Latest Articles
Mario Kart 8 is not as good as Angry Birds Go!, and here's why...
No, it isn't. It isn't. Isn't. Isn't. Isn't. Seriously, it's not. Okay, want more convincing? Fine. I've created a factually accurate three and a half minute long video for you, so that we clear this matter up once and for all. If you still think Mario Kart 8 is anywhere near as good as Angry Birds Go! after that then, well, I'll eat my hat. Oh and a huge thank you to Steve K Peacock, Mark Paterson, and Kyle Brown, whose awesome Mario Kart 8 replays I've pilfered footage from.…
Sky Force 2014 Review
The original Sky Force came out on mobile devices in 2004. It was a great looking mobile game for its day, and fantastic shooter to boot. Now, a decade later, Sky Force 2014 is looking to do the same again with the benefit of modern tech. Sky Force 2014 retains the tight shmup combat and vertically scrolling levels of the original. As before, you must attack approaching targets, while trying to avoid the halestorm of bullets the game throws at you. A responsive one-to-one contr…
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challengeMonster Hunter Freedom Unite for iOS is coming to the US App Store
Capcom’s Monster Hunter series has always been popular in Japan, but has struggled to make the transition to western markets. Now, having been out in its home territory for some time, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite for iOS is making its way to to other markets. Monster Hunter is an apt title for a series that has you hunt, trap, and kill monsters for the valuable materials they offer. These can then be crafted to form more powerful equipment in order to hunt larger creatures. The satisfying feedback loop this provides is further enhanced by the multiplayer aspect, in which hunting larger game requires you to work as a team - all fulfilling different roles in the hunt. The series' pop…
Rival Knights Review
There aren't many medieval sport simulators on App Store. Enter Rival Knights, a game which casts you as a lowly knight who must battle his way through the noble jousting leagues to earn riches and status. Matches begin with you stirring your steed into action. Once charging down the lane, you must build up speed. Spurring on your horse is achieved by the act of stopping a marker on target as it scrolls back and forth along a meter. The final stage of combat has you drop you…
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Hitman Go creators to release Hitman: Sniper for iPhone and iPad later this year
Square Enix Montreal has just popped the scope cap off its brand new Hitman project: a free-to-play shooter for iOS called Hitman: Sniper. Developed by the team behind the excellent board game-style mobile tie-in Hitman Go, this game is said to focus on "the subtlety of execution." We hope this means that you'll get to spend your time selecting locations and choosing the perfect moment to take out your target, as opposed to charging in all guns blazing. According to the announcement, the game will share a genetic link with Io-Interactive's Hitman: Sniper Challenge, the companion app that was released alongside Hitman Absolution. One of the thing we liked Hitman Go was the fact it had be…
Hands-on with Wrong Way Racing, the tough-as-nails one-tap racer
It may look sweet. It may look unassuming. It may have super-simple gameplay. But you know what? I think that if you give Wrong Way Racing a few minutes of your time, you might just be ensnared, as I am, by its one button dodging and wonderful sense of confusion and speed. A racer in looks only, this cutesy game of pure skill has you tapping the screen to change lanes and avoid oncoming vehicles. I think it's awesome. Click play below to find out why.…
Hands-on with Quadblast, the vibrant, highscore chasing tilt-em-up
If you're after an arcade-centric game of avoiding and blasting enemies while an electronic dance music soundtrack thumps along in the background - and really, who isn't? - then Quadblast could well be the game for you. This free-to-play blend of dodging and shooting comes packaged in a bold and colourful aesthetic, and features perfectly pitched gyroscope controls. Press that trusty play button on the video below to see it in motion.…
First episode of stealth hacker Republique is now available free on iPhone and iPad
The first episode of Camouflaj’s episodic stealth game Republique is currently available for free on the App Store. Set in a dystopian future, Republique has you helping a girl named Hope as she flees for her life through an oppressive city state. Acting remotely, you view the action through security cameras, hacking various electronics in the world to clear a path, and letting Hope know when its safe to run. Hacking games seems quite de rigueur at the moment, exemplified by apps like Watch_Dogs Companion: ctOS Mobile. Featuring tons of computer tinkering fun, this tie in to Watch_Dogs gives you control of the city's security system, letting you chase down console an…
