Mass Effect 3 will be expanding its narrative and providing players some more combat via its new iPad iOS game, Mass Effect Infiltrator. While the Mass Effect series is a sci-fi role-playing game known for its over-the-shoulder shooter gameplay, its iOS version will be all about fighting.

The backstory on the new iOS game is about a soldier named Randall Ezno and his travels to track down alien species across the universe. It starts to overlap with the storyline from Mass Effect 3 as he starts to feed information and various items to Commander Shepard, the protagonist of Mass Effect 3. And to keep players interested in the new iOS game, items and info collected in it will also appear in the console game for Shepard to use. While Mass Effect Infiltrator gameplay will focus on short bursts of action, its graphics are pretty on par with those of the actual console game. As one of the best-looking mobile games, players control Ezno via touch-based analog-sticks, with shooting controls working by tapping on enemies for aiming.

The game will be available for all iOS devices, including iPad, iPod and iPhone. There’s no news on price or an exact release date yet, but EA reps mentioned that it would be released around the same time as Mass Effect 3.

The iCade was a smash hit as soon as the vaporware piece of kit hit the webosphere.  Such a big hit in fact, that the product became reality thanks to Thinkgeek and ION Audio.  Well, as they say, all good things come in pairs.  The iCade Jr. is a miniaturized version of the original iCade, yet it’s specifically designed to fit your iPod Touch or iPhone.

Much like the iCade, your pocket sized iOS device connects to this gaming cabinet over Bluetooth, though for charging you can add Apple’s 30-pin cord thanks to a pass through slot.  Aside from the retro stylings of an arcade game past, the iCard Jr. boasts not just a joystick and four forward facing buttons, but four rear trigger buttons.  Without a hands on it’s a bit tough to say, but we’re gonna go ahead and assume that the trigger buttons are designed for games that don’t require a joystick since it would be difficult to reach for both.

ION Audio hasn’t said how much or when, but if we had to wager, it will be $50-75 and release sometime in March.

Boy how we did love us some Laser Tag.  We’re not talking about those stand alone Laser Tag geek centers.  Nope, we’re referring to the at home game that included a chest mounted sensor and black guns that looked like they were 20 years from the future.  The sensors allowed you to be shot up to 4 or 5 times and then you were “dead,” that is until the next battle ensued.  You could play the game any where at anytime, provided you had a direct line of site to your opponent and were willing to strip on the gear.  So how about getting back to your routes without all the plasticky parts?

The Xappr is a gun specifically designed to complement currently up to 10 iOS games on your iPhone.  It’s not clear how it works, but we’re assuming it links over either Bluetooth or the iPhone’s 30-pin port, allowing you to pull the trigger on the gun and pick off foes on your handset’s screen.  The company also plans to kick out a mini-Xappr, which we can only assume is a smaller, more portable version of its big brother. But wait, there is more!

And for those of you looking to get nostalgic, as in Laser Tag, MetalCompass, the maker of the Xappr, has plans to release the first real world multiplayer first person shooter for smartphones – ATK.  In other words, any where you go you’ll be able to play a game of would be Laser Tag with friends.  Just whip out the Xappr, mount your phone and you’ll be able to choose between three modes of plays (Death-match, Last Man Standing and Teams Mode) and a variety of weapons that include guns, rifles, grenade launchers and powerful pulse weapons.  We don’t know what ATK will look like, but clearly it will be a location based app that will allow you to virtually shoot your friends (or enemies) in the real world.

You can preorder the Xappr today for $30 plus $15 for S&H.

Discovery Bay Games tried their hand at a bare bones version of the iCade.  Needless to say it fell short in not only design, but nostalgia.  We shouldn’t knock them for trying, though, since the iCade isn’t exactly bag friendly, and is more or less built to sit in the corner of your living room for when you’re nephews and nieces stop by for a visit.

Well, iCade apparently couldn’t take this news laying down and kicked out their own somewhat portable version of the iCade, the iCade Core.  The name pretty much sums up what the device has to offer, which is the same arcade like joystick and buttons found in the original iCade.  In fact, it’s pretty much the same thing as the iCade, minus the colorful, retro styled box that housed the iPad.  Connectivity also remains the same, which comes by way of Blueooth, though this version you can lay your iPad in landscape mode, ideal if you want to watch a movie.  Finally, a pass through slot lets you charge the Apple tablet using any 30-pin sync cable.

ION hasn’t said when it will go on sale or for how much, but we figure it’s gotta be cheaper than the original iCade, which cost $100.

A few months ago commemorated the 10th anniversary of Grand Theft Auto III.  It was by far and away one of the most epic game of its time and ushered in a new era of gameplay as well as graphical bliss.  Now the game, the full game, not some watered down version, is coming to iOS and Android devices on December 15th.  That said, you’ll be able to control Claude using a set of on screen controls and engage in the same level of mayhem you enjoyed on the console.

But that’s not all the coolness that Rockstar has in store.  For $149.99 you can pick up this fully articulated 1:6 scale action figure of Claude, who comes dressed in his original attire.  It also includes a Liberty City Prison-issued jumpsuit along with a complete arsenal of weapons from GTA III that include a bat, knife, grenades, pistol, sniper rifle, submachine gun, pair of fists, baseball hat, one trigger hand and assault rifle.   The 12-inch figurine will see a limited production of just 1,500 pieces and as far as well can tell they’re still available for purchase.

