Pocket Gamer Guide to Mobile Games / Issue 13 / Three Edition

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Get playing!

Welcome to issue 13 of the Pocket Gamer guide to mobile games, brought to you by the team of experts at www.pocketgamer.co.uk.

As ever, you’ll find the usual selection of the finest titles throughout the next few pages.

We kick off by highlighting six titles you should purchase and enjoy without delay, then follow this with news of the biggest titles on their way to your handset. There’s also a look at the best movie licensed games currently available – perfect for all the movie lovers out there – before we head into the reviews section, showcasing the latest and greatest in mobile gaming. Enjoy.

João Diniz Sanches Editor | Pocket Gamer

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REVIEWS IN THIS ISSUE… 24: Jack Bauer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bloons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Buzz! Quiz World. . . . . . . . . . . .

Catcha Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Crazy Penguin Party . . . . . . . . .

Crazy Taxi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17 18 19 17 21 20

Earthworm Jim . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Go! Go! Island Rescue. . . . . . .

Jewel Quest III: World Adventure. . . . . . . . . . . .

Puzzled?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vancouver 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . .

04 6 mobile games to try now

16 19 20 21 18

FEATURE

Spoiled with choice over what to play on your mobile phone?

We present six brilliant games you ought to check out

07 News

NEWS

Find out about the latest, most interesting and exciting games due to make their way onto your mobile in the very near future

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12 So you like... Movie Tie-ins

FEATURE

Even when a film is rubbish, the game doesn’t have to be.

We track down the current best film licensed titles to play on your mobile

Title:

Your Guide To Mobile Games is published by Steel Media Ltd. For advertising or other enquiries relating to the magazine contact Chris James – chris@steelmedia.co.uk All information is correct at time of going to press. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission of Steel Media Ltd. No responsibility will be accepted for any errors or omissions, or comments made by the writers. Views expressed are not necessarily the views of T-Mobile. ©2010 Steel Media Ltd. Printed by AST Print Group Ltd.

MARCH 2010

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6

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GREAT GAMES

TO PLAY NOW Two

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Pac-Man

Championship Edition PUBLISHER: Gameloft DEVELOPER: Gameloft

A complete return to the basics of the game that caused a sensation some 30 years ago, Pac-Man Championship Edition is a first-rate retro remake for the 21st century.

The most prevalent difference is in the objective: simply clearing the dots is not what you're attempting to achieve here. Rather, your task is to shore up as many points as possible within a given time limit.

Throw in some dazzling special effects and you're left with a game that'll delight anyone hungry for some hot arcade nourishment.

In association with

Go!Go!

Three

Rescue Squad The Sims 3 PUBLISHER: Progressive Media DEVELOPER: Electronic Arts

PUBLISHER: Firemint DEVELOPER: I-Play

Who doesn't like to play the hero?

Well, here's your chance. Your task is to rescue all the people from each level, which you do by getting them to one of the exit doors. This process is hindered, though, by flames sprouting all over the place (amongst other hazards, of course).

With several firefighters scattered around the screen that you can switch between as you throw civilians (and fire extinguishers) around, you'll have to work out the best way to save them. This is a truly inspired and original action puzzler.

Making a new instalment of one of the most popular game series on the planet must be difficult – how do you continually impress your audience, for instance? But social simulation The Sims 3 manages it. By enhancing everything the game already had and implementing similar systems to those found in the PC version, it not only improves on the experience but makes it feel like an entirely new game, rather than a mere update to The Sims 2. Which means you're left with a mobile title that is brilliant, pure fun.

www.three.co.uk

The short codes provided in this E-Zine are for Three network only – Customers on other networks should access their appropriate games portal to download.

6 Great Games Three Two

Four

Two

Five

Games cost either £3 or £5 and you will be advised of price before purchase. Full Terms & conditions are on page 14

Six

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Tetris Revolution

Five

Crash Bandicoot: Mutant Island

PUBLISHER: Sumea DEVELOPER: Digital Chocolate

PUBLISHER: Gameloft DEVELOPER: Gameloft

Despite its age, the original Tetris is an example of gaming genius. There are few puzzle games as beautifully balanced, as dangerously addictive and as capable of maintaining an infinite appeal as this Russian masterpiece. Rather wisely, Revolution doesn't dare mess with the core structure of its predecessor but it does introduce a number of cleverly thought out variations that, remarkably, add to the Tetris experience, making this the definitive version of the classic puzzler to own on mobile. Stunning.

