"If there is an app for that"

Sparkwave

March 18, 2016 by macjeff

Sparkwave (Free) by Crescent Moon Games is a fast-paced hex-style twitch reflex arcade game. If you enjoyed games like Pivvot, HEX:99, and SHREDD, then you will get a kick out of Sparkwave. Be warned — these twitch reflex games are definitely not for the faint of heart.

Ever since Super Hexagon, I’ve fallen in love with the challenge of the twitch reflex genre, and while they can be infuriating most of the time, I still keep coming back to them. I think that the mobile platform is perfect for the genre, due to the simplistic controls provided by touch screens and the fact that a lot of games are best enjoyed in short bursts throughout the day. Whenever I have a few moments to spare, I like being able to pick up my phone, launch a twitch reflex game, and test my reflexes for a few minutes at a time. For me, it’s fun and it’s rather nice when you’re able to best your own previous high score because you’ve been doing better at the game over time. That’s why twitch reflex games will always have a spot on my iPhone, so when I heard that Crescent Moon Games was coming out with a new addition to the genre last week, I had to check it out myself.

Sparkwave, like many other games in the genre, features a gorgeous, minimalistic art style that looks sharp and crisp on Retina screens. While the game starts out with a dark colored background with light specks that represent stars, the colors change as you get further along the tracks. The background colors range from darker tones to more vivid hues, but they all have rather nice color gradients that go together seamlessly. In the foreground will be hexagons of many different sizes that appear as you move, forming a trail for you to follow in your spark-covered ship. Even though there can be many colors appearing on the screen at various times, your ship will always be recognizable due to the bright, contrasting color. Animations in Sparkwave are smooth and fluid, which is absolutely necessary for a twitch reflex game, of course. There is a quirky EDM soundtrack that is fun to listen to, and will appeal to fans of the EDM genre. Sound effects add a nice finishing touch to the game’s audio package.

As with most twitch reflex games, Sparkwave only has one game mode, and it is essentially an endless run to see how long you can survive. The objective is to fly as far as you can without hitting annoying obstacles (dark tiles) that show up along the way. The game moves quickly, and the track will form as you go, so it can be rather unpredictable at times, especially when you encounter random angle shifts that change the direction of the entire path, forcing you to react rapidly. There are crystals to collect along the way, which can be used to purchase additional spark colors for your ship, or some booster items from the shop. Since the game is free, it does show ads every now and then between runs, and you get five free continues per day at the cost of watching a video ad. If the ads bother you that much, you can always opt to get the in-app purchase for removing ads.

Controls in Sparkwave are simple enough: tap the left half of the screen to steer your ship to the left, and tap the right half to go right — you will move forward automatically. You can do short taps to move just a little bit, or hold your finger down to move continuously in that direction. But since the track moves rapidly and can shift position at any time, I would recommend sticking with quick, short taps for better control.

I’ve only spent a short amount of time with Sparkwave so far over the weekend, but I’m finding it to be an enjoyable twitch reflex game when I need my fix. The visuals are sleek and gorgeous, the music is fun, and the fast-paced gameplay means it’s addictive and challenging at the same time. However, if you’re the type of person who will rage quickly at these types of games, then it probably isn’t something you need to go grab, but if you want a challenge test of reflexes then it’s a great addition to your collection. I just wish that the game was a bit less ad-heavy and didn’t have restrictions on the number of continues you’re allowed per day. I’ve also noticed some crashes after viewing an ad to continue, which is annoying and can be frustrating, so hopefully the developers fix that in the near future.

Despite the minor flaws, Sparkwave is a delightful game for fans of the twitch reflex genre. You can find Sparkwave on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for free with in-app purchases.

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Waste in Space - Endless Arcade Shooter

March 18, 2016 by macjeff

Waste in Space - Endless Arcade Shooter (Free) by Marco Tormento is an endless arcade shooter that also throws in ragdoll physics into the mix for a unique and hectic game that will keep you busy for some time. If you enjoy being out in space, ragdoll physics, and shooting up garbage, then this game is the right mix for you.

