MacGamer's iPhone Lounge, 04/29/10
Welcome to MacGamer's iPhone Lounge
Nice to have you. Pull up a chair and we'll get you a sugary drink in a coconut.
The MacGamer iPhone Lounge is a short, quick rundown of games for the iPhone that you may never have seen or heard of before (or maybe you've seen and heard of them and just wondered if they were for you). Short, to the point and no bullsh**. If you enjoy it, we'll keep doing it.
Here, then, is our first round of iPhone games we think you should take a look at:
Zen Bound
Who makes it and how much does it cost? Chillingo Ltd (http://www.chillingo.com/), $2.99
What it is: A puzzle game where you spin a 3D wooden sculpture in order to wrap a rope around it and... uh... it's hard to describe.
Why it's cool: Is it "faux zen"? Yes, but that doesn't mean it isn't a nice oasis of tranquility among iPhone games.
What's our spin? There are few iPhone games which are "iPhoney-er" than this (I promise never to use that word again, by the way). The touch interface gives intuitive, easy 360 degree control. The gameplay is fresh (and hard to explain), and the visuals are just lovely.
Minigore
Who makes it and how much does it cost? Chillingo Ltd (http://www.chillingo.com/), $0.99
What it is: Arcade-style shooter with a cartoonish theme and dark humor woven throughout
Why it's cool: Take LEGO Star Wars/Batman/Indiana Jones, subtract the multimillion dollar franchise, and add a ton more violence.
What's our spin? The cartoony graphics are simply awesome, especially the lighting and texturing. There's something comical and almost endearing about your little toy-like tough guy mowing down a zombie army as they try to eat his face. Minigore shows how there's just no excuse for making iPhone games with crappy visuals.
Plants vs Zombies
Who makes it and how much does it cost? Popcap (http://popcap.com), $2.99
What it is: Tower defense variation where zombies attempt to cross your yard and your only way to beat them back is to attack them with vegetables and flora.
Why it's cool: Perfect balance, tons of bonus levels, wide range of "towers", great mini-games, great sense of humor.
What's our spin? This is one of the biggest iPhone gaming success stories to date, and deservedly so. It's a masterfully-crafted game with a great sense of humor and endless gameplay. Plus, there's something about watching a zombie get a wet pad of butter dropped on his head, making him stand in place with a confused expression on his face that'll really make your whole day.
N.O.V.A. - Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance
Who makes it and how much does it cost? Gameloft (http://www.near-orbit-vanguard-alliance.com/), $4.99
What it is: First person shooter set in a sci-fi world. I'm sure you've never heard that one before.
Why it's cool: For all intents and purposes, it's Halo on your iPhone.
What's our spin? This needed to happen: Someone had to show that you could put a great shooter on the iPhone, and Gameloft did exactly that. It's a bit pricey and it's definitely a Halo clone (in the best ways, however), but N.O.V.A. is probably the only first person shooter you'll need. It's got the look, the action, the controls and the feel of something you'd play on your Xbox.
NBA Hotshot
Who makes it and how much does it cost? Freeverse (http://freeverse.com), $0.99
What it is: Arcade-style basketball game
Why it's cool: Easy to learn, hard to master, lethally addictive
What's our spin? I love games that are so simple you can't help but think "is that it?", and yet you find yourself stuck to it for hours. Simply toss balls in the hoop, and that's it. Two game modes let you either play beat the clock or keep shooting until you miss three times. Scoff if you wish, but everyone I've ever talked to about this game tells me they were surprised at how much fun it is.