Although a console icon from the 1990s, Crash the bandicoot isn't ready to retire just yet. And Mutant Island sees his return to old-skool platforming – this means you can expect to run around twisty levels, leaping from vines, sliding down slopes and collecting lots and lots of arbitrary knick-knacks. The game is worthy of its iconic star, and as such controls beautifully, looks great and has excellent level design, with a nicely judged ebb and flow to each stage. It stands as one of the best mobile platformers of recent times.

Six

Townsmen 6 PUBLISHER: Namco Bandai DEVELOPER: Namco Bandai

MARCH 2010

The latest in the hugely popular Townsmen series sees you dropped into revolutionary France where you must assist your downtrodden kinsmen in their struggle to escape the yoke of monarchic rule. This means creating a prosperous country packed with happy and contented Townies. It's impossible to adequately describe the sheer depth of the game in just a few words but know this: it's a complete triumph of strategy brilliance and ranks as one of the most arresting mobile phone games we've ever encountered.

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

FIELDRUNNERS I-play

Strategy mastery HERE COME THE BIG GUNS

If 2009 saw one game spreading itself about, going to all the functions and generally having the time of its life, it was Fieldrunners.

The game has been a major player in the emergence of the tower defence genre – it’s already one of the most successful games of its type to date on whichever platform it turns up on – and is now heading for mobile, courtesy of developer Subatomic Studios being eager to further spread the tactics-flavoured love.

If you’ve yet to experience the brilliance of Fieldrunners – or indeed, the delights of tower defence in general – the game sees you squaring up to hordes of enemies by strategically placing a load of static defensive units prior to engagement.

the three modes of play. Classic offers four towers, combined with a 100-level goal and 20 lives to protect, while Extended does the exact same thing, albeit with a choice of six towers. That leaves Endless, which keeps the 20 lives and offers all six towers, but places this within a scenario that will keep playing indefinitely (for as long as you have lives left, of course).

and Mortar also available during the Endless and Extended modes.

If that doesn’t sound like a recipe for strategic bliss to you, then you’ve clearly not had the pleasure yet.

Because once you experience Fieldrunners, you’ll be missing buses, meetings and meals…

In terms of defensive options, the original four towers of Gatling, Goo (to slow enemies down), Missile, and Tesla (zapper) will be present, with Flame

The mobile version doesn’t mess with the original formula and as such you can expect the same fast, fun, addictive tactical gameplay seasoned Fieldrunners players have come to delight in, albeit with controls that are fully optimised for handset keypads.

Other elements that thankfully haven’t been tinkered with include

MARCH 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

DICTATOR DEFENSE Digital Chocolate

Tactically striking OBEY OR ELSE The invasion of tower defence has been all encompassing and, mercifully, mobile owners haven’t been forgotten. Dictator Defense is one of the titles leading the attack, promising to be a fine representative of the genre.

Play is relatively typical, with you setting out your units in defensive positions ahead of the relentless assault from enemy troops. Unusual, however, are the dictator bosses that appear after every few waves, memorable due to being parodies of popular militaristic figures. Well, that and the fact they are enormous in stature, too.

What’s war if it’s not good for a laugh, eh?

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Zombie land IT’S A RABID RACCOON… Raccoon City is once again overrun by infected zombies and mutants (it must be nigh-on impossible to sell a house in there these days) and you must save the day. Again.

You take control of series stalwart Claire Redfield in an isometric action game filled with ‘twisted environments’ and ‘elaborate puzzles’ as you attempt to survive those mean streets above the Umbrella corporation’s not-so-secret-any-more lab. So decomposing fingers crossed it turns out to be a meaty outbreak.

In association with

www.three.co.uk

The short codes provided in this E-Zine are for Three network only – Customers on other networks should access their appropriate games portal to download.

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723 Mystery Mania

A unique and drop-dead gorgeous point-and-click puzzler that’s full of personality and charm.

Zombie Infection

A superb rollercoaster of undead action packed with as many thrills as it is severed heads.