Even though I’ve gone through hundreds of iOS games in the past several years, some of the ones that I just keep coming back to are endless arcade games because, well, they are just downright tons of fun. These are the games that you can pick-up-and-play at any time, even if it is just a few moments to spare, and you can put them down just as easily when needed. These are not lengthy games, so they’re perfect for playing in short bursts throughout the day, and that’s always something I’m looking for in a mobile game. Plus, having a sense of humor doesn’t hurt either. So when the news of Waste in Space hit my inbox a week ago, I was intrigued because it combined pretty much everything I would want in a mobile arcade game.

The graphics in Waste In Space are a bit crudely drawn, giving it a jagged, cartoonish aesthetic that reminds me a bit of “South Park.” Despite the rough look, the animations are fairly smooth and fluid, which is always necessary since there is plenty of ragdoll physics involved here. The background color is always going to be rather dark, considering that you’re out in space, but the asteroids, floating bits of trash, coins, and the space station that you launch out from are all bright and vivid, contrasting nicely with the dark and cold reaches of space. The upbeat and quirky soundtrack is fun to listen to, and will help lift your mood for such a fun and lighthearted game. The sound effects are a nice touch too.

With Waste In Space, there is only one game mode and the goal is to swing through the asteroids and shoot the trash before they fall down onto Earth. I mean, yeah, sending all the garbage on the planet into orbit in space will get rid of it for now, but that stuff has got to come back down at some point, right? And that’s exactly what’s happening in Waste In Space. You get points for each piece of trash that you manage to destroy, with the larger ones nabbing you more points, of course. Other ways to earn points involve doing sick tricks and performing combos to maximize the points earned, and there is a ranking system with missions to complete in order to level up. You get some nice rewards for completing these tasks, so always make sure to look them over and strive to achieve them during each run.

The controls in Waste In Space are simple and intuitive, requiring just one touch on the screen to do anything. To make use of your character’s grappling hook, just tap-and-hold on the screen to latch on to the nearest asteroid. When you see pieces of trash floating around, just do quick taps on the screen to shoot and destroy them. Your ammo supply is finite, though, so you’ll have to try to acquire more along the way. If you have a boost power-up item, just slide your finger across the screen to activate it.

In addition to the trash floating around space, there are coins that you can collect as well. These coins are also earned by watching videos (it’s a free download, after all) and daily gifts, similar to games like Crossy Road. The coins are used to get prizes, which can be either new characters or gravity hats, both of which have their own special attributes. So not only do new characters and hats change your aesthetic, but they also change up the gameplay a bit.

I’ve only spent a little time with Waste In Space so far, but I’m enjoying the game quite a bit. The visuals are cute and humorous, the music is catchy, and the intuitive controls are super easy to pick up, but can be difficult to master. The gameplay is fun, crazy, and challenging, so you’ll always be coming back to the game in order to try and best your own scores. This is just a lighthearted game that anyone can enjoy, and it also has a nice lesson — that trash isn’t really going away just because you send it up to space.

I recommend giving Waste In Space a try if you’re looking for a fun time wasting arcade game this week. You can get Waste In Space – Endless Arcade Shooter on the App Store as a universal download for your iPhone and iPad for free with in-app purchases.

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Spiral Splatter

March 18, 2016 by macjeff

Spiral Splatter (Free) by Thumbspire Inc. is a deceptively simple arcade puzzle game that will keep you occupied for hours on end. If you enjoyed games like Primitives, then you will like what Spiral Splatter brings to the table.

In my spare time, I like to play video games. I have several different consoles at home, as well as handheld units, where I like to play my lengthy games. However, when it comes to iOS games, I could always go for either an arcade or puzzle game where I can just spend a few minutes playing it throughout the day. It’s the arcade games that keep my reflexes sharp and on point, while the puzzles stimulate my brain so it doesn’t completely turn to mush by the end of the day. Naturally, when you combine the two genres, you end up with a challenging, fast-paced puzzle that will keep you on your toes throughout the entire time. That’s why when I heard of Spiral Splatter, I was intrigued and had to check it out for myself.

