Robocalypse: iPhone/iPod Touch Game Review (Vogster)

Robocalypse is a new game from Vogster Entertainment that combines elements of real-time strategy (RTS) games with arcade style "shoot 'em up" which makes for a very enjoyable game.

The plot of the game is that an accident happens at the Thermidoom factory and the A.I. routines of polite, state-of-the-art toasters are accidentally installed into Thermidoom′s other product line - Killer Military Robots. After unleashing these evil (but polite) robots who are bent on destroying the world, uber-geek programmer Myron Mako creates a new batch of robots and implants their memories with brain scans from retired WWII veterans. The game action takes places as you (Myron) command these robots in their fight against the evil Demolisher robot and his minions.

There are two main features that separate Robocalypse from many of the other RTS games on the market. The first is that the game doesn't take itself too seriously. The story line, cuts scenes and voice-overs add a welcome element of humor to the RTS genre. The storyline was written by Jay Lender (SpongeBob Squarepants) and Micah Wright (Angry Beavers).

The second feature is that the game is infinitely easier to get started with than many comparable RTS games. Many of the RTS games that I've recently played require a multi-hour commitment to be able to accomplish much of anything. Often these same games require the same time commitment to get out of the 'preamble' (outfitting ships, men, exploring the initial local, etc.) and into the main storyline. You can get through the first of the seventeen missions in Robocalypse fairly easily and learn the game as you play.

There are seventeen missions within the game, each of which includes both primary and secondary assignments along with hidden objectives that you can uncover through exploration of the terrain. You have six heros that you can directly control (heros can be built in a 'Hero Factory' - which requires you to have sufficient scrap metal and batteries) and a number of bots (Builder, Soldier, Medic) which you can control by placing 'action' and 'defend' flags on the screen. Once again, you need to have sufficient resources (scrap metal and batteries) to maintain your army and its factories. Missions range from the straight-forward destruction of enemy bases/structures to the time-boxed objectives where you need to defend a structure or area for a set amount of time.

Robocalypse was released earlier this month at a price of $4.99 but is currently on sale in the AppStore for $2.99.

Links:
Robocalypse Game Site

Aliens in the Attic - Nintendo DS Game Review (Playlogic International)

My kids wanted to see the movie "Aliens in the Attic" when it was released in the theaters earlier this summer but we never found the time. As such, none of us can comment on how closely this game ties with the movie's plot line but that is probably not important as the game play is very familiar to the experienced gamer.

The game play reminds me of the late 80's arcade games like "Bad Dudes", "Super Mario Land" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". "Aliens in the Attic" combines elements of the 'best 'em up' games with that of a platform game. The plot of the game is that you have to guide the Pearson children through five sections/twenty-five levels of the family's vacation house as you attempt to save the Pearson parents and neighbors from the alien invasion. You can rotate your character between the three kids (Tom, Jake and Hannah) and each kid has unique abilities that you will need at some point in the game.

When you start the game, Tom and Jake have homemade guns with a limited amount of ammo. Hannah can't use a gun (ever) but she has the ability to double-jump to reach high platforms and to fit through narrow spaces - both of which are critical to successfully completing this game. The game moves on a scrolling left-to-right basis and, as you move through the game, you will find objects that will help you defeat the aliens. There are alien weapons (that only Tom can use), additional ammo, weapons upgrades, health packs and more. As you navigate the platforms and swarms of aliens, you will also have to defeat a boss in each of the five sections of the house.

"Aliens in the Attic" should resonate well with fans of the movie and junior gamers. I gave the game to my 12-year old to play as I wanted to get her unbiased reaction. As a non-gamer, she thought the game was 'hard' until I showed her how to move, fire and aim all at the same time. The game has now held her attention for multiple hours and she came close to finishing the other night.

The only thing to be watchful of is that experienced gamers may find the game too easy. I sat down one evening and finished the game in a couple of hours.