Sam’s the man WATCH OUT, SNAKE

In the world of game-based espionage, one figure stands tall. Sam Fisher, star of the Splinter Cell titles, is a man you wouldn’t want to mess with. Particularly when he finds out he’s been betrayed by his former agency, The Third Echelon.

Pac-Man CE

And that’s as a result of an investigation into his daughter’s death. Better stand back, then, because before long Sam will be armed to the teeth with all of the latest high-tech weaponry he can get his hands on, intent on exacting revenge in a manner only he can.

Townsmen 6

The good news for us is that whenever Sam gets angry, we normally end up with a great action adventure to play through.

Finally, a retro remake that pays sincere homage to the original game – Pac-Man Championship Edition is a must-own.

The latest Townsmen possesses a level of strategic depth that puts to shame many full-priced console releases.

Fast & Furious

Hugely polished mobile racer that stays ahead of the competition. With a game this good, the movie must be terrible!

Chuck Norris: Bring on the Pain

A specacular game that’s packed with as much joviality as it is testosterone.

Games cost either £3 or £5 and you will be advised of price before purchase.

Full Terms & conditions are on page 14

SPLINTER CELL: CONVICTION Gameloft

Luxor Quest

Superb, addictive puzzler that improves on previous games with more polished play and great levels.

Metal Slug Mobile 4 A superb conversion of a high-octane game – it’s not clever, but boy is it relentless, brilliant fun.

Go! Go! Rescue Squad

This has it all – devilishly difficult puzzles, originality and playability galore.

Mafia Wars: New York

Brilliant addition to the series that builds on already strong gameplay foundations.

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Missed out on the snowboarding season this year? Well, you should at least extract some thrills from Avalanche Snowboarding.

Expect the usual array of extreme action as you career down the slope, pulling off the sickest tricks from an abundance of jumps and awesome take-off opportunities.

The focus here is very much on big air, big fun, rather than big surprises. But then if the thrills are as close to the real thing, that’s all that matters, man.

MARCH 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

e h t t e e M

l a t r o P y x a l Samsung Ga Featuring revolutionary Layar AR content

Cocktails and nibbles

Ooh, accessories

Killer heels

Celebratory gossip

‘The’ dress

Coffee |

In association with

www.three.co.uk

The short codes provided in this E-Zine are for Three network only – Customers on other networks should access their appropriate games portal to download.

How many times have you needed to find something but not known the area you’re in well enough to work out which direction you should head in?

There is an alternative to spending hours studying maps before your next excursion, and it comes in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Portal (i7500). That’s because far from your already-impressive Android-powered handset – meaning you get to download any of the 20,000 applications already available on the Android Market (see p22) – the Galaxy Portal comes equipped with Layar, the Augmented Reality (AR) browser.

What’s AR, you ask? Well, it’s a technique that merges real-life images with computer-generated graphics. It’s a widely used process – think of the information that appears on-screen when you watch sports events on TV, for instance – but one that takes on a huge and exciting evolutionary leap when applied to a mobile device.

A device such as the Galaxy Portal. With Layar content and a number of brand partnerships in place for it (see right), you’ll never have to aimlessly search for what you need to find. Simply point your handset’s camera at your surroundings and a detailed visual guide appears on the 3.2-inch screen to highlight what’s around you – anything from shops to theatres or even gigs.

Local knowledge

Imagine, for example, that you’re looking for a pub to watch your favourite football team demolish the opposition. The Samsung Football Pub Finder will help you choose a suitable destination. And because all Layar content integrates with Google Maps, you even get directions showing you how to get there.

If, after the match, you’re hungry, the lastminute.com Layar will serve up the restaurants in your area, enabling you to get a great deal on a table. Need money first?

The Barclaycard Layar will come in handy with regards to directing you to the nearest Barclays cashpoint.

After the meal you can catch the last train home – thetrainline.com Layar will happily highlight nearby train stations – or, if you miss it, check into a nearby hotel (courtesy of the Hotels.com Layar).

The one thing you can rely on not missing is never having to guess your way around an area again.

The Samsung Layar Service at-a-glance

Got a Galaxy Portal? Here are some of the major lifestyle brands looking to make your day-to-day a breeze

lastminute.com A restaurant finder, guide and booking services – you can find deals and book tables at thousands of establishments.

