Ubisoft is all set to launch Rabbids Big Bang for the iPhone and iPad on October 17th. It is a physics-based game where you get to control little mammals called Rabbids.
Rabbids belong to the race of bunnies that have evolved over a hundred years. The Earth is not enough for them so they are taking a journey to space to explore and make it their playground.
You get to pilot the Rabbids using jetpack boots and gravitational pull of the planets. The goal is to avoid accidents by flying around various obstacles.
The game will include 150 different missions including “crash-landing landing on planets, bouncing off of space cows and reaching specific speeds.” Ubisoft in a press release revealed that Rabbids Big Bang will include lots of customisation options such as upgrading jetpacks, dressing up Rabbids and much more.
Rabbids Big Bang for iPhone and iPad will be priced at $0.99. Ubisoft shared a few screenshots of the game with us. The 3D game environment reveals that you will collect bunny coins and you will have limited fuel to complete your journey around the planets.
Physics-based games have proved to be a popular genre on the App Store. Angry Birds has been one of the most successful series in this genre. In Angry Birds Space we saw the birds fighting the pigs in space.
We will have to wait for the launch of Rabbids on iPhone to see how exciting will the gameplay be and if it manages to get us addicted.
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IllusionLabs aren’t strangers to App Store success, with TouchGrind and Labyrinth just two of their titles that have been big hits they now attempt again with their new title Blast A Way. Blast A Way for iPhone and iPad is a colorful physics puzzler where your task is to rescue the 3 Boxies that have been left strewn across all 5 worlds and 80 levels.
So how do achieve this task? Its quite simple really, the answer is bombs! 6 different types of bombs to be exact that will blow things up, transport you, change colors and even rebuild previously exploded blocks. All of these actions will enable you to move around the levels and collect the previously mentioned Boxies who are stranded and are waiting for you to pick them up.
The physics of the game are pitch perfect. You navigate the levels with a variety of touch controls which allow you to zoom, rotate and focus on any area of the beautifully designed levels. You can then move your character by drawing a path for them to walk along and final you can throw a bomb by touching where you want it to land and choosing the angle to throw it.
Bomb placement is where the real skill is required, direction, angle and power will all influence the final location of the bomb and where the bomb lands will influence the effect that the bomb has on the Boxies, the environment and even you, especially if you are standing too close to the bomb when it explodes.
It’s nice that you aren’t restricted in the number of bombs that you have at your disposal especially as on some levels getting the bomb to where you need it to land can be pretty tricky.
The 5 worlds are themed on different materials including wood, metal, plastic and fabric and while the structure of the worlds are similar being all made out of a variety of geometric shapes the different materials make them look great. This is certainly the case on the retina displays of the iPhone 4S and the new iPad where they pop off the screen.
It’s frustrating that as a universal app there is no progression synchronization between devices and while there is Game Center integration the 7 achievements are a little disappointing and it would have been nice to see a little more creativity here.
Blast A Way is a wonderful new physics puzzler, at $4.99 it’s a little on the pricey side but you can always try 20 levels for free via Blast A Way Free to see if you like it before you buy it.
[rating: 4/5]
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[rating: 3/5]
Swing the Bat Review: The game has nothing to do with baseball. In this game you are a Tarzan-like bat (you know, the mammal) that swings from tree to tree while learning to fly.
It’s a bit like Cut the Rope or Bouncy Mouse, with your bat throwing Spidey-silk at trees and swinging between them. You touch the screen to throw a strand, which catches a nearby tree. You then swing from that strand and release your touch to get the best possible arc for catching the next tree, all while picking up some fruit, or avoiding the annoyances like pandas and monkeys that get in your way. If you pick up enough fruit, you can even fly on your own for brief periods. Touching the screen will allow you to fly upwards; releasing will have you drifting downwards again. But it doesn’t last. Pretty soon you’ll be back to your swinging ways.
One of the best elements of this game is the swing meter. When you catch a tree, a colored arc appears giving you feedback on the best timing to release your bat for a good swing. It’s an easy device to understand, but not always easy to execute.
