‘Play Football’ Review

in Review / by walsh06

September 30, 2009

Foreword

We are starting to see a few football (American) games appear now. Madden is out as is Gameloft’s equivalent and my favorite Super Shock Football. But then there’s Play football which adds a different element, and one that I love.

Gameplay

Well the basis of this is a manager game rather than a playing game. Its like in Football Manager where you set your tactics and teams etc…. in this you do the play calling and watch it unfold with your little dots. I have always loved manager games but had never tried a football one before and I have to admit I like it. Play calling is quite simple. You are given the options run, pass and special (special teams/goal line) on offense and 4-3, 3-4 and special on defense. Each one then has 8 plays in it each with something different. For instance in runs you have Draw, Pitch, Sweep, counter, off tackle and a few others.

On offense you have the option to flip the play which turns it around i.e. run the ball in the other direction. When doing a pass play you also choose the play you want to pass it to by hitting the switch button and the routes will turn yellow as you choose the player. On the defensive side of things once you go into the formation you can choose from your different plays such as man, zone and blitzes. Now one of the things I like is the ability to choose how much you blitz. For instance one play you can blitz your FS, your SS or both. And each will have a very different result. I’m just going to avert away from the technical side and say it’s very nice when you see your players make a big play and you know its because of your calling. I really like that.

Now one the lacking places of this game but an area being worked on is the features. You currently only have what is essentially a quick play mode with 3 difficulties. These are hard enough so beating them all will take some time on its own. But I have been in contact with the developer and they said that they are working on a season mode which is something I think, if done right will be really good as the game is already fun with just quick play.

Presentation

Well one of the key things for any football game but especially a manager game has to have a good play calling screen. And they are done well. Its easy to navigate through them and see what you are doing. I have hit the wrong one when meaning to hit the arrow but its only happened once or twice. The games run really well and I like the speed at which they run. Its all done nicely. Also both teams have different colored dots so you can easily tell who’s on your team. You have some sounds which are mostly sound effects. When you hike the ball there’s lots of grunting and groaning from you lines and shouts when guys gets tackled. You also get some marching bands in to play during the game. And finally you have crowd cheers. Its all there to make the atmosphere of a football game

Cons

This is one of my gripes and unfortunately its kind of important. I feel at times the passing could be done better. Because of the choosing your receiver you sometimes have players wide open but it wont be passed because they are not the chosen player. This can be rather frustrating before the play when calling you do not know who will or will not be covered. And also added to the passing problems are the fact that it feels far too random and even on the side against you. As in completions could be about 40% which is pretty bad. The ball just flies miles away from your players and no one can get it. The running game is done perfectly so I really would the like the passing to be improved.

Also another thing is the need for an audible of some sort. Because when I set a standard run up the middle and I see the safeties moved up I know there’s a problem but I just have to sit there and watch it unfold and usually badly for me.

Final Word

I honestly have really enjoyed my time with this game. Its easier to play as you don’t have to pay full attention to it (not saying its a time waster though). Its good fun and I’ll be playing this for a while. I look forward to season mode.

- Upcoming season mode

- Good gameplay

- Passing needs improvements

Gameplay 8.5/10

Presentation 8.5/10

Play Football 8.5/10

Champion Archer Review

in Review / by walsh06

September 27, 2009

Link to App

Foreword

Well defense games are plentiful on the app store but they all bring something different to it. Champion Archer again provides this by throwing some new stuff into the mix

Gameplay

Well the reason for the name Champion Archer is because you control the archer who defends the gate to the the castle. The controls for him are simple. Where you tap on the screen creates the angle. You then hold on that point while the power meter goes up and down. You let go when you have the Desired power. You then proceed to watch as the arrow soars across the screen and headshots (hopefully) an unsuspecting orc. I have to admit its very nice when you headshot an enemy. Anyway instead of just defending the castle you also have to do some bit of attacking. This is done by warriors leaving the castle and trying to get to the other side of the screen. This finishes the level and moves you to the next.

