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At first glance, Candy Boy [99c / HD] by Colorbox looks like a regular one-screen platform game – and to some extent it is. You control Casper, who runs, jumps and long-jumps around the level, climbing over blocks, collecting three coins and trying not to fall into water or holes. And in later levels there's enemies to avoid. Yup, that certainly sounds like a platform game. But, at its core, Candy Boy is actually a puzzle game, based on completing match-3 puzzles . There's no standard rectangular match-3 game-board though, as the blocks are often distributed around the platform level.

Here's how it works:  Casper walks around carrying a colored block of candy above his head, which he can drop anywhere on the level. If he places the candy next to two other candy blocks of the same color, they disappear. In many match-3 games the goal is to achieve a certain number of matches, or to move objects to the bottom, but here the goal is to destroy three "hateful worms" which have invaded Candy Boy's sugary homeland. The worms are colored too, and hide amongst the blocks, so by matching them with candy of the same color, you destroy them. They are stylized square worms, with wide open mouths!

To make things tricky, candy blocks can't be moved once dropped, so some thought is necessary to ensure your candy is placed wisely. Also, you receive a set number of blocks to solve the puzzle and have no control over the order they're released, which adds to the mental challenge. Sometimes the blocks must all be used in exactly the right places, so one mistake and you have to restart the level. However, the upcoming block colors are displayed at the top of the screen as a hint, much like how Tetris displays pending blocks before they appear so you know what's coming.

Candy Boy delivers a whopping 100 levels across 4 worlds, with Game Center / OpenFeint integration for rankings and 13 achievements. This will provide hours of game-play, although it would be nice if the achievements had more rewarding titles than "Achievement 1" up to "Achievement 13". If you get stuck you can skip ahead to the next level by exiting from the pause menu, although a certain number of coins is required to unlock each world. The first few levels are extremely simplistic, involving only a few blocks as you learn, but then the difficulty curve slowly increases, as the candy blocks pile on top of each other.

The controls are alright, but not perfect. There's buttons for left, right, jump and drop block. Climbing over the piles of blocks works perfectly fine, but when jumping up to small ledges or moving platforms, it's frustrating to fall multiple times where I wouldn't normally. And I'm blaming the controls and specifically, the jump button. Fortunately this doesn't happen too often.

If you're specifically looking for a regular platform game, this one's probably not for you. This is not a side-scrolling game and the emphasis is mostly on the puzzles. Try something like League of Evil [99c / Lite], Mos Speedrun [$1.99 / Lite] or Max and the Magic Marker [99c / Lite] (and there's plenty more great regular IOS platformers out there, some of which are mentioned in this thread). But, if you love match-3 puzzles then this cute and colorful cross-genre platform / puzzle game may tickle your fancy. This may not be the first game to mix these genres, but it's always wonderful to see creative experimentation in the AppStore.

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A month ago, I posted a hands-on preview of Manomio's iOS version of the classic Cinemaware strategy game Defender of the Crown. I'm happy to report that the game has finally landed as as Universal application (for iPhone and iPad) in the App Store [link].

Defender of the Crown was originally released for the Amiga in 1986 — but that's really not saying enough. The Amiga will always be remembered for, among many other things, being one of the most notable gaming platforms ever created. And, for a long while, Defender of the Crown was the system's undisputed flagship game title. I will quote Brian Bagnall from his excellent book On the Edge: the Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore, to help convey just how actually jarring an experience it was to see the game for the first time on the Amiga back in 1986.

[Amiga co-creator R.J.] Mical saw artist Jim Sachs push the Amiga to its full potential. "Jim Sachs, what a God he is," marvels Mical. "Jim Sachs is amazing. These days everyone sees graphics like that because there are a lot of really good computer graphics artists now, but back then, 20 years ago, it was astonishing to have someone that good."

The final game was a landmark in video game production values. As game designer Bob Lindstrom recalls, "The shock of seeing Defender for the first time was one of those experiences that changed the gaming stakes for all of us."