The game’s music has a bit of a comedy-spy-movie feel to it; it’s bright and a bit bouncy. The cartoon style is fun and the bright colors help you identify important elements. For instance, some trees aren’t up to the task of supporting a swinging bat. They have segments that are much darker (burnt? rotted?), which makes it easy to spot them once you know what you’re looking for.
While fun to play, this game feels like Chillingo is trying to get mileage out of its string physics assets. It’s a different adaptation of those physics, but it doesn’t feel like there’s much game that was built around it. Physics for physics sake has limited value in holding players’ attention. There are objectives to each level that introduce new obstacles or skills, and there are rewards, such as costumes, to go along with them. But somehow it’s just not enough to get invested in the game.
Swing the Bat isn’t a bad game. It’s fun and easy to play, and can be difficult to get good at. But with only two game modes and a limited storyline, it seems like there are other games that give you more bang for the buck. However, if you like the string physics games, there’s enough variation from the others to make it worth a look.
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[rating: 3/5]
‘Stuntjump Tumbler‘ is a physics-based game that challenges you to maneuver through obstacle fields to collect coins and reach the flag to advance to the next level.
The game is a bit like Mario adapted for the accelerometer and touch screen. You are a round, rolling face that can be made to go faster or slower based on the tilt of the device. You touch the screen to gather yourself in, which makes you smaller – important in navigating some obstacles – then let go to jump over or on to objects in your path. Coins appear along your path to encourage you to navigate the obstacles in a specific way.
The graphics appear as hand-drawn sketches on old-school graph paper, different than the usual computer-generated look. At times it’s a little plain to look at, but it doesn’t interfere with the game play.
The responsiveness of the bouncy, rolling head seems a little sluggish, but it does add to the challenge of the game. Because you can’t roll backwards, there are places you can get stuck and have to restart the level you are on.
There is a free version of the game, which includes only 18 levels, or a paid version for $0.99, which has 60 levels to challenge you.
Overall, the game seemed a bit slow and frustrating. It would be easy to get to a rough spot and put the game down rather than try again. I’d give the free version a try and if you’re still playing at level 18, spring for the paid version to continue on. A small change in the game mechanics could make a big difference; so keeping up with updates may pay off.
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[rating: 4/5]
Jump Out for iPhone 4 is brought to you by Avallon Alliance Limited and is a new physics puzzler. Think Cut The Rope but this time with little cute bugs jumping about on your screen.
The big googly-eyed bugs in ‘Jump Out‘ have had enough being stuck in the box and are now waiting for you to help them escape. With 60 levels to complete you the differents bugs will have to dodge obstacles to get to safety while collecting stars as you go.
You start out as a charming beetle bug. To get around your box you have to bounce onto what looks like bottle tops. Bouncing from one to the other. If the bug lands on the floor though, you will see your new found friendly bug wither away and die. So it’s best to watch out so that you are careful with your jumps!
The controls are easy to pick up. When you first start to play the game it will show you the controls in the background of how to control your bug. Simply flick him by holding on to him then letting go. If you want to see where he might land hold your finger down longer and a line will appear to guide you with your aim. I must admit once I figured out that bit, it was a little easier at getting him to go where I wanted.
You have to aim for the exit and while you are jumping from bottle top to bottle top collect stars as you go. The more stars you collect the more points you earn. To get to the next level you only actually have to get one bug through the exit. I felt this a bit strange as I expected to have to get all bugs through but that wasn’t the case. At times this made it a slightly easier to play. You do score more obviously if you manage to free all.
The warm up levels are quite easy but help you get into the swing of things for the harder levels. As you progress you will start getting obstacles in the way like sugar cube barriers and fans blowing strong air out. Each one needing the bug to work its way around it.
There are currently four bugs to free, the charming beetle, high-jumping cricket, feeble shrimp and tough snail each with their own unique abilities. You get new bugs as you work through the levels.
The graphics are fun and colourful, with great animated characters. Their huge eyes are bound to have you feeling sorry for them and help them the best you can!
