One More Tap

Alison from Handmark has just sent us a note about the update for Platypus, the squishy shoot’em up, that adds multiplayer capabilities to the game.

Platypus is based on the cult Mac classic title from Idigicon. It is a fast and fun side-scrolling arcade shooter with a difference. Every object in the game is created from modeling clay – when enemies explode, they don’t go in a bang – they splat all over the screen.

The story of Platypus has you, the player to defend Mungola from the invading hordes of Collosatropolans. You are equiped with the great trusty F-27 Platypus fighter craft. Your task – shoot down all enemy planes. Fruit bonuses and a range of weapon upgrades assist you in your quest to rid Mungola from the invaders. Four massive areas, each with multiple levels await you.

Controls can be done thru the accelerometer by tilting the iPhone, or you could guide your ship around by tapping on the screen with your finger. The latest update means that you could now drag another friend with an iPhone or iPod touch and play co-operatively to defend the peaceful world of Mungola, over local wi-fi. Also included in the update is a bug fix that prevented players from listening to their music from the iTunes library while playing.

Get Platypus from the iTunes Store for only $4.99 a copy. You might also want to check out the Platypus page on Facebook for a video of multiplayer in action.

written by xcool \\ tags: Astraware, Games, Handmark, iPhone, iPod touch, Updates

Twitterrific by The Iconfactory is an award-winning Twitter client for the iPhone and iPod touch. It’s easy to use, fully featured and simply beautiful to look at. Find out more and sign up for a Twitter account at http://twitter.com.

Version 2.0 of Twitterrific, winner of the Apple Design Award for Best Social Networking Application is now available. Check the iTunes Store and update your copy.

Key new features in version 2.0 are:

• redesigned user interface
• new themes and layout options
• multiple accounts support
• detailed author information
• support for searching Twitter
• support for browsing Twitter trends
• timeline filtering
• view conversation threads
• retweeting support
• improved new tweet posting interface
• advanced settings

This new update sets Twitterrific to be on par with the other Twitter clients for the iPhone – addition of the retweet function, a very much sought after feature, is very welcomed. And so is the new themes and layout options. There are some minor annoyances though – clicking on some links (like in the credits screen) would actually kick you out from the app and launch Safari; why not just use the embedded Safari browser?

Twitterrific is available in both free and premium versions – the free version is ad supported, while the premium version costs only $3.99 each, down from previous pricing of $9.99.

Get Twitterrific from the iTunes Store and start tweeting away where ever you may be.
Twitterrific Free (iTunes link)
Twitterrific Premium (iTunes link)

written by xcool \\ tags: Apps, iPhone, iPod touch, Social Networking, Updates

Origin8 has just sent us news that Sentinel, their sci-fi tower defense game, has been updated and is now live in the iTunes Store. The update brings the game to version 1.4 and is a free update for those who have purchased the game. Also, to celebrate this new release, the game will be going on sale (again) for a very limited time period at just $0.99.

Sentinel version 1.4 provides for an additional pack of new content and features to an already acclaimed title.

Your mission on Mars is far from over – the implacable aliens aren’t giving up just yet. Key features of version 1.4:

• New map added, Last Stand – defend your escape shuttle from the vicious hordes as you evacuate the Martian colony!
• New Ion Tower with a fresh set of powers – does damage to both ground and air targets over time
• New Duo-Cranium Mutant – a ground enemy unit that is immune to slow damage and attacks in a charge
• Power barrier – keep this standing at all costs – it blocks the second entry to the level
• Drones can now be toggled to concentrate on repairing barriers or harvesting
• Optional in-game music – switch between this or your iTunes music library
• Difficulty settings tuned – Easy and Medium levels are more forgiving, while Hard and Pyscho gets tougher than ever
• More powerful top level upgrades for some towers
• Highscore submission security fixes – cheaters go away!
• Bugfixes and game balancing

Online highscores table has been completely separated to accomodate the new version. Worry not, the old highscore table is still available for those who has not upgraded. New scores will appear in the new table, so brag about it while you can.

