iPhone/iPod Touch Games Thread

newbrof · 2009-12-08T06:41:30.000Z

my ipod touch is killing my DS and PSP … I did not notice, but I don’t have any time left for my DS games. I loved Slitherlink and PicPic… but usually I have my Ipod with me - always. Not much of a problem for young folks, but when you have 1 hour of gaming per day max… you don’t play 3 systems… I can’t go back to the DS/PSP …

Cubit · 2009-12-08T07:17:50.000Z

Zen Bound is on sale for $1.99.

sam_and_the_firefly · 2009-12-08T08:48:46.000Z

Cubit:

Zen Bound is on sale for $1.99.

I got this when it came out and absolutely can’t recommend it enough at that price. Awesome game.

Tracy_Baker · 2009-12-08T09:11:52.000Z

Cubit:

Zen Bound is on sale for $1.99.

This is one of the games people rave about that I don’t get at all. You wrap string around objects and then … wait a minute – that’s it?

Cubit · 2009-12-08T09:14:44.000Z

Tracy Baker:

This is one of the games people rave about that I don’t get at all. You wrap string around objects and then … wait a minute – that’s it?

I don’t know, it is one of those games that either you get or you don’t. My thoughts are similar to Sam’s. I really enjoyed playing it.

LMN8R · 2009-12-08T09:46:03.000Z

I’ve found that I use my iPhone to play games exclusively when also doing something else - watching TV that doesn’t require my full attention, sitting on a plane listening to podcasts, etc.

As such, sound and music in my iPhone games is pretty irrelevant, which is why Zen Bound in particular just isn’t for me.

sam_and_the_firefly · 2009-12-08T09:47:39.000Z

Tracy Baker:

This is one of the games people rave about that I don’t get at all. You wrap string around objects and then … wait a minute – that’s it?

I don’t want to sound like a poser and invoke Tetris or Super Mario Bros or a thousand other games, but that is kind of a reductionist position to take.

Yeah, that’s all you do. Doing it is fun! The interface is very well-executed, the concept gets challenging and the audiovisual presentation is the perfect wrapper. You even get the soundtrack album as a free download.

LMN8R:

I’ve found that I use my iPhone to play games exclusively when also doing something else - watching TV that doesn’t require my full attention, sitting on a plane listening to podcasts, etc.

As such, sound and music in my iPhone games is pretty irrelevant, which is why Zen Bound in particular just isn’t for me.

This is definitely a good point, because sound is pretty intrinsic to Zen Bound’s appeal, but I still think the game is fun without it. It’s tactile and relaxing, and totally doesn’t require one’s full attention.

flyinj · 2009-12-08T14:31:50.000Z

Tom wrote today about geoSpark on Fidgit. I go to check it out on the app store, and on the description it already has Tom’s quote “the perfect iPhone game!”.

Gotta love the app store.

Tracy_Baker · 2009-12-08T14:53:56.000Z

sam and the firefly:

I don’t want to sound like a poser and invoke Tetris or Super Mario Bros or a thousand other games, but that is kind of a reductionist position to take.

Nah, you don’t sound like a poseur. It’s just one of many iPhone games that people go absolutely ape for that doesn’t do anything for me at all (Spider is another one where I appreciate the aesthetics, control, and programming prowess that went into it but the gameplay bores me to tears).

I’m certain there are many iPhone games I adore that would elicit a big 'ol “meh” from you.

PeterGinsberg · 2009-12-08T17:57:39.000Z

flyinj:

Tom wrote today about geoSpark on Fidgit. I go to check it out on the app store, and on the description it already has Tom’s quote “the perfect iPhone game!”.

I imagine between that and getting named one of Time Magazines best games of 2009 (for GeoDefense), he’s having a pretty good week.

Related side note on geoSpark for people interested in iPhone development. The geoDefense guy switched with this game from his own system to Cocos2d, an open source iPhone 2d game development platform.

I’ve been raving about it as well as a developer, it’s really far and away the best choice for people interested in making 2d games on the iPhone.

sam_and_the_firefly · 2009-12-08T19:25:46.000Z

Tracy Baker:

Nah, you don’t sound like a poseur. It’s just one of many iPhone games that people go absolutely ape for that doesn’t do anything for me at all (Spider is another one where I appreciate the aesthetics, control, and programming prowess that went into it but the gameplay bores me to tears).

I’m certain there are many iPhone games I adore that would elicit a big 'ol “meh” from you.

Yeah. I’m with you on Spider, actually.

Equis · 2009-12-08T20:20:46.000Z

I’m somewhat shocked that I downloaded Surviving High School and played it till my battery died. The real gotcha moment for me was when I had the choice to ask another girl out for a date, or remain true to the emo state of the girl who just totally dumped me. I had to make a choice and then play the rest of the game to see how that storyline turned out.

The stereotypes are broadly written yes, and the mini games soon lose their enjoyment and end up being simply tedious, but the choice and consequence of working on your popularity, grades, and dating more than made up for it. I’m going in to see what happens if I pick the other girl to date.

JMR · 2009-12-08T21:29:03.000Z

^^^^
Does it give you the option of mowing down your fellow classmates with your dad’s guns?

Equis · 2009-12-08T21:54:40.000Z

JMR:

^^^^
Does it give you the option of mowing down your fellow classmates with your dad’s guns?

I’m guessing that’s DLC.

LMN8R · 2009-12-08T23:27:32.000Z

My newest addiction is Minigore. 99 cent goodness!

tomchick · 2009-12-08T23:33:42.000Z

LMN8R:

My newest addiction is Minigore. 99 cent goodness!

I get confused at games that talk about “episodes”. Are those three episodes all in that single $.99 game? Or is that some kind of paid content you buy after the fact?

Confused iTunes App Store addict is confused.

-Tom

tomchick · 2009-12-08T23:41:55.000Z

flyinj:

Tom wrote today about geoSpark on Fidgit. I go to check it out on the app store, and on the description it already has Tom’s quote “the perfect iPhone game!”.

Hey, cool! Too bad those Defender Chronicles guys are so slow on the uptake. I’m pretty sure “Best tower defense game on any platform. On any platform!” would make for a pretty good blurb. Ingrates.

-Tom

Chris_Nahr · 2009-12-09T01:46:12.000Z

sam and the firefly:

Yeah. I’m with you on Spider, actually.

Let’s establish the Spider Haters Club because I found that game rather boring, too.

Adree · 2009-12-09T03:00:15.000Z

TomChick:

Hey, cool! Too bad those Defender Chronicles guys are so slow on the uptake. I’m pretty sure “Best tower defense game on any platform. On any platform!” would make for a pretty good blurb. Ingrates.
-Tom

Surely you meant to type ElementalMonster TD (or Sentinel 2). EM is a bit of a slow burn until you start getting into the higher levels and each stage becomes a little puzzle of placement, buff units, and having the firepower to kill each wave.

Also hooray ReviewsBySteve is back, for all your good reviews but the reviewer sounds like Billy Quizboy from Venture Brothers needs.

Marcus · 2009-12-09T08:45:42.000Z

TomChick:

I get confused at games that talk about “episodes”. Are those three episodes all in that single $.99 game? Or is that some kind of paid content you buy after the fact?

Confused iTunes App Store addict is confused.
-Tom

I meant to type this last night but Episodes are sort of like what Pocket God does with its updates. They add in new stuff with each release. I played a bit of Minigore last night and it was loads of fun. I was really surprised how great the graphics looked and the controls worked as well as any other dual stick shooter. Easily worth .99$