It is a fun, challenging game for all ages and one that can be picked up and played for any length of time. There is Game Center support coming soon. The developers have also promised new bugs, traps and levels. A great game to try with the promise of much more to come.
Pros
Cons
$0.99
Category: Games
Released: Apr 22, 2011
Version: 1.0
1.0
Size: 13.6 MB
Language: English
Seller: Avallon Alliance Ltd.
© 2011 by Avallon Alliance LTD
Rated 4+
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1 or later
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Nano Panda is a highly addictive puzzle game for the iPhone 4. This game uses adorable little pandas to try and take out menacing looking orbs while trying to collect stars. Along the way the game will throw a number of obstacles in your way as well as introduce new methods to show how to complete your tasks. Fair warning this game is highly addictive and has tons of levels!
The control system is fairly easy to grasp as for the most part you simply launch pandas out of a tube. However as the game progresses you will have to use creative methods to accomplish your tasks. For instance, an important tidbit of information is that the pandas create a magnetic field to one another when multiple are launched. You will have to get creative with this feature but it is truly priceless when it comes to beating the levels. You will also run into platforms that you use to bounce the pandas but these are redirected with a simple click. Part of the charm of this game is the simple yet clever control system that it exploits. No button mashing here, simple clicks to get things going and from there it’s about solving the puzzle and having impeccable timing.
The quality and number of maps in Nano Panda [$.99, App Store] makes this game even more addicting. With over 100 maps in this game you will not find yourself getting bored anytime soon. Though many of the maps utilize many similar controls and techniques they find a way to be different from the last so the game never seems monotonous. The maps have all kinds of obstacles, these obstacles range from spiked walls, moving spiked pillars, rotating platforms and many more. Timing will get you past most of the obstacles you find however from time to time you will need to use the pandas magnetic charge or a moving pillar to get the pandas to go where you want them to.
There is rarely one single way to accomplish your goal and that is why this game is so fun. You are not stuck with one option. At times it gets a little frustrating but you’ll catch on after playing for a bit and will begin going for all of the frowny faced orbs as well as all of the stars in no time. Each level has a given number of orbs that you must demolish and then 3 stars to capture. Capturing the stars while ridding the space of the 
orbs proves to be the most difficult task. The stars are used to rate how you do on each level on a one to three scale. This gives you something to strive for besides simply finishing the level.
The presentation of this game is great. Nano Panda does a great job of changing up the appearance and having great music throughout. The level design is awesome and the aesthetics are equally well done. The music can get a bit monotonous at times but it is very fitting and the sound effects change it up enough to keep it from getting old. This game is very well put together and it plays very smooth without a hitch at any point. The physics seemed to be pretty much dead on for me and never left me thinking there was a glitch. I highly recommend this addictive yet adorable game!
Pros
Cons
$0.99
Category: Games
Released: Apr 22, 2011
Version: 1.0
1.0
Size: 45.6 MB
Language: English
Seller: unit9
© 2011 unit9.apps
Rated 4+
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
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Block Shooter developed by Wode Mobile is a great puzzle game that will keep you entertained and going back for another quick play. Save the blue blocks and shoot at the evil red ones to play the game.
The game rules are easy to follow, on your screen you will find colored red blocks on a platform. You have to fire at them with a smiley face, a yellow ball. To do this you direct an arrow in the direction you want the ball to go. Once you are all lined up in position you let go, hopefully your ball with go where you had hoped and knock the red blocks off the platform and fall down.
Once you have completed a few levels the game then starts putting in the blue blocks you are trying to save. No matter what, they have to stay on the platform otherwise you will lose points. This does get harder as the levels progress, sometimes the red blocks are very near to the blue ones.
When you fire the smiley faced balls you have a choice of size; ranging from small to large. Obviously the smaller one isn’t going to knock off as much as the larger one. There are also balls made of different materials for example iron and rubber. Each ball offers a different kind of power.
