Extreme Skater Blitz : Check it out, Now!

Name : Extreme Skater Blitz

Publisher : Miniclip Games
Price : $0.00 on 10 July 2012
Extras : In app purchase of coins, Full version.
Size : 28 MB
Compatibility : iPhone only

Fun to Price ratio : 4.5/0
Hilights of this is rich graphics and artistic levels; its beautiful. It takes time to get aquatinted  with the game controls. Especially accelerometer based control, that makes little uncomfortable at the beginning. However once you mastered it, game moves like a flow.

Main menu

Rich graphics reminds me that of a recently reviewed game. However Extreem skater just out did the former.  Graphics of jungle adventure level looks really cool.

Intro

The game features an all-terrain skater. More than surfer, he is like Silver Surfer of Fantastic Four.  Movement of the skater handled by the game itself and you need to make it sure that skater lands safely on land. Orientation of skater needs to adjusted by the accelerometer control. Also, it is possible to make skater jump in the air by swiping.

Each level begins with some specific objectives to complete, by making use of some combination of skills. Moving via rope is my favorite.

In the end

 Don't worry, if you failed in a level.
Game will be started from a nearest point.

Or if you completed the level you will get an animation of Avatar tree of life!

A

You are playing free version, mind it!

Tips for the players

• To get the maximum control, hold your idevice in vertical orientation. 
• Don't forget to swipe up when you need to jump up.
• If the skater gone upside down, no need to panik! Its ok.

Temple Run : An analysis

Name : Temple Run

Publisher : Imangi Studios
Price : $0.00 on 1 July 2012
Extras : In app purchase of coins etc
Size : 20 MB
Compatibility : iPad+iPhone

Fun to Price ratio : 5.0/0
Their is no need of intro for this game; everybody knows everything. In one line: Its an addiction. Its a great game to have its own Wikipedia page. Here, I try to explain (read: understand) myself that, why I liked the game (In a game developer's perspective. I came across this game while reviewing a fake game!)

Simplicity of the game begins with its title. I wouldn't have chosen the title Temple Run. Guess what? Crazy explorer, Mystic Idol.. so on. Here we have 'temple' and 'running', thus Temple Run; beautiful. Next time while naming a game, I wont look for a creative or an artistic name. Rule says, it must simple to remember and should bring a picture of the game in your mind.

Game icon really makes anybody to click on it (at-least when its available for free!)

1, 2, 3.. Go.

Start running.

180° camera rotation, introduce you to 3D gaming.

Power of iphone processor made 3d gaming a practical reality to the mobile world. Unity and other 3d game engines ready and running on handheld devices. This may be next of igames. For an indie developer, 3d may be little cumbersome (FYI : Unity cost $200). As you can seen on above screenshot, each run begins with the awesome camera rotation.

Basic concept behind the game is also powerful : Running. It is the right choice to make a endless game. That attraction, leads us to press the button 'Run Again' again and again! This endless games are perfect choice for a handheld device.


Streamlined design.

Look at the streamlined theme of the game which perfectly suites on portrait mode.

Others

I liked those demonic monkeys!

And the invisibility!

 

In the end: Run Again!
As of now, I have pressed on 'Run Again' button more than 500 times, still I not tired of running. Each run ends with a funny (scary?) conclusion, that motivated me to try again.

The game never force us to buy fullversion or buy more coins. If you want to go fast you can purchase coins.

Feel Funny? Here comes more.

Mmmm, crispy explorer

Hard to run without a head!

You made a tasty snack

Smells like toast!

What the f***?

Missed by *that* much

Nom nom.. leathery!

What the f***?

PS: More information from a fellow blogger.

Stick Tennis : Sports game with stunning graphics and (ONLY) for sports fans.

Name : Stick Tennis
Publisher : Stick Sports Ltd
Price : $0.00 on 29 June 2012
Extras : In app purchase of  Matches
Size : 29.4 MB
Compatibility : iPad+iPhone

Fun to Price ratio : 3.5/0
The graphics of the game is really appealing. My problem was steep learning curve. But, they clearly states in their tag line  "Sports games for sports fans". I am not a fan of tennis, so it was little hard for me. In case, if you want to spend time for 5 minutes, I don't recommend this game.

Stunning graphics: See the samples

Cool colors!

Cool theme!

Rich color combinations are very attractive. One can notice, how the reflective texture patterns are got used in its user interfaces; which makes a uniform theme throughout the game.

Let us learn to play.

The game daringly minimizes complex tennis game-play to a single swipe. Thus, game-play cheaply become based on timing.  You must analyze (or guess) the 3d position of the ball over a 2d screen and wait for the right movement to strike(swipe). All running of players handled by the game itself. The swipe direction controls the direction of the strike.
In practice mode, you can notice a meter measuring the timing of your strike. 

Let's start the real match: With none other than Anna Kournikova!

As you can see match is very realistic. I couldn't dream all this with the name 'Stick' Tennis. Sound effects: Commentary, audience comments are realistic (at least for a casual game). Especially, I liked the sexy sigh made by the Kournikova while serving!  'Stick Tennis' claims that each player has their own weakness and strengths. As if  in a real match, opponent often did many foul plays, mistakes; (AI?) which was quite natural.
 I could not make use of weakness in  Kournikova. After many foul plays, I could finally serve just OK.


In the end

Yes! I want to forfeit. IMHO game control needs little improvement. If your are a sports fan, you may love it and your experience may differ. 

PS:There are other features to check, such as challenge mode.