In just one day’s time Epic will release the sequel to one of their most, if not most popular game for the iOS platform, Infinity Blade.  This version doesn’t appear to be a vast departure from the first, but like the saying goes: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  However, that isn’t to say Epic hasn’t added a new slew of features to justify the game’s $6.99 price tag.  So what’s new?

Epic says that Infinity Blade 2 will offering epic sword fighting, which we saw in the first iteration of the game. Duh.  But that’s not all.  They say they’ve add new fighting styles which allow you to pair weapon attacks with a variety of magic styles to deliver unparalleled combinations.  You’ll also be able to select new weapon classes (think Battlefield 3 for medieval times) allowing to you customize your players arsenal according to the enemy you’re about to face.  For example, if you’re foe is a giant brute, you may want to select the two handed mace, which delivers slow but devastating attacks.  On the converse, if you’re enemy is agile and not too big, you may want to opt for a spear like weapon or dual swords.

But mastering Infinity Blade 2 isn’t all about the weapons, it’s the dodge and attack method that transforms you into a true swordsmen.  So being able to read your nemesis’ attacks and move accordingly, as in get out of the way, can me the difference between success and failure.

Again, Infinity Blade 2 will hit the iOS store tomorrow (12/1/2011) for $6.99.

Apple’s iTunes subscription service initially launched to a whole host of backlash this past February. Things have cooled down so they’re introducing the same model for games.

The subscription service for games will initially launch with publisher Big Fish.  For $4.99 a month (it will jump $2 in price early next year) you’ll be able to play all of their iOS games.  It’s not entirely clear if the service will stream the games each time you want to play, but one thing is for sure and that is you’ll need an Internet connection to do so.  There is a strong chance you’ll download the game and have to connect to the Web for authentication purposes.  Ideally they’d follow a Spotify or Rhapsody model, which requires you to reconnect every thirty days to continue playing downloaded content.  At least that’s the way we’d do it for those that are traveling and don’t always have access to a WiFi connection.

Big Fish still hasn’t made an official announcement, but they did speak directly with Bloomberg news, so the service or model is legit.  To access the games, or service, you’ll need to download an app, which is only available in iTunes app store, though they say there will be an Android version very soon.

This of course begs the question of whether or not Apple is set to move towards an all you can eat model for TV shows and movies, though the latter one is very unlikely given their one off nature. 

So what is iCloud?  Well, it used to be called Mobile Me, but it wasn’t automatic and it cost $100 a year.   But starting next month, iCloud is Free.  And simply put, it’s your archive online.  It stores everything you want and syncs it to every device you need, whether your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Mac, or PC.  You take a picture at Disneyland of the kids with Mickey?  iCloud will automatically sync it to you Desktop at home.  Get a new client’s information with a fist bump to your iPhone?  It’s automatically synced to both your iPad and Desktop.  Download a great song you heard at Starbucks?  It’s on your iPod almost immediately.   And with a simple login, you can transfer all your apps and media to your new iPad from your iPhone.

That’s iCloud.  More than just a hard drive, it’s a syncing service.  And the best part is, it’s free.  Well, up to 5GBs worth that is.  But here’s the kicker on that – your purchased music, apps, books, photos and TV Shows don’t impact your 5GB space.  Just documents you share and CDs you rip.  After that, you need to pay a nominal fee (between $20-100 a year) for more space.  And here’s the awesome thing – with an upgraded plan, you can also just list the CDs you own and iCloud will automatically go get them.  No ripping required.  Man, that’s completely worth the upgrade price!

Although Apple’s iCloud won’t officially launch until Apple releases iOS 5 next month, there are several features which iPhone and iPad fans can enjoy right now. Here’s how …

Finding previously purchased Apps on your iOS device

If you want to re-download an App you’ve purchased before on your iPhone , iPod Touch, or iPad

1. Go into the app store and navigate to the “updates tab.”
2. There, you will see a new button called “purchased apps.”
3. Touch that and it’ll take you to another screen that will list every app you have purchased and downloaded.
4. There are two tabs – all apps and then apps not on this phone. Find the app you want and then click on the download icon.
5. The app will begin to download.

Finding previously purchased music on your iOS device

The huge development that iCloud is bringing is that users can now re-download music that they’ve purchased.

1. Just go to iTunes on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad and click on the new “purchased” tab. You will see a listing of all the media you have bought divided up between music, movies, and TV shows. Select.
2. You will then see two tabs, “All” and again, “Not on this iPhone (or iPad)”. You’ll also see stats on how many you’ve purchased and how recent to break it down further. You will also note your songs broken down by artist and how many purchased.
3. Select an artist and you will get menu that shows the number of songs and each one listed with a download icon. If it’s on the iPhone or iPad already, it’ll be grayed out with “Downloaded.”
4. If not, you will see an iCloud icon to redownload it. Or, you can select the “Download All” option at the top of the screen.

Finding previously purchased music/apps in iTunes on your Mac or PC

1. Enter iTunes and log in.
2. On the main iTunes page you will see a option on the right that says “Purchased.” Click on it.
3. You will then see your media broken out into All Media, and Not in my Library. Then, it’ll further be broken out by Music, TV Shows and Movies, Apps and Books. You will then see it further organized, like in your mobile device, by artist and the number of each per artist.
4. Select your artist and you’ll get a separate page with each song or media broken down and a button to either download or you’ll see you’ve already downloaded. Then you can re-download whatever you’re missing, or turn on automatic downloads and they’ll download immediately without further action.
5. And in the lower right hand corner you’ll also see a download all button to download anything you’re missing off your desktop. This is advantageous if you’ve bought apps or music directly from your phone and you need to get them onto your desktop as a backup and to enjoy in iTunes directly.