(Exclusively for the Samsung Galaxy Portal)

Nestoria Property Search Nationwide coverage with over 800,000 properties available to be viewed at any one time.

(Exclusively for the Samsung Galaxy Portal)

thetrainline.com Find directions to your nearest train station, wherever you are in the country.

Barclaycard Find local Barclays cashpoints, as well as shops accepting contactless payments.

Samsung Local Search Millions of reviews from across the country – see the best shops to restaurants, cafés, theatres, museums, gigs and much more.

(Powered by Qype.com)

Samsung Hotel Search Fancy a good night’s sleep?

Consider this your guide to hotels in your area.

www.samsungmobile.co.uk

Samsung Football Pub Finder A massive database of pubs around the country, including those that have TV capable of showing live matches.

(Exclusively for the Samsung Galaxy Portal)

MARCH 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

||

Title:

Movie Tie - ins There are plenty of tired clichés in the world of video games which, when analysed, don’t stand up all that well. Take the following: all gamers are antisocial nerds. Mobile phones are no good for games.

Games are for kids.

Here’s another to join that list: all movie tie-in games are rubbish.

It’s true that many are, of course. A

|

In association with

number of publishers have been guilty of bashing out lazy licensed titles to cash in on the popularity of a particular film or brand. But it’s not all bad, and that’s a fact that is definitely worth reinforcing.

Below, then, are four examples of the mobile movie tie-in done properly. Each game stands on it own as an example of fine mobile gaming, with the licences merely acting as seasoning.

And as licences go, they don’t come much bolder than Star Trek. Hailed by many as a brilliantly successful revamp of the kitsch original, there’s no doubting that the new adventure of Kirk and co was one of 2009’s box office success stories.

The mobile game isn’t

www.three.co.uk

half bad, either. EA decided to retain the all-action, all-inclusive tone of the film and create a 2D shooter that even casual gamers can pick up and enjoy.

Somewhat closer to home and, some will argue, considerably less fantastical fare is 2012. If you missed it, the film is a rather familiar big budget disaster movie in which a clever scientist discovers that the world is doomed and thousands of people proceed to die at the hands of mean old mother nature for our popcorn-fuelled entertainment.

The game, however, refuses to be pigeon-holed so easily.

Eschewing the action scenario, 2012

The short codes provided in this E-Zine are for Three network only – Customers on other networks should access their appropriate games portal to download.

Games cost either £3 or £5 and you will be advised of price before purchase. Full Terms & conditions are on page 14

Watch the film, play the game

puts you in charge of the weather itself as you attempt to guide destructive cyclones and firestorms out of the crumbling cities before there’s nothing left.

For those feeling vindictive, there’s even an alternative mode in which you can set out to destroy said cities with your newfound powers. Cue manic evil laughter.

If it’s entertainment you seek, it doesn’t take a detective to work out that you’ll find it in Sherlock Holmes. You take the role of the famous sleuth and his sidekick Watson as you kick, punch, shoot, and solve your way through Victorian London.

Granted, Shelock Holmes may not be the sharpest tool in the box, but the game definitely knows how to have a good time.

Which isn’t what anyone of sound mind could have claimed after watching the last Fast & Furious film. Yet, curiously, the worst movie represented on this list seems to make for the best game.

Rather than simply flicking through a copy of Max Power for inspiration on a few ridiculously liveried cars and slapping them into a couple of recycled urban racing environments, the developer has worked hard to create a range of motorised challenges, from running massive petrol-carrying road trains to scoring the longest drifts around winding mountain tracks.

And what tracks they are, with a fantastically zippy 3D engine ensuring that Fast & Furious is just that, creating a game will go down as not just one of the best mobile movie tie-ins ever, but one of the best mobile racers, too.

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Download a game from Step 1: Go to Planet 3

Step 2: Browse Games menu It’s free to browse.

Scroll down to find the games icon, which takes you to the portal’s main games page. There, you’ll be able to access to hundreds of games from as little as 99p including the latest new games, top 10 games, top deals, as well as a direct link to games split by genre (puzzle, action, retro, etc…). Games are updated on Thursdays, so it’s worth checking back every week.

