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Hands-on with 1-bit Ninja Remix Rush, the endless (speed) runner
See, I say “endless speed runner” because this Game Boy visuals-adorned endless runner's moment to moment play feels a lot closer to playing the classics of yore as fast as you possibly can, than just your average auto runner. 1-bit Ninja Remix Rush is as tough as it is pretty, mind, so if you're thinking you can just download and beat the highscore in my video, think again.…
1-bit Ninja Remix RushThe 12 best Nintendo alternatives on iOS - who needs Mario, Link, and Samus anyway?
It's a well known fact that Nintendo aren't likely to publish their titles on platforms that aren't their own any time soon. Sure, we may get minigame advertisements of their larger counterparts, or even companion apps for console games, but don't hold your breath for an official release of Pokemon on your iPhone. Don't despair though, as the App Store does contain some pretty decent alternatives to most of what Nintendo has to offer. Perhaps they won't ever match the feel of a fully fledged Nintendo title but, in their own way, they more than make up for the company's lack of presence on the platform. Here then are AppSpy's top 12 best Nintendo alternatives on the App Store. 1.&nbs…
Turn your phone into a skateboard with Gyro Skate, out now on iOS and Android
When I was but a wee lad, myself and the other kids would play with finger skateboards. These were miniature versions of actual skateboards that you - you guessed it - used your fingers to ride around with. Nowadays, the kids are using their phones for pretty much everything, so it makes sense for an app to be released to turn your mobile into a skateboard, right? Right?! It turns out Gyro Skate is actually a pretty cool app. You choose a trick based on a few different difficulties, then the app will show you a video of how exactly to flip or spin your phone to do the trick. You then have a go yourself, with the app using the gyroscope in your phone (just make sure yours has one) to…
Hands-on with Castle Rider, where a small white blob must collect stars and avoid being frozen
Team Signal's Castle Rider has been out for a while now, but this “endless ascension” title only just got onto our radar. It's a straightforward but fun action game, in which you need to balance a white blob on a ledge, avoiding obstacles, and collecting stars. The levelling up system is quite compulsive too. I went hands-on with it to give you some impressions on how it plays, you can nab Castle Rider from the iOS App Store via the link below this video. [App Store link]…
Hands-on with Wheel & Deal, the neon-drenched car chase arena shooter
Pink neon, an eighties soundtrack, shooting at endless cops, game changing power ups, and huge amounts of overdrive: that's Wheel & Deal is all about. It's an arena shooter of sorts, albeit with some car chase mechanics thrown in there too, plus presentation that is equal parts Miami Vice and Tron. Wheel & Deal will be available 22nd January on iOS at an initial launch price of $1.99 / £1.49, here's what it looks like in motion.…
Hands-on with Powder - Alpine Simulator, the minimalist snow carver
Powder - Alpine Simulator is a cross between an endless action game (like Impossible Road) and a simulation game. It's definitely much more in the arcade camp than the sim, but the feeling of carving through the powder feels surprisingly authentic. It's not a “realistic” game by any means, but when you're swooping through the trees and between rocks, attempting to out run an avalanche, you won't much care. Grab Powder - Alpine Simulator on iOS for free now via the link below this video, after you've watched it of course! [App Store link]…
Hands-on with Vertical Golf, the sky high club swinging sim
When you think of all the hazards that can happen on golf courses, suffering from vertigo probably wouldn't be the first thing you'd come to think of. Going knee deep into water, getting sand in your shoes, and the occasional rogue golf ball? Sure! But experiencing an extreme aversion to heights? It's not a regular occurrence. Not unless you're playing Vertical Golf, in which instead of smacking your ball out towards the horizon, you're smashing it skywards. Vertical Golf is available right now, you can find it on the App Store if you follow the link below this video. [App Store link]…
Hands-on with Flockers, an exclusive early look at the dark and fluffy puzzler from the makers of Worms
Though the company is best known for the Worms series, Team17 has a long and storied history of making games in all sorts of different genres - such as Superfrog, Body Blows, and Alien Breed. For 2015 the studio is bringing PlayStation 4 and Xbox One puzzler Flockers to mobiles and tablets. In AppSpy's exclusive early hands-on with the game - which will be released on the 14th January - you'll see a few of the earlier levels, get a taste of the dark humour, and watch as I get to grips with the fundamentals of play.…
