Impossible Pixel is a strategic platform game by 99 Up Games. The goal is simple - reach the end of each level, all whilst avoiding death. Your death can be brought about by many different elements, primarily spikes and razor blades.
The game has recently been upgraded to introduce iPad support so you can play it on that bigger screen. Honestly, it works just fine on the smaller iPhone screen.
Unfortunately, I am going to start off on a negative. The initial loading screen, before the menu is shown, takes far too long for my liking. The game itself isn't a large file, in fact it's rather tiny compared to some out there, yet it takes a good few minutes for the game to load all of it's core components before initialising the menu screen.
Game play is really quite fluid, although does have some hiccups. The game can sometimes fail to register your finger pressing on the jump button, meaning certain death.
Also, each level is ranked at the end dependent on your performance - the maximum amount of stars for each level is 3. Each level I have played has resulted in low stars regardless of how well I perform. I really am unsure as to what is exactly expected in order to take home those 3 golden shiners.
The app store description states that an update is being worked on, so perhaps the minor issues I have covered will be resolved. If so, the game will be a perfect little time killer and great alternative to the 3D powerhouse games of modern times. As mentioned in an earlier app review I love retro themes and basic designs. I just feel that more time spent on the game mechanics, rather than insisting on perfect graphics, is a sure fire way to rank highly among the gaming community.
Impossible Pixel is definitely worth a try. Thanks to AppGratis you can get hold of a copy right now, completely free of charge. Great game play that doesn't pinch your pennies, how can you ask for any more.
Save The Cubes is a new puzzle game that sees you in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Your goal is to entice the infected, using brains as bait, to their demise. This could be falling to their deaths, flying off the screen or landing on spikes - either will count as a kill and allow you to progress.
So far, there are 4 different areas each with 12 levels to take on. The difficulty increases as you progress, like most puzzle and strategy games. The initial levels are there to teach you the ropes and ease you in - Save The Cubes does a decent job of doing this.
The game play is, for the most part, responsive but can at times be a little slow, bordering buggy. For example, on more than one occasion I have had to restart a level because the infected will simply not follow the smell of brains. This can be quite frustrating in the later rounds when there is a lot more thinking involved, and thus further work. Having to restart a level under these circumstances is not ideal.
The graphics are very simple, using basic back drops and cubes instead of advanced character models. I personally like this, it keeps the overall file size smaller and gives it a nice retro feel.
There seems to be a lot of criticism in the undead area of the market. A lot of apps follow the same ideologies - a group of survivors, or maybe just the one, completing missions and killing mass amounts of zombies in the process. I like the different approach of Save The Cubes. It's a simple game with low quality graphics, but it's a puzzle game that really makes you put some thought into your game play.
I thoroughly enjoyed playing this one. It got my brain into gear and kept me occupied during a slow period in the day.
Put simply it's a game that you really should give some consideration, especially if you are into the puzzle and/or zombie genre.
Save The Cubes is available right now, completely free of charge. It is compatible with both the iPhone and iPad. Find more information HERE.
Twang the fox, as bizarre as it may look, is rather quite addicting. It is a physics based game that sees you catapulting determined Twang towards the portal at the end of each level, all whilst collecting the little trinkets along the way. Join Twang in the race to save his family from the rival ringmaster, before it's too late....
There is a maximum 3 star ranking for each level which is scored based on your performance on that particular level. If you collect all the trinkets you receive 3 stars, for example.
As expected, each level gets harder as you progress (nobody said it would be easy). You must navigate past mines, avoid the pinball bouncers, not get stuck on the islands, all whilst ensuring you do not fall into the rising water below.
What I like most about the app is you have complete freedom over Twang's movements. You can decide which direction he bounces in, how fast he bounces (length of the band) and whether you will collect all the trinkets or just go for the fastest game completion you possibly can.
According to the app store description, there are over 60 different levels to go through which makes this packed full of enjoyable game play. Also, with 6 different scenes, you are sure to not get bored - a change of scenery always helps.
The richness, and amount, of levels shows that the developer, PikPok, has really taken time and effort to bring together a masterpiece in time killing and they do it to perfection.
If there is one bug bear I have with the app, it's the fact that you can only play in portrait mode. Whilst I believe it is easier to play in this orientation due to the upward motion of the levels, I still feel it would have been nice to give the user a choice.
You can download Twang the fox from iTunes today. If I were you though, I would pick up a copy whilst it is still free because there is no telling just when PikPok will start introducing a charge for it. Link to the app HERE.
Garage inc HD is and iPad time management game. I personally love time management games and came across this app whilst browsing the store for something new to fill another slot on my iPad home screen. I was delighted with the result.
Firstly, it isn't a free app. Garage inc HD will set you back £1.99 but it's worth every penny.
The storyline is fantastic and really sets the game apart from the rest. Every few missions you get a cut scene which further progresses the storyline and gives you a better connection with the game. No more of this slugging away doing the same thing all the time, like some other time management games. Each level is totally different and the cut scenes can either work in your favour, or leave you picking up the pieces in the next mission.
I found myself not being able to put my iPad down the entire time I was playing. I know it's a cliché but it is just one of those games you don't want to stop playing.
There is hours of game play here as well. I've been playing solidly for well over 2 hours and it looks like plenty of the game is still left to go. What better value for money is there on the app store, in the same category, at the moment! I would find it hard to find one that even compares to Garage inc HD!
The graphics are really well done. The HD aspect takes it that one step further. I myself have an iPad 2, so I cannot comment on whether or not it looks better on the later iPads with their retina displays. I would imagine it does.
Overall, a really well thought out, well designed and well created little app that no time management lover's iPad should be without. I'm not the only one giving this glowing reviews, see the feedback on the app store HERE.
Notice: I was not paid, rewarded or gifted for writing this review. It is my own opinion following the lengthy playthrough of the game. I have not been contacted by the developer to ask for a written review.