Visually, Spiral Splatter is pretty simple and clean, which will definitely appeal to the minimalists out there. The game features brightly colored backgrounds with subtle color gradients, and contrasting white and black lines and objects in the foreground. The background colors represent the chapter that you’re in, so you can see your progression as you play. As you make mistakes, the screen will flicker red, and when you crash into a wall or obstacle and die, the entire screen shakes a bit and you leave a splatter behind. So as you die continuously by making the same mistake, the level becomes covered in paint splatters, almost like it’s a tribute to your failure (but it’s okay, really. Animations are smooth and fluid in the game, and there is a soothing, atmospheric soundtrack that is best experienced with a good pair of earbuds. The sound effects can be rather abrupt and sudden as you make mistakes, which serves as a nice disparity when compared to the tranquil music.

Right now, there are 11 different “stages” in Spiral Splatter, which are actually chapters. Each of these stages is broken up into about 10 levels each (the first only contains six), and like many games, it goes with a star system, so players can earn up to three stars on each level, depending on performance. The objective is simple: get the white ball to the target by guiding it through a maze. However, don’t be fooled — the game gets trickier and harder as you progress. Stars are earned by how fast you complete the stage, so the faster you are, without making mistakes, the better. Some levels are also longer than others, and there are checkpoints that let you start from that point, instead of the beginning, if you die. However, when you crash and die, you don’t necessarily have to restart the level, since you just re-spawn, but the timer keeps going. If you prefer to try again without making an error, then you can just restart.

The controls in Spiral Splatter are simple and intuitive. To move the ball through the labyrinths, just drag it through with your finger. While that sounds easy enough, be warned — your finger will partially block your view, which can cause you to get too close to the walls — this is when the screen will flicker red. But if you go too fast into a wall, then your ball shatters and you’ll have to try again from the last re-spawn point, or start over if you want to restart for a perfect attempt. As you get through the stages, new elements get introduced, such as lasers that need deactivating before you can pass, warping portals, moving walls, and much more. When you throw in the timer part, the game is incredibly challenging, since your finger naturally blocks part of the screen, and being rushed certainly leads to some unwanted crashes and splatters all over the maze. To add to the hectic action of the game, you don’t want to be too slow either — the ghost will catch up to you this way.

The only downside to Spiral Splatter is the fact that it is a free game, so there will be ads. These video ads will be shown after every few stages, and sometimes even when you just want to restart. It is a bit jarring to the whole experience, to say the least. To unlock and gain access to the other stages in the game, you need to have a certain amount of stars from previous levels. But if you are impatient, you can get unlock stages through in-app purchases of $0.99 a pop, and even get rid of ads with a separate IAP of $1.99. Another option is the $4.99 IAP that unlocks all stages and removes ads.

So far I’m enjoying Spiral Splatter. The visuals are simplistic but beautiful, the music is rather calming, though the sound effects add a bit of stress to the air, and the controls are simple but tricky. You have to be precise with your finger tracing in order to not mess up on the path, and the timers give a sense of urgency to it all, making it tricky to get the coveted three stars on every level. Still, the game holds rather high replay value, since you’ll want to come back and get all of those precious stars, and you can see how fast you are compared to your Game Center friends when it comes to completing a full stage. I just wish the ads weren’t so obnoxious at times, because it detracts from the overall experience. But I suppose that’s the reason why there are in-app purchases.

I recommend checking out Spiral Splatter if you’re in the mood for a challenging arcade puzzle game that tests your skills and makes you think at the same time. You can get Spiral Splatter on the App Store as a universal download for the iPhone and iPad for free with in-app purchases.

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Chased By The Sun

March 18, 2016 by macjeff

Chased By The Sun ($1.99) by Jonathan Rubinger is a somewhat endless runner where you must outrun, well, the sun. You know, that giant thermonuclear plasma ball that lights up the universe? It’s right behind your little green ship and will burn it up if you fall behind. If you enjoyed games like Tiny Wings, Space Chicks, and Ski Safari 2, then chances are high that you will like what Chased By The Sun has to offer.

When times are rough, I like to take my mind off of things by playing some games on my iOS device since I always have it on hand. While I do like lengthy games every now and then, I find myself playing quick mobile titles more frequently since I can enjoy them in short bursts throughout the day. Typically, these games are arcade style or puzzles, or even endless runner types. Regardless, they give me enough simple joy throughout the day to keep me from going insane at times. Plus, I love a bit of humor every now and then. So when the news of Chased By The Sun hit my inbox, I was eager to give the game a try, thanks to a hilarious trailer. Now that I’ve given the game a shot, I’m definitely not disappointed.