In addition, downloading is complete, the song or app will also be automatically synced to all of the other devices using the same iTunes account via iCloud, for up to 10 devices.

Automatic downloading of previously purchased App/Music

To sync purchases to all your iOS devices and your Desktop, you’ll need to enable Automatic Downloading, and here’s how …

1. For the iPhone or iPad, go into Settings.
2. Then, scroll to the Store menu and tap.
3. There, you can enable automatic downloads and decide if you want to use Cellular as an option to download them over 3G. If this is disabled, you will only be able to download via WiFi.

What to expect in October

And coming in October, users will be able to sync up to 1,000 pictures and videos up to iCloud and share them with those same devices through an app called PhotoStream. Documents, emails, calendars and contacts will also be synced to the cloud through iCloud.

Users will be given 5GB of iCloud storage for free, with additional space charged as follows:

10GB – $20/year
20GB – $40/year
50GB – $100/year

Additionally, users can buy iTunes Match for about $25 a year, with unlimited iCloud storage space and the ability to sync all music, not just purchased but also ripped music from CDs or purchased from other stores like Amazon. And users won’t have to upload them. iCloud will merely scan your iTunes account and add whatever is missing to other iCloud devices – up to 25,000 songs per account. Brilliant!

And the best part is, you don’t have to enable anything except automatic downloads. Starting with iOS 4.3, iCloud functions became available.

Tomorrow, Apple will unveil the next iPhone, presumably the iPhone 4GS or iPhone 5.  Not only will it be faster and have an upgraded camera, but it will be powered by iOS 5.  Here are the top 30 new and improved features that users are going to love.

1. Wireless Sync and activation

Literally right out of the box, new iOS devices will be able to activate without a PC with wireless activation.  That’s something that Apple customers have been screaming for as some don’t want a computer, they just want an iPad.  This new feature fills that need.  And iOS devices don’t have to sync through a USB connection to iTunes.  Using a WiFi connection, users can backup to iCloud, as well as sync to iTunes on their PC.  And with new over the air (OTA) updating, users won’t have to sync to iTunes to get the latest iOS updates, something Android users have enjoyed since day one.  And any time you plug your iPhone into an AC outlet to charge, the iPhone will automatically sync to the Cloud via WiFi and look for a software upgrade.

2. Notification Center

The next new feature is another that isn’t really new to Android users, but that iOS 5 does quite elegantly … it’s the new Notification Center.  When users receive a message, whether text or email, iOS 5 will drop down a notification bar in the upper edge of the screen without kicking users out of the app they’re using at the moment.  Users can then swipe down to pull down the bar for more details. If there’s multiple messages, users can simply swipe to reply to messages.  For messages that come in when the iOS device isn’t being used, the Notification Center has lock screen notification, and a simple swipe will reveal and swipe to reply.

3. Greater Accessibility

This is so high on the list because Apple has always made accessibility to iOS a priority.  And these tweaks really help those who are hard of hearing or blind to further use their devices.  Features include LED Flash and vibration activation for incoming calls, improved voiceover support, a hearing aid mode for altering voice and voiceover, and custom gestures to perform key tasks.  Other improvements include a  larger text option, New speak selection, New assistive touch settings, and the ability to Set Mono Audio left or right.

4. Twitter Integration

With iOS 5, Twitter comes built in.  All users need to do is go into settings, select to install the official Twitter app and sign in.  New users can register within iOS 5 without having to launch the browser and go to Twitter to sign up. Once installed and activated, users will find Tweet options in several places from the Safari browser, the camera app, maps, and contact information where Twitter handles can be added.  Additionally, the keyboard has been redesigned for more prominent #(hash-tag) and @ (mention) keys.  Location services can also be added to any Tweet, making Tweet ups easier to create.

5. Greater phone support

You remember that the iPhone is actually a PHONE right?  It can make and receive calls!  That’s what my wife likes to joke about.  Well with iOS 5, users have greater phone support including deleting of individual phone calls with a wipe, unsecured call warnings, location notifications for calls not in contacts, and users can now edit their phone number in settings.

6. Enhanced email features

With iOS 5, users can now add a little more flair to their emails with rich text editing of italics, bold, underline, and even indenting.  And to make addressing an email even easier, users can now drag email addresses to address fields.  Email also will have the ability to organize messages easier with the addition of custom folders. And users can now select & mark multiple emails as read.

7. Enhanced contact features

iOS 5 brings a few extra fields for contact management.  Users can now add family relations, as well as social media links

8. iMessage between iOS devices

Users can also send unlimited messages directly to users of other iOS devices with iMessage.  iMessage allows you to send pictures, video, text messages, group messages, and contacts to any other iOS device – iPhones, iPads, and the iPod Touch.  Users can set up to receive delivery notification and receipts.  iMessage works on both 3G and WiFi, and messages are encrypted.  And just for fun, users can now use animated GIF images in iMessage (only).

9. Airplay wireless mirroring

Airplay mirroring comes to iOS 5, allowing users to use their iOS device through AppleTV on their TV set.  Suddenly, that iPhone or iPad screen is 50″, making it ideal for meetings or even game play.  And the image will also rotate on the TV as it does on the iOS device as you alter it.

