had to give the game a try, not only because I love the classic style of old computers, but because I am a fan of the developer’s other games, Partyrs and Sputnik Eyes. Needless to say, I think Glitchskier is one of Alon’s greatest releases to date.

In terms of visuals, Glitchskier has a completely unique look and feel to it that will remind you of the days of computers when CRT monitors ruled the world. And it not only looks like an old computer, but Alon has gone out of the way to recreate the experience of using a computer on your iOS device as well. The game launches to a startup screen that reminds me of my MS-DOS days, and then you’ll find a file browser window that gives you options for viewing installation notes, info, and the bin folder that contains the .exe program, game data, and where you access settings. You also have to double click on things to open them, and even the typeface is a traditional sans serif so the aesthetic is complete. The color palette is mostly in grayscale with splashes of red, though there are 12 color themes available if you want to change the hues. Animations are buttery smooth and fluid, so there was no issue of lag or choppiness on my iPhone 7. Glitchskier also has realistic, old computer sound effects and an awesome ambient techno soundtrack that just completes the package. Alon did an excellent job with the visuals and audio in Glitchskier, and these two factors alone make the game entirely worth it.

While there is only one game mode in Glitchskier, the game is procedurally generated, so it’s not going to be the same experience twice. However, the enemies, obstacles, and bosses that you’ll encounter will remain the same on each run, but the order and layout changes every time you play. This adds variety to the game and I find it rather exciting, because it’s not monotonous and you can’t just memorize the patterns over time. The goal of Glitchskier is simple enough: get as far as you can while racking up as many points as possible before you fall. While it starts off fairly easy, the difficulty picks up the farther along you get, because there will be more obstacles, enemies, bullets, and of course, bosses.

Controls in Glitchskier feel natural and intuitive. All you need is one finger and all you have to do is drag it around the screen to move your ship (reminiscent of Asteroids) and shoot at the same time. Your standard attack is a basic laser that shoots straight out in front of your ship. To make things interesting though, there will be various weapon power-ups that you can collect (icons surrounded by a circle) that will boost your firepower, such as a widespread or rotating shot so that you can get things that you’d otherwise miss, a laser beam, and more. If you get hit, things will slow down briefly and you lose your power-up. The game ends when your ship takes too much damage.

Because of this incredibly simple control scheme, Glitchskier can be played entirely with one hand. This makes it a game that you can pick-up-and-play while waiting in line at the store, which is awesome. If you don’t like the default control scheme, there is also a “Relative Touch” option in the settings if you want better movement.

I’ve only just started with Glitchskier, but I can confidently say that this is a game that I will be keeping on my device for a long time coming. The old-school hacker-like graphics are done incredibly well, the music and sound effects are just candy for my ears, the controls are responsive and work well, and the gameplay is challenging. To be honest, this is one of the best arcade shooters that I’ve tried in a long time, and that’s not an easy feat.

I highly recommend grabbing Glitchskier if you are looking for an amazing arcade shooter game to pass the time. Glitchskier is on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for just $1.99. There are no in-app purchases.

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

credit : appadvice

from : Mid Atlantic Consulting, Inc.

Free Apps to Download TODAY ONLY 02/07/2017

February 07, 2017 by RSS Feed

Outland - Space Journey , Hear My Baby - Baby Heartbeat Monitor App , The Forgotten Treasure and more

iPhone:

Hear My Baby - Baby Heartbeat Monitor App ( $3.99 → Free ) Fat Cigar Productions Ltd The best thing about Hear My Baby is that it doesn’t require any addition accessories for your iPhone. Simply follow the directions by placing your iPhone’s microphone on your stomach and watch as the audio feed comes to life. The app’s unique sound isolation algorithm allows it to hear a baby’s heartbeat from 27 weeks and on. You’re able to record and share the heartbeat sound as well.

Finding Gnomes ( $0.99 → Free ) Peeking Peacock HB An old friend has sent you a letter out of nowhere begging for help. In order to find your friend, you’ll have to hunt down a bunch of magical garden gnomes and return them to a witch. Make your way around the hand-drawn environments searching for clues and solving puzzles in order to save the day.

Universal:

Outland - Space Journey ( $0.99 → Free ) Vito Technology Inc. Outland is a collection of 20 time-lapse videos that will take you on a space journey. The collection includes everything from the winds of Jupiter to the ISS flying over Earth to the liftoff of ExoMars 2016. Each time-lapse video includes serene background music, a short description, and a date and time overlay. It’s best if you can hook your device up to your TV to truly enjoy the experience.

The Forgotten Treasure ( $0.99 → Free ) Peeking Peacock HB A forgotten treasure sits waiting for someone to discover. That someone is going to be you. Grab your trusty crowbar and head out on an adventure to explore ancient Egyptian pyramids and Mayan temples in search of clues. As you make your way around the hand-drawn environments, you’ll have to solve a variety of puzzles to continue to advance the story.

Toca Store ( $2.99 → Free ) Toca Boca AB Toca Store allows your child to play with their friends without all of the cleanup afterwards. They can set up their very own store by choosing between the 34 different items, and then open it and invite friends and family to start shopping. Upon checkout, your child can set their own prices, drag and drop the correct amount of coins into the register, and place items in the checkout bag.

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