App of My Eye » Xbox

GeoGeo Wars

Art — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:19:23 +0000

Would you believe that I play games based on current weather conditions? Seriously, it’s no joke. During the late Spring and Summer months, I’m primarily playing Adventure and RPG games, such as Lost Odyssey and LEGO Batman: The Videogame. In those types of games, I’m going at my own pace rather than just plain reacting like when I play first-person shooters (FPS) or other types of ‘twitch’ games. Sometimes it’s just too darn hot to play a game that will just add to your discomfort. This usually includes games like Street Fighter IV on the Xbox 360 and most games for the Nintendo Wii. Honestly, if I wanted a workout, I’d go play basketball. However, as we’re now in the middle of the Fall months and the temperature is steadily decreasing with each passing day, I’m back on both FPS and Nintendo Wii games. Working up a sweat playing such games definitely helps combat the chilly conditions and saves on using the heater. But now I’m taking it on the road with games like adot’s GeoGeo Wars, an impressive homage to Geometry Wars with unique additions to make an already outstanding game just a tad better, especially on the iPhone. With a variety of enemies attacking you eventually from all sides, you frantically control the ship using a finger to swipe all over the level while auto-fire is active. Furthermore, if you’re in a jam, be aware of power-ups as they become available. Its excellent polish shows as soon as you pick up the game and quickly understand what to do: kill lots of enemies, while trying to survive. Currently employing Open Feint for leaderboards and bragging rights, and soon to have more levels, this game already has more bang for the buck. Recommended. Price: 99¢.

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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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Crystal Quest

Art — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:58:02 +0000

In a past life, I had the pleasure of talking with the original creator of Crystal Quest, Patrick Buckland, who described to me the essence of it’s gameplay experience in one word: therapeutic. When he conceived of his memorable classic, the majority of other arcade games in the mid to late 80’s, whether in arcades or on personal computers, was about destroying everything in sight. Patrick instead thought a game, in which the player would prefer avoiding enemies (aka Nasties) first before resorting to destroying them, would be more interesting. Plus, by adding crystals for points amongst the enemies in a full playing field, the player would then see several moves ahead and thus, giving a sense of ‘cleaning up a chalkboard.’ For me, it was food for thought and, while I may not totally agree with the therapeutic nature of the analogy, I do agree that you must check out one of the most beloved Mac games from back in the day. As a bonus, the classic version is included as well as the updated version based on the Xbox Live Arcade release. Check it out and see why it has stood the test of time. Price: $2.99.

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