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iPhone App Reviews
iPhone Apps. They were great when the App Store was first announced and we could all pick and chose what we wanted, but the number is now overwhelming. Here at Appletell, we'll detail the great iPhone apps we find, and steer you clear from those that aren't worth it even if they're free.
iPhone Game Reviews
As Apple turns the iPhone into one of the most popular gaming devices, the staff of Appletell--gamers and Apple fans alike--are here to help you get the most entertainment value out of your app store purchases.
I may be old and bitter now, but not so much that I can’t recall the joy of opening a new Intellivision game on Christmas morning. Night Stalker and Snafu? It’s the best Christmas ever! Games are the gifts that keep on giving…at least throughout the rest of the day when everyone else is bored with their drills and those blankets with sleeves and are now looking for what movies to see. And you may not know it, but there were plenty of great Mac games released this year. We’ve rounded up some of the best here so you can easily bring the joy of wanton violence to your loved ones this holiday season.
Click on the game titles to see our full review of each. You’ll want to do this before buying in order to check the system requirements of each.
Bioshock
Bioshock is a triumph in design and story, even if the action is your standard “run around and kill everyone” fare. There are puzzles to solve along the way and enough depth to the inventory/weapon systems to keep even the hardest of hard-core gamers entertained. Take the ESRB rating seriously, but realize that the game was originally released for the PC and Xbox in 2007. If your gift recipient has a console other than the Wii, he’s seen worse.
But giving Bioshock as a gift indicates you’ve done your research and want the recipient to actually be entertained. Good for you.
X3: Terran Conflict
Here’s one that’s decidedly less violent, but equally pretty. X3: Terran Conflict is a space action/sim game that involves plenty of resource management and plenty of lasers. Sci-fi fans will love it, provided they’re willing to invest the time it takes to learn the nuances of the game. If your gift recipient has books that detail the construction of Star Wars space ships or occasionally talks about shows such as Battlestar Galactica or Babylon 5, you’ve found the right game.
That doesn’t mean it’ll be March before the recipient can play it, though. It’s possible to hop right in and grow with the game, so, unlike with Bioshock, X3: Terran Conflict will still be enjoyed by this time next year.
Civilization 4: Beyond the Sword Expansion
If your gift recipients take Mac gaming at all seriously, they’ve heard of the Civilization series. They probably also already have Civ 4. If not, ignore this game suggestion…you can’t play the Beyond the Sword expansion pack without also owning Civilization 4. But if you see the Civ 4 case on the computer desk, pick this one up. The Civ games are brainy affairs that require the gamer to manage resources, governments, religions and militaries in order to build the most powerful civilization. Beyond the Sword offers new civs, new leaders, and new technologies (most of which are focused in the post-gunpowder era).
Beyond the Sword is like X3 in that it’s a game with an incredibly long shelf life. There’s a lot to learn and do, and it can be replayed endlessly. $35 is a bit steep for an expansion pack, especially considering you’ll need to lay down $50.00 for the full version Civilization 4 in order to play this (or just hold on a bit and buy Civilization IV: Colonization when it’s released). On the other hand, this is an example of the type of game you can only play on a computer, so it makes sense as a gift even for Mac gamers who are already equipped with the latest consoles.
LEGO: Batman
Want to play it safe? Go with a game in the LEGO series. LEGO: Batman may be centered around fighting, but it’s blocky, LEGO style fighting…about as violent as a pillow fight. In this campy, colorful, funny game, players can run through as both the heroes and the villains, solving basic access puzzles along the way. What’s more, there’s no death. Run out of health, and the Caped Crusader just gets it all back and keeps right on going.
Although that’ll please younger, less experienced gamers, it may turn off older and more serious gamers. Still, they’d have to be fairly jaded to deny the appeal of the LEGO games. They offer plenty of goofy fun, especially when playing with a partner. For multiplayer action, though, you may be better off with the console version. Oh, and if Batman isn’t their thing, consider LEGO Indiana Jones. Same game, different character.
ToCA Race Driver 3
I know, I know, no one watches racing anymore. But that’ll just make those who are still interested in watching guys turn left for a couple hours all the more passionate about this game. ToCA Racing 3 is huge, offering a ridiculous number of cars (70) racing on an even more ridiculous number of tracks (80). You can race Indy/stock cars, monster trucks…even lawn mowers! You can fully customize your vehicles and run through four different game modes. And all the while, the game looks fantastic.
The learning curve for ToCA Race Driver 3 is steep, so arcade style racing game fans may be frustrated at first. Stick with it, though, and they’ll get a racing game that’ll provide entertainment well into the year. And as if the single player component wasn’t deep enough, they’ll be able to go online to race other ToCA gamers around the world. I’ll give you the same warning, though…racing games are generally better on consoles, so you may want to consider the option if it’s available.
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