1st Impressions

This game is a beautifully rendered version of that game folks my age played when we were kids…you know, back before mobile game devices. The premise is simple. Slide the pieces around until the numbers are in order. Once you solve it, a quick tap randomizes it again for more game play. There are other apps out there that do this, but it would be hard to find one that does it better.  The game is $0.99 in the iTunes store.

Special thanks to Jerad and The App Podcast for the promo code for this app.

I review a lot of games or apps that don’t even stay on my iPhone until the review is completed. This one is a keeper though. It is the easy to learn and hard to master puzzle formula that has made these peg games a success for generations. Pegged currently has 7 levels of increased difficulty and is available for $0.99 in the iTunes store.

Special thanks to Jerad and The App Podcast for the promo code for this app.

iRomance is one of a couple of games in the iTunes store with a goal of helping you and that special someone spice things up. The game as it currently exists is rated PG. This was a requirement to get past the Apple approval process. (It is kinda dumb to allow countless apps that make bodily noises but turn down one that mentions parts with such generic terms as “chest”, but that is the Apple world we live in.) Future versions of the game plan to add customized actions and locations, so that will solve Cupertino’s prudish attitudes. Right now though, the app contains 450 different phrases. If that isn’t enough to get you started, something is broke. . One nice feature is that timed events actually include a timer, as seen in my screenshot, but it only appears when needed.

My only negative about the game is that the font used for “her” turn was a bit hard for me to read. I’d also like some kind of progression in the actions over a pre-determined amount of game play. Customization with player names would be nice as well. Since this app is in current development, I would not be surprised to see these features in a future release.

iRomance is currently $0.99 in the app store and I think will ultimately offer much more than those dice games that compete with it. Check it out.

In the same game genre as Diner Dash, Hospital Havoc is a wonderful time/resource management game. This latest and much anticipated version addressed all the memory issues that I had been having. The game loads quickly and game play is very addictive. Different patients require different cures, a nurse and ocassional powerups exist to assist you, and you will need every bit of that help. Extra points are given for cleanliness, but finding time for that is a challenge.

The game includes 20 career levels, 3 levels of difficulty, 17 different illnesses to deal with, and a customizable continuous mode. Hospital Havoc is on sale for &1.99 until March 15th. At that price, it’s a great buy.

This game showsca lot of promise for a buck. Be warned though, it is a 55MB download. I think a lot of that is the videos that play while it downloads whatever section of the city you are exploring. Game play involves raiding dumpsters for stuff, chatting or fighting with people you meet, balancing out your character abilities/strengths, and so forth. My only complaint right now is that load times for initial game startup or moving to different areas of they city really break up the smooth game play.  Of course, set in New York City and involving Super-Heroes, I had to choose the ID of Doc Savage.  Say hello if you ever run into me!

I am surprised at how well I like this addicting and relaxing game. The graphics are lovely and the sound soothing enough that I have actually used it to soothe me to sleep. The object of the game is simple. Find and pick up 5 shells and you get a bottle. Launch the bottle with a note inside. Other people find your bottles and you find theirs. Once you have a message, you can respond to it. The higher your level of interaction, the more you find.

You never know where your bottles are going to show up. On my recent birthday, I got well-wishes from five different countries. The game is cheap enough that you should try it. You ms be like me and get surprised at how well you like it.

I have to say that I have a new favorite game. Zentomino is the perfect puzzle game. The graphics are amazing, the music soothing, it is easy to learn, and game play promises to be endless. The $2 game comes with an initial 150 or so puzzles, but is from the same developer as TanZen, which is constantly being updated with more. The same is promised here. Definately falls into that must-have list for me.