Compared to other video games of the time, Defender of the Crown established a new level of quality. IBM had Kings Quest by Sierra On-Line, a decent but primitive adventure game. The Macintosh had games like Checkers or Backgammon, or board games like Risk. Defender of the Crown had richer graphics than any computer, console, or even arcade game could boast in 1986. It was a revelation.

Of course, the above seeks to convey the magic of the title as seen 25 years ago, but despite the passage of a quarter century, the visuals still look magnificent and are a testament to both the Amiga's then-revolutionary graphics hardware and the pixel savvy of designer Jim Sachs. The accompanying audio score is superb, as well.

The game was originally mouse-based and, in this iOS release, is running under Manimio's iAmiga emulation system. As such, completely native iOS controls were not possible, but the studio has done an admirable job of converting the iPhone and iPad screen into a virtual track-pad for swipe and tap controls. Given the extra screen real estate, the game is best played on the iPad, but it's still a great experience on the iPhone and iPod touch.

The preview I posted last month is basically a review of the release version of the game, as all that was left to finish at the time of that post was the in-game documentation. I'd urge anyone who's never played the game to give it a read. I think it's safe to assume that anyone who has played the game before already jumped right to the download link on seeing the story title.

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Well, now we finally know what Julius Styles: The International is: a bad game. We committed a lot of resources to reporting on it pre-release, so I thought it’d be for the best to tell you all what was up with its quality. Like Joystiq, I could only stomach the first 30 or so minutes of the 3D “King’s Quest meets Alpha Protocol”-ish title, but those 30 minutes were pretty telling. Heck, the first two minutes were.

“They said I needed some time away,” a bad Wesley Snipes impersonator says after the title card. “Some space to think after the incident. Get in a little fishing. Maybe some swimming,” he continues as the game states he’s doing all this in Arctic Lapland.

“I don’t think this is quite what they had in mind. I knew it wouldn’t last. Nothing does,” he says with a dead deer and an old bow strapped over his hulking shoulders. A helicopter carrying a man with a mysterious letter pops into view.

While that’s hilarious on some level, I don’t recommend a purchase at all and probably never will. This seems like a completely directionless game that neglects to telegraph or contextualize events and actions. Its initial puzzles and conversations suffer from the same woes. Also, since when was sarcasm considered a moral choice? Really? I mean, really?

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Texas Hold'em is one of those games that's better in person. It just isn't the same if you can't pull out your best poker face. But as we mentioned in our preview, you can now get that experience from the comfort of your couch if you've got an iPad 2, because Full Deck Hold'Em [$2.99] includes video chat integration in its multiplayer gameplay, and it works beautifully.

For those who aren't on the latest, greatest hardware, it also has nearly everything else you could ask for in a Hold'em app: sixteen AI players to compete against, up to four-player multiplayer through Game Center, eight tables with a range of buy-ins and a lot more. There are some rough spots in the interface, but the core experience is great.

The video functionality is awesome. I haven't played a game that makes this kind of use of the iPad 2's front-facing camera before, and I'm impressed with how well it works. The video quality is limited by the hardware, of course, but it's more than sufficient for keeping an eye on your opponents and chatting freely. Since this review was written before release we only had the chance to test it with two players, which worked without a hitch, but the game supports it for up to four players, which sounds super cool. The experience is like playing face to face with friends, and it makes things so much more fun. On the other hand, if being on camera sounds like the worst thing ever, the game offers granular control for who you want to see and who's allowed to see you — if anyone.

If you'd prefer to go solo, you'll be happy to know that there's a great mix of AI opponents in the game. According to GRL Games, each of the opponents has a unique personality, and they also model their behavior from your play style to improve over time. It's a bit hard to actually see the nuances of that at work, but I can say from experience that the different AI players feel distinct from each other, and they're all fairly convincing. They won't play stupidly, but some play more aggressively than others, and some like to bluff when they can. Most of them are quite cautious, though, and tend to fold on a dime. Still, while it can't replace the intensity of playing with other people, the AI certainly puts up a good fight.

