your opinions on the iPhone games?

[SooTyLaD]

the games i have on my iPhone so far are:

• Moonlight Mahjong (Full version)

• Sudoku Unlimited

• Enigmo

• Aurora Feint

My opinions on these are that although the more work has gone into Enigmo and Aurora, they aren't the best... I did about 4 levels of Enigmo and haven't had any inkling to play since then, and with Aurora, the block game is brilliant and would keep me entertained for ages, but its clouded by a load of very ambiguous role play stuff which i think spoils the game...

Mahjong and Sudoku though, they are really really good... simple, polished and cheap... can't go wrong

anyone agree? the only other game on there at the mo that i would consider is that pool one but i'm not sure...

 

[marksman]

I am a bit disappointed by the selection of games so far, unfairly so I think.

I was thinking about it today and all the games are very basic, very simple, and very shallow. There is no depth or investment for any of them. These have never been the kind of games I enjoy playing for more than a few minutes. I know Yahoo! games and other places are packed full of people playing games like this day and night. I have some people in my own family who can't stop playing these games.

Me though, I need something more in depth, more lasting, more involved. And this is where the unfair part comes in. There simply has not been enough time to develop the kind of game I would enjoy. I just have to hope and assume someone or multiple someones are working on more involved and complex games and they will eventually show up.

 

[sunfast]

I've paid for three games so far - Super Monkey Ball, Crash Bandicoot and Sudoku Unlimited.

Sudoku was the cheap one - does the job, very pleased.

I've got the same frustrations with Super Monkey Ball as most and hope the forthcoming update will sort it.

Crash is awesome, definitely worth the money and loads of fun. I can hardly get the phone of the girlfriend as she's always playing it!

I'm interested to see where the games will go. I don't know anything about the iPhone innards but from what's already on offer I guess we could see some great games - even reasonably complex ones - once developers have really got stuck in.

Does anybody know how and iPhone compares to a PSP for example in power terms? Could we ever see something like the PSP version of GTA for the iPhone? Or at least some older console type titles? I'm excited as to where it could all go but I'd like to see some more serious games to complement the time killers.

 

[bluelondon]

the games so far haven't been all that. i play them for a few minutes and then get bored.

i've bought super monkey ball, motoracer and holdem poker, and also downloaded cube runner and jirbobreak for free. none are really great titles but the graphics of super monkey ball are promising and it shows how capable this little phone of ours really is. i'm hoping to see some real fun games come out this year.

that one adventure game that was previewed in the WWDC when iphone 3g was launched looked amazing, where the guy is running across and fighting monsters ala prince of persia style.

also looking forward to the need for speed title.

 

[kresh]

What I have played so far are extremely disappointing. It seriously reminds me of shareware games or ports of crap mobile games, or ports from early 90's era games (Vey).

Even Super Monkey Ball did not live up to the hype for me, well not really hype but the excitement I had from the Stevenote. The only real surprise, and it is a pleasant one at that, is Aurora Feint.

I am hoping time will improve the quality of games being offered.

 

[TimothyB]

I thought I'd be buying a lot of games, but really haven't.

MotionX Poker: Love it, it's simple, but the stats, unlockable dice, tables, and gem achievements keep you hooked. Even told when a certain dice has brought me more luck.

Aurora Feint: Dled it, but haven't taken the time to set it up.

Cube Runner: Nice quick diversion.

Tap Tap: Dled it just to mess with, but overall presentation is lacking. I think it's missing graphics. When you make a hit, there is not indication, the line doesn't flash, nothing. Unless it's animating something under my finger. Once you start a song it's hard not to put it down.

Vay: Seems like a great RPG. Though, the menu system is not the original, but a plain white iPhone interface that pulls you from the game. Often to do something simple things you have to go through several pages to equip something. Then you have to manually click back each one to get out. You have no clue what items do. Like in a store, you look at weapons, but I don't think you can find out if it's better or not. Overall, because of this, management is such I chore I lose my will to play it.