Hands-on with Need For Speed: No Limits, or 'what the Real Racing 3 team did next'
As a fan of Real Racing 3, my interest was really piqued in Need For Speed: No Limits when I heard they'd gotten involved with the project. How would a race sim maker transition into making a more arcade-oriented title? Luckily I didn't have long to wait to find out, as the title has just now appeared on the App Store. Need For Speed: No Limits is currently in soft-launch in Taiwan, and the video below is from that version of the game. If you're interested in playing it for yourself, the link for which is underneath our hands-on video. [App Store link]…
7 brand new IPs coming to iOS and Android in 2015 that you need to know about
2014 was an excellent year for iOS and Android and that was largely down to an avalanche of incredible exclusive titles such as Monument Valley, World of Tanks Blitz, and Hitman Go. The trend looks set to continue in 2015 with an exciting batch of games already announced. This year could even do one better than the last too, as a fair few of these titles are brand new IPs altogether, which is exciting when you consider that last year's biggest games tended to be ports or mobile versions of already established IPs. Here then are seven of the best of these brand new IPs that are headed to iOS and Android later in 2015... 1. Project Phoenix - Eagle-eyed AppSpy viewe…
Hands-on with Wizard Golf RPG, a curious blend of high fantasy and firm fairways
I like to think that Gandalf would have enjoyed a spot of golf, perhaps while savouring a little Pipe-Weed. I reckon Frodo would make a good caddy too, though I imagine he wouldn't be welcome at Hole 19, bless him. Wizard Golf RPG doesn't star Gandalf, but it does feature a wizard attempting to make Par across multiple courses over various themed worlds, in this compelling blend of RPG and golf. Wizard Golf RPG is out soon, but is currently in soft-launch. You can find the link for it below our hands-on video. [App Store link]…
Hands-on with Gunslugs 2, the most hectic shooter I've played in months
The original Gunslugs was no walk in the park, but for Gunslugs 2 it looks like developer OrangePixel has significantly upped the ante. Huge explosions, massive tanks, and giant missiles are run-of-the-mill occurrences in this side scrolling shooter, and you can't move more than a few feet before a hail of bullets rains down all around you, or something violently explodes. It's pretty rad. Check out my hands-on below.…
Taichi Panda is an iOS action RPG featuring a massive panda, and it's out later this month
You know that feeling you get when you see something and instantly realise that it's been missing from your life? Well, apparently an overweight Tai Chi master panda beating up hordes of other bipedal animals in a beautiful Asian setting has been missing from mine. Taichi Panda is the game that gave me this realisation. It's an iOS action RPG due out later this month and it features two other playable characters: a barely dressed female treasure hunter named Lauren Catcher and an overly muscular fella named Lulandore. The panda Tai Chi master's name? Pan Da... but why don't we all ignore that terrible pun and check out the action-filled trailer below?…
The most exciting PC and console franchises headed to mobile this year
There was a time when the prospect of console-quality gaming on mobile appeared to be as far away in the future as jetpacks, hoverboards, and space travel. Well, not anymore, folks as we've already had some pretty epic-looking games hit mobile just last year and in 2015 the trend looks set to continue. Below we have our top list of the very best PC and console franchises that are set to hit our mobiles and tablets this year. Prepare your festively-battered wallets, AppSpies. If the list below is anything to go by, 2015 looks set to be an expensive year for the dedicated mobile gamer. 1. Need for Speed: No Limits - The very first mobile exclusive Need for Speed. Expect it to look…
Hands-on with Talisminery, in which Mr. Wong dives for talismans
Talisminery is a neat little endless action game from new indie developer Jan Hrnjak. It's a tough highscore chaser that's a little reminiscent of stuff like Flappy Bird and Swing Copters, and also features tight controls, a nice retro aesthetic, and endless potential for leaderboard competition. Want to try it for yourself? Grab it via the link below our video, and then let us know your highscore in the comments. [App Store link]…
