AppAdvice Game Of The Week For May 17, 2012
Every week, our staff will handpick a game from the past seven days that we believe is a must-download for your iPhone or iPad. These games will always be from a wide variety of genres, but they are chosen because our own staff members love it and can’t quite put it down. So here are this week’s picks! Enjoy, and happy gaming!
LostWinds2
If you were a fan of the original Lost Winds game that first debuted on the Nintendo Wii in 2008 and on iOS late last year, then you are in for a treat with the sequel.
LostWinds2: Winter of the Melodias has you taking control of our young hero, Toku, once again as he must make his way through the snowy Summerfalls Village, Chilling Peaks, and Melodia City in order to save his cursed mother and defeat the evil Balasar.
Just like in the first game, Toku will be accompanied by Wind Spirit Enril, who allows Toku to wield the power of the wind to fly and solve puzzles.
The controls in the game are intuitive, just like the first one, and if you haven’t played the series before, it may take a bit of getting used to. There is a D-pad option, though it feels more natural without this control scheme. There were some sensitivity issues with the gestures in the first game, but they are all resolved in this sequel.
Since LostWinds2 takes place in winter, little Toku must stay near fire in the beginning to prevent himself from freezing to death. However, as you play, you’ll eventually come across a cute outfit that will keep Toku warm, and eliminate the need to stay close to a fire to survive.
The game itself is visually stunning, just like the first game. If you are a fan of beautiful puzzles that are fun to play and have a great story, then you must check out LostWinds2. However, for maximum enjoyment, we highly recommend that you get both the original game and this one to get the full story of the Lost Winds series.
Check out our original review here.
Honorable Mention
The Sandbox
Our next game pick this week will have you harnessing God-like powers as you create your own universe! Think of it as an iOS-exclusive version of Minecraft, but with a twist.
There are two game modes: Story and Free Mode. The Story mode has you playing through 30 levels, each having a goal that you must complete while introducing a new element that will aid you in molding your world. With Free mode, you are free to do whatever you want, so the only restriction is your imagination. You can even submit your creations to the user gallery, and even browse other submissions in Gallery Mode.
Controls in the game are intuitive, since it is just like drawing — technically, you’re making “Pixel Art.” Pick an element and then drag your finger across the screen to place it. The game uses realistic physics so that the elements you use fall (or float) into their proper place. You even have access to the weather, sun, light, and temperature levels, so feel free to create or destroy life as you please.
As each element is discovered and made available, you will have to “buy” them using your mana. Mana is the in-game currency, and you will earn it after completing each level in Story mode or by getting achievements in Free mode. While there is the option of in-app purchases to get more mana or just unlock all the elements, it’s not necessary to progress through the game — you just have to use your mana wisely.
The game features cute music and great retro graphics, so it will definitely appeal to creative players. The Sandbox is an incredibly fun game that belongs on your iPhone, so make sure to check it out!
Check out my original review here.
For video coverage of these games, make sure to check out Robin's AppAdvice Daily video below!
