Oh, that campaign idea sounds super. I have the boardgame and would always just much rather play the real thing than a boardgame conversion, but when the developer adds something special to the digital version, then it starts to have value. May have to splurge on this one.
Nightgaunt, I thought that campaign came over from the boxed game?
I’m not really a fan of Agricola, the boardgame, but they have done such an outstanding job with the iOS version that I may be a huge fan of Agricola, the iPad game. I haven’t tried online multiplayer yet (about to try that next), but, man, even multi versus the AI is pretty great. And as a bonus, this may be the prettiest game yet for the iPad.
Misguided, the solo series is new, but the boxed game had solo rules built in. The solo series seems to be those rules with a score threshold.
I recently remembered a game called Space Agency that I was tempted to pick up a while back but didn’t for whatever reason. Well now I notice it’s free and it’s definitely worth it at that price. Think 2D Kerbal Space Program, sorta. You’re custom designing rockets to complete various missions but the various parts of flight (launch, orbital maneuvering, reentry, etc) are basically each a glorified mini game. It’s still fun though. Not sure if it’s free forever or just a limited time but check it out :)
Space Agency is the last iOS game I actually got obsessed over. Purists (and KSP fans) will complain that the physics aren’t real physics, but as I see it, the important part is that the game has consistent rules. It gets pretty hard after awhile, and the scoring system is meh (I don’t like trying to build super-cheap or go super-fast) but it doesn’t really matter. I like how it makes you build up new skills with each scenario, and even with all the help it gives you, hitting a target way off in space is satisfying. Definitely recommended!
Um, woah, Scurvy Scallywags is an awesome match-3! Lots of variation, great cutscenes, and all-around silliness! Why didn’t anyone say anything?? I mean, I know a couple of you did, but why didn’t anyone, like, say it really emphatically and get me to pay attention?
Um, woah, Scurvy Scallywags is an awesome match-3! Lots of variation, great cutscenes, and all-around silliness! Why didn’t anyone say anything?? I mean, I know a couple of you did, but why didn’t anyone, like, say it really emphatically and get me to pay attention?
The game’s good, but it’s yet another iOS game that insists on monopolising your music. Stop this nonsense, developers!
rowe33
1809
FYI, I noticed Scurvy Scallywags is free today so definitely go out and grab it if you haven’t already.
I started a thread for Agricola so I didn’t bother everyone chatting about it. Lots to discuss…
Scurvy scallywags is one of the most fun match 3 games I’ve played in a long, long time. I was getting bored of them, and scurvy scallywags was definitely able to bring something fresh enough to get me interested.
Dare I say it, but Scurvy Scallywags is up there with 10000000 in my book.
The matching is actually more thoughtful when you’re trying to move around the board and avoid fighting. There is always a variety of things going on – combat, random spins for loot, quest items, collecting to build ships, customizing your pirate. And the writing is genuinely fun.
It’s also the best game I’ve played about community theater (even if that part’s just a cute veneer).
There are definitely a lot of odd design decisions, which is not to say they’re bad. For instance, when I die and can’t afford to resurrect, I start over at Level 1… but I don’t really lose anything I’ve collected. So the progression of enemies goes back to being less intense, but I’m pretty much capable of taking on a lot more. Also, I don’t understand the value of a couple of the character stats, especially at extremely low levels: My crit value means I might be able to defeat a stronger enemy that would normally defeat me… but I don’t know that I will until I try fighting him, and if my chance is in the single digits it’s so low I would never take that chance. I don’t know yet why I shouldn’t put all my points in Power, but I’m spreading them around a little just to see what value things might have.
Folks, this is really worth playing unless you’re totally allergic to match-3s. I have no great love of the genre, but this one works for me.
Another vote for Scallywags - +1. I’m actually buying the double gold IAP because free was certainly too low a price for the amount of fun it’s already given me.
So Battle Academy has dropped in price for the first time ever (down to $9.99 from $19.99). Worth it at that price?
2K Games international Twitter feed just tweeted:
XCOM is coming to iOS this week! Prices announced: £13.99 UK & 17.99 € Europe. The COMPLETE game optimised for iOS!
nKoan
1816
I’ve seen $19.99 being touted around for the US release of X-COM as well
I’ve been playing through Alien Frontiers for the ipad, and I can’t say I like it much. The main issue is that it’s slow. The game really wants 3-4 players, and it takes a long, long time for the AI players to make their moves at any difficulty. Secondary is that the AI is prone to asshole moves, screwing with your position early even when doing so weakens his own. That makes sense later when the game is nearing a close, but not so much when it’s landing it’s very first colony.
Actually, I’m not a big fan of the base game, either. I like worker placement games, but the dice make certain key moves like building new ships too random. The alien tech cards can of course help with that, making it much more likely that you can create the pair required for shipbuilding, but it still irritates me. It’s also a bit abstract, the mechanics mesh poorly enough with the theme that the rules feel arbitrary.
My kids actually like the cardboard version though we really like Waterdeep (cardboard) better. I can understand not wanting to play solo on iOS
I’ve played a fair amount of the iOS version of Stone Age which also uses dice, and the dice don’t trouble me at all there because chance plays no part in the three key investment locations: farming, mating, and toolmaking. It’s only resource gathering that uses dice, and even there the dice only determine how effective your move is, not whether it’s permitted. It’s the Yahtzee aspect of Alien Frontiers where you can’t even make a move if you don’t have the right numbers that doesn’t sit well with me.
I’d like to see an iOS version of Lords of Waterdeep. I own the game, but it was obvious to me early that I was never, ever going to sell playing that one to my wife and mother in law.
