Entries for May 2009

Some games are ported over to the Iphone virtually intact and simply fitted with new controls (Resident Evil Regeneration) while others come with slight tune-ups and updates

(Galaxy on Fire 2). Then there are some like Need for Speed Undercover by EA that are given major overhauls, virtually rebuilt to race the Iphone track. The end result, in this case, is a game that is bigger, bolder and many times better than it’s Java origins could of ever suggested.

My low regard for games with movie tie-in’s has been Terminated. Gameloft has taken the built in man ‘vs.’ machine appeal from the long-standing Terminator franchise and created a monster game for the Iphone in Terminator Salvation. With their cinematic flair and attention to detail, perhaps no other developer is better suited to bring John Conner to your Iphone than Gameloft.

Tiger is back on the prowl and looking to conquer the Iphone in the absorbing Tiger Woods PGA Tour by EA. Is he returning with his familiar “A” game or is there some rust in the swing? The competition has improved, so once again Tiger must elevate his game to assert his dominance over a new generation of mobile golfers.

 

From the swing mechanics to the hushed and reverent tone of the announcers who comment on every shot, this is a “serious” golf simulation and, like real golf, requires a learning curve. Discarding the 3-tap circular swing method, Tiger has once again reconstructed his swing in favor of a down-then-up swipe along a swing path on the right side of the screen. This gives you the ability to draw or fade the ball by curving your swipe to the inside edge or outside edge of the swing path or if you prefer swipe straight down for a straighter shot. 

I’m not sure if hang gliding is as laid back and relaxing as Glyder by Glu would seem to suggest. After all, your life is on the line. Yet everything in this casual flying game is focused on creating a dreamy almost mystical quality where the only real danger is that some gamers may find themselves falling into a deep slumber.