If you’re looking to download mobile games, the first step is to go to the Planet 3 portal. This depends on your phone; some have a dedicated Planet 3 button on the handset itself, others require pressing one of the keys under the screen. Once there, you’ll see the portal’s homepage.

Step 4: Time to pay

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Head along to www.pocketgamer.co.uk to get loads more ‘How to’ guides for your mobile

In association with

www.three.co.uk

Clicking on a game’s ‘more info’ link takes you through to its dedicated page, where you’ll find more screenshots of the game, and information on what it is about.

Clicking on ‘Buy Game’ pays for the game, either taking the money from your account balance (if you’re Pay As You Go) or adding it to your monthly bill.

The short codes provided in this E-Zine are for Three network only – Customers on other networks should access their appropriate games portal to download.

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Step 3: Check out games Clicking on one of the links takes you to a list of games in that category, showing a picture (usually of the title screen), a price, and a link to get more information.

This is a good way to get a quick overview of what’s available and how much it might cost, especially if you’re browsing by genre.

Get your game via SMS The step-by-step guide to the left shows how you go about downloading games from Three’s game portal, but that’s by no means the only way to get the latest games on your phone.

You can also buy games by sending a plain old-fashioned text message using the special codes we usually print in this magazine. It won’t cost you more and it might save time.

1. Create a new text message

Chances are you’ve already sent a few of these, but if not, look for the envelope icon or message/messaging service on your phone (the exact location differs from handset to handset but it should be prominent in your phone’s main menu) and select the option to write a new message.

2. Type the game code Step 5: Download your game Once payment has gone through, it’s time to download the game.

The exact method varies from phone to phone, but usually you’ll be asked to confirm that you want to download the game.

You may be asked where you want to save your game – in Games or Applications is usually the best choice.

There are special short codes normally printed alongside or below pretty much all of the games featured in this magazine. Just look for the green bars that say ‘Buy It Now’. Simply enter the exact code supplied on the page and then press Continue or Confirm.

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3. Send your message to 34263

You’ll then be asked to enter a number to send the text to, in this case it will always be 34263. Once you’ve entered that, just select Send.

4. Wait for a text to come back

After a few seconds you should receive a text back from Three with further information about the game, including a link that asks you to click in order to buy the game. You won’t be charged for the game until you press this link and the price of the game will be added to your monthly bill. If you’re a Pay-As-You-Go customer make sure you’ve got enough credit left on your account to pay for it before sending the text, to avoid frustration.

5. Download and Play!

All that remains is to follow the instructions onscreen to download and save the game (it will usually be saved in either the Games or Applications folder of your phone). Now you’re ready to play, so click on the game’s icon to start, and have fun!

MARCH 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

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5HYLHZV

Catcha Mouse

Games cost either ÂŁ3 or ÂŁ5 and you will be advised of price before purchase. Full Terms & conditions are on page 14

CHEESE IT! Developer: Mr Goodliving Publisher: RealNetworks

24

Developer: Digital Chocolate Publisher: Digital Chocolate

Quite often with mobile games, you see a title that inspires absolutely no excitement and is very difficult to get interested in. But once you finally force yourself to play, it turns out to be one of those hidden gems that will never be removed from your handset.

BAUER DOWN BEFORE IT The long-running TV action series 24 has made an appearance on mobile before and Digital

Chocolate is putting its previous mobile game licence back to work in 24: Jack Bauer. And like the seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cliffhangers wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow you to not watch it, the game wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow you not to play it.

Catcha Mouse is one such title. The objective is so simple itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to imagine how it could possibly be any fun. The old adage about books and covers comes to mind.

The mouse is controlled by the CPU across a game board built from hexagonal segments. The mouse makes a move, hopping one square in any direction it chooses as it tries to get toward one of the many holes dotted around the board.

This time, Jack is working as an unwilling chaperone for a visiting Eastern European PM, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s having trouble from the Russians attempting to install a communist government in his country.

Your task is to place traps in an effort to cut off its escape routes. Taking it in turns, you must try to predict where your big eared buddy is going to head next, until a row of traps pens him in, or he makes it to a hole and freedom.

Naturally the action begins in the first few moments, between the hours of 11AM and 12PM, when an attack is launched on the airport where Jack is providing his taxi service. And from that moment on, 24: Jack Bauer never lets up, which is what the series is all about.