10. Enhanced camera control

Users have been screaming for this feature and now they have it.  In iOS 5, users will be able to take capture those instant moments with a Lockscreen camera control, meaning that they don’t have to go into the camera app to snap a picture.  Additionally, users can use the up volume button to snap photo.  And users have greater control over what the iPhone focuses on with one tap auto focus.  In camera editing features are also added including with red eye reduction, rotating, and cropping.   Users can also organize their photos in camera roll with the addition of albums. And here’s a great additional option – users can use their iPhone earbuds as a remote trigger by using the Volume UP button.

11. Photostream

Through Photostream, users can now automatically upload images and videos to the Cloud and directly to all iOS devices and their Desktop PCs.   Additionally, iCloud stores every photo for 30 days and every iOS device will store the last 1000 snapshots.  Your Desktop, however, can store them all.

12. Improved Facetime features

Apple has also finally freed Facetime from the confines of WiFi.  Users can now video conference over 3G.  And they don’t need a SIM to initiate a call either as calls can be made via phone number or email address.  And what could be better?  How about airplay support?  Facetime now enjoys airplay mirroring for video conferencing over your TV set through AppleTV.  And video quality is improved.

13. iCloud

Here’s the biggie.  Users can take advantage of the Cloud with wireless backup and restore.  Users can also schedule daily over the air backup or disable iCloud syn via 3G to save bandwidth.   As previously mentioned, iOS 5 will also automatically sync and backup to iCloud every time users plug in their phone to recharge and look for updates.   Images, videos and files are also backed up to the Cloud and synced down to other iOS devices as well as your PC via iTunes.  And speaking of iTunes, users have the option of a free 256kb upgrade of songs if backing up to iCloud, with any apps or music purchased not counting towards their monthly cap.  Users get 5GB free, with additional storage options ranging from $20-100 annually.  And  Find My iPhone is also available as a part of iCloud integration with an option to disable it.

14. Calendar enhancements

Calendars become more useful with a tap to add event option, tap and drag to adjust time and duration of an event, swipe left or right to view a different day, and viewing of event attachments.

15. Location based Task manager

iOS 5 makes people more productive now with the Reminder Task Manager.   Tasks can be created and checked off, as well as syncd w/ iCal and Outlook.  Reminders can also be location based, meaning when your iOS device sees where you’re in the vicinity of a task, it’ll remind you to do it. reminders. Reminders — Instead of taking notes on your iPhone’s notepad app or putting a reminder in your calendar, you can now use Reminders in iOS to create a digital to-do list right on your iPhone. The geo-location abilities will trigger surrounding events for you to choose from.

16. Storage usage and clean-up

Here’s a nice feature for housekeeping of your iOS device.  iOS 5 brings Storage Usage Clean Up so that we not only see what files have taken up space but also the option to empty that space of Apps, Game saved data, Music, Videos etc. with single wipe.

17. The Assistant

iOS 5 brings a Voice activated assistant feature.   With a long press of the home button, your iOS device will interact and respond to voice commands. Users will be able to drive hands free and tell the phone to send email, texts, get maps, tweet, and even make phone calls.  Based on the popular Siri app, which Apple recently purchased.

18. Split keyboard for iPad

If you’ve ever used an iPad, you know how hard it is to thumb type.  So iOS 5 adds a split keyboard option to make it easier to type in portrait mode.

19. Video and music now separate apps

With iOS 5, the iPod app is retired in exchange for separate video and music apps.  Seems kind of odd, but it was actually done with the iPod Touch, so this change makes it consistent across all iOS platforms.  Users can also move between tracks with a swipe to the left or right (iPad only) and a slide will delete a song right away.

20. Custom Tones

To make the iOS experience more personal, users can now add custom tones for Calendar events, send/receive mail, voice mail, week view on calendar, year view on calendar (iPad) and more.  And of course, that means a new TONES App store!

21. Dictionary

Not an earth shattering feature, but it’s nice that dictionary has been added and is available in every app.

22. News stand subscriptions

Available through iBooks, users can now subscribe to magazines and newspapers.  Searching by popularity of subscriptions is also a plus.

23. Cellular Network for App Store

If users want to be stingy with their bandwidth and only download apps over WiFi, they now have the option to Enable or Disable App Store downloads via GPRS and 3G.

24. Faster Safari

Safari has become streamlined and is faster to load.  Users can also save web pages in reader mode which eliminates all ads to make them easier to read.  They can also be saved off line to read later.  And in the iPad, Safari also offers Tabbed Browsing support.

25. Alternate Routes in Google Maps

Ever frustrated when Maps gives you a route that’s longer or goes out of the way?  In iOS 5, users can choose alternate routes that are more to their liking.  For those who prefer things old school, users can now print directions from their iOS device.

26. HD YouTube

Users now have the option to stream HD/HQ videos through YouTube over 3G.  For those concerned about bandwidth, the ability to disable HQ video playback is also available in settings.  Nice.

27. Disable In-app Purchases

As a dad, I really appreciate this option.  With iOS 5, users now have the option of disabling in-app purchases.  No longer will I have to pay for things I didn’t want to buy because the purchase was done in-app without our knowledge or consent.

28. Game Center Enhancements

By contrast, Game Center now allows in app purchases of games.  Users can also further personalize their account with photos, and decide if your profile is private or public.

29. Weather updates

The iOS weather app becomes more useful with hourly updates, local weather, and the ability to swipe the weather widget in Notification Center to see a 5 day forecast.

30. MultiTasking

Users can now do gesture based multi tasking (iPad only).  With a swipe of 4 fingers, the app switcher appears.  Pinch will return to home screen.  And a swipe left and right to switch between  any actve apps

There are over 200 new features to iOS, and depending on which iOS device you use, some or all are available to enjoy.  But it’s certainly a well thought out and welcome update which will only get better with the addition of the new iPhone!

