It's Friday; this is Andrew for AppSpy.com; and you can guess the rest - this is the Friday News Wrap-Up for the 22nd of June, 2012.
On the Rainslick Precipice of Darkness 3 - 'Soon'
I don't even know how we could have failed to report this sooner, especially when Zeboyd Games, the masterminds behind Cthulu Saves the World are behind the development of the third installment of Penny Arcade's On The Rainslick Precipice of Darkness series. Somehow we forgot to mention that not only is the third title making its way to iOS and Android devices, but is expected to be released 'soon' after the game's initial release on the 25th of July. By 'soon' we mean it could be another year of development, but hey, I'm always up for more modern JRPG homages to play on the go.
Darkside - Gorgeous new shooter releases 26th June
Dave has already reported on this title, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to show off the footage here in our Wrap-Up. For a free title, Darkside is looking drop-dead gorgeous and with any luck the gameplay will live up to the visual hype. Of course, there will be an IAP, though this is tentatively priced at $0.99 and will unlock two additional gameplay modes (on top of the free Arcade mode), while also allowing you to carry smart bombs. Keep an eye on our site for a review of this upcoming title.
Pocket Trains - The game that could have been
For those enjoying Pocket Planes, you might find it interesting to know that the game almost went in a completely different direction, pinning players down to the Earth on rails instead of gracefully flying through the air. Initial design mockups released by on of Nimblebit's own on the Something Awful forums shows a Train-based title, albeit one that never saw the light of day. Given the almost zen-like simplicity of the current iteration, I wonder if there's any merit in the developer considering something more robust - maybe a transport tycoon game of sorts - planes, trains and automobiles!
Chicken Doom - Bigfoot versus chickens, 'cause why not
Landing on the App Store next week is a very different take on the castle/tower defense genre as you strap in to a cannon and blast away poultry out to steal your corn. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but a premise like this reminds me that I'm long past the point of worrying about needing a legitimate story for an Arcade game - it has guns, there are things to shoot and explosions to be had. I'm sold. Chicken Doom is being released by BulkyPix for DogBox Studios and will be available from the 28th of June.
Mini-review: Mad Acorn (APD Inc.) $2.99 Univ.
Despite my personal belief that Mad Acorn by APD deserves a much larger review, I can't begin to express just how unexpectedly perfect this title ended up feeling upon first playing it, so it's probably best I keep things short. The game, which is ostensibly a rhythm title, is the first in the developer's new TapTap Comix project, providing interactive artistic collaborations. Combining the urban artwork design from South Korean studio MOSTAPES and an electronic, hip-hop inspired soundtrack, the game positively bursts from the seams with raw energy; it may not be to everyone's liking, but the marriage of sound and art in Mad Acorn is almost flawless. Players will tap their way through several chapters, defeating a big-bad boss at the end of each, and while this may seem all-too-simple for some, 'hidden' beats are also available for players to find, adding to their score if they 'go with the flow'. For $2.99 it may be a bit pricey, especially considering its shelf-life, but if you're the kind of person that places presentation over complexity, this is an easy game to recommend. (4/5)
Pick of the Week: Velocirapture (PikPok Adult Swim) $0.99 Univ.
Despite the addictive release of NimbleBit, and many others over the last week, I have to award this week's Pick to a game that managed to make me laugh and truly absorbed me from the moment I started playing. Velocirapture may not be the most complex or robust of Arcade titles, but from its startlingly simple, yet effective controls, to the humorous concept, PikPok and Adult Swim's latest collaboration is another smash hit. If you only have $0.99 to spare this week, throw it towards this title; you're guaranteed at least a smile, if not a long-lasting game.
Much like the start I'm going to keep the ending short - I have to sprint out the door once this is wrapped up, but we've got plenty of news, reviews and features to catch up on, so do make sure you're subscribed, and keep an eye on us via Twitter or Facebook. Those who like plushy toys may want to keep an eye on our site over the next week as we may be running a competition, but that's the only spoiler I can give. Have a great weekend!
Additional Links:
Mad Acorn - https://www.appspy.com/mad-acorn-review
Velocirapture - https://www.appspy.com/velocirapture-review
OTRPOD 3 Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zwQN7Hoy7mA
Darkside iOS Gameplay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EzMwv0YTvoU
Pocket Trains Design Mockups - https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3444666&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=307#post404587986
Chicken Doom Gameplay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U76KF1FKmEg&feature=player_embedded
