I recently started playing Everlands and I’ve gotta say, it’s a pretty fantastic game. For those who like turn based strategy, Hexage doesn’t disappoint.

Graphics 5/5

Everlands has some of the coolest looking graphics I’ve seen yet. Something in between cartoony and realistic, plus it is very easy on the eyes to say the least. Full of vibrant colors and the classic hexage art style, this game is definitely a beauty to marvel at. While the in-game character animations consist of sprites attacking each other, I’d still give Everlands a 5/5 on this front.

Gameplay 5/5

The gameplay consists of selecting which animal you want to play and positioning it on the game board. Once this is done, you no longer control what the animal does. From this point forward, what your animal does is determined by the type of animal that surrounds it. So, let’s say you want to attack the AI’s bear with your hippo. You would select your hippo from your list of animal recruits. Then choose a hex that is adjacent to the bear. Both your hippo and the bear will attack each other according to their Attack points.

Every animal in Everlands has Attack and Health values. The number on the right side of the animal’s hex represents the attack strength. The number on the left side represents it’s health points. Every animal has a unique ability which contributes to the battle. For example, leopard will always attack first. Also, a rat’s strength will receive a +1 bonus when adjacent to a fellow rat. These special abilities make the gameplay a bit more diverse and interesting. So, in terms of gameplay, I’d say Everlands is worth a 5/5.

Story 5/5

Everland‘s story consists of animals of the wild that have been contaminated by a mysterious evil source that must be stopped. The tame, good animals try and fight the enemy animals that have been brainwashed by this evil source, slowly rallying enough to form a sort of fellowship of good. While there aren’t any cool cut-scenes, there is a very nicely written poem after each battle, leaving the gamer with a feeling of accomplishment and victory. Everlands‘ story is unique and different enoughin a good way for me to rate it a 5/5.

Soundtrack 5/5

Not really a whole lot to say here, the soundtrack is just plain awesome. While playing, it’s easy to forget that there are only two tracks, but boy are they something to listen to. They’re pretty much stellar-sounding enough for me to want to plug my iDevice into the car and just have the music play

Overall – 5/5

In conclusion, I think Everlands would appeal to most strategy fans, and just gamers in general. It’s one of those under rated games that I would recommend to anyone, especially considering what it’s priced at.

*price is subject to change in the future*

Everlands on the App Store.

Lots of people seemed to like the first Galaxy on Fire, so when I heard about the sequel, naturally I was stoked. I mean, who doesn’t love zooming through space, shooting down enemy star craft with futuristic-like tech, pretending that you’re Han Solo in the Millennium Falcon? Alright, that last one might’ve been a little too much but you get the idea. In a word, Galaxy on Fire 2 was awesome. No other game has been able to wrap me in with such a beautiful story, amazing gameplay and graphics. At least not this week. So here we go, 7 reasons why Galaxy on Fire 2 is truly stellar, and worth your time.

Story 10/10

Normally, there isn’t a story section for reviews but this game definitely deserved it. Okay so the story starts off with you as Keith trying to hunt down these space pirates. From there his journey takes him through mining, bounty hunting and even across the galaxy. In truth, the story was riveting and captivating. Everything about it was suspenseful and funny. Bits and pieces of humorous dialogue thrown in with twists and plot turns made the story worthwhile and kept it interesting. Never boring, Galaxy on Fire 2 was certainly a lot of fun in the story section. Galaxy on Fire 2 had a lot of great qualities, and the story helped tie all those great things together.

Gameplay 10/10

The gameplay in Galaxy on Fire 2 was stellar to say the least. At first glance, the gameplay seems to revolve around flying around, shooting at pirate space shuttle and asteroids but it goes so much more deeper. For instance, a few minutes into the game, you have to earn enough credits to travel to a different space station. How do you do this? Mining asteroids for minerals. I felt that this was a nice change to freshen things up a bit; as space dogfights can get a tad bit repetitive. Nevertheless, navigating your way around asteroids and shooting up enemy star craft is pretty awesome too.

Incorporating an RPG-like style, Galaxy on Fire 2 also allows for leveling up and ship modding like weapon upgrades, new shields, and performance enhancers. Little details like those described above really helped make it a fun experience. These also set it apart from other similar space shooters. Playing an excellent role in the gameplay, the witty and often interesting dialogue also helped weave together the fabric that was the story.