The days when kids head outside and play are officially over.  And who do we have to thank for that?  Disney.

Okay, so that’s complete hyperbole, but when you get a load of their Appmates Mobile Application Toys you’ll start to understand what we’re getting at.

The car toys are designed to be driven across the screen of the iPad, literally, and the accompanying app interacts according to their movements.  In other words the iPad becomes a virtual play mat, so gone are the days of sand boxes and “forts”.

The app, Cars 2 Appmates, is free, but the cars, which come in two packs, cost $19.99.  And like any good toy maker Disney has plans to roll out additional versions of the cars, though they’ll start with 4, selling October 1st at major retailers including Apple, and they’ll add two more in November.  Each toy will unlock new content.  Before you buy, you can download the free app and test it out with your finger, though the full experience, otherwise know as magic happens when you buy the toys.

They’ll of course spin this tech off into other products that do what else…promote their movies.  Cash cow?  You bet your ass it is.  The toys don’t interact with the screen using Bluetooth or cable.  Instead Disney has outfitted the bottom of the cars with a sensor, which probably isn’t any more than a magnetic tip that allows the iPad to detect their presence.

Kids will guide the cars over the iPad, which will display a set of roads depicting Radiator Springs, which we believe is the town in “Cars 2″.  There they’ll be able to engage in a variety of options and games.  This includes an exploration mode, which allows them to discover secret spots, discover landscapes and even see a virtual reflection of their car.  There will also be a directed game play mode requiring your tots to complete missions for each character and collect hub caps (the virtual currency) that can be exchanged for car mods such as a new horn, customized tire racks, rocket launcher (what?) and more.  Lastly, they’ll be able to engage in a race.  The winner will be awarded with hub caps.

5 out of 5 stars

Halfbrick Studios is the iOS developer that brought us Fruit Ninja, which has helped cement the studio as one of the premier iOS developers, alongside the likes of Rovio (Angry Birds), PopCap (Plants vs. Zombies, Bejeweled), and EA (too many titles to list). So when they make a new game for the platform, we should all be at the ready. And dagnabit, their latest is a flustercut of an amazing game.

Jetpack Joyride is so simple it’s just dumb. Playing as Barry Steakfries, players traverse an ever-changing maze of incoming missiles, ensnaring electrical fields, and scurrying scientists because he’s has too much of being an office grunt. The video trailer/introduction below explains it with the precision of a Pixar mini.

This developer hasn’t only discovered how powerful touch is (which they clearly did with Fruit Ninja), Halfbrick has made the simplest possible game without making it boring. All players have to do is tap on the screen with one finger to control Barry’s elevation, going up or down, and the game does the rest. As a one-button game, Jetpack Joyride exceeds perfection because it’s built to last.

Let’s look at the gameplay a bit first. Barry uses a chaingun jetpack to propel himself into the air, all the while “escaping” from a never-ending research lab that is bent on stopping him. Electrical traps are set in place to stop him, missiles fly at him, lasers pop out of nowhere to cut him down, and Barry has zero defense against any of these. Instead, he uses his speed to go over or under the overwhelming onslaught, going faster and faster all the while. That said, Barry does have some help. He can collect coins, which can later be used in the store to purchase (mostly useless) vehicle upgrades, different jetpacks, clothes, and in-game bonuses. There are six vehicles in-game, which start slow and accelerate quickly while acting as a one-hit shield for Barry. If he gets hit in-vehicle, he’s safe, but that vehicle, be it the Mr. Cuddles dragon, Gravity Suit or Bad As Hog motorcycle, blows to smithereens.

Alone, this game would be fun for possibly 20 minutes, at most an hour. But it’s all the extra bits that make Jetpack Joyride a work of art. At the end of each round, players can spend collected tokens on a slot machine where they can win money, more tokens, a second chance to continue where they left off, a bomb to ricochet Barry’s corpse just a tad further to help set a high score, or a bonus for the next round like a head start or double coin value. Or, if players don’t want to use the slot machine, they can cash in their tokens for $50 each.

Then there’s the missions. There are always three missions available to complete in-game to rank up. The ranks have no inherent value, but at each new ranking players earn more money for getting there, along with a new title. Missions range from the standard “collect so many coins” to the odd jetpack against the roof for 400m or high-five 25 scientists in one game. These missions give each round more meaning and make them far more fun than just trying to get a high score, even if some of those missions are inherently dangerous and will almost guarantee death, but even then it’s worth it. Completing the missions becomes a drug in itself, far more addictive than the longer-form and more tedious high-score objective.

The final piece to the puzzle, depending on how interested you are in collecting everything, is the ridiculously overpriced store. Everything in the store, from clothes to jetpacks, is priced so highly that even after two complete game playthroughs (meaning I completed all the missions, achieved the highest rank, and did it again twice), I have enough money only to buy six of the seven available jetpacks, and a pair of nerd glasses with nothing else to spare. It’s a completionists wet dream/nightmare, because the game is in itself so addicting that it actually feels natural to want to get the money to buy everything, even though players are lucky to get $500 in one round.

What’s particularly ironic about the whole situation (of virtual items, that is) is Halfbrick’s simple payment solution. Gamers who must have the money without putting time into the game can simply buy money, from $20,000 to $1,000,000. It’ll only set them back $13 in real, hard cash, which will buy everything in the store. In fact, the $250,000 coin set ($5 in real money) would do that too. But Halfbrick also offers a counterfeit machine, where for just $1 they can double all in-game coin collections. I never buy in-game DLC like this, because it is in a sense cheating, but this is the first time where I was so tempted that I had the only reason I didn’t was because the in-app purchase confirmation came up and reminded me that I was paying real money for fake money.

