Today's Best Apps: Disco Zoo, The Voyage, Out There And God Of Light
Disco Zoo by NimbleBit LLC (Free, 50.7 MB): This latest time management game by the team behind Tiny Tower puts you in control of what could be one of the most happening zoos in the world. To populate the park, you go out on rescue missions to different reasons to six different regions of the world starting with farm animals that need a new home. Unfortunately, obtaining the animals does cost money, which increases over time, though you can make it up, eventually. In fact, once the coins start rolling, there's the opportunity to upgrade your equipment arsenal and acquire more exotic attractions, such as kangaroos, unicorns, and even dinosaurs. Great, right? Of course, but that's not the end of your duties. The zoo itself needs attention, mainly a wake up call for the animals as they doze off from all of their performing. Don't worry, the essential information is posted at each habitat and reminders are provided via alerts. To rustle the animals from their slumber, either tap on the habitat or get the entire place hopping by making it party time. Drop the disco ball, hit the lights, start up the strobe and watch as animals, employees, and guests bounce to the retro tunes, making everyone bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, if they have one. Speaking of details and recognition, the front office offers overall statistics and the most recent newspaper reviews of your establishment for improvement suggestions and so forth. The game features pixelated 2-D graphics, country and disco-style music, guessing-based mini-puzzle for rescue missions, seven aircraft for the seven regions, seven fictional review publications, two virtual currencies, and Game Center leaderboards.
The Voyage by Toy Studio LLC ($0.99, 80.2 MB): Prove that you're more than a hopeless swabbie by finding Velvet Marley's stash in this puzzle-driven pirate adventure. Rather than a traditional single sheet treasure map, old Marley hid the location of the riches within a book that leads the person in possession to and through many tricky activities to slowly reveal sections. In fact, because the task is mean to be so discouragingly difficult, Velvet included a myriad of problems. For example, in just the first several pages, you'll need to time a fuse down to the second, discover the proper order to a lock system, recognize the correct pattern, move a ball to the end of the tilting labyrinth, perform a strategic chain reaction elimination of marbles, pick the odd object out, recall symbol placements, and more. Additionally, Captain Bodnar Bucklebeard will mock and challenge you along the way, sometimes with a wager. However, just concentrate and finish victoriously. The game features cartoony 2.5-D graphics, chantey-style music, humorous story elements integrated throughout the journey, Game Center achievements, single in-app currency of doubloons, purchasable hints, as well as 100 pages of puzzles involving memory, timing, dexterity, recognition, etc.
Out There by Mi Clos Studio ($3.99, 39.3 MB): In this interactive comic book-style sci-fi adventure, it's a you against the universe kind of situation to get back home. Humanity has been attempting to go beyond our solar system for ages, but when the latest mission goes awry, you're stuck "out there." Now, all alone with very limited supplies and no knowledge of the current galaxy, the arduous goal to reach Earth may seem futile, although, you must try. As the only surviving member of your battered vessel, every decision and action relies upon your skills, including selecting the planets, making contact with alien species, repairing and upgrading equipment, locating and recovering resources, and more. Obviously, the resource management will be the most difficult, constantly requiring the question, "Is this worth the effort, time, and risk?" Fate shall be what you make it, your decisions, your survival, your peril or victory. The game features hand-drawn 2.5-D graphics, atmospheric soundtrack, 300 choice story with three possible endings, eight total ships to uncover and utilize, 15 materials to manage, 20 craftable technologies, single finger control, plus Game Center achievements and leaderboard.
God of Light by Playmous ($1.99, 61.0 MB): Set out to save a wonderful world in this beautiful physics-based puzzler. After a catastrophic event, a far off realm has gone dark. However, there's a shimmering bead of hope, Shiny, an orb-shaped entity who's concentrated energy produces a high luminescence, though only useful in focused form. Accordingly, to restore the universe to its formally vibrant self, you'll need to scour the pitch black areas by directing Shiny's beam of light through the foliage and around other objects to find and reignite the Sources of Life. To divert the light, locate and reposition reflective flowers and other environmental elements carefully. Along the way, you may also notice crystals and fireflies. Attempt to pass the light through the three translucent gems scattered in each section for the greatest reward and at the light-emitting bug so that it will provide hints when the situation really becomes difficult. The game features dazzling 3-D graphics, atmospheric soundtrack, 75 stages spanning three worlds, completion and time-based scoring as well as Game Center achievements.
