Lightning Review

Minigore by Chillingo

Reviewer: Bryan Simonson / Director

John Gore, battles the dark furry creatures that come from the shadows. This game has not been out for long and have not been able to log much time. Minigore has made a great first impression as a well-polished game. The UI is complete as the gameplay packed in a nice simplistic box easy to navigate. They use Open Fient to log global scores that brings an addicting element to this game like many others using this service. It is not without a few minor bugs at least on the 3GS running OS 3.1 Beta 3, I have not been able to test it on the 3G 3.0 or iTouch 2nd gen as of yet. I would like to hear others comments on this as the game crashed when trying to view global ladderboards this might just be pertaining to “3.1 Beta 3.”

Official Website: Chillingo.com

iTunes Link:

Process:         Minigore [64]
Identifier:      Minigore
Version:         ??? (???)
Code Type:       ARM (Native)
Parent Process:  launchd [1]

Date/Time:       2009-07-29 20:54:42.249 -0700
OS Version:      iPhone OS 3.1 (7C116a)
Report Version:  104

Exception Type:  EXC_BAD_ACCESS (SIGSEGV)
Exception Codes: KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS at 0×49735458

It only seems to be an issue on 3.1 Beta 3 as I did not get it to reproduce on iThouch 2nd Gen 3.0. I have submitted the issue to Chillingo in hopes that they can address it prior to 3.1 releases if it is an issue. I will update with a more in-depth review soon. Although, I will have to say after brief play it is well worth the $0.99 so go pick up your copy today.

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iCollider is a unique game in the arcade genera of games. This game is a great start to an even greater finished product. The over all play of the game is fun and addicting, however, it does not posses a competitive element. I received this game for free  on July 24th it is now $1.99. iCollider could use some basic improvements to the UI and would benefit from a online ladderboard comparison. The purpose of this game is very clear maintain less than 10 atoms to keep your critical mass meter down while trying to create combination’s of atoms to collide. It sounds easy but actually is not, Rashid Nasibulin was very creative and implemented different types of atoms that react differently than one another. The bomb atom is one of the most frustrating. Trying to keep at least a few atoms on the screen without exceeding 10. If a bomb atom is released the player has a specified amount of time to collide a neutron from another atom with the bomb. As you increase your skill it will introduce new atoms and the game becomes faster pace. iCollider is worth the $1.99

Official Website: skywardsgames.com

iTunes Link:

This user interface is clean and simple also allowing the continuation of an interrupted game.

The instructions are easy to understand

The screen warping upon impact is a great graphical feature as this game really has some clean graphics and well thought out game play.

The goal as stated earlier in review is to keep less than 10 atoms on at all times to avoid critical mass meter from going up. The point system is clear as you want to create as many chain reactions as possible with the atoms that explode releasing neutrons. The one thing that need to be changed is the “reset high score option,” I found myself and others pressing it thinking it is the back button.

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Lightning Review

Fleet Air Superiority Training

Review By: Travis Otis

F.A.S.T. is a very fun game with a very nice multiplayer rating system allowing you to play friends or similar ranked players. The mission mode starts off easy enough but will take several attempts to finish later missions. Excellent graphics and controls are very good. The price has considerably dropped from it’s old price of $9.95 to $1.99. Highly recommended for any Flight Sim fans.

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Reviewer: Bryan Simonson / Director SemiQuasi

Nimblebit has came through once more. This is nothing short of their other titles: Scoops, Sky Burger, Textropolis, Hanoi Plus, Kyper, and many more. If you have not purchased this title or any others, I recommend you do so as this game fulfills the arcade genera of gaming. The object of Moon Drop, is to land all the lunar craft on the landing pad and colonize the moon.

Official Web Site: nimblebit

Appstore Link:

The user interface is very simplistic. This is my favorite feature of any iPhone game is the ability to disable sounds at start up. This avoids any of those embarrassing moments. I know all of us have had one with the iPhone. The other day I heard someone start up chicktionary in a restroom stall, “I found this very amusing.”

The instructions are very easy to understand, however it does take some time to get use to the zero gravity flight of your space craft.

The circle on the screen is produced when you touch the screen causing the space craft burners to ignite. This either directs the craft in a opposite direction just like polar opposites.

After landing the lunar lander, a small astronaut will come out and jump off the screen. Every wave will update the total score.

Global/local scoring features make this game competitive, giving the ability to compare with others players living locally and globally.

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VCA v2.2 by Cyandesign

Reviewer: Bryan Simonson / Director SemiQuasi

“Cyandesign, managed to bring an alarm clock to the table that makes sense.” I seldom need to use the alarm clock on the iPhone only during travel. This is the missing alarm clock that Apple never had. The voice activated features is the missing link between ordinary and extraordinary. Not only can the alarm be deactivated by sound you can also view the clock by any small sound depending on the sensitivity of the microphone settings. The option to turn off voice unlock is however nice as it gives an option to conserve battery. However, if the decision is to maintain voice lock on, I would recommend using this application with the base stand. It does require a slightly larger load on the battery; due to the microphone constantly sampling for noise. 

Official Website: Cyanmedia

Appstore Link:

 It has different clocks for darker situations, “not as bright facings.”

The alarmed dial phone number option is great, for a reminder of calling someone back.