Since starting Jetpack Joyride, all of my friends have purchased it and now we all compete for high scores and high rankings. It’s replaced, in my circle of compatriots, Doodle Jump as the time-waster of choice. And whenever I start playing, I have to be careful because one round always turns into at least ten. I’ve lost hours to this game. It’s dangerously good.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Monopoly on the iPad (along with practically every other board game) really is a given. Who the hell wouldn’t want that? We all love board games, but setup, cleanup, little plastic and metal pieces, fake money and cardboard playsets are costly space wasters. Digitize that bad boy and you’ve got a nice game that not only works great with friends, but even alone.

EA Mobile, however, is taking it one step further. They’re remaking games they already made. I kid you not.

Monopoly for the iPad has been out since December 2010, and on the iPhone since November 2009. Hell, the Here & Now: The World Edition has been out on iPhone since last December too, which is already a problem. What the hell is with the huge release gaps between iPhone and iPad titles? Why are the prices different? But most importantly, why do we need two versions of the exact same game?!

I should rephrase. I have three physical Monopoly board games in the house; classic, Shrek 2 (don’t ask, I only found out about it yesterday), and Star Wars Collector’s Edition. Mind you no one’s played Monopoly in the household for at least a decade. Each is vastly different, yet identical. We all know classic. Star Wars features that cast of characters, that theme, those properties, and a completely unique set of chance and community chest cards. Even though it’s the same game, there is a joy in playing the different versions.

Monopoly classic and Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition is not different. There are different characters, properties and cards, and even different dollar values (everything is scaled up to millions of dollars to better match today’s financial system)…but those points are all moot. I’ve played both iPad games and there are stark differences, just not in gameplay.

First, it’s impossible to lose against the AI. In Monopoly HD, I lost every other game and always get frustrated because the supposedly “random” dice rolling isn’t random at all. Opponents either always go around your heavily invested properties, or always land on them. There is no middle ground. The same holds true with Here & Now, but not to the extent that it hurts non-AI players. I played ten games on the hardest difficulty and have yet to lose, following the simple strategy of trying to get at least one property of each color and trading utilities and railroads – or money – for good hotel spots. The AI is so stupid that it just gobbles up any trade for railroad or utility properties, disregarding any future consequences.

Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition is a waste of money. You’re better off with the standard Monopoly HD, which may cheat you but will at least feel like a real game. Get Here & Now for that friend with low self-esteem. Oh, and what the hell makes Montreal the new Boardwalk?

4 out of 5 stars

The last time I seriously played battleship was at least 10 years ago, with my brother bored one afternoon, the board game having saved the day. At least for a little while…they’re called board games for a reason, but bored out of my mind like an ADHD-riddled child told to read a book instead of watching TV, I had little choice. It was either that or Monopoly, and nobody wanted to sit around for ten hours playing that.

On the iPad though, Battleship is another Yahtzee. That is to say, a 5-minute hero, for one and two players alike.

For those who by some unreasonable happenstance don’t know what Battleship is, it’s a simple board game that requires two players to place five navy vessels on a 10×10 square, and each player must find and sink their opponent’s ships by firing single shots into the abyss. Five ships come in four sizes: 5-spaces, 4-spaces, two 3-spaces, and one 2-space. Ships don’t move throughout the game and can only be set vertically or horizontally, not diagonally. The first person to sink all five of their opponent’s ships wins. See more on the full game here.

What developer EA Mobile did was provide the classic game in a simple digital format, just like they did with Sudoku. Then they added on two other modes of play, Salvo and Superweapons. The former is the classic mode, except that each available ship fires one shot, so players’ first fire five shots per turn until they lose a ship, then four, etc. Superweapons is a more pragmatic approach where players have three additional weapons to choose from – a choice between 13 weapons from spread shots to instant kills to a mine that seeks out enemy ships. Strategies between all three modes vary so drastically that it can hardly be considered the same game. In fact, the classic Battleship tends to feel old and outdated, and slow, when compared to these two newer modes.

Add onto those three gametypes two-player multiplayer – available via local Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and on the same iPad/iPhone – and you have a real digital boardgame made better through advances in technology. But if you’re playing alone, losing is a rarity because the AI is pretty stupid. The AI regularly makes dumb decisions, like firing where no ship could possibly be, and has no programming for playing strategically – why would it hit every space when looking for a 5-space carrier? – which kills half the fun. Playing with a friend is way better…that, and rubbing in your victory until they don’t want to play anymore, of course.

Games like Checkers or Life may not get better in the digital age because they lack the feel and flow of playing in the real world, but the simplicity and additions that Battleship for iOS has improves on the physical board game, even if that means no more red and white pegs getting lost all over the house and inside couches. Slap Battleship on your iOS device and get sinking.

1.5 out of 5 stars

The first Puzzle Agent was a surprising change of pace when considering the flock of iOS games streaming like an unrepentant hurricane into the App Store. It was charming and fun, with true story and entertainment besides fun puzzle solving. Great puzzles and a flummoxing cast of colorful characters made it a rich, albeit short adventure.

So what the hell happened here?

