GAMEVIL Inc.

iPhone App FREE! Our Review By Greg Dawson on January 31st, 2012 Rating: :: STRIIIIKE! With over 30 million downloads of the franchise to-date, Baseball Superstars 2012 introduces new gesture controls and is a great value with low in-app costs. Developer: Price: Free Version: 1.0.0 App Reviewed on: iPhone 4 Graphics / Sound Rating: User Interface Rating: Playtime Rating: Gameplay Rating: Re-use / Replay Value Rating: Overall Rating: Baseball Superstars 2012 is a freemium sports title that puts the user in the seat of the manager who’s trying to take their team to the championship or the rookie player who’s trying to become an all star. Either route the user takes offers plenty of excitement without having to break the bank with in-app purchases. For gamers familiar with the series, the 2012 app is more of an update than a new game. The graphics are crisper and there is a new gesture control that brings more excitement to hitting and pitching. As for those new to the game, be prepared for one heck of an experience. There are a few options for gameplay, including mission mode where the goal is to finish certain scenarios such as scoring an RBI. The real fun of the game is the season long play that challenges the coach or player to train, practice and socialize to increase their offense and defense in their run for the championship. As with most freemium titles, Baseball Superstars 2012 gives just enough points to start the player off on the right foot. The one aspect of the game I didn’t like is that during the games the player only plays every other inning and the rest are simulated. I would rather play the entire game to help give me a better chance at winning. It’s easy to upgrade equipment and uniforms for the first few games. What I was pleasantly surprised with is that the game doesn’t make gameplay too frustrating without jumping the gun and upgrading everything by buying 800 to 100,000 points ranging in price from $.99 to $99.99. In fact, players don’t even need to upgrade if all they want to do is throw a few balls and swing a few bats in the mini matchups. If they do want to take on the task of winning a championship then they’ll have to hunker down and really learn how to level up the quickest. It’s a Read More

With all the freebies that have been flying around each week, it’s a wonder we haven’t run out. Then again, how many hundreds of apps and games are released each week? Yeah, I suppose when I think about it that way it’s no wonder we’re still going strong. Strong with savings! … I’m sorry. Just ignore me and take a look at this week’s list. I’ll be sitting over here. In the corner. Baseball Superstars 2012 – People love baseball. At least, that’s what I’ve heard. So yeah, here’s a baseball game. But what about the rest of us who aren’t nuts for “America’s Favorite Pastime?” Well we have this, too. Because it’s absolutely insane, anime-style baseball. Like with unnatural pitching abilities and totally wacky players. That, and the last one was pretty cool, too. FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Released: 2012-01-25 :: Category: Games Derby Days – Now I know there are a lot of free-to-play “build X” games around these days, but none to my knowledge combine the concept with horse care. It’s usually either or as far as I know. So why not get excited about being able to build and run a horse ranch, while also caring for and breeding horses? If it were possible to trade the diminutive equines with friends than I’d say this is a sure-fire thing. Wait a second, we can do that already? Well then I guess there’s no point in holding off on downloading it. FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Released: 2012-01-26 :: Category: Games Zombie Battle – Zombies staggering in from the right side of the screen across several “lanes.” Seems a tad familiar. This isn’t a strategy game, however. It’s more of an action defense thing. Sure, zombies have been done to death (har-har) these days but that’s no reason to discount this upgradable blast-em-up. Besides, vaporizing the living dead is almost always tons of fun. FREE! iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Released: 2012-01-23 :: Category: Games 2XL MX Offroad – Some people out there might argue about the superiority of dirt bikes versus ATVs. People like that can now have tons of fun with various what-if scenarios thanks to 2XL MX Offroad. People unlike that who don’t care much either way can also have plenty of fun with 2XL MX Offroad because Read More