After each level you can purchase upgrades. You can get new bows, abilities or stuff for your warriors. These come in handy because of course with each level the enemies get better. And there are a nice variety of enemies which vary with your usual types. Theres the standard, fast and weak, strong and slow. The fast guys are tricky because the warriors dont stop them. So you need to land a good shot to take them out. I should have mentioned earlier you only have one life so one guy gets through and its over.

Something that I really should start discussing in my reviews is the use of openfeint. Lately I have gotten some games with it and I have to admit I like getting achievements and stuff. This has plenty of achievements. And going hand in hand with openfeint is of course leaderboards so you can see all high scores of people

Presentation

Well the game is done on 2D plane as most defensive games are. The graphics are simple enough nothing special really. They are adequate. The sound I like. Its got a nice compelling score. Its something that I always like in games when there’s songs like that. Its really good.

Cons

I found the game repetitive but something I just realised is that I get that with all defense games after a while. But that could just be seems as it happened with all of them. So you may be the person who loves these defense games then this is right up your alley.

Final Word

If you love defense games then this is a really good. I would definitely reccomend it as its got some good fun.

- Good gameplay

- Nice music

- Needs more content

Gameplay 9/10

Presentation 8/10

Champion Archer 8.5/10

Physify Review

in Review / by walsh06

September 23, 2009

Foreword

Well I was wondering how to review this for the last while, well day, because this is not your standard game. This is a great game though and I’m having good fun with it.

Gameplay

Well…….. this is a sandbox physics game. You can do really anything with it. You are given a bunch of tools such as making shapes, solid sections, joints and then tools for moving and rotating. You then have your blank canvas and can go nuts. I have done a few BIG domino runs which were really fun to do. Also setting up a slingshot and firing stuff out of it. I know I’m not giving much to go on but one of the things I love in my games is customization and this gives it in the truck loads.

Presentation

I should have said earlier that this is 2d so your blank canvas is all 2d. You then stick your stuff on and go nuts. The physics in the game are great which, honestly, has to be correct considering the game. There isn’t sound in the game but I just listen to my music while playing.

Cons

I have seen some weird stuff with gravity. When I raise gravity which should keep things down, the stuff moves to the right and even up when the ground was slanted. There are settings but I’m not too sure how they work. Maybe its just me doing it wrong im not sure.

Final Word

You want random fun, customization, endless gameplay well then this has it all. I think its great.

- Great customization

- Endless fun

- Weird Gravity

Gameplay 8/10

Presentation 8/10

Physify 8/10

Fare City Review

in Review / by walsh06

September 23, 2009

App Store Link

Foreword

Well its the craze for the iPod Touch and the thing i like most is that line drawing games are not really found on other platforms. A new genre has been founded. Anyway to add to this is Fare City, a game similar to Taxi jam, which is another type of these line drawing games.

Gameplay

Well you are running the taxis or the taxi service I guess seems as you control multiple taxis. The goal is simply to pick up and drop off your passengers. They are marked on the roads outside buildings and you must guide the car to them. Once they are picked up a circle will appear for where to drop them off. The way to tell each apart is by colour and there are a lot of colour variations so you can tell the difference between routes and destinations. The taxi will change to the colour of the passenger aswell. Each one gives a certain amount of money. If you get lots of fares in a row then you can get multipliers for more money.

You start off with only once car but you get more as time goes on so you have to manage more. The roads are double sided which means they can pass but junctions are where things get tricky. Two cars can turn into each other and both are eliminated with that. You get more lives as the game goes on which allows you to have on crash or more but keep going on. You’ll just lose those cars. There are online leaderboards which are great. I always like to see how I’m doing in comparison to everyone else.

Presentation

I love the graphics style in this game. It may not be for everyone but I really like it. The main color of the roads is black but then, as I said earlier, the cars and passengers are coloured. So they really stand out from the background and makes it easier to manage them. It looks great. There is some music in the game which is one of those cheerful tunes but nothing amazing. There are also some nice “Beep Beep” sounds and people calling for taxis. There is also the ever satisfying sound of Kaching!

Cons

Well one thing that I would like added is more maps. At the moment there is only one map and its just squares basically. I would like ones with maybe one way streets or awkward routes. It would add something different to the game and add some challenge to it.