Puzzle Agent 2 takes place barely after the first, once again following Agent Tethers on a not-so-new adventure. Tethers of the FBI’s Department of Puzzle Research returns to Scoggins, Minnesota, to solve the mystery of disappearing residents. Residents which the small-town folk couldn’t care less about. Residents the FBI find only a nuisance, even though they clearly matter for the “bigger picture”. How’s that for a strong, enthusiastic plot, especially when compared to a presidential eraser factory mysteriously closing down?

Gameplay is identical to Puzzle Agent, requiring players to click on objects or persons to interact with, which in turn activates plot queues for cinematics or puzzles to solve. Little has changed between the first and second Puzzle Agent titles, from the characters (identical plus a few additions) to the setting (same places, same art, same everything) to the way the game is played. Puzzle Agent 2 isn’t a sequel…it’s an expansion pack sold for a ridiculous price as a standalone.

That’s not to say Puzzle Agent 2 isn’t a good…but it certainly isn’t the same fun, entertaining game. Puzzles are simpler and often not really puzzles, just solve-it yourself activities. The few actual puzzles require prior knowledge of some sort (one such puzzle required giving the next number of a sequence, but it made no sense…unless you knew the 6th decimal digit of pi). Most of the puzzles just aren’t fun or thought provoking. They are tedious

The same applies to the plot. Agent Tethers isn’t on some new adventure, he’s back in snow-filled Scoggins. There are no standout characters…the one possible love interest turns into a psychotic conspiracy theorist, only to disappear from the story entirely. There are very few actual lines of dialog to follow. The mystery practically solves itself. In the end Tethers finds the answers he’s looking for and solves the mystery of Scoggins’ disappearing residents, but there is no reward, no climactic moment that makes it all worthwhile. All players get is a final non-sensical puzzle to solve, and plenty of left over chewing-gun (hints) to squander.

Can I fault developer and publisher Telltale Games for this? Absofragginlutely. Puzzle Agent 2 is a trainwreck as a standalone title. I almost expect that Telltale decided to release it full-priced just to see how much they could make with minimal effort. And I emphasize minimal effort, because that’s how much work I put into finishing this game…and how much effort I’ll put into deleting it.

4.5 out of 5 stars

There’s something I’d like to talk to you about. Have a seat. Are you ready? You Don’t Know Jack is back. Yes, you heard me right. You Don’t Know Jack is back. For iOS. I can die happy now.

You Don’t Know Jack (YDKJ) is a beloved gameshow-style trivia game with a history of splitting sides with over a dozen titles and a failed TV show. Its popularity stems from non-stop witty banter and insulting monologues by the hosts, and the hilariously random questions that stretch players’ imaginations with questions on pop culture and interesting facts. And the questions are rarely a simple choice…nearly every is a riddle designed to make you sweat.

There is no other trivia game that will make anyone nerd out at the pop culture references from the last 30 years. Everyone can play YDKJ and have a good time because the array of questions spans farther than host Cookie Masterson’s giant ego, from Baywatch to lolcats to Red Faction. And I love him for it.

The iPhone and iPad versions – identical yet priced differently, meaning if you buy one you don’t get the other – currently feature 22 “episodes with 11 questions each. Episodes tend to last between 15-20 minutes individually, which makes the full game 6-8 hours of fun.

Gameplay follows a simple process: every episode opens with Cookie welcoming players with an insult, then a brief, witty or catchy animation before Cookie reads the question out loud. Then four answers appear on screen and a 20 second timer counts down, and players have to choose an answer before time runs out. Money is earned (and lost) based on how quickly questions are answered…16 seconds left earns or loses $1600.

What makes YDKJ the best trivia game franchise is how everything is win-win. Answering incorrectly can be funnier than actually being right because then Cookie will insult, berate, belittle and verbally molest players into a hysterical stupor. I absolutely love it. It’s fun to lose because being told about how wrong, dumb, and pathetic you are in so many colorful ways is ridiculously entertaining. Think of it like sitting in the front of a comedy show waiting for the comic to pick on you, without the public embarrassment.

Then there’s the trivia, which is outrageously funny. Questions may be straightforward, or word riddles with hilarious connotations or ridiculous references. They may even be read aloud in such a way that players can’t help but chuckle along. From how the question is worded to how it’s said, to just how ludicrous the question is…every little thing in YDKJ has been handled by comic geniuses.

There are only two things that limit the experience. First, YDKJ does not feature multiplayer, which has made  the famed trivia series so loved over the years. I myself got hooked on the franchise at a party years back, and playing with friends is one of the most fun experiences known to man. There are plenty of options for how to make this mobile YDKJ work well on the iPhone and iPad, but none are currently available, and it’s a damn shame. According to Jellyvision however (Update: And according to Jellyvision CEO Harry Gottlieb), at least one multiplayer mode is in the works.

Good luck answering this one

The second is bugginess, which attacks without warning. The app doesn’t crash, but occasional graphical errors do occur. Once a quarter of the screen went black; another time textures just shot out painting my screen like a spider web. Fortunately there is an autosave function after every new question, so even if the battery dies once YDKJ is started, a “continue” button lights up that starts players right back at that question.

Buying You Don’t Know Jack, for me, was an emotional decision. I came in expecting it to be funny and exciting, and 22 episodes later I am thoroughly entertained, and even a tad educated. The price is high at $4.99 on the iPad ($2.99 for iPhone for the same game), though Jellyvision will support the game with new episodes free in future updates. I couldn’t ask for anything more, except multiplayer. Give me multiplayer and the world will be whole, Jellyvision.