There are lots of obstacles to stand in your way which makes the game very challenging for you. Every time you knock a red block you earn points, if you knock off a blue block you lose points. Every time you use a ball to aim and shoot you also lose points. So, the best method is to try and clear all the red blocks with as little balls as you can do it in. To get to the next level you have to earn a set amount of points, if you don’t then you will have to restart it until you do.
At first it wasn’t that clear what I had to do to move to the next level, it is not all about clearing all the red blocks away so make sure you keep an eye on what points you have. This way of scoring and moving on to the next level made the game slightly different to other physics puzzle games.
The Graphics are very cute and eye catching. The faces they have on the blocks will be loved by most people and are quite funny at times! The game also features some nice up beat music to get you into the spirit of the game.
Block Shooter is a fun pick up and play game for any age.
$0.99 (View in iTunes)
Category: Games
Released: Dec 08, 2010
Version: 1.0
1.0 (iOS 4.0 Tested)
8.6 MB
Language: English
Seller: Wode Mobile (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.
© Wode Mobile Inc
Rated 4+
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
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Tiki Totems 2 is a great puzzle game that will have you gripped from the start. Keep the gods happy by clearing the blocks that are underneath the totem. Don’t let it touch the ground though otherwise the gods will be angry and they will send hot burning lava on to your villagers.
Created by Spokko, Tiki Totems is an addictive puzzle game that is very easy to pick up and play at any time. You start with the prologue level and this is really a tutorial to get you to understand how to play the game. The objective is to clear all the blocks away without the totem falling, then you can move onto the next level.
The main thing you need to know is the different sort of blocks you have to clear from under the totem. There are normal wooden blocks which just require one tap on them to clear, ice blocks which will crack the first time then break the second time. Ice won’t break if you tap it you have to make it fall or drop a block on it, then it will break or crack. Green covered moss blocks have a little bounce to them if another block lands on them.
There are also stone blocks which cannot be moved they are more there just to get in your way. Also magic blocks you are unable to do anything with them. To clear them you have to make two magic blocks collide then they will disappear! There are also bombs on some of the levels, watch out for these, when you make them explode they can send the totem and blocks flying in different directions to where you want them to go.
The game reminds me a little of Saving Private Sheep which is also available in the app store. If you like that you will certainly like this! The blocks have to be removed but as you progress it becomes harder as there are obstacles in your way. It might be that you have to control a ramp that the totem is on or balance it on a block. It is the type of game you need to plan ahead before you just try clearing the blocks.
It starts off nice and easy and you think it is going to be easy to complete it but then as you get further into the levels it is quite hard. There is also Game Center and Open Feint integration which is great so you can complete with your friends and unlock all the achievements.
The game also features a level editor. This is where you can create unlimited levels of your own. A great easy to use feature and one that the developers used themselves to create each level within the game!
The graphics are retina display ready and the music is very fitting for the game and made it an enjoyable game to play. Multi-tasking is also supported. I think the game could do with more levels but there is a section within the game that says, ‘more soon’ so it looks like that is already in the pipeline.
Touch Reviews got an exclusive look of Tiki Totems 2 before the release. The game will be available on the App Store soon.
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Physics based puzzle games have become more and more popular and one of the latest to fall into the App Store is Collider the Game from Dan Russel-Pinson. Collider the Game challenges you to clear over 50 levels of positive and negative elements.
The game is as simple as they come yet sometimes frustratingly difficult, especially in the later levels, it also has the kind of can’t put down addictiveness that can result in sleepless nights and late attendees at work, college or school. All that being said though it’s not without it’s faults.
Each level presents you with a selection of negative and positive particle balls and your challenge is to collide them together to make them disappear. As with most games of this style the early levels present you with pretty straight forward challenges where you task will be as simple as rolling the balls along metallic runways, tubes and platforms. Placing your particle balls where you think they will collide with themselves and or the non-placement particles balls you then hit the play button to set them free and watch how they react in the industrial environment.
As you progress the levels get more and more challenging and you’ll have explosives, gates, non-charged balls and ropes to name but a few additional challenges to overcome and you’ll find yourself replaying some of the levels multiple times while you tweak your placement to complete the level. Replaying the levels is simply enough, hit the rewind button and the level will reverse back to your previous setup. However, while the rewind motion to reset the level is cute, by the time your are on your 20th reset the slow motion rewind can be frustrating and an option to instantly reset the level would be a great addition.