The graphics in the game are fairly simplistic but polished, so it looks pretty good on Retina screens. As you’d expect from a space-themed game, Chased By The Sun has an intergalactic backdrop that is full of dark and rich colors that contrast nicely with the pitch black darkness of the universe. The moons that you will be hopping onto are bright and vibrant, so they stand out nicely against the otherwise vast emptiness of space. The small asteroids are also clearly indicated whether they will harm your ship if you don’t go in the right order, or whether you are able to collect them as a resource. Everything in Chased By The Sun is also incredibly detailed, from the lavish backdrops to the textured surfaces of moons and asteroids. Animations are smooth and fluid, which is good since the game makes you move quickly due to the fast-paced nature of the sun being right on your tail. The soundtrack is also a nice touch to the game, since it has a rather suspenseful and thrilling tone to it, which is oh so fitting for you know, being chased by the sun that will eventually end you if the asteroids don’t.

In Chased By The Sun, the levels are split up into five different solar systems, with about five levels in each. While a total of 25 levels may not sound like a lot, the game is rather challenging, so it will take some time to get through all of the levels. Plus, the game utilizes a star system, so you can earn up to three medals on a stage by collecting enough minerals, being fast, and not dying so much. Your total score on a stage is also determined by these three factors, so the game forces you to think before you jump while also having you be quick about it. When both of these things are taken into consideration, Chased By The Sun is a real test of quickness, reflexes, and skill.

The controls in the game are simple enough: just tap on the screen to launch your ship from one moon to another. While you can tap while floating in space, your thrusters will lose momentum each time until you land again, so it is recommended to make your moves in a single bound. To control where your ship flies to, just tap on the spot you want to land on, and you’ll fly in that general direction. Sometimes there will be asteroids that surround a moon, which you’ll need to avoid since you die if you crash into it, or it’ll use up a shield. There are also some asteroids that are red, meaning they’re unstable, so you have to jump onto the moons in the right order to get them to turn green, allowing you to pass them and gather minerals from the surface. Due to this, the game has a bit of a puzzle element to it, as you’ll have to pay attention to the formation of the asteroids and moons, locating the correct path to take while making sure you don’t fall behind, because then you’ll be engulfed by scorching hot plasma, and well, that’s no fun.

Each stage will also be split up into several different sectors, and there are checkpoint gates that you can reach. These let you pick up from that point if you die, so you don’t have to start over from the beginning unless you want to (for the perfectionists). While the game doesn’t give you a limited number of lives, you do get penalized for each death in your final score, so while you technically get unlimited lives, it’s best to not be so haphazard about it if you care about high scores and earning stars. And while the game starts out pretty easy enough, the different systems introduce new game mechanics, such as detonating moons, flinging rocks, shattering ice, and more. Due to the rather testing nature of the game, it’s needless to say that the replay value is high, and there is also Game Center integration.

Due to some unfortunate events that have occurred in my life recently, I haven’t been able to spend as much time with Chased By The Sun as I originally planned. However, the short time I have spent with the game has been rather enjoyable so far, and I love the fine details that the developer gave to the visuals and audio. The one-touch controls are simple and intuitive, so you can play with one hand if you really tried (or have large enough hands). Chased By The Sun is definitely challenging, and I can see myself coming back to this one a lot, at least until I perfect each stage.

I recommend giving Chased By The Sun a try if you enjoy hectic arcade puzzle games. You can find Chased By The Sun on the App Store as a universal download on the iPhone and iPad for just $1.99. There are no in-app purchases.

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Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers

March 18, 2016 by macjeff

Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers ($4.99) by Power Place Publishing LP is an intense run-and-gun game that appeals to both hardcore gamers and casuals alike (though it is more difficult for the latter). If you enjoy challenging arcade games, then Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers will be right up your alley with the unique style, humor, and gameplay.