The newest release in the annual Baseball Superstars series goes HD. Mobile app developer GAMEVIL has released the 2012 edition of its annualized Baseball Superstars series, and this edition includes some significant updates. For one, the franchise has made a move to high-resolution graphics, taking full advantage of Retina display capabilities. For the first time, Baseball Superstars will also be a universal app, allowing players to play at full screen resolutions on their iPhone, iPod, or iPad. Aside from its visual updates, Baseball Superstars 2012 also includes a few gameplay updates. New customization features let players design their team’s uniforms and logo just to their liking. The My Pitcher and My Batter modes have been enhanced to allow players to build their team’s stats and earn skill points. New tilt and gesture controls have been added, but the classic controls are still available. Rosters have also been updated with new Super Players and there are new missions and Game Center achievements. Baseball Superstars 2012 is available now and free to play with additional content available via in-app purchase. FREE! + Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Released: 2012-01-25 :: Category: Games Read More

iPhone App FREE! Our Review By Carter Dotson on January 23rd, 2012 Rating: :: COSTLY WAR Arel Wars is a 2D real-time strategy game that has players summoning units to attack their opponents' base, while trying to protect their own. Developer: Price: Free Version Reviewed: 1.0.3 Device Reviewed On: iPod touch 4 Graphics / Sound Rating: Gameplay Rating: Playtime: Rating: Replay Value Rating: Overall Rating: Gamevil’s Arel Wars is a frustratingly overwhelming strategy game that doesn’t do the player any favors with its free to play mechanics.. At its heart, it combines the 2D lane-based real-time strategy of a game like Swords and Soldiers with the limited unit rollout of Plants vs. Zombies. The goal is to summon units to send at the enemy, trying to destroy their base without the player’s base being destroyed. There are hero units that can be sent out to deal more damage and to utilize their skills to help defeat the enemies. Arel Wars lacks not for content; there are three different player campaigns with their own stories to take on, and dozens of levels in each. The Gamevil art style is here – detailed and well-animated pixel art abounds. There’s even an online multiplayer mode for taking on online opponents’ armies asynchronously. It’s not a turn-based mode, but it does allow for chances to earn extra gold and experience, and to see new armies and troop rollouts. The game isn’t shy about throwing elements at the player; in fact, it gets rather daunting trying to figure out what is what, as there is just information overload. Even before jumping into the first mission, the game throws skills menus, items menus, allies menus, teasing items locked away from public view, and more. It doesn’t do much to actually explain them – I never quite figured out that units were upgradable until the game made mention of it offhandedly on a tips screen. Suddenly, the game’s increasing difficulty made more sense! Even in-game, the game has more meters, bars, icons, and indicators than is plausible to keep up with. Of course, as it is the trend du jour among games lately, Arel Wars is free to play. It doesn’t take very long to get to the point where buying gold or cash with, well, real-world cash, is pretty much a necessity. That point is when the costs to upgrade units reach the triple digits in gold, Read More

In case you've been busy spending the holidays with friends and family, or just cross-country skiing to the North Pole, here's our recap of last week's epic, five-part series on the 50 best iOS games of 2011. How many do you own? #50: Temple Run In 2011, independent developers Imangi Studios had their biggest hit yet: The endless running game Temple Run. A cross between Canabalt and Raiders of the Lost Ark, in Temple Run you have to make split-second decisions and quick button presses to try to survive. The combinations of simple swipes and tilt controls, plus Temple Run's freemium pricing and stylish 3D graphics, made it one of the year's best high-score survival games. Our Bottom Line: Now is your chance to be Indiana Jones. #49: Tapper World Tour After nearly 30 years, the Tapper license awoke from a drunken stupor to revel in the App Store. Tapper World Tour is a remake of the 1983 arcade original, where you slide drinks across a bar to slate patrons' thirst. The new version adds incredible character designs and environments, plus extra minigames and gameplay twists, like specialty cocktails, as a chaser. Our Bottom Line: With a fresh coat of paint and new touch controls, Tapper is ready for another round in World Tour. #48: Crimson: Steam Pirates Playing Crimson: Steam Pirates is like cracking open a classic adventure novel and getting lost in a tale of swashbuckling on the high seas. While the story is pure pulp, the gameplay is more like chess. You plan out how your fleet of ships is going to get to your objective, and watch as it plays out. Lots of love was put into this game, which should come as no surprise, because it's made by Bungie, the company responsible for Halo. Our Bottom Line: Crimson: Steam Pirates is like a good book and a game of chess rolled into one Must Have download. #47: The Adventures of Tintin Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg's animated tribute to the journalist/detective Tintin is still in theaters, but Gameloft's movie version offers hours of entertainment, too. Like they did with Avatar a few years ago, Gameloft's companion game for Tintin extends the movie's story, with tons of interactive elements like rapidly changing minigames and hunts for hidden puzzle pieces and coins. If you loved the movie, buy this game. Our Bottom Line: Tintin provides a mesmerizing journey Read More