For players who find the game a bit too challenging, there are plenty of opportunities to keep from busting out. The game will bail you out if you run too low, and each day you can take a spin on the slot machine for a chance at bonus winnings to keep the cash flowing. If you need a big influx of cash because you want to hit one of the higher-end tables, you can also buy chips with real money. If you're good for cash but need a little assistance in taking down the AI, Full Deck Hold'Em offers free, sponsored powerups that let you stack the odds just a tiny bit in your favor.

Though the game starts you off with a $200 buy in and $10 bet limits, you can work your way up to no limits tables and eventually a $20 million buy in for the big spenders. You can also rank on the Biggest Hand leaderboard and collect Game Center achievements for beating the AI, winning with specific hands and winning or losing big. It's enough to keep the biggest Hold'em fans busy for a long time.

Early on, however, don't be surprised if you have some trouble with the game's interface. It's largely lacking the little considerations that help players orient themselves. A more obvious turn indicator would be nice, for instance, and with such a big screen to play with, it's strange that the betting controls are jammed into the lower right corner. It would also be nice to be able to see how much you're betting, even in limit games — especially since new players may not immediately understand how betting differs when there are limits. There's a lot going on in Full Deck Hold'Em, and a little hand holding really wouldn't hurt.

But those things are fixable, and according to the developer we should see improvements to the interface in the first update. The big stuff is all in place, with AI that's up to a challenge and online multiplayer that's made even better with video chat. If you have even a basic understanding of how to play Texas Hold'em, you won't have any trouble digging deep into Full Deck Hold'Em — and if you don't, I'm sure the sharks kind people in our discussion thread will be happy to help you out.

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Oh hey, it's Wednesday again. There's a ton of great games coming out this evening, although, for us, they're all overshadowed by Anomaly Warzone Earth. We've been looking forward to this game for so long it isn't even funny, and it's finally here.

Wednesday nights work different from most nights of the week on the App Store because iOS developers just love setting the release dates for their games to Thursdays. Being a global market and all, the App Store has different regions governed my different time zones. Because of this, things get released in New Zealand first since thanks to their proximity to the International Date Line, it becomes Thursday there before everywhere else. Things slowly trickle out until 11:00 PM Eastern when everything finally hits the US App Store.

Here's what's coming tonight:

Anomaly Warzone Earth, $1.99 / HD – Forum Thread – As mentioned before, we couldn't be more excited for this game. It's essentially tower defense in reverse with a whole heap of sci-fi stylings on top of it. We've had our hands on various pre-release versions, and couldn't be more happy with the game.

Cado, 99¢ / HD – Forum Thread – This seems to be a physics-based puzzle game where you've got to roll a ball into a hole. It might not be the most innovative thing ever, but I'm digging the simple doodle-based art style.

Candy Boy, 99¢ / HD – Forum Thread – A match three with puzzle platforming mechanics? That actually sounds just crazy enough to work. I'm curious to see how well each genre compliments the other.

Defender of the Crown, $2.99 – Forum Thread – The Amiga classic comes to the App Store in all of its retro glory. Manomio has redone the controls to require no typing, and I expect this port to be just as awesome as their previous retro ports.

Exitium: Saviors of Vardonia, $1.99 – Forum Thread – Action RPG's have been fairly successful on the App Store between both Zenonia and Inotia as well as other series. Exitium seems to follow in their path with some incredibly awesome looking graphics.

Flick Soccer!, 99¢ – Forum Thread – Full Fat Games is applying the awesome gameplay found in Flick Golf to the sport of soccer (or fútbol or whatever they call it outside the land of liberty) and I'm expecting it to be just as much fun.

Full Deck Hold'Em, $2.99 – Forum Thread – We've had our hands on a preview copy of this game for a few days now, and just when you thought that everything in the world of iOS poker had been done, GRL Games adds video chat. It's amazingly fun playing online, as the video feed makes you feel like you're actually playing poker with a friend instead of just playing an online game.

Fossil Feast, 99¢ / Lite – Forum Thread – This release from Namco has you in charge of piloting a pterodactyl and eating everything in sight. An upgrade system seems like it'll add some depth to the game.

Julius Styles – The International, $2.99 – Forum Thread – It's finally here. Wesley Snipes' game! I'm still not entirely sure what's involved in it, but the iTunes description mentions a morality system. That's always fun.