Enigmo: Played it a few times, but haven't had the urge to play more yet.

 

[TimothyB]

Anyway, I just hope in time more quality stuff will come out.

Like a small sample of Circulate for 99 cents has been pretty fun and simple diversion. Check out the full trailer for October here: http://europe.lemonquest.com/sites/circulateprologue/#

Then there's this RPG made just for the iPhone, and after finishing the campaign, you can enter a mmorpg mode with that character and items:
http://www.kikitechnology.com/

 

[SooTyLaD]

The only real surprise, and it is a pleasant one at that, is Aurora Feint.

I genuinely can't get my head around what you're supposed to do in this game, the block side of things is simple and brilliant, but i just dont understand all the role playing side of things...

i want to enjoy it, but i think i need to read a bit about it first... the site doesn't have any info would you mind giving me a quick run-down or maybe linking me to some info? i can't find any

 

[kresh]

A lot of the role playing aspects are not enabled yet. The tools and weapons are not working in this version.

Supposedly there is an update pending that is awaiting inclusion into the App Store.

Here is a forum for Aurora Feint, you will get much more info there than I will ever be able to teach you

http://aurorafeint.proboards100.com/index.cgi

 

[SooTyLaD]

A lot of the role playing aspects are not enabled yet. The tools and weapons are not working in this version.

Supposedly there is an update pending that is awaiting inclusion into the App Store.

Here is a forum for Aurora Feint, you will get much more info there than I will ever be able to teach you

http://aurorafeint.proboards100.com/index.cgi

funnily enough, my aurora just updated when i checked a few mins ago, so we'll see what has changed

re: motionX poker... oh. my. god. - its brilliant you cannot stop playing!!! (you have been warned its massively addictive!)

EDIT: just loaded Aurora... this update seems to delete your old character... not that it matters at the moment i guess...

 

[i-John]

I don't see why people think Super Monkey Ball is so great. It looks like a crap shareware game from the 90s.

If that is the best developers can come out with, it will never be a gaming platform.

I'm sure it will be fun for all about 10 seconds.

 

[Tragedies]

I think the games currently in the App Store are very basic, and as time goes by, they'll get better and better.

Currently, though, I think games like Auroria Feint and Tap Tap Revenge are great games. Enigmo, which I purchased too, is also good, but only if you've got spare time (its more of a game which can be played while waiting at the Airport, or in a meeting or whatnot) while Tap Tap Revenge can quickly be played if you've got a minute too spare. I haven't tried Crash or Monkey Ball, but I don't think they are very good (granted i haven't played them though.)

-mikey

 

[chrisb3]

Some random thoughts about games on my Touch:

Aurora Feint: Has a Puzzle Quest feel to it, but I'll have more of an opinion after the update finally makes it to the AppStore.

2 across: Really nice crossword puzzle program for $6.

Cube Runner: Basic. But fun for a quick time killer. And free.

Galcon: Excellent strategy game worth the $10. Hopefully he will add more of the scenarios from the desktop version in future updates.

Moonlight Mahjong Lite: Excellent and free. What's better than that?

Scrabble: Decent port of classic board game.

Trism: Cool concept. Need more time with it to decide if I really like it or not.

Solitaire Forever: Good solitaire game. Hopefully the dev will fix the no music while playing bit.

Vay: Haven't had the time for it.

SMB: See my sig.

 

[lesliegolf]

Count me in the group that gets bored of the iphone racing games, etc pretty fast.

Also, I travel a lot and have found some of my favorite games will not work without a network connection.

I have been playing more of the classics. Solitaire Top 3, Shanghai Mahjong, Bejeweled and Crosswords. I am about to give into Sudoku but I have never played.

I also found the better quality Mahjong and Solitaire games to be the cheaper ones. I own about 3 of each.

Its early. I am looking forward to the future of the app store. I think the UI itself of the app store needs some cleaning as well.

 

[amysig]

I am a bit disappointed by the selection of games so far, unfairly so I think.