We’ve all encountered that problem before while doing laundry: one of our socks is missing, thus making a pair (possibly your favorite one) incomplete and somewhat useless if you like to match. For the average Joe, we just wonder where the missing sock has wandered off to, but may not think too much of it. But if you’re the guys behind Power Place Publishing, then you come up with a crazy, action-packed run-and-gun game that is based on a sock who is in search of his missing brother. I’m a big fan of development studios that can come up with completely original ideas for games and apps, so when I first heard of Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers, I was intrigued right from the start. Now that it is finally available, I must say that it certainly does not disappoint.

Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers has a stunningly gorgeous and polished art style that reminds me of comic books and graphic novels. There is a nice mix of cutscenes and gameplay, so it’s rather balanced in what you see on the screen. The game makes use of bright and vibrant colors and nice light rendering that make things seem flashy and a bit over-the-top, which fits with the overall theme. The levels are also incredibly detailed with small details and textures, and the world of Lost Socks is rather vast — I mean, how else are socks going to get lost? It has to be a big world out there for our cozy feet covers, right? The character models are rendered nicely with fluid movements, and the animations are smooth with no lag overall. There is also an upbeat and quirky soundtrack that is a delight to listen to, and the humorous and fun sound effects add a great finishing touch.

In Lost Socks, players will have to make their way through a large world map in order to find the missing sock brother and defeat the boss in order to get back home again. Like a lot of games, the levels are in a linear order, and you have to clear the previous stage in order to move on to the next. Up to three stars can also be earned on these stages, which depend entirely on how well you do. There are also missions that you can complete to earn more button coins, which are needed for better weapons, power-ups, and even character perks. However, all of this must be earned — the game is fairly difficult, and will take a lot of time and practice in order to be pretty good at it. Despite the difficulty level, the game can still be played by more casual gamers, but just be warned — it does get frustrating at times if you don’t time things properly.

Controls in the game are simple and straightforward. At the beginning of each level, your sock will run forward automatically, so you don’t have to worry about direction. Though this also makes the game more challenging, since you can’t go back, you’re going to have to make sure that you get the necessary actions right. In the bottom left corner is a button to jump: do quick taps on this to do hops, hold it down for a longer jump, or tap it again while in the air to puff up like a parachute and glide down. You have to understand which type of jump is best for the situations that come up on you, and it does take time to master. In the bottom right sector of the screen, you have a purple button for dashing (quickly sprint forward through hazards, and you are granted invincibility during the dash period), a blue button for firing your light weapon, and a red button for using your heavy weapon. Before you start a stage, you’re able to select which light and heavy weapon you want to equip, so you can always change gear to better suit what you’re up against after a few attempts.

In order to be good at Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers, you will have to master the timing and proper use of the controls, and believe me, it will take some time, even if you are a seasoned gamer. There is a brief tutorial in the beginning that will explain all of the controls to you, so I would recommend paying close attention to that. It’s a bit annoying that you can’t customize the controls to adjust the positioning, spacing, and even size of the buttons though, because I often found myself pressing the wrong button at dangerous times because they were a bit large and I have small hands.

To make things even more interesting in the game, there are some awesome combos that you can perform for bonus points on a level. You can view the combo list by tapping on the fist button on the world map screen, and it will tell you all of the available combos in the game and what you need to do to perform them. These can be pretty tricky to do, since many of them need exact timing, but they’re fun to learn and attempt, that’s for sure. With so many combos, as well as achievements, stars, and missions, it’s needless to say that Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers has some immensely high replay value.

Due to the difficult nature of the game, I’m still in the early stages of Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers. However, I am enjoying every moment of it, even though I just want to slam my phone down at times. The graphic style of the game is beautiful and reminiscent of Rayman and Earthworm Jim, so fans of those games will feel right at home here. The music and sounds are fun, and the controls are easy enough to understand, though I wish there was some customization options to make it more responsive. There are plenty of challenging levels and boss fights, missions to complete, weapons and upgrades to earn, and combos to perform. The high replay value of Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers is sure to keep you busy for quite some time.

I highly recommend giving Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers a try if you are in the mood for a crazy, over-the-top stylish auto-running arcade platformer. You can get Lost Socks: Naughty Brothers on the App Store as a universal download for the iPhone and iPad for only $4.99. There are no in-app purchases.

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