If you are a fan of tower defense games and would love to take on the challenge with a different twist, then grab the game while it is still hot! We reviewed the game back in March and gave it a stunning 4.5/5.0 Taps.

Get Sentinel from the iTunes Store, currently on sale at only $0.99. If you already have the game, then check the iTunes Store and grab the update. Enjoy!

written by xcool \\ tags: Games, iPhone, iPod touch, Sale, Updates

Chillingo sent us a buzz on the coming update for Zen Bound which will bring the game to version 1.2.1.

Zen Bound by developer Secret Exit is a calm and meditative puzzle game about paint-wrapping sculptures with rope. The game is not designed with high scores in mind, but with focus and enjoyment at a relaxed pace.

A title with the most beautiful graphics yet seen on the iPhone, Zen Bound’s visuals complement the accelerometer and touch screen controls to provide an interaction that feels natural and comfortable. And couple that up with a unique, dusty and soothing down-tempo soundtrack composed by ‘Ghost Monkey’. The soundtrack is available for free to all who purchased the title.

The aim of Zen Bound is to simply wrap an object with string. Tilting the iPhone will change the angle of the string relevant to the object, and dragging the object using the touch screen will rotate the object, thus wrapping it in the string. It does take a little while to get used to, there’s a subtlety to the controls that won’t come naturally at first. As gamers, we’ve been conditioned to complete things as quickly as possible, and most people will be quite heavy handed in their initial approach to wrapping an object. Zen Bound teaches the player to unlearn that mentality.

The new update (pending approval by the ‘Gods’ of Apple’s iTunes App Store) will include a whole new tree called The Tree of Nostalgia, which is further subdivided into four thematic groups of Childhood, Old Days (1920’s or so), 50’s Sci-Fi and Retro Gaming.

Also in the update are some small improvements to an already great game:

• paint spread from the rope will now smooth and continuous
• ropes interpenetrating with other objects will be reduced
• silly bug with ‘Previous’ displaying the wrong value is now fixed
• level beginnings will now say ‘Play’ instead of ‘Continue if the game was saved with 0% coverage
• addressed save game issues
• full-screen feature that effectively hides the in-game progress display

Zen Bound is developed by Secret Exit and published by Chillingo. Get Zen Bound from the iTunes Store at only $4.99 a copy – each purchased copy also comes with a free download of the game’s soundtrack, Bound in an uncompromising 320kbit-quality MP3 format.

written by xcool \\ tags: Games, iPhone, iPod touch, Updates

Flight Control’s eagerly awaited update is now being propagated into the iTunes App Store across the globe. You should be able to get the update the next time you hit the store. Bringing the game to version 1.1, the update touts these new features:

• Online scores – players can now submit their statistics to the online high score table hosted by Firemint; see a list of recently submitted scores from people similar to your skill level; game is also location-aware
• Online ranks – work your way up from the usual Passenger to Cabin Crew, Pilot and eventually, the Astronaut; your progress in the game opens up more challenges for you to play with people further away from your current location
• Google Maps support – show scores from people in your general location, within 500 metres; stats are also linked to Google Maps so you know which area has the best flight controllers ever
• Twitter support – link your accounts then Tweet and boast your high scores for the world to see
• Quick Save and Resume – game automatically saves whenever you receive a call or quit to do something else and restores to its original state right where you left off
• Cloudcell – Firemint’s proprietary technology that is the power behind most of the online features mentioned above
• Bug fixes – a small number of bugs and issues have been resolved

You’ll need to sign up and create a Cloudcell account in order to enjoy the new online features. Check http://flightcontrol.cloudcell.com to explore more about this technology and what you can do with it.

Missing in this update is the inclusion of new airports and aircrafts, which we previously mentioned about. Firemint is teasing players to watch out for version 1.2 where these features will materialize.

Flight Control is still selling at only $0.99 each – that’s 60% off the usual full price. Grab your copy soon from the iTunes Store.

written by xcool \\ tags: Games, iPhone, iPod touch, Updates