App of My Eye » Microsoft

Aera

Art — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:37:27 +0000

It’s been six years since the release of one of my favorite games on the original Microsoft Xbox. Developed by Microsoft’s FASA Studio, Crimson Skies: High Road To Revenge had everything that you would want in a game at the time: highly stylized graphics, an epic setting, a sandbox gameplay environment, easy pick-up and play controls, and online gameplay through Xbox Live, which was still relatively novel for consoles at the time. However, since then, we haven’t heard anything in regards to a sequel and while FASA Studio has closed its doors, the original creators are working on the next Mechwarrior installment as Smith & Tinker in conjunction with Piranha Games. They’ve said they will turn their attention to a Crimson Skies sequel next, but c’mon, really? I mean it’s almost the end of the current generation’s console lifecycle. Therefore, it sounds like we won’t see a sequel until the next generation systems come out. So what should we do until then? I recommend checking out iChrome’s Aera, a simplified flight simulator that features a hybrid 3D/2D side-scrolling gameplay in exceptional retro 1950′s style graphics much like Crimson Skies. Supplemented with 3 types of game modes, such as Aerobatic/Solo, Dog Fight, and Racing, expand your repetoire of moves as you master more advanced controls. Most impressive is the ‘Time Back’ feature which allows you to return to the spot before a crash rather than restarting. Highly recommended as a brief respite from your desire for a Crimson Skies sequel. Price: $2.99.

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Sorcerer #1 & Sorcerer #2

Art — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:49:33 +0000

Believe it or not, I recently went to church with my family and I ran into my old elementary school classmate, Charlene, who also now has a family of her own. While we quickly, yet nervously went through muted intros followed by the standard oohs and ahhs of viewing each other’s precious toddler during another guilt-ridden homily, I had remembered a simpler time when the 10-year old versions of ourselves were at recess at the Our Lady of the Visitacion school. I had caught Charlene reading Christine by Stephen King, which fascinated me to no end and obviously still does since I’m bringing it up again. Basically, I was amazed that anyone our age would be reading at all (MTV had just launched) and of all things, an author, whose only impression upon me was a couple of good movie adaptations in The Shining and Carrie, while the rest, such as Christine, were too silly to even consider. Yet, years later, I’ve now come to realize that King has opened doors for many other writers, such as Anne Rice, Stephanie Meyer and J.K. Rowling, to come into the mainstream from genres usually chided for their content even before a word is ever read of their work. In many respects, Sorcerer #1 and Sorcerer #2 by Death=Head & Co. pays homage to a similar pioneer in the Wizardry franchise, which originally was created by Sir-Tech in the 80′s. A simple wireframe dungeon crawl role-playing game mixed with 8-bit graphics and elements of Dungeons & Dragons rules, Sorcerer #1 and Sorcerer #2 is everything you remember of the Wizardry series except the price: 2 for the price of nothing! While not for everyone, hopefully the new fools can appreciate what the old skool reminisces about. Price: Free.

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Little Runner

Art — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:32:49 +0000

If you remember awhile back, I was looking for a Lode Runner clone and I was so obsessed about finding one that I even used Bing.com. Damn Microsoft and their media blitz! Unfortunately, I didn’t find one, but instead, I got hooked by this cute and simple game recently released by Red Rocket Games. Little Runner is an exceptional concept that just works perfectly on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Play as an alien from a “strange race of Runners”, whose sole desire is to run. To those ends, you gotta help him out by moving slabs of stone up and down using the touchscreen. Ensure his pace is uninterrupted by any hazards caused by uneven ground, such as high steps and deep pits. Get scored based on travel distance and attempt to improve your high score each time. This should tide me over until I get a fairly loyal Lode Runner clone or at least until I get my hands on a iPhone 3G S. Highly recommended for its creativity, easy controls, and addictive nature. Price: 99¢.

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