Let's Golf! 3, Free – Forum Thread – I love Hot Shots Golf which basically means I've loved all the Let's Golf games. This most recent one takes a freemium approach to things, which seems like it could work well depending on how Gameloft implements their payment system.

NyxQyest, 99¢ / Lite / HD / HD Lite – Forum Thread – This platformer leans heavily on Greek mythology, which could potentially be really cool, and you play as a girl with wings which sounds pretty awesome to me.

Pickpawcket, 99¢ – Forum Thread – This game pits cats against dogs to… steal art. Get it, you're a Pickpawcket. Stealth mechanics seem to be the name of the game here.

Pigs in Trees, 99¢ / HD – Forum Thread – In this game, you play as a pig in an airplane defending his tree from birds. (Sound familiar?) The art looks great, and there's always room on my iPhone for another line drawing game it seems.

Rugby Kicks, Free – Forum Thread – As an ignorant American, I'm not entirely sure what you do in rugby but it seems to apparently involve kicking a ball for points. The iTunes description makes it sounds like there's a lot of customization and depth, so if you're into rugby this might be a freebie to try.

Spacelings, 99¢ – Forum Thread – This space-based puzzle game requires you to adjust your tractor beam to suck up lost space cadet dudes. I like the premise, and although it's hard to see in the video, the game seems to have some great looking graphics.

Zen Wars, 99¢ – Forum Thread – The makers of Legendary Wars seem to have realized that the best part of any RTS-like game is base building, and built an entire game around that. There's even online Game Center multiplayer to see who can construct the best cannon-packed base.

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The horrible thing about You Don’t Know Jack [$2.99 / HD] is that once you finish it, you really, really finish it. All the answers and questions repeat, and there’s nothing to go back to. For what it’s worth, the game has been updated with two more mini-episodes on the house, which should give you a few more minutes of play. This update also rolls in a few bug fixes.

In other YDKJ update news, creator Jellyvision is readying a “six-pack” of new episodes. No price or date was given in the patch note announcement, but we’re guessing it’ll cost you a few bucks via IAP. Not only do the console versions of the game have a similar setup, but the focus on the “free” part of these latest episodes implies that others will cost later. Two-player multiplayer is also in the works, according to the notes in the HD version.

Chances are that this coming six-pack won’t be the last, and that’s good news. You Don’t Know Jack is a great trivia game, but it definitely needs freshened up with more unique content. I’ll be jumping in again, no doubt.

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When Chaotic Box released Silverfish [$1.99] for the iPhone in November of last year, it got all kinds of love from both the front page and the forums here at TouchArcade. Plans for an iPad version were stalled for a time, but then the developer got his hands on an iCade. Apparently the jones to play his baby in cabinet form was the nudge he needed to get the wheels back in motion, and the iPad/iCade game libraries are now all the more richer for it.

For those unfamiliar with the title (or unwilling to read the iPhone review), Silverfish is a cat-and-mouse avoidance game. Take the minimalist art and aquatic theme of thatgamecompany’s flOw, give it a liberal dose of amphetamines, then replace the circular motions with 4-direction Pac-Man-esque controls, and you’re getting warm. Whether you’re fleeing from your enemies or turning the tables on them, some of the finest and most frantic action on the App Store is on offer here. The release of Silverfish MAX [$2.99] only adds to this game’s arcade appeal.

This iPad-centric version is more than a simple up-scaling of graphics. The game is re-drawn for the larger screen, and the actual playing field is also increased by more than a quarter over the original. This change impacts spawn patterns for both enemies and power pods. 25% might seem like a negligible tweak, but it changes the experience enough that the developer felt it necessary to make separate leaderboards for this version. More detail in the effects and models makes the visuals crispier than ever.

While the flick control scheme of the original was already preferable to the d-pad option, the additional real estate of the iPad screen makes playing the game with flick controls even more precise. When things got hectic on the iPhone, I found that slightly errant swipes often resulted in disaster. Silverfish MAX seems to be much more forgiving in this category, making it easier to enjoy the action once the enemy density and speed really picks up. The ability to adjust flick sensitivity is still included, and I definitely suggest playing with the settings to find a sweet spot that’s right for you.