In addition to the rewind option you can also use a fast forward button to speed up the levels to find out whether your particle placement has worked or not. The levels have an industrial feel to them but the styling is a little lacking and has a retro feel that doesn’t feel in keeping with this type of game. You can also choose to play the game both the sound effects and music, just the sound effects or no sound to allow you to listen to your own music.
The game is a single player game and offers no leader boards for either local or online comparison.
Overall Collider the Game just misses the mark, the difficulty level just out balances the addictiveness and while it can be fun it can also be challenging.
The Good
The Not So Good
Reviewed By: Craig Willis
Intro Video
Price: $.99 (iTunes Store)
Reviewed Version: 1.0
Size: 9.7 MB
Seller: Dan Russel-Pinson
Back in the 80’s when I was younger than I am now I got a Spirograph for Christmas. For those of you that don’t know, a Spirograph was a toy that enabled you to draw mathematical, symmetrical drawings by rolling a pen or pencil across a piece of paper via a whole in different style cogs. What does this have to do with Gravity Sling Deluxe I hear you ask, well these mathematical spirals are also drawn in this game as you launch your spaceman back to dock with his spaceship. They look beautiful as they automatically generate but while this is one of the best parts of this game for me, it’s also the worst.
Anyway, on with the game!
Gravity Sling Deluxe is a puzzle inertia game where you’ll launch your spaceman into space with the intention of using the gravitational pull of various planets to spin you through space and eventually to your spaceship. The initial graphics are relatively simple, a small space ship and, in comparison, a giant of a spaceman and a few planets are sprinkled across the back drop of space and while there are nothing spectacular they are effective.
For most of the early levels the planets are static and only vary by size and placement. Your challenge from here is to use the arrow emanating from your spaceman to control the direction and power of your trajectory to start the initial motion. Depending of the level sooner or later your spaceman will soon be sucked into the gravitational pull of the first planet you fly near. How much you are affected by the gravitational pull will depend on the size of the planet and how close to it you are but you will soon find yourself circulating the planet hoping to be slingshot to another planet or direct to your spaceship.
It’s during this time that the beautiful spirograph line drawings are made as your path is drawn behind you. On some of the levels a couple of rotations will soon see you landing at your target while on others you will be spinning around multiple planets over and over again as you make your way home.
It’s this aspect that for me is a double-edged sword. Sure the patterns look beautiful and rarely are two patterns the same, however once you have launched your spaceman all you can do is sit back and relax while you wait to see if your initial force and direction were accurate enough to get you back to your spaceship. For some levels you’ll find your self waiting for up to 30 seconds to see if you succeed and I often found myself doing something else only to come back a couple of minutes later to see if I was successful or whether I had plummeted head first into one of the planets or even been lost in outer space!
If you do crash, or disappear into outer space, restarting the level is very straight forward as the level is immediately re-drawn. To make things a little easier for you your previous arrow location is stored so you can easily make slight adjustments to make your route more successful than your previous attempt.
For 99 cents you get 109 levels of gravitational fun, which is a lot of levels for you money! These levels are split into groups including starting with 19 standard levels the first few of which include a brief tutorial, 30 Stationary, 30 Movers and 30 Challenge levels meaning that there is enough here to keep you puzzled and entertained for many hours.
To add even more value the game is linked to the OpenFeint meaning that your scores and achievements, of which there are 26 in total, are synchronized to the OpenFeint servers enabling you to track your high scores and achievements against other players and your friends. A nice addition that adds more value to what you already have for your 99 cents (iTunes Link). Not only that, Twitter and Facebook integration is also included.
Overall Gravity Sling Deluxe is a great way to spend a dollar, lots of content and tricky puzzles that will keep you coming back for more spiraling fun over and over again.
The Good
The Not So Good
Reviewed by: @CraigWillis
Gravity Sling Deluxe Gameplay Video
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