The only stipulation - other than the turn-based play - is that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drop a trap directly on top of the mouse. With around 70 levels to play, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find some immensely easy, while others appear (initially) to be impossibly laid out for shepherding mice into corners.

The strong espionage plot means this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t so much a game of speed, as a game of wits. Barge in, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll bring down more firepower than you can handle but dally too much, and the leads dry up. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an excellent balance.

So it may not sound like much, but fans of the casual one-thumb puzzle game will devour this kind of delicious finger-pudding.

A SIMPLE PREMISE, YET THIS IS A BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED AND DISTURBINGLY ADDICTIVE TURNď&#x161;şBASED PUZZLE GAME

Jack Bauer

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YOU AND BAUER IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIRST CLASS CONSPIRACY WITH PLENTY OF ACTION. WHAT MORE DOES A 24 GAME NEED?

MARCH 2010

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5HYLHZV

Vancouver

2010

Developer: Mr Goodliving Publisher: RealNetworks

Bloons

TAKING THE CAST OF CRAZY PENGUIN YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE A WINNER CATAPULT FURTHER THAN WE PERHAPS THOUGHT CAPABLE, PENGUIN Ever wanted to CRAZY try skiing, but the PARTY SERVES UP A DELICIOUS SET OF bright clothing and silly glasses MINIď&#x161;şGAMES ENTIRELY WORTHY OF DIVE have always put PLAYTIME you off?

BOMBING INTO YOUR Thankfully, Vancouver 2010 is here to help you reach your dreams of being a world record breaking skiier.

Developer: Jump Games Publisher: I-play

ONCE YOU POP, YOU CANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T STOP What with all the touchscreens, trackballs, accelerometers and Bluetooth controllers weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got for mobile games these days, it almost seems like a novelty going back to the single thumb system. But few games fit

Yes, Playman is back and this time heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carrying an official licence for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Winter Olympics in Vancouver. And the thumb-crushingly good gameplay and excellent production values of the Playman games have made the transition intact, even if the name hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

the mobile platform so snugly as Bloons.

For whatever reason, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a monkey armed with darts, and you like to hang around various formations of balloons. This cheeky chappyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only concern is popping a requisite number of these balloons with however many darts he happens to be holding each level.

There are five new events to take part in, each designed to test the limits of your keypadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s build quality. All the events are extremely well presented, with some fantastic visuals and great character animations. There are also tonnes of neat little touches that really raise this game above the competition, such as the replays that play in the background after an event: properly drawn, animated crowds or the way in which other human playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; turns are shown on the current playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempt.

Often enough youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve only got the one missile, so pixel-accurate aiming and power is vital to taking out the number of required balloons. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an immensely simple concept, but very addictive, despite the frustration at regularly leaving a single balloon unpopped.

But the essential and must-play nature of this strategic puzzler ensures youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never be able to leave a level unfinished.

But ultimately itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the deceptively clever gameplay so familiar to fans of the series that will keep dragging you back for just one more record attempt.

ADDICTIVE, ELATING AND EXHAUSTING, VANCOUVER 2010 IS YET ANOTHER FANTASTIC ADDITION TO THE PLAYMAN SERIES

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BLOONS IS PROOF OF THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EASY, ACCESSIBLE AND ENTERTAINING USER INTERFACE. SIMLICITY WINS!

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Go! Go! Island Rescue Developer: Connect2Media Publisher: Connect2Media

Buzz!

Quiz World Developer: Typhon Mobile Publisher: Arvato

What do you do with a sequel when the game youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re following up was pretty damn good in the first place? One option is to play

Games cost either ÂŁ3 or ÂŁ5 and you will be advised of price before purchase. Full Terms & conditions are on page 14

QUICK FIRE HIT

it safe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if it ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t broke, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fix it. But then again, if the game you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to fix happens to be on fire, what do you do then?

General knowledge quiz games are generally quite sombre, considered and intellectual affairs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; kind of like the TV equivalent of doing a crossword.

Of course, in Go! Go! Island Rescueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s case, fire isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a bad thing. Anyone who played the first title â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the rather addictive Go! Go! Rescue Squad â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will be familiar with whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s required. Play basically hands you the care of a series of fire fighters and charges you with escorting everyone else on the map to safety, pointing them in the direction of some trickily placed doors.

