Toy Bot 2 is the second chapter of the popular game series Toy Bot. I reviewed the first chapter of the game a while back and this game is virtually the same as before. Of course there are some new things in the game and this review will focus on those aspects of the game so bang it here for the review of the first game.

What’s new

The game now takes place in more areas then the first game. This makes the game more enjoyable because every level is somewhat different then the last, unlike the last game. Of course with the new title comes better graphics. The levels are all in great quality and the character sprites look great and the game is a stunning for a 2D style game.

The controls are a little tighter then before and the game feels a lot less frustrating. Unlike the last version however I had issues with figuring out certain puzzles. In the first game I could figure them out after a few tries but with this one it takes a little longer to get them down. This makes the game a little more challenging and makes the game worth purchasing over the original. 

More of the same

Because this is more like a continuation then a sequel the game remains basically the same. The gameplay still focuses on using tilt controls to move and using touch screen controls to use the gravel hook to climb the levels. 

Remember the is just a continuation of the first game and not an entirely new game so if you own the first one you know what you are getting. If you never bought the first game I would recommend this game over that one because of the new difficulty and updated levels/graphics. 

The game is available in the App Store for $3.99

Dr. Awesome and Dropship are two smaller titles that should be under the $4.99 price tag, much like MazeFinger (free)and Topple($0.99). Rolando on the other hand is one of the most hyped games for the iPhone. The game promises innovative gameplay using both touch and tilt controls. 

Expect a full review of all three games and info on them when they launch this month. 

Dr. Awesome 

Dropship

Rolando

The long awaited iPhone game Kroll has been released. The game that features unmatched graphics and retro gameplay looks to be the first major hit for Apple’s mobile device. Unfortunately the game is rather short, roughly and hour to two to beat the whole thing, but that shouldn’t take away from the greatness of this game.

I have played it for well over an hour and I can say that the on screen controls work well and the game remindes me of the classic arcade games like Golden Axe. The game costs $7.99 and is rated 9+ for violence.

Features:

“iGolf simulates a driving range experience, players swing their iPhones as they would a real club, then look to the screen to see their shot sail over a driving range, ultimately revealing the distance of the drive.  Players literally improve their golf swing, anytime and anywhere and by saving their high scores they can challenge friends to out-drive them.

iGolf, is an envelope-pushing application, the iPhone’s accelerometer detects the mechanics of a golf swing to determine the quality and distance of each drive.  At the bottom of a swing, the phone vibrates and replicates the familiar “thwack” sound of a golf ball being struck.”

That is the description for the newly released app iGolf. The game is not listed as a game because it is considered to be a simulation for improving your golf swing.

The game features 3D graphics and responsive controls and for the game being free this is a game you must download, especially if you are a golfer.

The game features easy controls to learn. You spin the monkey around by swiping the screen in the direction you want him to move in. The object is to collect “good items” with your hands and feet and to avoid “bad items” with your hands and feet.  This simple gameplay is highly addictive and rarely gets old. Early on in the game you will realize that just spinning the monkey won’t deflect all the objects. There is a move where you can spin the monkey crazily and it will deflect all of the incoming bad things.

There are new things here and there in the gameplay and it keeps the game fresh. Another great thing is that no level plays the same way twice and with 50 different levels you can do the math but its easier to say that this game has serious replay ability. If you are into the quick pick up and play games this is the perfect game for you.

The graphics are solid and the presentation is outstanding. If you have $1.99 then you should pick up this game, its Nintendo DS worthy.

The wait is over folks! Spore for the iPhone and iPod Touch has been released. The new game from Will Wright, the Sims, was released for the PC/Mac yesterday and so far has recieved good reviews. The game was also released to for the iPod clickwheel line but this version has several exclusive features.

• Tilt, turn and twist your way through the primordial ooze with your motion-sensing accelerometer

• Pinch, pull and poke your creation in the Creature Editor, customizing the texture, shape and body parts to fit the way you play.
• Personalize your game-play by skinning your creature with pictures from your device’s Photo Albums

There are two gameplay modes available and up to 30 levels to play, so what are you waiting for buy this game today! Its only $9.99 and is 79.9mb.

Expect a review of this game, Space Monkey, and Asphalt 4 in the coming days.

Update: Here are some photos from the game!

Find more photos like this on Geeks!

