The Week That Was: 12/12/09 – 18/12/09

Posted on December 20th, 2009. Written by Damon.

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Speed Forge Extreme is out on the App Store now – $2.99

Intro

We have a brand new sponsor, Chillingo! Look out for this segment to be continued for months to come. Thanks guys!

Since iTunes Connect is down between Dec 23- Dec 28 this is the last full week of new releases. Apple seemed to know that as well absolutely smashing out the hundreds upon hundreds of games ready for the Christmas period. With this happening most of the big titles have gotten through this week while I few remain for us to buy next week (Spore Creatures, Simpsons Arcade). But the releases this week were some of the biggest all year, making this the best week in the history of the App Store in my opinion. What have you been waiting for? I am sure it was one of these big four games that we couldn’t help but include this week.

This may be the last time this segment is on Razorianfly for 2009, depending on whether I can find the time to write it up next week (With Christmas falling on the Friday). If it is then I wish each and every one of you a big Merry Christmas and thank you for continually reading The Week That Was every week. We honestly could not do it without you. Expect this segment back for at least the first 9 months of 2010, we are contracted to after all!

Glyder 2 – $3.99

The original Glyder was the first game that brought Glu Mobile to the attention of many buyers and sites alike. While they had some good titles already out nothing had brought them the success of this overly simple game. The point of Glyder is to fly your way through mystical lands trying to collect as many different crystals as you can. What makes this game great though are the outstanding graphics and the huge areas which you have to collect the crystals. Glyder 2 has added onto the original with improvements and new additions.

As well as improved graphics and six brand new worlds there are challenges which must be completed to help you find all the crystals and achievement items. These add more excitement to the game and gives you something else to aim to do instead of just hunting for crystals. There are literally hours of investigating and mysteries to be had in this game as you try to complete it 100%. This game is seriously addictive and previous and first time owners will love this to bits. It has been hidden by the HUGE releases but is definitely a great purchase.

James Cameron’s Avatar – $9.99

Avatar is the massive hit movie from director James Cameron. The movie pushes the boundaries of animation and special effects, as does it’s gaming counterpart. This is a 3rd generation game by Gameloft with Hero of Sparta and Assassin’s Creed- Altair’s Chronicles previously being released with the same game style. This game has the same base but the Pandora backdrop and new skills makes for a totally different experience compared to the earlier titles. Avatar takes place before the movie, learning how the first Avatar came to be.

There are some totally amazing graphics in this game, mainly as the scenery however. Since Pandora is such a huge and mystical place, Gameloft has tried to replicate that with vast expanses of land and heaps of detail in the background. There are a heap of weapons and skills you learn as you progress through the game, learning to fly, ride and much much more. There are a good 4-5 hours to complete one difficulty of the game. I had a heap of fun playing this game and you shouldn’t be deterred by the high premium price.

N.O.V.A. – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance – $6.99

NOVA is a game we have been waiting for eagerly since it’s announcement some months ago. Being a 4th Generation game after Brothers in Arms, Terminator Salvation and Modern Combat: Sandstorm you would feel like Gameloft has perfected the genre. I thought nothing could top MC: Sandstorm but NOVA has managed to do just that with ease and a bit of Halo-like gameplay. Saying that I don’t think of Halo when I’m playing, instead just being amazed at how smooth and beautiful this game truly is.

This game looks absolutely stunning, easily being one of the best looking games on the iDevice. This kind of standard I don’t even believe Apple could have imagined on their iPhone. There are 13 huge levels to gun around in and each taking a good 20-30 minutes each and an online death match mode. This game is what other shooters could only hope to replicate, yet alone beat. With over 7 hours of gameplay this is truly one of the finest games on the App Store. You would be stupid not to own this game.

Need for Speed: Shift – $9.99

Originally NFS: Shift was not going to be brought onto the App Store, but after the success of NFS: Undercover it was inevitable that this game would make an appearance. Despite being called a sim racer this is more of a cross between arcade and sim. What I mean by that is that the racing style is arcade but the cars and the way we control them, especially in other racers are meant to represent a sim racing game. I find this mix a success with parts of NFS: Undercover and Real Racing making a deadly combination.

The graphics are super detailed right down to the advertisements you see as you zoom past various buildings. When trying to compare the graphics to NFS: Undercover I couldn’t as they each have their own style and look spectacular in their unique ways. EA has given us a more comprehensive career mode with stats and achievements to unlock on the 18 different tracks situated all around the world. The NFS franchise can be proud of this title and this is truly one of the best, if not THE best racing game on the App Store.

Other Notable Releases this week Include:

Clueless by Paramount Digital Entertainment

Manic Monkey Mayhem by The Code Monkeys

3D Mini Golf Challenge by Digital Chocolate

Mission: Deep Sea by Chillingo Ltd.

Family Feud by Ludia

Ducati Moto by Vir2L Studios

Ridge Racer Accelerated by Namco Networks

Speed Forge Extreme by Chillingo Ltd.

Bridge Odyssey by Gameloft

F1 2009 by Codemasters

Battleship by Electronic Arts

Stay tuned next week for the fifteenth installment of ‘The Week That Was’. If you have any suggestions to improve the segment please either email me at damon@razorianfly.com or submit a comment below. Thanks!