Free-to-play shmup Sky Force 2014 has just flown onto the App Store
Sky Force was an impressive-looking mobile shump back in the Java days of 2004. Now, ten years later, Infinite Dreams has bought it back as free-to-play shooter Sky Force 2014. A lot has changed in a decade, most notably in the visual department. While the original looked good for its time, this new instalment is stunning. The 3D graphics models bring notable depth to the smooth top-down combat. This is made all the more impressive thanks to the beautiful explosion and lighting effects that fill every screen. The one-to-one touch controls have you dragging your little ship around the screen constantly shooting its cannons. However, in an interesting twist to this tried and tested system…
Eye on the App Store: Rival Knights, Sky Force 2014, and more on Twitch! (5pm UK | 9am Pacific | 12 noon Eastern)
It's the middle of the week - you know what that means. No, not a general feeling of ennui and exhaustion! It means it's time for our weekly installment of Eye on the App Store over on our Twitch channel. As per usual, we'll be looking at the latest releases of the week. Some out at midnight tonight, some already out, and one that's returning to the App Store. A veritable mix on all accounts! Today our headliner are Rival Knights, Sky Force 2014, 99 Bricks Wizard Academy, and Scuba Diving Adventures, but there may be one or two more up our sleeves. Please come along to discuss all the games out this week, throw a question or two at us, and generally have a nice wee chat over on T…
BIOSIS Review
Apparently, Biosis is a suffix that means “mode of life." Fittingly, it's a great way to describe the main theme of this squishy, creature-manipulating 2D physics puzzler. You must guide a tiny organism through a hostile world towards a goal. Your little blob is a bit useless, however, so you must rely on other creatures in the world to push and pull it towards its destination. Every one of the lifeforms you use to guide your organism to the exit has two states. Tapping on a cr…
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Hands-on with Scuba Diver Adventures, Chillingo's drop-dead gorgeous diving sim
Though Scuba Diver Adventures initially came out very briefly a month ago, it was quickly pulled from the App Store due to having a scene that was a little too close to the recent Malaysian aeroplane accident. However, after a few tweaks, it's now heading back to iPhone and iPad for all to play. How are the IAPs handled in this free-to-play diving sim? Is it easy to control your character? Just how good are the visuals? And is this the worst acting in a video game in recent months. Check out our hands-on video below to find out.…
Jousting simulator Rival Knights charging onto iPhone and iPad tonight
Hear ye, hear ye! Gameloft has just revealed its upcoming jousting game, Rival Knights. What's more, it's galloping onto the App Store this very night. Starting you off as a lowly competitor in the medieval sport of jousting, Rival Knights challenges you to rise through the ranks to become one of the finest lancemen in the land. Think of it as the career mode in FIFA, only with more armour and fewer injuries. Rival Knights will feature a huge variety of upgrades for your armour and jouster. The developer has also gone to thr trouble of using motion capture for the game's animations - though we suspect this will just be for the knights and not their noble steeds. If the daft trailers a…
King's match-three puzzle sequel Bubble Witch Saga 2 has just bounced onto iPhone and iPad
Bubble Witch Saga 2, the latest free-to-play match three puzzler from Candy Crush Saga creators King, has just appeared on the App Store. This latest installment in the Bubble Witch series has you reprising the role of Stella the witch in her battle against dark spirits. To fend off these evils she must take down groups of coloured bubbles by firing her own orbs towards them. When her shots meet with two or more bubbles of the same colour they disappear, with any bubbles attached beneath crashing down as a result. The game features 50 levels, with more promised every two weeks. Returning fans of the franchise may also notice new game modes to test your bubble bouncing skills. If th…
AppSpy Plays: Battleheart Legacy, live on Twitch! (5pm UK | 9am Pacific | 12 noon Eastern)
Just in case our video review of Battleheart Legacy last week wasn't enough to help you decide on picking up Battleheart Legacy, we'll be playing it as part of our regular Twitch broadcasting. Our Alex called the game an "attractive, fully-featured action-RPG with elegant controls, let down only by its slightly laborious combat system." If you have already bought it, fret not - we still need you to come along and point our James in the right direction! Give us your best hints, tips, and techniques so that we can storm through the session for our onlookers. The stream starts over on our Twitch channel at 5pm UK / 9am Pacific / 12 noon Eastern, but we'll have a short little natter with…