Hudson has released a free version of their popular game Puzzloop appropriately called Puzzlopp Free. This free version of the ultra popular puzzle game is basically a lite version that features limited gameplay. If you played Zuma then you know the game but for others the object of the game is to match the at least three colors together, like in every other puzzle game. The game recieved good reviews from sites like IGN and If you enjoy puzzle games this one is really worth a look.

Now if only they could release Bomberman Free?

According to Gizmodo EA’s new game Spore will be released on the iPhone on September 7. This is the same day that the PC and Mac version of the game is going to be released. Spore Origins for the iPhone is a slimmed  down version of the PC original but is set to feature innovative touch controls as well as tilt controls.

But the big news is that EA will be releasing The Sims 3 for the iPhone. No additional information on the game but lets hope that its better then the Sims games that are on the Nintendo DS.

Here are some other games announced by EA.

• Yahtzee Adventures
• EA Mini Golf
• Lemonade Tycoon
• Mahjong
• Monopoly: Here & Now The World Edition
• SimCity
• Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09
• Need for Speed Undercover

Well it seems that EA is on top of their game, maybe other developers will take a cue from them?

Blue OX , the folks behind the iPhone remake of the classic game Concentration called Moosentration, recently I had the chance to interview Christopher York of the company. I wanted to get a feel on how indie developers are enjoying working on the iPhone, working with Apple, and how great is the App Store really.  I want to try and get an interview a month from developers, so if you are ready this and want to do an interview please contact me.Below is the full transcript of the interview, if you are like the many Americans, myself included, who don’t like to read a lot here is a small sample of the full thing.

How do you feel about gaming on the iPhone? Can it be a serious platform like the Nintendo DS?

“Yes I think the iPhone has a lot of potential as a gaming platform, but the lack of traditional game controls is making for some interesting experimentation among game developers right now. I think that with this first wave of games, many developers are falling into the “man with a hammer” syndrome. You know how the saying goes: “To the man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”

 Well the accelerometer is the hammer, and honestly not all games want or need to used the accelerometer as an input device. In fact it can take away from the game if it’s not appropriate or poorly implemented.

 It will take some time before we truly understand how to use this device to it’s full gaming potential.”

Finally how do you feel about the App Store? Do you think the way the store is set up  that you have a good chance of competing with companies like EA, THQ, and Sega for example?

“There is a lot of room for improvement as far as organization goes, but really nothing like the App store ever existed before that makes it so easy for developers to distribute their products and for customers to buy the product.

 I had considered doing development for mobile devices for several years, but it wasn’t until the opportunity to be on the App Store came around that I finally took the plunge. The App store is revolutionary for software distribution. For software developers, it’s the great equalizer I suppose.”

What drew you into developing for the iPhone?

“Building software for the iPhone is a rare opportunity for developers. Let me explain what I mean. I’ve been writing software since the early 1980s. Back then it was a whole different world. The industry of software for personal computers was very immature. Products for the Appple II, TRS-80, and Atari Home Computers were frequently built by single developers and often sold in ziploc bags. It was a real cowboy type of atmosphere, but it was very exciting because there was a feeling that anybody could build the next great product. And this in fact was true. It was a beginning time and it was exciting. This is when companies like EA got started and their initial products were indeed built by single developers working alone. Developers like Bill Budge (Pinball Construction Set) and Will Harvey (Music Construction Set).

But now we have this exciting new platform, the iPhone and iPod touch, and I feel the same excitement, the same sense that anybody can build the next great product. We have thousands of individual developers working alone and furiously coding new apps trying to score a hit.

I believe that out of these efforts we will the next generation of large software companies emerge. The next EAs if you will. It something I want to be part of and frankly, this is the first time computers have excited me in years!”

The Full Interview 

____________________
1. What drew you into developing for the iPhone?

Building software for the iPhone is a rare opportunity for developers. Let me explain what I mean. I’ve been writing software since the early 1980s. Back then it was a whole different world. The industry of software for personal computers was very immature. Products for the Appple II, TRS-80, and Atari Home Computers were frequently built by single developers and often sold in ziploc bags. It was a real cowboy type of atmosphere, but it was very exciting because there was a feeling that anybody could build the next great product. And this in fact was true. It was a beginning time and it was exciting. This is when companies like EA got started and their initial products were indeed built by single developers working alone. Developers like Bill Budge (Pinball Construction Set) and Will Harvey (Music Construction Set).

Eventually the software industry matured and building a software product became more like making a movie, requiring a huge budget and a huge amount of manpower. The single developer working alone became a rare animal of sorts.