In just two day’s time “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” will hit theaters.  It’s sure to be one of many blockbusters this summer, despite the fact that it’s the third installment of the series, which often proves to be the worst.  Along side it, EA will launch an accompanying iOS game of the same name, “Transformers: Dark of the Moon“.  It utilizes a 3/4 view and over head shot depending on the action at hand.  You’ll be able to play as OPTIMUS PRIME, or fan-favorite BUMBLEBEE, while you try to defeat those nasty Decepticons through 13 heart pounding (we doubt it) levels.  Throughout the game you’ll be able to unlock 13 upgradeable weapons ranging from the Ion Blaster to the Nucleon Shock Cannon and face off against 5 bosses in addition to the movie famous Megatron and Shockwave.

“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” for iOS is expected to release June 28th and cost $6.99 for the iPad and $4.99 for the iPhone.

Air Guitar Move for iPhone is effectively Guitar Hero for the iPhone.  You’re probably thinking “but doesn’t that game already exist for the iPhone”?  Yes, it does, but what that game lacked is hardware.  Air Guitar Move for the iPhone incorporates a special guitar pick that plugs into the iPhone’s 30-pin dock connector.  Holding the iPhone in one hand and the pick in the other, you can strum up and down like a real guitar.  The included game hardware includes an accelerometer and detects when you move your hand up and down.  Your movements are then reflected in the game.

Air Guitar Move for iPhone will launch with two apps. There will be free play, which allows you to play cords and notes as if the iPhone is a guitar, and a game that is very much like Guitar Hero requiring you to strum according to the onscreen queues.

Currently the guys behind Air Guitar Move for iPhone are seeking $25,000 in funding by none other than the Kickstarter.com crowd.  As of today they’ve received over 124 backers for a total pledge of $8,525.  If you pledge $39 or more you’ll score your very own Air Guitar Move.  You can expect it to be released this fall.

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While Atari’s hay day has long passed, that hasn’t prevented the company from reissuing their games in the form of a Greatest Hits Collection app for all iOS devices.  The pack includes 18 classic arcade games and 82 Atari 2600 games.  All 100 games can be purchased for $14.99 or in blocks of 4, which include games of a similar ilk, for $0.99 each.  For example you can buy the “Super Breakout Pack”, which includes Super Breakout, Breakout, Off-the-Wall, and Circus Atari.  The app includes a free copy of Pong, the quintessential Atari game.

All of Atari’s games are designed work with the iCade, a once fictional, but now real product designed by Thinkgeek and soon to be available from audio peripheral maker ION Audio.

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Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 for iOS devices is now live in the app store.  EA says that it has been specifically designed to take advantage of the iPad’s larger screen and the iPhone’s retina display.

But that’s not all it has to offer.  You can challenge friends to a round of golf over Bluetooth or a local WiFi connection.  There are a variety of play modes and new golfers including Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Paul Casey, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson and Paula Creamer.

EA has launched a Facebook competition, the “Closest to the Pin”, that pits you against other players twice a week.  The goal, as you’ve probably surmised, is to see who can get closest to the pin – it’s a points based game with no cash prize.  There is also a new “Tiger Challenge” mode, which includes over 20 mini-game challenges to earn money that can be used to participate in the PGA TOUR events or upgrade a custom golfer’s attributes.

For those of you tightening the good old purse strings, you’ll be glad to hear that there is a free version of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12, though it will be seriously limited in terms of game play.

You can buy Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12 on the iPhone or iPad for $9.99.

Today, EA SPORTS Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12 went live in the App Store for iPad and iPhone! With breathtaking graphics, new exciting game modes, new golfers and courses – Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12 is no doubt the definitive golf experience on the App Store.

All the courses and golfers have been dramatically enhanced to take full advantage of the larger iPad screen, and the iPhone/iPod touch retina display. Players can challenge friends to a round of golf over Bluetooth or local wifi. With skins, match play and other modes, along with new golfers such as Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Paul Casey, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson and Paula Creamer, playing golf anytime, no matter where you are on your iOS device is an enhanced experience. New courses include the fan-favorite Predator fantasy course and the Old White Course at Greenbrier, home of the Greenbrier Classic.

Twice a week, a new Par-3 hole will be chosen for the “Closest to the Pin” Facebook Challenge. Players can tee off and see how close they can get to the pin and where they rank amongst their Facebook friends on the leaderboards. A new “Tiger Challenge” mode includes of over 20 mini-game challenges to earn money that can be used to participate in the PGA TOUR events or upgrade a custom golfer’s attributes.

A free version of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR will be available for the iPhone and iPod touch. This version provides full functionality for the “Closest to the Pin” Facebook Challenge, and also let gives players three holes on the famous TPC Sawgrass course.

More information about Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 can be found at www.eamobile.com. Press assets can be found on http://info.ea.com.

If the prospect of spending $200+ on a racing wheel elicits a nauseating feeling in your stomach, well, we’re right there with you.  But if you happen to own an iPhone 4 you can perhaps have a taste of that opulent gaming experience using the iPhone 4G Steering Wheel with Speakers.

Mechanically it’s not more than a case with a set of speakers.  Nonetheless, it should bring another level of engagement, however small, to your iPhone’s racing games.

The speakers are powered by its own rechargeable battery and connect via a 3.5mm headphone jack.  We would have preferred a version with an extended battery that can power both the speakers and the iPhone, but maybe that’s still under R&D.  And besides, the some what limited feature set means a low price of $22.20 before shipping.  Not bad, but good luck whipping this badboy in public, unless your 10.

Via: Ohgizmo

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