Despite the improvements to the flick controls, the absolute star of this version is the inclusion of iCade support. The classic avoidance style gameplay always seemed tailor-made for an arcade cabinet format, and Silverfish MAX only confirmed those suspicions for me. Joystick controls are responsive and precise, and the game just feels right.

There is the occasional confusion between a game that features up-down-left-right motions and a stick that supports 8-direction movement. Pushing the stick on the diagonal will occasionally result in the game forcing you in an unintended direction, but this is a rarity and no more common than hiccups with the flick controls. Once I found the warm and familiar Pac-Man claw grip on the joystick I had stored in the dark recesses of my muscle memory, I found playing the game a sweet merger of nostalgia and neon.

Silverfish MAX is a worthy upgrade to its iPhone progenitor, and Chaotic Box capitalized nicely on the arcade-y potential of the original. It’s a should-buy for fans of the original, and a must-buy for iCade owners looking to add a strong title to a small library. I’m glad I forced myself to play with flick controls first, because now that I have it on a joystick I simply won’t go back again.

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Back in June, we learned that developer Godzilab was officially working on iBlast Moki 2, a follow up to their hugely popular 2009 physics puzzler iBlast Moki [$2.99/UHD]. Then late last month, we got the first look at screenshots from the game, along with a few new tidbits of information. Now, Godzilab has posted on their Facebook page that iBlast Moki 2 will be officially launching later this month on August 18th.

In addition, they’ve released a couple of new screenshots for the game, like the one above showing some Mokis riding around on duck motorcycles. Why are they on duck motorcycles you ask? Well, that’s because a duck is one of the many available items in the game’s robust level editor, shown in the screen below. Every level in the game was made using this same editor, and as such you yourself can recreate anything in the game using the editor and tweak it to your heart’s content. Of course, levels will be able to be uploaded and shared online with gamers around the world.

It’s not even funny how much I’m looking forward to iBlast Moki 2. I loved the first game a ton, and the sequel looks to be everything that the first game was but bigger, better, and more of it. Players in our forums are really excited as well, and we’ll be waiting eagerly for August 18th when iBlast Moki 2 launches in the App Store, and you can count on us bringing you our full review then.

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The collective hive mind of TouchArcade couldn't possibly be more excited for Machinegun Jetpack, unless of course Halfbrick succumbs to our demands of including their own Phil Larsen as a playable character. Anyway, it seems that the previous video released by the Australia-based development studio was just the first of a series slowly teasing the game before its release in the (hopefully) not too distant future.

If this is the first you've heard of Machinegun Jetpack, it's a game we've been following for what feels like an eternity that continues the adventures of Barry Steakfries previously featured in Monster Dash [99¢] and Age of Zombies [$2.99]. Like those two games, Machinegun Jetpack takes a familiar game type (in this case, the cave flyer) and turns it up to 11, as evident by the previous video and made even more obvious by the latest surprisingly Phil-less developer diary:

I'm loving all the power-ups included in the game, and it's music to my ears to hear that there's potentially even more coming via updates. This game looks so incredibly over the top, I can't wait to play it.

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We’ve been hearing for a while that a mobile version of Battlefield 3 will launch alongside the PC and console releases later this fall. While we still don’t have confirmation on that, we at least have some additional confirmation that Battlefield 3 is coming to iOS. EA confirmed this to Pocket Gamer, though left any other meaningful details out for the time being.

If Bad Company 2 for mobile [$2.99 / Free] was a solid indication of future direction for the mobile versions of DICE’s shooters, chances are BF3 for mobile will follow the events of its source material. BF3 proper is set in Iraq during 2014, just as an earthquake ravages the region. It follows the story of Henry ‘Black’ Blackburn and his five-man squad deployed in the region at the time of the quake.

In other EA upcoming game news, Bullfrog’s ridiculously good PC theme park simulation game, Theme Park, is also set for a release on iOS. No details have been offered quite yet, but I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that this will just a straight-up port of the cutesy task manager.

We’ll give you more on these just as soon as we can.

[Via Pocket Gamer]

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