AREL WARS is a mobile defense RPG app from GAMEVIL Inc. for the iPhone and the iPod touch. However, AREL WARS is much bigger and more ambitious than other defense RPG iPhone apps that I’ve ever had to review. On top of having a great, in depth story line, it also provides tons of customization which will keep you wanting to come back and replay the game all over again. You start off by doing something I have actually never seen in a mobile defense RPG: You choose a class for your very own hero, which you will use to assist your various other units during battle. They provide three choices for you, each with their own advantages and draw-backs. This hero not only helps fight your way to the other side of the screen, but they also gain various skills along the way which end up being very helpful. The customization is really what nails home AREL WARS as an instant hit. After selecting your hero in the beginning, they will continue to level up and learn skills which you can then choose to upgrade as you progress through the story line. You also gain various units along the way, which can be equipped to use during battle. One thing that is extremely cool about the game is that you can actually take two units that you already own and combine them to form an entirely new combat unit. As if that weren’t enough, you can also combine any items that you earn along the way as well. It’s this kind of customization that really allows for an insane level of replay, and will keep you coming back day after day. Aside from the already vast campaign mode, you can also take AREL WARS online and play against other players using the “Community” button that appears in the top left corner of the map screen. This means that you can face off against friends or strangers whenever you want, and show off the skills that you’ve harnessed while playing through the campaign mode. The graphics are absolutely to die for. They’re the perfect mix of cute and awesome, while emphasizing everything they should be emphasizing and staying as clean as possible. I didn’t find them to be glitchy at all, and they complemented the app perfectly. Control-wise the application is rather simple, despite having a complicated looking design to it. Read More

The App Store is in a holding pattern this week, so all of its prices and new releases will be frozen until December 29. That means you have longer than usual to take advantage of some major deals, like downloading an entire PC adventure game classic for free. Here's your guide to this week's best App Store freebies. Broken Sword - The Smoking Mirror: Remastered Revolution Games has ported their stunning Broken Sword series to iOS over the last few years, and for Christmas, they're giving away the second game for free. Nico and George, the crime-solving duo from the first game, are reunited to solve another complex conspiracy involving an ancient artifact. The voice acting and animation are stellar, so if you love classic PC adventures, this is a must-download today. Our Score: 3 out of 4 Our Bottom Line: The Smoking Mirror fails to live up to the standards of its predecessor, but it's still an enjoyable point-and-click adventure. Zenonia We consider this action-RPG series from Gamevil to be the iPhone's Legend of Zelda, and for now the entire series is free to download. Zenonia 2, 3, and 4 all add optional in-app purchases, so your best bet would be to start with the classic Zenonia, which doesn't ask you to spend anything extra after you download it. The storyline, visuals, and action are all top-notch, so if you've never played Zenonia, you can get started today. Our Score: 4 out of 4 Our Bottom Line: Though not for casual players, Zenonia is as lovingly crafted as the best 16-bit console RPGs. MinoMonsters We featured this Pokemon-like critter combat game in our Under The Radar feature, but now you can catch it for free. You start off the game on a beach covered with strange animals, but after you beat them in battle, you'll be able to convert them to your side and train them to fight. MinoMonsters' animation makes it look like a Saturday morning cartoon, and it's definitely worth a try. Sliding Heroes This oddball game from Square Enix isn't exactly Final Fantasy or Chrono Trigger, but at least it's free. Using your iOS device's tilt controls, you have to slide a band of heroes, including wizards, rogues, and knights, past enemies and towards the exit. Sliding Heroes isn't Square's best effort, but it's a lot easier to enjoy if you download it for free. Our Score: Read More