What Buzz! does for the genre is give it a more arcadey visage, and this latest addition to the mobile strain maintains that dynamic approach to answering questions beautifully.

Aside from the pseudo-glitz and glamour, Buzz! Quiz World keeps the tedium of multiple choice questions at bay with some well structured variations on how you answer.

Doing so means abiding by quite a wide-ranging set of rules. Some of the folk you have to save (like in the original, members of the Darwin family) do nothing but run left to right, some jumping off ledges straight to their deaths, others able to put out fires and climb stairs to other platforms of their own volition.

You have three different types of quiz to choose from: Hot Seat, Point Risk and The Box Game. Essentially, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all about firing off quick and accurate answers to questions from a choice of different categories.

So, while chucking fire extinguishers at the blazes and tossing family members to their safety is the key, working out when you need to hand over control is just as imperative.

Anyone who likes a good pub quiz will find this to be the multiple choice companion that stays on their phone.

ULTIMATELY ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STILL A MULTIPLE CHOICE QUIZ GAME, BUT THIS IS EASILY THE BEST OF ITS CLASS

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GETTING HOT IN HERE...

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Go! Go! has always done, in truth, and Island Rescue is essentially more of the same.

And we wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have it any other way.

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GO! GO! ISLAND IS JUST AS ADDICTIVE, AS MINDď&#x161;şBENDING AND AS ESSENTIAL AN ACTION PUZZLER AS ITS PREDECESSOR

MARCH 2010

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www.pocketgamer.co.uk

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CrazyTaxi Developer: Venan Publisher: Gameloft

Jewel Quest III:

World Adventure

YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;D BE CRAZY TO MISS IT

Developer: EA Mobile Publisher: EA Mobile

If the taxi drivers round your way are anything like the ones in our town, even a short distance in the back of them is comparable to a day at Alton Towers without the safety harnesses.

The Jewel Quest series has always been a leader in its unusual but effective method of building an adventure around a Bejeweled clone, and this is yet another stab.

So it actually makes perfect sense to fashion a breakneck, high-speed racing game around the everyday experience of cab driving.

For the uninitiated, Jewel Quest differs from most match-three games by bringing the grid on which the gems are placed into play. When a row of three gems is made, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re eliminated from the grid, the squares behind them turn gold. The objective isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t to complete as many matches as possible, but to change the whole board gold.

And for once itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a thrill ride you can enjoy, given that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not as concerned about sailing through the windscreen in Gameloftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new 3D car chase extravaganza.

The premise is almost entirely explained within the title, but just in case you thought it was being cryptic, rest assured that this is a game putting you behind the wheel of a taxi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and your only motivation is to make the fares as fast as possible.

This means making sure that you create alignments in some very tricky places before the timer runs down, especially when the board isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t square.

Customers hang around at the side of the road, waiting for you to screech to a halt and get them to their destination with minimum regard for traffic, road laws and safety â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just like a real Red Bull-addled, sleep deprived taxi driver.

Chances are you already own a Jewel Quest game â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and you could argue the story in previous games was a little stronger â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a fresh version, this game will give you exactly what you want.

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll return to Crazy Taxiâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s crazy action looking to perfect your driving technique, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll relish it. Even if your customers might not.

IMPRESSIVELY FAST GAME SPEED AND A VERY ENTERTAINING CONCEPT. GET IN, STEP ON THE GAS AND ENJOY THE THRILL RIDE

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ANOTHER RIPď&#x161;şROARING SUCCESS IN TERMS OF THE SERIESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; UNIQUE TAKE ON THE MATCHď&#x161;şTHREE GAME

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Games cost either ÂŁ3 or ÂŁ5 and you will be advised of price before purchase. Full Terms & conditions are on page 14

CATCHES THE LIGHT

5HYLHZV

Crazy Penguin Party Developer: Digital Chocolate Publisher: Digital Chocolate

Puzzled?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;AINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T NO PARTY LIKE A

TAKING THE CAST OF CRAZY PENGUIN PENGUIN PARTYâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;?