Graphics 10/10

Most great games today have shiny and impressive graphics and Galaxy on Fire 2 is no exception. Personally, I was impressed with how everything looked, especially my ship. It wasn’t hard to spot a swirl of galaxies or constellation of stars anywhere on the screen at any given point. Swooping through space in my shuttle, planets and asteroids alike were also rendered pretty well. Although you never really get out of your ship and walk around (the entire game is played in the cockpit), navigating in space was still fun.

Controls 10/10

Concerning the controls, Galaxy on Fire 2 was spot on yet again. They were pretty tight and sensitive, although there is an option to change these in the menu. Whether you prefer virtual joysticks or you want to go accelerometer, Galaxy on Fire 2 lets you choose. I personally like the virtual joysticks but it’s whatever you want, really.

Sound 7/10

Not really much to say here, the soundtrack was good but not as fantastic as the other categories. There wasn’t really much music but there was a bit of audio going on in the background that seemed to fit some sort of a “space mood”.

Longevity 10/10

The game is huge. There’s tons to discover and even more to explore. I felt that it certainly excelled in longevity, as it had a lot of things to do. The main storyline was pretty lengthy and aside from that there were side missions that one could do. There were 100 different space stations on the map that just beckoned to be explored and visited. Each one having a “tech level” which simply means level of technology. This would include technology in weapons, defenses, ships, and accessories.

Cost 8/10

Weighing in at $6.99, it seems to be a bit pricey for some gamers. For what you’re getting though, the price seems alright. I’d say definitely get it if you like space shooters and lots of content.

Conclusion 65/70 – 5/5

With an almost unbelievably high amount of content, beautifully rendered graphics, stellar gameplay and one fantastic story, Galaxy on Fire 2 is truly a game that’s out of this world. If you’re a fan of space shooters and you’re alright with the price, Galaxy on Fire 2 is certainly a game to consider.

Galaxy on Fire 2 on the App Store.

When I heard that Tilt to Live was getting an HD version, naturally I was ecstatic. Don’t get me wrong, playing the original on 2x mode with my iPad is pretty awesome too, but nothing beats a native version. With it’s nice visual style, signature gameplay, and diverse achievements, Tilt to Live HD was certainly a joy to play. And while I couldn’t really find anything different in the HD version aside from the new game modes, I was still relieved to finally try it out with enhanced graphics.

Gameplay 10/10

Boasting four unique types of gameplay, Tilt to Live HD brings a lot to the table. In Classic, purely an arcade-styled mode, the objective is to try and destroy, and avoid, as many red dots as possible. Destroying red dots can be achieved by using weapons, or orbs. These come in a variety of colors and each one has a unique effect. For example, the blue orb, when activated, instantly freezes red dots around it, leaving them vulnerable and easy to crush. The red orb emits a nuclear explosion that vaporizes red dots within its relatively small radius. In total, there are 9 orbs. Four can be used from the start, and five can be unlocked later.

In Gauntlet Evolved mode, red dots can’t be killed and the objective is to grab as many green and blue orbs as possible. In, Frostbite, the player has to shatter frozen dots before a hot spring thaws them out. This can be especially challenging when a few frozen dots have been missed and they’re thawed into regular red dots. Code Red is basically a much faster paced Classic mode. Playing through the game modes, I could see a common thread: they were all extremely fun to play and frantic. I couldn’t believe how many times I was sitting on the edge of my seat, almost violently tilting my iPad from one extreme to the other. If there was anything that Tilt to Live HD had a lot of, it was definitely tilting. Aside from leaderboards, Tilt to Live features a full list of achievements, 48 in all, enabling a lot of replay value.

Graphics 10/10

Playing the original Tilt to Live 2x style on my iPad, and comparing it with the HD version, I found that enhanced graphics really did make all the difference.

Not only were there less jaggies visible, but there was also a lot more screen space, taking the little arrow more time to float from one extreme to the other. And with more screen space, comes more action. Truthfully, with sometimes hundreds of red dots all on the screen at the same time, it really got hectic. In this field, the HD version is superior than the iPhone version. Not just a quickly rehashed port, Tilt to Live HD is tons of fun and an all in one, nicely scaled package.

