Today's Best Apps: Even Up, Tweetbot 3 For Twitter, Strike Wing: Raptor Rising And More
Dots Adventures by Edgar Vigdal (Free, 53.7 MB): This quirky retro-style platformer attempts to recreate the old school arcade pastime through a contraption of classic titles. Clearly dominating the inspiration is Pac-Man as the game revolves around directing the auto-munching, yellow skinned, spherical character through maze-like stages to feast on fruit while avoiding simplistically structured colored ghosts. However, there are pinches and dashes of items from other games present, such as fireball launching cannons and screen-to-screen portals, plus some unique attributes. For example, success in most stages involves knowing how to best utilize the magical platforms, which can be walked upon as well as often times jumped through from below, to avoid enemies and obtain goodies. The game features hand-drawn 2-D graphics, chiptunes, four large maps with multiple rooms, star rating system, local high score boards, and dual-thumb tap controls. Play the Retro map for free and gain access to the others for $0.99 each.
Tweetbot 3 for Twitter (iPhone & iPod touch) by Tapbots ($2.99, 7.4 MB): Streamlined and strengthened, this iOS 7-inspired upgrade of the acclaimed Twitter client will have you taking on tweets like a machine. First, the bold black and blue were stripped away, leaving behind only a few sheets of matte grey and outlined icons. The now customizable toolbar is a regular minimalistic masterpiece, keeping your profile, tweets, retweets, favorites, lists, search, mentions, messages, and mutes all pinned nearby for easy access. Wait a moment? Mutes? Simple silence, the mute filters offer a way to automatically hide particular people, hashtags, keywords, messages, and client services without removing services or unfollowing friends entirely. Add to that the previously included pull-to-refresh and swipe-to-see details gestures plus the tap-and-hold extra actions contextual menus and this birdcage looks quite the promising. The app also features multiple account, third-party readers, and iCloud sync support.
Universal:
Even Up by Simple Machine, LLC ($0.99, 13.1 MB): Healthily ignite those capable brain neurons as you attempt to combine all of the tiles in this casual sliding tile puzzler. Hampered by a flick-style move restriction, the process involves strategically merging identically numbered squares, resulting in an increment of one, until only a single tile remains. For example, produce a "2" by smashing two "1" squares together, then fuse "2" with another to create a "3" and so on. The game simple 2.5-D graphics, toy-like sound effects, more than 100 levels, unlimited undos, plus Game Center achievements and leaderboard.
DEAD TRIGGER 2 by MADFINGER Games, a.s. (Free, 306.2 MB): Continue the fight for survival in this well organized sequel of the acclaimed first-person shooter. A zombie apocalypse is always a bit intense, disorganized, etc. However, the situation has become much more tolerable. Foremost, you're treated to an improved control system. Along with being able to adjust panning sensitivity and pick a static or freely positionable move pad, you may now also relocate the weapon handling buttons or opt for an intelligent auto-fire option. Speaking of smarts, next up is your variously skilled crew, including a medic and gunsmith, who are enlisted after you successfully complete favors or otherwise come in contact and available for requests when at the hideout. Yes, that's a page or two out of the Infinity Blade III manual. Obviously, this results in better weapons and other resources to fight back against slightly evolved undead. The game features impressive Unity engine-powered 3-D graphics, dynamic story development based on the performance of fellow players, main and bonus resource earning side missions, and dual-thumb controls.
Strike Wing: Raptor Rising by Crescent Moon Games ($0.99, 45.2 MB): In this sci-fi flight simulator, you will prove those piloting skills through dynamically challenging missions. Even though your initial focus should be on the main objective, the long term goal of every level is basically to attack and survive as long as possible. What improves replayability beyond trying to earn higher scores, better fighters, etc, is the adaptive difficulty. On the offensive side, the AI will send out reinforcements if you can sustain existence a reasonable amount of time. To balance, enemy pilots eventually become more capable. Basically, there's this realistically dynamic environment going on around you. The game features pixelated 2-D and 3-D graphics, dramatic soundtrack, five mission-based maps, level-style ranking system, nine uniquely powerful ships, tilt and touch controls, plus Game Center leaderboards and achievements.
iPad:
Dots Adventures HD by Edgar Vigdal (Free, 56.7 MB): This quirky retro-style platformer attempts to recreate the old school arcade pastime through a contraption of classic titles. Clearly dominating the inspiration is Pac-Man as the game revolves around directing the auto-munching, yellow skinned, spherical character through maze-like stages to feast on fruit while avoiding simplistically structured colored ghosts. However, there are pinches and dashes of items from other games present, such as fireball launching cannons and screen-to-screen portals, plus some unique attributes. For example, success in most stages involves knowing how to best utilize the magical platforms, which can be walked upon as well as often times jumped through from below, to avoid enemies and obtain goodies. The game features hand-drawn 2-D graphics, chiptunes, four large maps with multiple rooms, star rating system, local high score boards, and dual-thumb tap controls. Play the Retro map for free and gain access to the others for $0.99 each.
