I’m really not seeing the appeal of Tiny Tower. It’s not the retro pixelated look that turns me off, I can live with that. It’s the near-mindlessness of it. It’s not quite “tap to continue,” but it’s close. The most complex thing you do is choose what sort of store to build on a new floor, and the decision making for that is trivial: you choice is dictated by the skills of your current crop of tenants. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of tapping “yes, buy new stock” every time your stores get low, and waiting until the passage of time has brought in enough money to build a new floor.
It’s not really a game, it’s a job, and it’s a boring job at that.
I couldn’t find anything beyond the usual freemium smoke and mirrors in Tiny Towers, either. Just more mindless chores that you have to pay money to do faster. I’d rather take up real gardening.
OK. You are right. Very Zynga-esque.
Death Rally is free! How 'bout that?
Marcus
4925
Actually you really don’t have to pay anything at all. You can make the bux just by moving people around and stocking the stores. You really never ever have to use the IAP because you can make the bux so quick. I did throw the dev a buck for no other reason then how much I am playing the game.
As for the game yes it is a little mindless but right now I am working on building more levels and trying to get more people in to their dream jobs (which also gives bux) so that I get more store stock. I am always moving people around trying to find the best fits for them as I open up new stores.
I know you don’t have to pay, just like you don’t in any game of this type if your time is completely worthless. I consider these sorts of freemium designs to be pastimes instead of games, and would rather play something that requires more decisions and skill. Even mindless video poker offers more than Tiny Towers in that regard.
robsam
4927
I tried Tiny Towers, it is awful. I’m usually forgiving when I get a free game I don’t like, but I feel the devs for this one should credit me $.99 for the few minutes I put into it.
Army of Darkness, on the other hand, is a game that I would be quite happy with if I had paid $4.99 to download it. I’m on wave 45, and it has been a joy to play. Best free game ever, and better than almost every game I have paid for.
Half the time, my driving finger doesn’t let me see where I’m going. The other half of the time, my finger has slipped off the magic controller circle and I’m braking. The remaining 50% of the time is quite cool.
Switching to another game, what’s people think of Storm in a Teacup? Floaty physics-based platformer that looks incredibly cute but I found it incredibly annoying with its “die so you know what’s coming” style of design.
I guess I just want new levels in Robot Wants Kitty in order to be happy. :)
At the very least, Robot Wants Kitty desperately needs its online level sharing patch to go live. It’s been sitting there taunting me for months now, but I’m not deleting it because it really nails that gameplay.
Storm in a Teacup is pretty good, I’ve been playing it for the last month. It can be frustrating until you realise the “double tap” for the double jump should actually be “tap, release, tap/hold”. But overall I’d recommend it - nice art style, and suitably challenging.
Bounce On 2 is another recommended platformer with very precise controls (doesn’t seem like it at first, but you’ll soon be balancing on pointy platforms in the middle of space). It’s fairly forgiving until it throws the occasional insane psychedelic level at you, complete with barmy music, but it’s just the right side of frustrating.
Lessee, what else… IDaTank looks like it should be fun, but so far I’ve spent most of my time running away from shit. Maybe it gets better.
daWindci is a relaxing puzzly game where you have to swipe wind gusts to push your hot air balloon through the level, activate gates, pick up stuff etc. I can’t decide whether the lack of precision is quaint or annoying yet.
Also, come on you lot, I keep beating y’all at Hanging with Friends. Well except for Omniscia.
I tried both games for 3 minutes, and suspected that my brain would be engaged exactly the same amount (at about 1%) by either. But it sounds like I’m wrong about AoD. Can anyone explain what there is to actually think about when you play it?
I put DaWindci in the annoying category, personally. I wanted to like it but I don’t. In a game like this I don’t care about time, but I want to find all the objects in every level. Here, I found that more annoying than challenging.
Yeah, I hate the touch controls on any game. There is no way to NOT be blocking something unless you shrink the play area down further.
I am still juggling my people around in Tiny Tower. I thought it would expand a bit more on what you did or what went on in your tower.
I thought I read that a game was in development that was similar to Sim Tower. Now that I think about it, though, this could have been it.
There are several upgrade strategies you can pursue and you must time your special abilities properly or you risk wasting them. The main draw of AoD, though, is it’s pace. The levels play quickly, new stuff is constantly being unlocked, and I love how every stage begins with you standing your ground alone until reinforcements arrive at the last second. It’s a thrill to play, especially since it’s often dangerous to race in and snap up stuff dead enemies drop that help your cause. If you like the theme (which I do), then all the better.
It’s constantly engaging, perfect for playing in short bursts, and balanced like a real game instead of like a freemium pastime. It’s also over all too quickly, but considering they’re charging nothing for it I can’t complain.
Thanks, Tracy! I’ll give 'er another shot.
Are there any games similar to Mario RPG for SNES, or Zelda: A link to the past for SNES? Im pretty much obsessed with those titles.
Cross Fingers is free right now. It’s a universal puzzle game where you slide pieces around to make shapes – kind of a cross between Rush Hour and Tangrams. Can’t link it easily because I’m on my iPad, but it’s worth a search.
flyinj
4937
The Dungeon Saga came out today.
It’s basically Dungeon Raid meets Puzzle Quest. Similar game board and mechanics as Dungeon Raid, but a persistent character that can gain items and spells and explore a map like Puzzle Quest. The dungeon maps are also apparently randomized as well.
Much better presentation than Dungeon Raid, and it runs a lot better too (I hate how Dungeon Raid will sometimes lag and be unresponsive for no apparent reason).
Anyhow, I’m digging it so far, and it’s only 99 cents :
http://itunes.apple.com/app/the-dungeon-saga/id445560020?mt=8
Nixxter
4938
Heresy! (that it’s as good as Dungeon Raid) (Nixxter runs off to buy The Dungeon Saga)
Tyjenks
4939
You should have said $.99 right after “It’s basically Dungeon Raid meets Puzzle Quest” and I could have quit reading and purchased it faster.
EDIT: Kraisoft (Game Dev Story and Hot Springs Story) has a new game out today. Pocket Academy. It would appear it is much like Hot Springs only with a school. It is currently $3.99. I will most likely wait for it to drop to a buck since it is not a big change.
flyinj
4940
Hey I didn’t say it was “as good” as dungeon raid, I said it had similar mechanics and it ran better. Jury is still out if it’s as good or better.
Just a warning…