Improvements I would like:

1. Voice time announcements: I could just clap or say time and it will read the time.
2. Optional digital display readout.
3. Loudness would like to see optional ring-tone access.

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Reviewer: Bryan Simonson /Director Semiquasi

 iRodeo, has brought some old fashion bull riding fun and made it a quick arcade hit. Like any rodeo, “what would it be without the sport of bull ridding.” However, this is not a boring simulator it has an arcade eliminate. I have no other word for the graphics besides cute; the reminder of a Pixar production. 

Official Page Info: DevSisters.com

 

User Interface is clean and simplistic with an easy game explanation/tutorial. tilting the iPhone(tm) with a bull riding motion to mimic your iPhone bucking.

the rage meter is fun, player must spin the rage ring around clockwise in order to lower the bull’s rage in a given amount of time.

Skill levels are issued based on the length of bull ride. The records are saved and submitted to high scores.

Improvement that could benefit game: I would like to see global scores being added so we can compare bull-rides with others on the Internet.

The graphics are very “cartoonish,” I find it appealing for short-play time. iRodeo is great for the few minuets that you have before your number is called at an eating establishment.

List of suggested improvements that I would like to see in future updates of this application:

1. Multi-player 3G, Edge, Wifi, Bluetooth w/OS3.0 where you are in a head to head match-up with opponent. The opponent is also viewable on screen, like in new upcoming application “Slugger. by: Com2Us.” 
2. Global published scoring.
3. taunts the bull feature or opponent in multi-player
4. Multi-player chat pre-game chat
5. Additional game after you fall off bull you must get away, with rodeo clowns ect..

Overall iRodeo by Dev Sisters is worth the $0.99 I would suggest picking this one up as it has quick game play, enjoyable for that short wait anywhere. 

iTunes Link 

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Reviewer: Bryan Simonson / Director SemiQuasi

Real Tennis 09′ (RT09), Is a graphical masterpiece on the iPhone ™ considering what gameloft has to work with spec wise. This game is beautiful with rich game play and features. This game does lack multi-player over 3G or Edge but does have WIFI. I am sure there will be many applications updated, in addition to older games allowing multi-player features once OS 3.0 come out next month. Gameloft gives the option to use a D-pad or joystick style controls. Although, I have yet to master these controls and the game as you can tell by the video I am sure anyone can adapt the learning curve is however a bit steeper than “Virtual Tennis.”

User Interface: absolutely polished and stunning. The video shows the UI in action the game plays well, direct audio was used on SD HD Camera. SemiQuasi is a non-profit, so it will be a while before we can afford an HD camera, this is our next priority.

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Director SemiQuasi

ARB Studios, producers of Tiki Golf 3D have come away with a clean arcade style mini golf game.

Three game modes

1. Pineapple adventure: Object is to collect 3 or more Pineapples prior to sinking your ball
2. Tiki Putt: Is an adventure mode where you play virtual opponents to gain unlocks
3. Time Trial: You have a given amount of time to complete the course. “I find this mode to be my favorite.”

The Graphics: Well done! the back drop looks like you are playing FarCry the frame rate is decent although I have noticed lag time to time.

Roller Coaster feel to the ball viewpoint camera, after you put it follows the ball in first person.

I found the ball controls for aiming to be backwards; although, this could just be me.

Ski-ball style target very miniature golf.

Official Video: taken from developers site.

ARB can be found in the link above if you would like to drop them a line and read about their other products please do so.

SemiQuasi, is committed to helping others if their is something you would like to see more of post a comment or drop us a line via the contacts page.

Thank you,

SemiQuasi.com

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Director SemiQuiasi

Off Center Software has brought back a classic and made it better. If you are allot like me I had my first crack at pipe style game on Windows 3.1. & Mac on Macpipes. Off Center has made some improvements by bringing in a “Next Piece,” display much like “EA Tetris.” This game is quick to offer some fun however it could use some minor improvements to make it a bit more interesting. However, the need for minor improvements does not affect the game play in anyway. If you enjoy a puzzle style game I would recommend this at $0.99 or give it a try with Toobz Free

Toobz iTunes Link $0.99

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Review By: Bryan Simonson

Director SemiQuasi.com

matmi, has come up with an intricate and elegant pinball game. Most will find pinball to be an easy fast fix when coming into a short period of time. This is not to be mistaken with other pinball titles. I find myself wanting more than just a quick fix with the progressive listing of high scores, naturally wanting to compete and always improve placement.

Monster Pinball has a fresh and simplistic User Interface. Not much more you can ask for in a pinball application

They game play is very intense as you find this game to be visually stimulating, it is almost to the point of having to much going on in some screens and others not enough.

Each new screen that you progress to or regress back into is different. They all have something special about them, one way or another. Each introducing new sound effects.

The physics is what makes this game a step above the norm. “The Bowl” is a great demonstration of how the physics is utilized in this application. The ball swirrles around the bowl and becomes sucked into the center, were there is four points in which it can be ejected from.

This is one of my favorite screens to reach. I feel the need to make the ball into the bottom of the platform where the alien is stuck into the vacume and eletricuted.

Every level has its little theme I found this game and worth every penny.

The Global Scores System allows you to set goals that I really enjoy trying to beat previous high scores.

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