Archive for the ‘banner’ tag
‘Age of Zombies’ from Halfbrick Studios Officially Announced for October Release
, developer of both Fruit Ninja [99¢/HD] and Monster Dash [99¢], has officially announced today the port of their hugely successful PSP Minis game Age of Zombies to the App Store. There had been for over a month that the game would be making an appearance on iOS devices, with a “coming soon” banner on the and a product description on Halfbrick's providing hints of an intended App Store release. Early this morning, Halfbrick updated and sent out a press release with Age of Zombies iPhone screenshots, thus confirming the game will indeed be coming.
Age of Zombies is the original adventure of Monster Dash hero Barry Steakfries. When Barry uncovers the plot of Dr. Brains to send zombies to different points in time to destroy mankind, he decides to take action. He'll travel through five different time periods battling zombified versions of cavemen, mummies, ninjas, and dinosaurs. The teaser trailer for the PSP Minis version shows some of the gameplay in action:
The game will include the full five worlds of the story mode as well as a Survival mode featuring online high scores, and is set to be an improvement over the PSP version in a number of ways. It will contain better graphics, a reworked user interface, and dual-stick touch screen controls for controlling Barry. Click through the following gallery for a look at some screens of the iPhone version of the game:
No word on pricing just yet, and the release date doesn't get any more specific than sometime in October. Halfbrick does note that Age of Zombies will be a universal build that will run on both iPhone and iPad, which is good news for gamers with both devices. We are definitely looking forward to taking Age of Zombies for a spin when it releases this October, and until then drop by the to join in on discussion about the game.
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Exclusive Details, Screens of Cyan’s Upcoming Strategy Puzzler ‘Stoneship’
Last week, in a post featuring new screenshots from the upcoming iPhone version of Riven from Cyan Worlds, we pointed to clues of a new, previously unheard of forthcoming title spotted on the studio's website. At the time, all we saw of Stoneship was an ad banner commanding, "Never let your timbers be shivered!" and a tiny screenshot. Today, Cyan shared with Touch Arcade exclusive details and screenshots to help give readers a feel for what Stoneship is all about.
The upcoming Stoneship represents "a lighthearted new direction" for Cyan Worlds, the studio indicates. The game is a casual, top-down, turn-based, strategy puzzle game "with a bent toward the whimsical," we're told. The game sets you and your first mate on the high seas, charged with exploring, controlling, and protecting vast oceans and islands, under continual threat of a pirate siege. There are eighty three included levels to play through, with additional levels to come later, it appears.
Granted, there's still room for gameplay specifics and other details on this one, but what we've got does paint an overall picture. And the screenshots provided us should help flesh out that picture, further.
Cyan plans to submit Stoneship to Apple in the next few weeks and, as well, confirms that Riven for the iPhone is still on track for a release this fall. We expect to post a full review of Stoneship coincidental with its release in the App Store. Stay tuned.
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NovaLogic’s ‘Comanche’ Helicopter Combat Sim Coming to iPhone?
No long-time aerial combat fan can be a stranger to NovaLogic's helicopter combat series. Known for its comparatively realistic terrain rendering thanks to its use of , the series culminated in the 2001 release of for Windows PCs. A recent banner spotted on seems to indicate that iOS gamers may soon get the opportunity to deal out some death and destruction from the cockpit of a RAH-66 gunship.
Mixed in among a number of promotional graphics on NovaLogic's site, the banner in question depicts an iPhone 4 with the silhouette of a Comanche helicopter rendered on its screen, along with a blueprint side-shot sketch of the craft shown below phrase "Coming Soon." Since we became aware of the banner a few days back [ thanks Kamil ], we've sought confirmation and any details on this upcoming title through several NovaLogic channels, sadly with no success.
The Comanche series made its debut in 1992 and is centered around the helicopter gunship which was in development / prototyping at the time of the games' releases. And, while the Comanche program was cancelled by the U.S. Army in 2004 before fielding, NovaLogic's Comanche series stands as a rather unique and satisfying combat simulation experience — and one that's definitely more sim than simple arcade, first-person blaster.
See a game trailer for Comanche 4 for Windows, featuring in-engine play samples.
Having enjoyed Comanche 3 and 4 on the PC in days past, the prospect of a new iteration of the title on today's iOS devices — which are far more powerful than the PCs of the games' day — with full accelerometer / gyroscope controls has me pretty excited. You can be sure we'll pass on any details we're able to dig up on this upcoming title as soon as we get them.