CATAPULT FURTHER THAN WE PERHAPS THOUGHT CRAZY PENGUIN WhenCAPABLE, you consider Digital PARTY SERVES UP DELICIOUS SET OF Chocolate hasAalready entertained MINIď&#x161;şGAMES ENTIRELY WORTHY OF DIVE the idea ofYOUR kamikaze catapulting BOMBING INTO PLAYTIME

Developer: Maturus Publisher: Arvato

penguins, eager for war and with a thirst for taking out pesky polar bears, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hardly surprising that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d also give them the platform to start skydiving, bouncing on blowfish, and swimming away from giant octopuses as well.

HIDDEN GEM Remember the old days? You know, green fields, jumpers for goalposts, â&#x20AC;&#x153;kids today never had it so goodâ&#x20AC;?, etc? Everything back then in that mystical time was more of a challenge.

Puzzled? reminds us of an old-fashioned puzzler, the sort that will frustrate people who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like puzzle games (if that makes sense.) But while it may possess that older-generation feel in both graphics and difficulty, it also manages to add features that make it less frustrating than its forebears and, subsequently, more fun.

In crazy-la-la land, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clearly the next logical step.

Yes, for those of you who previously enjoyed targeting the polar bear population with our fish-loving friends in Crazy Penguin Catapult, Crazy Penguin Party follows a very similar line â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but this time splitting gameplay into mini-games rather than one long adventure.

This is a celebration of all things nutty, short snippets of platformer style play moulded into one barmy package that is sure to put a smile on your face.

The aim of the game is to match up two or more blocks with the same coloured gemstone inside.

Any block can be selected and moved freely left to right, but canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be raised up as, shockingly, gravity pulls them down.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also especially easy to pick up and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crazy Penguin Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to keep the controls of all such games simple whilst simultaneously varying the games theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re used in that most impresses.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not going to set the world on fire, but puzzle game fans longing for the old days will relish Puzzled?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenge.

CRAZY PENGUIN PARTY SERVES UP A DELICIOUS SET OF MINIď&#x161;şGAMES ENTIRELY WORTHY OF DIVE BOMBING INTO YOUR PLAYTIME

|Â?

A FINE LOGIC PUZZLER THAT WILL PROVIDE LOVERS OF THE GENRE WITH A DECENT CHALLENGE FOR A LONG TIME TO COME MARCH 2010

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C f lo 9t or e sing h n d Ap tr a ril ies te 20 is 10

GET A HANDHELD DOSE OF BRAWN AND BRAINS COURTESY OF GAMELOFT Ah, the brains versus brawn debate. It’s been raging for as long as men in white coats have been barricading themselves from the savage mob banging furiously on the lab door.

But Gameloft is looking to end the dispute once and for all by offering readers the chance to win a PSPgo with a copy of Brain Challenge and Hero of Sparta.

Mobile owners will of course already be familiar with Hero of Sparta. As a lone Spartan, you spend your time battling mythical beasts in Ancient Greece, reasoning with your fists as much as with your sword. It’s non-stop, delightfully brutal action.

Brain Challenge, as its name suggests, is considerably more cerebral. The series has long been established on mobile (Brain Challenge 3 is pictured), testing the grey matter of players through a series of tough but addictive mental challenges.

One lucky winner will walk away with the prize, dabble in both experiences and emerge considerably the wiser. Or beefier.

To be in with a chance of getting your hands on a PSPgo with a copy of Hero of Sparta and Brain Challenge, check out the following question, and then just send your answer via email or post to the addresses on the right, by the closing deadline of Friday 9th April 2010.

In Greek mythology, what is the name given to the underworld?

WHERE TO SEND YOUR ENTRY

If emailing, send your answer along with your name and address to PG13competition@pocketgamer.co.uk with the subject heading ‘Pocket Gamer PSPgo competition’. Or you can enter by postcard (include name, address and a contact number) to the following address: “Pocket Gamer PSPgo Competition” Steel Media Ltd The House Kelston Park, Kelston Bath BA1 9AE

A) Hades B) Horace C) Herbert

Terms and conditions apply. Editor’s decision is final, and the competition is open to UK residents only.

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The short codes provided in this E-Zine are for Three network only – Customers on other networks should access their appropriate games portal to download.

on your mobile able!

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