Controls 10/10

Now, I’m sure most of you out there reading this right now are thinking, “With a name like Tilt to Live HD, what other control method could it possibly incorporate?”. Well, you’re right. Tilt to Live only uses tilt controls and if you’re not into the whole tilt gaming scene, believe me when I tell you that this is definitely the first one you should try out, especially for free.

Sound 10/10

Tilt to Live HD is not only great looking, but also great sounding (and not just because of the price). In truth, there’s an excellent track unique for every game mode, making it amazing to play and listen to. I really thought that the different tracks for each game mode were a nice touch because it would’ve been easy to come up with generic sounds and just put them in there. Definitely a highly polished game with a great soundtrack to match.

Longevity 10/10

Most games these days are full of levels that take a certain length of time to play through and finish. Once beat, there’s not really anything else to do. With Tilt to Live HD, every play-through is exciting and, depending on how much you like frantic gameplay, brimming with replay value. Although the actual games aren’t very long (lasting somewhere between 2-3 minutes each), there are a lot of achievements to unlock and more weapons (for those who have the full version) so it definitely has tons of longevity.

Cost 11/10

Yes, you read correctly, Tilt to Live HD receives an 11 out of 10. How can that be? For starters, it’s available for free. With your free download you get access to the Classic mode, which just by itself, warrants almost unlimited replay value. Also, you get a few of the available weapons. For $3.99 (in-app purchase), you can unlock the rest of the game, including game modes Code Red, Frostbite, and Gauntlet Evolved. You also get access to the rest of the games weapons, 9 in total.

Conclusion 61/60 – 5/5

With it’s frenetic gameplay, stellar graphics, and slew of other great qualities, it’s certainly a must-have for the iPad. I’d fully recommend downloading Tilt to Live HD, even if you won’t be unlocking the full game.

Tilt to Live HD on the App Store.

Weaving my way through countless fighter planes and turrets, I almost feel overwhelmed trying to reach the next level. With literally a thousand bullets flying everywhere on the screen, one small distraction could turn my plane into smoldering pieces and end the game. Yes, I am referring to a shmup. Bullet hell. That’s what Sky Force has, and lots of it. With bullet hell shooters, one can imagine all the things happening on-screen and with Sky Force, it’s-no different.

Gameplay 10/10

The gameplay basically consists of trying to keep your plane alive long enough to advance to the next level. This involves destroying enemy aircraft, dodging an endless array of hectic bullets, and defeating end-of-level bosses.

Boasting three levels of difficulty, Sky Force appeals to both the hardcore and casual gamer. Playing on easy mode, there’s less % to accomplish and the enemies are less aggressive. On normal mode, everything is normal and in hard mode, there’s more % to accomplish and the enemies are more aggressive. The stages are categorized by easy, normal, and hard to further accommodate the player.

Now, no shoot ‘em up is complete without power-ups and Sky Force is no exception. Filled with5 power-ups, the player can choose to one shoot, double shoot, missile, or laser his enemy. On the defensive, the player has the option to use shields if the power-up is acquired.

Graphics 10/10

Personally, I thought Sky Force‘s graphics were amazing and a beauty to look at. While some of the in-game animations were a bit blurry, overall everything seemed top-notch. Zooming overhead the seas in a tiny red ship, guns blazing, aircraft exploding left and right, it’s easy to say that Sky Force‘s graphics really sucked you into the gameplay. Time and time again, it almost seemed obligatory to push pause and just marvel at the retro scenery. With everything from battleships to 3D towers looming over blue seas, Sky Force has it all, and in beautifully rendered graphics.

Controls 8/10

During the entire game, your little plane is shooting non-stop. I personally would’ve liked controls that implement a firing button, but some see this as just something more to clutter up the screen. Using touch controls, the little plane is controlled by wherever you slide your finger. An option for accelerometer-based controls is included. Again, just a personal choice here, but I preferred playing with touch controls, although using the accelerometer was also very comfortable.

Sound 10/10

One of the first things you’ll notice about Sky Force is the retro soundtrack. Matching with the graphics, in-game sounds are most certainly a blast from the past, and in a good way. While some might argue that the sound effects are dated and can’t really compete with newer shoot-em-ups, I found them to be quite fitting and neat to listen to.