I was thinking about it today and all the games are very basic, very simple, and very shallow. There is no depth or investment for any of them. These have never been the kind of games I enjoy playing for more than a few minutes. I know Yahoo! games and other places are packed full of people playing games like this day and night. I have some people in my own family who can't stop playing these games.

Me though, I need something more in depth, more lasting, more involved. And this is where the unfair part comes in. There simply has not been enough time to develop the kind of game I would enjoy. I just have to hope and assume someone or multiple someones are working on more involved and complex games and they will eventually show up.

I think you are right. More involved and complex games will come in time. But, I don't think we can count on the iPhone becoming the PSP...

We need to remember that while this is a very powerful device, it is still a phone. And phones equal casual gaming.

Most people who own the device will be looking for causal games. The majority of iPhone gaming is for when you have 5 minutes waiting in a line, or 25 minutes waiting for your car's oil change or waiting in the airport. These are just quick breaks where you'd like to play a quick round or two of something fun and challenging.

 

[Peace]

I love the Texas Hold Em poker game. Great way to pass the time.

 

[nomad01]

Only games I'm playing a fair bit are Aurora Feint and as of two days ago CubicMan (I'm hooked!).

I downloaded Moto Racer which seems okayish but just not set aside time to play it much yet and Tap Tap which just seems a bit rubbish to me. Like the idea but the lines I was tapping didn't seem to clearly indicate if I was doing it right and it didn't seem to be in time with anything in the music!?! Not a big fan but I'll give it another go soon.

So far I think the games are promising.

 

[mavis]

SMB: hate it. Absolutely HATE it. Very difficult to control (and I've beaten every Labyrinth level ever made, so it's not that I don't understand how the accelerometer works)

Cro-Mag Rally: fun, but framerate is a bit choppy. Gets kind of annoying after a while.

CBNK 3D: horrible framerate, makes it unplayable IMO. Can't stand it.

Enigmo: Love it. Fun, different, challenging.

CubicMan: Love it. Beat the JB version, just getting started with the App Store version.

Galcon: AWESOME GAME. Overpriced, but I'm still glad I bought it.

Dizzy Bee: Fun, cute. Haven't spent much time with it.

de Blob: fun, cute. Haven't spent too much time with it. Controls are slightly annoying (walk/dash trigger is difficult to control, using touch control obscures vision) ...

Bomberman: EXCELLENT CONTROLS!! Would love to see a wifi/ad hoc multiplayer version. The controls are VERY well done!!!!

Trism, Tap Tap, Solitaire Top 3, SolarQuest, Apple Texas Hold'Em, Cube Runner, Aurora Feint, Autonomous, Blackjack 21, Othello, Disney Cards (for the wife), Dactyl and Labyrinth - I haven't spent much time with these.

 

[sunfast]

SMB: hate it. Absolutely HATE it. Very difficult to control (and I've beaten every Labyrinth level ever made, so it's not that I don't understand how the accelerometer works)

Cro-Mag Rally: fun, but framerate is a bit choppy. Gets kind of annoying after a while.

CBNK 3D: horrible framerate, makes it unplayable IMO. Can't stand it.

Enigmo: Love it. Fun, different, challenging.

CubicMan: Love it. Beat the JB version, just getting started with the App Store version.

Galcon: AWESOME GAME. Overpriced, but I'm still glad I bought it.

Dizzy Bee: Fun, cute. Haven't spent much time with it.

de Blob: fun, cute. Haven't spent too much time with it. Controls are slightly annoying (walk/dash trigger is difficult to control, using touch control obscures vision) ...

Bomberman: EXCELLENT CONTROLS!! Would love to see a wifi/ad hoc multiplayer version. The controls are VERY well done!!!!

Trism, Tap Tap, Solitaire Top 3, SolarQuest, Apple Texas Hold'Em, Cube Runner, Aurora Feint, Autonomous, Blackjack 21, Othello, Disney Cards (for the wife), Dactyl and Labyrinth - I haven't spent much time with these.

How much have you spent on apps?