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From Cyan: ‘Riven’ Screenshots and a New Upcoming Title ‘Stoneship’
In May of last year Cyan Worlds released an iPhone version of their groundbreaking (in its day) point and click adventure Myst [App Store]. Earlier this year we got word that Riven: The Sequel to Myst would be arriving on the iPhone by early summer. And, while it's obviously not here yet, we do have an update for those who've been waiting anxiously for Riven's arrival.
Early this month, Cyan's Mark DeForest (or 'Chogon') made on the Myst online forums indicating that they are expecting Riven to be available in early Fall, with Riven HD for the iPod following sometime after that. What's more, Cyan today launched a simple Riven for iOS website that reveals certain details about the forthcoming iPhone version along with a screenshot gallery.
The original Riven sights and sounds have been meticulously re-assembled for a remarkable experience on the iPhone and iPod touch. Everything that you remember from the original Riven in a format where a simple touch or swipe moves you through the world.
, the install of Riven for the iPhone is huge — and it's not surprising; Riven for the Mac and PC was initially distributed as a set of five CD-ROMs. Cyan has worked to optimize the original game data for the iOS platform but, even so, the game is about a gig and a half in size (probably the largest iOS application out there) and requires over 2 gigabytes of free storage for a successful install.
Riven for iPhone features, as listed by Cyan:
- All the original Ages & gameplay
- High quality images
- Full music & sound effects
- Movies & animations
- Auto-save (when quitting or phone call)
- "Bookmark" system to save & restore progress
- Swipe to turn
- Zoom in anywhere for more detail
- “Hot Spot” hints
- Works with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
We'll take a close look at Riven when it arrives and share our experiences with our readers. But, that's not the end of the Cyan news…
A small ad banner has recently appeared on that reads, "never let your timbers be shivered!" A click on the banner takes you to a rather spartan that shows a screenshot of a new iOS game entitled Stoneship. Now, the savvy Myst fan will recall that "Stoneship" is the name of one of the ages in Myst, and this forthcoming title, which looks as if it may be some sort of top-down naval combat / tower defense / puzzle game, was surely inspired by it.
Unfortunately, that's about all the details we've got at the moment on this forthcoming, new title from Cyan. We'll share additional news on this one as we get it.
[ Thanks Jordan ]
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New Screens and Info for Upcoming Sequel ‘Samurai II: Vengeance’
Developer MadFinger Games has just announced a followup to the popular hack 'n slash title Samurai: Way of the Warrior. We reviewed the game when it was released in September of last year and found it to be an incredibly stylish (and incredibly difficult) action game with intuitive swipe controls. With plenty of awards and high review marks from around the web, as well as three quarter of a million copies downloaded, a sequel to Samurai seems like a no-brainer.
Yesterday MadFinger to dish out some new info and screens from the upcoming sequel, titled Samurai II: Vengeance. Here is the info straight from the developer, along with some work-in-progress screens from the iPad version (click for full size):
- Samurai II: Vengeance boasts twice the gameplay of the first release and features larger levels
- many new combo attacks and violent deaths
- Samurai II also supports a virtual joystick for fans uncomfortable with the gesture control scheme.
- Realistic violent battle sequences, more enemies equipped with new weapons including Samurai Musketeer or Archer, and epic battles with unique Bosses.
- Improved gameplay and new features: solve puzzles, avoid dangerous traps, use discovered objects, and more.
- Daisuke Shimada returns on a mission to avenge Kasumi's death. Follow his story through unique comic storytelling!
- Samurai II also enhances its gameplay through new survival modes.
- Samurai II is developed on the award-winning Unity 3D 3.0 engine supporting the latest technology.
- Original soundtrack.
Samurai II: Vengeance is slated to be released this September for 2nd and 3rd generation iPod touch, iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, and iPad. If this is the first you've heard of the Samurai series, you can check out the original Samurai: Way of the Warrior for your iPhone or iPad in anticipation of this upcoming sequel.
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Coming Soon: ‘Farts VS. Zombies’ – Almost Everything That is Wrong With the App Store Combined in One Game
If I had to list three things the App Store needs less of, fart apps, games with zombies, and line drawing as a control method would all be at or near the top. iPhone developer would apparently disagree with that statement, judging by their upcoming game which merges these three App Store cliches in to one unholy abomination of a game which oddly enough looks like it might actually be fun especially considering the sky high novelty value of the game.