Longevity 7/10

During play, I was a bit dubious about how much replay value Sky Force would have. On one hand the levels are a little short, but there are 8 of them. On the other hand, most people are content with just replaying through some of the stages. So concerning replay value, I’d say Sky Force is certainly fun to play through once, but after that, gameplay might get stale. A somewhat lack of storyline only makes this decision a little more tough.

Cost 10/10

Sitting at $1.99, Sky Force is not only a bargain, but a steal for shoot-’em up lovers out there. If you missed the sale of $0.99 a while back, the asking price of 1.99 is still a pretty good deal.

Conclusion 55/60 – 5/5

With an almost overwhelmingly large amount of enemy projectile flying at you from all directions, Sky Force calls for some seriously good reaction time. That being said, it’s an incredibly great game and really nice to play if you’re into retro shmups, and action-packed gameplay.

Sky Force on the App Store.

Having to compete with the endless horde of match-3′s that are in the App Store, I was skeptical about Pantheon. Thankfully though, I’m glad to say that it delivered. Now, I know that there are a lot of you out there reading this thinking, “with so many match-3′s, how could this one possibly be any different?”

Gameplay 10/10

Pantheon‘s gameplay revolve around matching two or more color coded gems. When successfully matched, these gems disappear and new ones fall to fill up the space. Nothing new there. Where Pantheon really shines through though is it’s high amount of combos and power-ups. One of these power-ups sports a lightning empowered gem that appears when four or more of that color gem have been cleared in a row. When the powered-up gem is cleared, all of the same colored gems on the screen are cleared too. The fun doesn’t stop there. When enough points are accumulated by matching gems, a hammer on the left part of the screen becomes unlocked and ready to use. The Hammer has the power to destroy any one gem. This comes in handy when trying to advance levels. Standing tall with 3 different game modes, Pantheon gives the player the power of choice with: Classic Mode, Puzzle Mode, and Relaxed Mode.

While the gameplay wasn’t really anything new or unseen before, overall it was still pretty fun, and the power-ups kept it interesting.

Graphics 9/10

From a visual standpoint, Pantheon certainly had a lot going on. With the impressive graphics implemented, gems of 5 colors really shined through and were very easy on the eyes. Set in a middle-eastern garden, it wasn’t uncommon to see waterfalls in the background or beautiful trees blowing in the wind. Instead of a generic clock, a slowly melting candle timed you. Little details like the ones mentioned above really helped make Pantheon an interesting and relaxing game. Visually, the graphics were beautiful and I had no lag on my iPad running on iOS 4.0.

Controls 10/10

Not really much to say here, controls were pretty responsive and user-friendly enough to keep me interested. While they weren’t really hard or confusing in any way, I would recommend match-3 newcomers out there to get familiar with the control scheme. Speaking generally, controls were spot-on.

Sounds 10/10

Featuring a middle-eastern type soundtrack, Pantheon is certainly different enough to intrigue gamers unfamiliar with the sound. All throughout the levels, the music of India can be heard, or at least just the general sound. In a few parts of the game, it was sometimes soothing to just hit pause and listen to the relaxing beat of the tabla accompany the sitar and santura. The constant sound of gems being disappeared also contributes to the overall game soundtrack. There is, however, an option for lowering the sound effect and volume levels.

Longevity 10/10

There are always gamers out there with love/hate match-3 relationships. Some may think that these types of games don’t have a great deal of replay value, but others think that they do. Personally, I feel that Pantheon was very interesting in that it was very much a pick-up and play type of game. This quality alone gives it nearly unlimited replay value. So depending on what type of gamer you are, you might hate match-3′s and therefore Pantheon, or you might love them and want to try Pantheon out.

Cost 10/10

Standing at $0.99 for the iPhone version and $1.99 for the HD version, Pantheon would be an impressive looking game to try out.

Conclusion 49/50 – 5/5

Overall, I’d say that Pantheon was certainly an interesting game, and at $0.99 (iPhone version) and $1.99 (iPad version), I’d say it’s definitely a game to try out.

Pantheon HD on the App Store.