Looking for a new app this weekend?  Here are ten great new apps for the iPhone and iPad that you may want to check out! A beautiful notebook app with different covers, fonts and ink colors.  It’s universal for the iPhone and iPad, and syncs between the two devices using iCloud.  $0.99/£0.69. Released earlier this week and amazingly, still available as a download, this is a working arcade emulator.  It’s universal for the iPhone and iPad, and comes with a selection of classic games.  Grab it while you can!  Free. The latest, universal RPG-style action shooter, with impressive graphics optimized for the iPhone 4S and the iPad 2.  The game also supports AirPlay and iCloud syncing between the two versions.  $2.99/£1.99. A campaign-based action game available for both the iPhone and the iPad, but as separate versions.  A Bluetooth and Wi-Fi multiplayer game mode is also included.  $0.99/£0.69. The popular iPad magazine makes the transition to the smaller screen this month, with annual subscriptions available through Newsstand.  Free. One for the hardcore Bob Dylan fans, this universal app features a daily Dylan diary, trivia, quizzes and even a ringtone.  $2.99/£1.99. Capcom brings the classic Mega Man X to iOS, with Retina Display optimized graphics, Game Center support and three difficulty levels.  $4.99/£2.99. A clever interactive map for discovering new movies, based on the choices you tap.  It also provides access to reviews, trends and the latest cinema releases.  $0.99.£0.69. The fourth installment of Gamevil’s RPG franchise, this time using the freemium model.  The graphics have been optimized for the Retina Display and there’s Game Center support too.  Free. More freemium gaming, this time from Gameloft and the third chapter in their Dungeon Hunter series.  It’s universal for the iPhone and iPad, has 16 worlds and many degrees of character customization.  Free. Read More

Rockstar is running a holiday promotion through December 29th that cuts the price of GTA III by 40% to $2.99. But, that isn’t the only deal going on, a ton of developers are running sales through the holiday inlcuding the previously reported EA-catalogue $.99 sale. Notable Deals: And the list goes on and on. Check to see if your favorite developers their apps on sale before the App Store freeze today and report your findings in the comments and we'll update the list accordingly. Looks like those iTunes gift cards stuffed in everyone’s stockings could go a long way this holiday season. Read More

iPhone App FREE! Our Review By Rob Rich on December 22nd, 2011 Rating: :: NATURAL PROGRESSION Get ready to embark on an epic quest, spanning multiple time periods, in ZENONIA's most recent and refined offering. Developer: Price: Free Version: 1.0 App Reviewed on: iPhone 3GS Graphics / Sound Rating: User Interface Rating: Gameplay Rating: Re-use / Replay Value Rating: Overall Rating: As someone who wasn’t all that impressed by earlier entries in the series, I was a little cautions when I first started up ZENONIA 4. To be fair, I think most of my trepidation was based on getting an iPhone somewhat late in the game and having other more recent games to compare them to. But now we’re playing number four in a franchise that Gamevil has been steadily improving with each iteration, so that excuse doesn’t hold up anymore. Good thing it doesn’t have to. ZENONIA 4 is a sort of culmination of the series thus far, in more ways than one. Side-stepping specifics for the sake of fans who have enjoyed the story thus far, I’ll just say that the game covers multiple time periods. It overlaps with the canon of previous games in some places, and re-introduces notable characters in others. Through it all, the classic action-rpg style we’ve all come to expect ferries the story along. Albeit with a few new tweaks. I’ll just say it point-blank: the mechanics in ZENONIA 4 make the other three look silly by comparison. It’s been a natural evolution that can be seen when taking the time to play through them all in numerical order, with this one sitting right at the top. If earlier games in the series were people, that would make ZENONIA 4 the guy with the giant brain that can create matter with his mind. Save the over-reliance on kill/gather quests, that is. It’s a bunch of little things that add up to make a huge difference. Character animations are the smoothest they’ve ever been, especially when compared to the jerky movements of the second game. The UI is less intrusive and more easy to use, with a semi-ring of special quick slot buttons around the action/attack button. The list goes on. My biggest complaint about it all is that there are a number of smaller aspects that aren’t clearly explained through tutorials or questing. Items can be crafted, enhanced and combined at the blacksmith, but Read More