But now we have this exciting new platform, the iPhone and iPod touch, and I feel the same excitement, the same sense that anybody can build the next great product. We have thousands of individual developers working alone and furiously coding new apps trying to score a hit.

I believe that out of these efforts we will the next generation of large software companies emerge. The next EAs if you will. It something I want to be part of and frankly, this is the first time computers have excited me in years!

2. How do you feel about gaming on the iPhone? Can it be a serious platform like the Nintendo DS?

Yes I think the iPhone has a lot of potential as a gaming platform, but the lack of traditional game controls is making for some interesting experimentation among game developers right now. I think that with this first wave of games, many developers are falling into the “man with a hammer” syndrome. You know how the saying goes: “To the man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”

Well the accelerometer is the hammer, and honestly not all games want or need to used the accelerometer as an input device. In fact it can take away from the game if it’s not appropriate or poorly implemented.

It will take some time before we truly understand how to use this device to it’s full gaming potential.

3. Is the iPhone really as powerful as others claim? What are some of the restrictions that could hurt the device?

I am blown away by the iPhone/iPod touch. It is a true computer in the palm of your hand.

4. How is Apple’s relationship with the developers?

Well I’ve had only good experiences so far, so I’m very happy. I have read some negative experiences on the forums, but for me it’s been great.

5. What made you do a remake instead of a new IP for a game?

Well I just turned 40, so I’m an old man, I suppose. But the first game I wrote for the iPhone was Moosentration a cutesy version of the card game Concentration. Originally I wrote a couple of MS-DOS versions and a third Windows 3.1 version of this game that I never did anything with.

In 1998 when Windows 95 came out I did a fourth version of the game and released it as freeware through ZDNet. The game wound up getting over 100,000 downloads and I got postcards from all over the world from people telling me how much they enjoyed the game.

It’s a very simple game that many people seemed to like so it was a natural for my first game for the iPhone. It was a quick port too. I bought a MacBook at the beginning of July. Now I had never used a Mac before. So I learned the Mac, learned the iPhone architecture, learned Objective-C and had my first game submitted to iTunes within 2 weeks.

I’m just amazed at how easy it is to develop for the iPhone. And the end product game is a lot nicer than any of the original versions by far.

6. Do you have any plans on making other games for the iPhone?

Absolutely. My company will focus on educational software and games and I currently have another game in development, which takes the Concentration concept to a much higher plane, turning it into more of an action/puzzle game with multiple levels.

The graphics on this new project are much better than what I did for Moosentration last month when I was just learning everything. The iPhone just makes things so easy. Some great games are going to built on this platform.

7. If so what would it be? A new IP or a remake?

There’s a game I’d like to remake, but I’d have to work out a licensing deal and right now I have so many original ideas of my own that I’m just going to focus on them for now.

8. Do you feel their is a big market for games on the iPhone?
Well I read about the game Chopper. Evidently it’s selling about 500 copies a day, and it’s not even in the Top 10. So yes, I think the market is huge. But developers will need to keep their prices low, because the competition is a plentiful as the market.

9. Other than your game, what are playing on the device?
I haven’t had time to get deeply into much else other than my own games, but there are some really great apps out there right now. The Pandora app is excellent. It’s a shame they might go out of business soon.

10.Finally how do you feel about the App Store? Do you think the way the store is set up that you have a good chance of competing with companies like EA, THQ, and Sega for example?

There is a lot of room for improvement as far as organization goes, but really nothing like the App store ever existed before that makes it so easy for developers to distribute their products and for customers to buy the product.

I had considered doing development for mobile devices for several years, but it wasn’t until the opportunity to be on the App Store came around that I finally took the plunge. The App store is revolutionary for software distribution. For software developers, it’s the great equalizer I suppose.

Christopher York

Blue Ox Technologies Ltd.

Gameloft has added another racing game to the iPhone with their released of Asphalt 4 Elite Racing. The game that was originally thought to be released in late July was released last night. The following features are included in the game,

• Race against your friends in the exclusive Wi-Fi multiplayer mode.
•  28 licensed rides from the world’s most prestigious manufacturers: Ferrari, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Chevrolet Corvette, and more.
• Use your phone as a steering wheel thanks to the accelerometer controls
• The best 3D graphics available on iPhone
• Hours of high-speed entertainment: 5 racing modes, 9 cities such as new York, Shanghai, Dubai, and Paris

So with Wi-Fi mode this game will surly be one of the top sellers in the App Store. You can buy Asphalt 4 Elite Racing today in the App Store for only $9.99.