The last few weeks in the App Store has been very good to gamers. First KATAMARI Amore released (for free), then Psychonauts released in the Mac App Store (coming next week's GameTime--probably) then Burnout and Scribblenauts came out for iOS. This week I'll take a look at two of the most inventive, addicting games to ever release on iOS.
Warner Bros. Entertainment
Universal!
$4.99
Scribblenauts Remix is the iOS version of the breakaway Nintendo DS success. In Scribblenauts you're tasked with creating solutions to problems by writing them down. As the game description notes, there are an incredible amount of options here, whether you summon a "colossal, winged car" or a "shy, frost-breathing, robotic hippopotamus."
Scribblenauts understands everything. Assault rifle, diploma, jetpacks, enormous pencil, ten foot tall baby, my face. It's insane.
It's surprising how much love and care has been given to making the game feel adequate on iOS. You can "Shake to undo," tweet your scores, use iCloud to switch between iPads, iPhones, or iPod touches without restarting the game, and there are 50 levels (10 of which are brand new to iOS). This game was a huge success at $30+ for DS, and (if I'm doing my math correctly) this version is a sixth of that cost. You honestly won't believe how awesome this game is.
In one level, I was tasked with preparing a classroom for a new year. After hanging motivational posters, an anatomically correct skeleton, a tiny apple, and an electric chair, I summoned an asteroid. Everything blew up and I was awarded an achievement for destroying the world. Whoops?
NamcoBandai Games
Universal!
Free
If you've never played Katamari, no written description will suffice, but I'll try. You basically roll things into a big ball, which gets larger the more you roll into it. What starts as a minuscule pile of thumbtacks, pennies, and gum drops can (in no longer than a few minutes) be sweeping up stars, planets, and eventually entire galaxies.
The first iteration released on consoles, but since then it's rolled its way onto just about every major gaming platform, including the iPhone years ago. The first phone version was called "i Love Katamari" and costs $7. Whether by some massive miscalculation or general goodwill to gamers, KATAMARI Amore is free--but only a single level. To unlock the whole game, you'll need to buy the $3.99 In-App unlock, but the free version serves as an excellent demo to get new Katamarians to <3 the game.
What a month to be a gamer with an iOS device!
Fion
October 14, 2011 at 11:05am
You guys, I was up late last night playing Scribblenauts. I hate my life because sometimes I can't figure out what to draw. Like the one with the knight who has to get across the lake? HOW DO I GET HIM ACROSS THE LAKE?
Oh my gosh, it's maddening.