 

[twinsdad]

SMB: hate it. Absolutely HATE it. Very difficult to control (and I've beaten every Labyrinth level ever made, so it's not that I don't understand how the accelerometer works)

Cro-Mag Rally: fun, but framerate is a bit choppy. Gets kind of annoying after a while.

CBNK 3D: horrible framerate, makes it unplayable IMO. Can't stand it.

Enigmo: Love it. Fun, different, challenging.

CubicMan: Love it. Beat the JB version, just getting started with the App Store version.

Galcon: AWESOME GAME. Overpriced, but I'm still glad I bought it.

Dizzy Bee: Fun, cute. Haven't spent much time with it.

de Blob: fun, cute. Haven't spent too much time with it. Controls are slightly annoying (walk/dash trigger is difficult to control, using touch control obscures vision) ...

Bomberman: EXCELLENT CONTROLS!! Would love to see a wifi/ad hoc multiplayer version. The controls are VERY well done!!!!

Trism, Tap Tap, Solitaire Top 3, SolarQuest, Apple Texas Hold'Em, Cube Runner, Aurora Feint, Autonomous, Blackjack 21, Othello, Disney Cards (for the wife), Dactyl and Labyrinth - I haven't spent much time with these.

I'm debating Galcon. That $9.99 price tag seems steep based on the YouTube video I watched. Is there much variety in the levels? For that matter, how many levels are there?

 

[chrisb3]

I'm debating Galcon. That $9.99 price tag seems steep based on the YouTube video I watched. Is there much variety in the levels? For that matter, how many levels are there?

There are 5 game modes with 10 difficulty levels for each.

 

[ucfgrad93]

So far, the only game I have downloaded is Apple's Texas Hold-em. It is very well done. A great game for only $5.

 

[SooTyLaD]

The more i play the more i realise that the three best games (opinion of course) are by far Moonlight Mahjong, Sudoku Unlimited & especially MotionX Poker... I think when it comes to phone games, simple is best... If i want more in depth i'll play MGS4

I have a question regarding backups...

It looks like I may have to exchange my 3G soon due to a buzzing earpiece... Now although its not the end of the world i would really prefer not to loose my MotionX Poker savegame... got just shy of 2000 coins so wouldn't really like to have to start again...

so, do the backups backup that kind of thing?

 

[mavis]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G (white): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5A347 Safari/525.20)

@ sunfast: I've spent about $150 so far - all those games plus a $25 J-E/E-J dictionary, another $10 translation app, and a couple others I can't recall ATM ... I've got $50 left in my account (I'm using gift cards as I live in Japan) so I'm kind of holding out for something a little more worthwhile - most of my purchases were on July 10/11th ...

 

[jaseone]

Enigmo - Great game but I find the controls are too finicky on the iPhone as often I know what I need to do to solve a level but getting the pieces in place at the right angle is a challenge.

Bejeweled 2 - No surprises here, it is Bejeweled you either you love it or you don't, would be nice if there was an online high score feature, hopefully they add that in a future relase.

Super Monkey Ball - Looks gorgeous but the controls in a word suck, way too sensitive and hard to control as a result.

Sudoku Unlimited - It's Sudoku and what I believe to be the best of the bunch so if you like sudoku then get this app.

Dizzy Bee - This one was a pleasant surprise and currently the game I will go to for some boredom relief, it is high on the cuteness factor though so if you don't like cutesy things you won't like this game but I love it!

Cube Runner - Every time I play this, I play it for like a minute and then get tired of it, maybe if they added sound effects it would be more immersive?

Tap Tap Revolution - Lame song selection and the game is quite tedious, doesn't have lasting appeal and is only really good for showing off.

Aurora Feint - The RPG element seems out of place and takes away from the core puzzle game, I need to have another look as if there is just a pure puzzle mode then that would be great.

Texas Hold Em - Looks gorgeous but I have heard the AI is a little lacking but I wouldn't know as I suck at poker and downloaded this one in the hope it would entice me to learn how to play better but thus far it has not.