muBlip [rating: 4/5]

muBlip was a finalist for the Audio Achievement award at the 2010 Independent Games Festival and the game has now finally hit the app store. Created by para9 muBlip is a unique one player rhythm based puzzle game. It requires your memory and music skills and you are going to be challenged to get your groove on to the beat!

The game is very easy to follow, it has been described as a simon says type of game. You copy what you see but with a great unique twist to it. First you can choose to follow the tutorial which I recommend as it does help you understand exactly what you need to do to get it right. Then after that you start the game. The music plays in the background and whilst it does you have to watch what shapes light up, what direction they drag them in and the timing that you need to press the shapes. You have to follow all those three things to get it right, so lets hope you all have a bit of rhythm somewhere hidden away, you are going to need it! The patterns on the shapes light up to the rhythm of the song and timing is key.

There are shapes to tap, shapes to drag across your screen and some shapes you just have to hold your finger down on. All making different sounds in time to the beat of the great ambient music in the background. As you go through the level the rhythms getting slightly harder and faster.

There is casual mode and hardcore mode and I must admit I am still on casual mode as it is a bit easier. Then you have different levels the ‘Introduction’ where after completing the tutorial it is just a few levels with starter rhythms but I must admit they are still quite hard. Next is ‘Into The Groove’ and thats for when you are starting to get the hang of it and can do it quite well. There is also an ‘Advanced’ section which I tried, but it was a little fast for me so I would save that level for when you really have picked the game up and are quite good at it. The last part was ‘Mnemosyne’ which was a level to test your great memory. Just watch all the shapes and then copy what you see in time to the rhythm.

Altogether there are 10 levels and at the end of each level you get your percentage of how well you did, so each time you can restart and try achieve a higher percentage. I know it will take me a little time to complete them to a good score. Once I have though, I’m not sure how much I would carry on playing over and over the levels I’ve already completed so it would be great if the developers consider future updates and add more levels.

The user interface in the game is truly beautiful and the music playing in the background is a credit to the developers. The ambient, yet up beat music just gets your feet tapping to the rhythm. I thoroughly enjoyed the game and I’ve yet to master the art of the advanced mode. I’ve not really seen any other game in the app store like this. muBlip from para9 is a challenging, beautiful and unique music game.

The Good

• Great user interface.
• Beautiful ambient music.
• Unique game.

The Not So Good

• Needs more levels

Price: $1.99 (iTunes Store Preview)
Released: Mar 15, 2010
Reviewed Version: 1.0.0
Size: 31.0 MB
Language: English
Seller: para9 inc.
© 2010 para9 inc.
Rated 4+
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later.

Independent Games Festival finalist and now partnering with Chillingo, Lazy 8 Studios is certainly having a great new year. We received an update from Chillingo regarding their upcoming game for iPhone developed by Lazy 8 Studios called ‘Cogs’.

Cogs is one of the most stylish and sophisticated mind bending puzzle game you might ever come across for an iPhone. Almost every other request at Touch Reviews being a puzzle game (Match 3 puzzles!) Cogs proved to be a surprisingly pleasant change and a new take on the puzzle game genre. PC version of Cogs has already been a success and if you play a few levels (download free demo) you will begin to realize that this game reflects high quality and its design creates a fantastic gaming experience.

The main object is to solve puzzles which are presented as parts of machines and need to be connected in order to make the machine functional. Machines comprise of various gadgets which include gears, pipes, hammers, chimes, balloons and much more. Players will be able to choose from 50 levels and 3 gameplay modes.

Cogs is much more than just a puzzle game. If you love puzzle games or ever wanted to build a machine and see it work this is the perfect game for you.

Cogs will be available for iPhone/iPod touch this January!

Cogs Trailer (PC Version)

Cogs Teaser (iPhone Version)

Cogs iPhone Screenshots

The game is based on the popular shoot ’em up genre, your objective is to stop the aggressive aliens from invading your world. Though there are many intergalactic shooting games in the App Store, the developer claims that its design is genre-defining and will appeal to casual and hardcore gamers alike.

The developers are planning a late-October release to ensure the game’s entry into the 2010 Independent Games Festival.

Early Screenshots

Orbital Defence iPhone_1

Orbital Defence iPhone_2

Orbital Defence iPhone_3

Orbital Defence iPhone_4