Developer: Forze Field
Price: $1.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.1
Device Reviewed On: iPad
Graphics / Sound Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Replay Value Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Dual-stick shooters are numerous on the App Store, so if you want to stand out, you have to get the basics right and then build your own ideas on top of it to make it perfect. Infinity Field features a standard setup – kill enemies of various colors and geometric shapes before they kill you. There are a variety of modes to do this in, standard ‘shoot everything that moves and survive as long as possible’ modes with several variations on enemy formations, a couple of modes where you can only kill enemies by detonating bombs, and a Snake mode puts you in control of a snake that has a laser between its head and tail, so you have to maneuver in a way to that will kill the enemies with that laser.
Infinity Field’s variety is its greatest strength. The 6 game modes give you plenty of different ways to play the game, each different in their own way. The game’s campaign mode is also a great way to practice the game’s mechanics, as it takes you through the game’s various modes and challenges you to hone your survival skills, and gives you a reason to return to the game besides achievements and high scores. But, if you do love to collect those things, Game Center and Crystal are implemented in the game, along with a list of the top 4 scores in each mode, to give you something to shoot towards. The engine is impressive, cranking out tons of bullets and enemies in an engine with some 3D playing field effects (that can be disabled in the game’s comprehensive options menu) without ever slowing down in anyway. In what is likely a first for dual-stick shooters on iOS, the game also supports 2-player play on a single device, as you and another player compete for a high score, with each player’s controls on each side of the device. The game will also support remote control of the game with an iPhone/iPod touch in a future update, as well.
Now, here’s the thing – Infinity Field borrows so liberally from games like Geometry Wars that it probably ought to cut them a check – the setup is practically identical. This isn’t the most original game in the world, but it feels like it borrows more liberally than other games in the genre. The dual stick controls are a bit less accurate than in other games – I felt like I was often accidentally running into enemies because of the controls. Also, iPhone and iPod touch owners are currently out of the loop with the game, as it is iPad-only for the moment.
Infinity Field may lack in the originality department, but it does not lack in the fun department. It outclasses even the iOS version of Geometry Wars in many ways, coming feature-packed and getting a lot right. This is one of the best dual-stick shooters for the iPad, and is definitely worth a look if you need a good action game on your iPad.
Who wants to buy some apples with their iPhone? We do! We do! And it looks like the possibility of that happening has grown stronger in the last few months.
Then, three days ago we told you how Apple is indeed planning on including NFC in its future mobile endeavors; endeavors, which would allow users to make purchases directly with their handsets.
Now, Apple has posted additional jobs: one for a global payments expert, and one for someone with RFID experience. Is this just a big coincidence, or are credit cards destined to go the way of the dodo?
Thanks to an improvement in the availability of components, iSuppli has announced that it is raising the shipment forecast for iPads to 13.8 million units in 2010, up from its July outlook of 12.9 million. Furthermore, the company expects iPad production to hit 2.5 million units a month by the end of the year. The announcement is great news for Apple, which has struggled to keep up with consumer demand for its innovative tablet.
“In its previous iPad forecasts, iSuppli noted that the only constraint on shipment growth now is production—and not demand,” said Rhoda Alexander, director of monitor research for iSuppli. “The only factor limiting production is the availability of key iPad components, such as the Field Fringe Switching (FFS) LCD panels, projected capacitive touch screens and NAND flash. Despite ongoing yield issues, Apple’s suppliers have steadily increased monthly production to meet Apple’s demand. Production rates are now on target to meet the expected strong fourth-quarter sales.”
Manufacturing should be boosted once more in 2011, when Apple plans to include new suppliers in the iPad’s production chain. The increased availability of the device will allow Apple to pursue as-yet-untapped markets such as schools and businesses who may be interested in buying the devices in bulk, but can’t yet due to the fact Apple doesn’t offer bulk purchase incentives. With the announcement that AT&T will begin selling iPads direct to businesses it was clear that Apple needed to work fast in order to make sure supply could keep up with demand.
This is also good news for those looking to buy a loved one an iPad as a holiday gift, since now perhaps they’ll be a bit less scarce. Coupling the increased production with the expansion of retailers approved to sell iPads means that perhaps you’ll spend a bit less time tromping through stores and less gas driving from one retailer to the next. Won’t that be nice?
Developer: PikPok
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.4
Graphics / Sound Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Game Controls Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Gameplay Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 3.74 out of 5 stars
After watching Dave Buehler miss his first career NFL field goal attempt for the Dallas Cowboys, I figured that I would see if I could do any better. Digitally, of course. I played soccer back in the day, but alas, that was back in the day.
Flick Kick Field Goal, by PikPok, actually came out before their other fantastic app, Flick Kick Football (soccer). Doing the reviews in backwards order is a strange way to go, but it’s football season, and the masses want to kick field goals!
Like Flick Kick Football, the game is designed to be easy enough to pick up and put down at a moments notice, but hard enough to remain a challenge. Also like the soccer variety, the goal here is to kick as many field goals as you can in various modes. The modes include a “Sudden Death” mode, an “Arcade Mode,” and a “Time Attack.”
To kick the ball, all you have to do is slide your finger up the screen, simulating a kicking motion. The straighter your flick, the better the kick. If you curve your flick at the end, a little english will be put on the ball. Instead of just straight on kicks though, the game positions you all over the field and throws in a bit of wind, just to make things tough.
Flick Kick Field Goal does present a fair challenge and rates high on the “addict” scale, but compared to PikPok’s other offerings, it’s not quite up to par. The graphics area little muddy, the sound is just a background crowd loop and might as well not be there, and the wind isn’t nearly as menacing as the great soccer free kick wall. Even with the negatives though, FKFG is a worthwhile play if you are so inclined to play a high score field goal kicking game. If you like soccer, though, I definitely would recommend Flick Kick Football.
Dual-stick shooters are numerous on the App Store, so if you want to stand out, you have to get the basics right and then build your own ideas on top of it to make it perfect. Infinity Field features a standard setup – kill enemies of various colors and geometric shapes before they kill you. There are a variety of modes to do this in, standard ‘shoot everything that moves and survive as long as possible’ modes with several variations on enemy formations, a couple of modes where you can only kill enemies by detonating bombs, and a Snake mode puts you in control of a snake that has a laser between its head and tail, so you have to maneuver in a way to that will kill the enemies with that laser.
Now, here’s the thing – Infinity Field borrows so liberally from games like Geometry Wars that it probably ought to cut them a check – the setup is practically identical. This isn’t the most original game in the world, but it feels like it borrows more liberally than other games in the genre. The dual stick controls are a bit less accurate than in other games – I felt like I was often accidentally running into enemies because of the controls. Also, iPhone and iPod touch owners are currently out of the loop with the game, as it is iPad-only for the moment.
Flick Kick Field Goal, by PikPok, actually came out before their other fantastic app, 
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