In Farts VS. Zombies, you play as a Chuck Norris lookalike with your pants dropped in front of an endless conveyor belt of food with your butt pointed at an incoming swarm of zombies. The foods you eat determine what kind of fart you will generate, and these fart clouds can then be routed around the room by drawing lines for them to follow. The goal of the game is to protect japanese school girls, who you will need to make sure your fart clouds stay away from while you gas said zombies. Your ultimate attack of sorts seems to be some kind of projectile vomit, which can clear entire swaths of zombies and is aimed by tilting your device.
Farts VS. Zombies has both a survival mode and a story mode… And I can't wait to see how the plot unfolds as per the trailer the ultimate battle at the end of the game is against an evil unicorn who may or may not be responsible for sending hordes of zombies your way.
Farts VS. Zombies is still in development, and hopefully by the time it's released Mutant Games will have time to implement some form of doodle graphics as well. For more information, check out the .
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‘Fastar!’ Review – Who Knew Fighting Angry Squares Would Be So Much Fun?
John Kooistra and Cat in a Box Games Reveal Upcoming Action RPG ‘Fastar!’
John Kooistra's games have been long time favorites around here on TouchArcade, with both Blue Defense and Blue Attack the topic of discussion during episode #5 of our podcast where we had Kooistra on to chat about his then upcoming but since released RTS game Red Conquest as well as the formation of his new development studio, . We just received word that while a sequel to Blue Defense is still in the works along with episode 3 of Red Conquest, Cat in a Box plans on launching their next game, Fastar! on July 30th.
Fastar!, or Fight Angry Squares: The Action RPG, is set around the seemingly ridiculous premise of being an action RPG for when you don't have time for an action RPG. Set in an intentionally vague fantasy world, players fight nothing but squares which oddly enough seem to explode coins upon dying. 24 game modes are included, with many focusing on playing through the game as quickly as possible.
There's a magic system, an in-game shop to upgrade your character, and even online leader boards to post your various speed runs to. Fastar! sounds fairly clever, blending both the quick pick up and play game styles that have become so popular on the App Store with gameplay mechanics action RPG. If all goes as planned, Fastar! should be available on the 30th for 99¢.
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World Cup = So Many Flickin’ Football Apps! What’s Our Pick?
iOS 4 Anti-Aliasing Demonstrated in both ‘Real Racing’ and Upcoming iPhone ‘Zen Bound 2′
While we're all busy fiddling with multitasking and obsessively organizing our apps in to folders, developers are hard at work to fully utilize all the other things under the hood of iOS 4. and are among the first studios taking advantage of iOS 4's new anti-aliasing capabilities.
Anti-aliasing is used to minimize jagged edges found in curved and diagonal lines displayed utilizing the grid of square pixels that make up the displays we use today. Using anti-aliasing, the GPU of the iPhone intelligently decides what color to display on pixels that border the edges of 3D objects to make them blend in to the background and appear more crisp.
As you can see from the above image, the A on the left has no aliasing, while the edges of the A on the right have been blended with the background color. This is a gross over-simplification of how anti-aliasing works, but if you weren't aware before it will at least give you an idea of what you're looking at in the following sets of screenshots:
The effects of the anti-aliasing is incredibly apparent when you focus on the bill of the duck in both images. Secret Exit also posted in our forums, and in a explaining the technical details of anti-aliasing in Zen Bound 2 which mentions the performance cost being too high to utilize the effect in older devices.
In somewhat related Zen Bound 2 news, they also announced that it will soon be available on multiple platforms. Joining the existing iPad Zen Bound 2 [$4.99] is an upcoming iPhone, iPod touch, PC, and Mac version. Recent MacBook owners will be able to use the multi-touch trackpad or even a Magic Mouse to control the game just like the iPhone.
Real Racing [$4.99] saw an update yesterday which not only made the game iPhone 4 friendly complete with high resolution graphics, but also brought anti-aliasing to the iPhone 3GS and 3rd generation iPod touch. It might not have been immediately obvious when you fired up the game since updating, but take a look at a screenshot I took today compared to a screenshot captured for our our review over a year ago:
Looking at the line following the top of the dashboard, the A pillar of the car, and edges of the banner over the makes the new anti-aliasing really pop out comparing the two screenshots. This is only the tip of the iceberg, too. Now that new features like this have been unlocked for developers, it should be really fun to see what they come up with.
Anti-aliasing being supported by the iPhone 3GS and 3rd generation iPod touch is also good news for people who might not be immediately upgrading to the iPhone 4. While you'll obviously be lacking the Retina Display, if developers start implementing anti-aliasing in all their 3D games, everything will look substantially better on your existing device without needing to do anything other than download some game updates.
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