Pocket Gamer Guide to Mobile Games / Issue 15

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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 the operator. ©2010 Steel Media Ltd.

Welcome to issue 15 of the Pocket Gamer guide to mobile games, brought to you by the team of experts at www.pocketgamer.co.uk.

What a reviews section we have for you this month, with some of the biggest releases to have hit mobile this year. Not only do Ferrari GT 2: Revolution, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction and Age of Empires III: Asian Dynasties cater for all tastes, they’re also proof that mobile gaming keeps getting better and better.

But it’s not just the games – handsets aren’t standing still, either. Just check out the delightful Samsung Wave on page 10 (then head on over to our competition at the back of the mag for your chance to win your very own). Enjoy!

João Diniz Sanches Editor-in-chief | Pocket Gamer

JULY 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

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Tekken Mobile Developer: Namco Bandai Publisher: EA Mobile

For many, Tekken has become the benchmark for the 3D fighting game genre since first appearing on the scene in 1994. And now it's made its typically high impact way onto the little screen in your pocket. Featuring eight characters from the original series, Tekken Mobile offers up the same spectacular, fast-flowing combinations of kicks and punches we've come to love. But fun as battling your computer-controlled adversaries is, the ability to take on a human opponent via Bluetooth is the biggest draw here. Throw in loads of features and content and you're up against a knock-out combination.

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Neon Runner

Listen up. Your mission is to command a small regiment of toy soldiers as you're sent on a variety of dangerous tasks around the home.

So expect to find yourself fighting your way through typical household locations such as the kitchen table, bathroom, and hallway, amongst others. Sounds cosy, right? Well, don't be a fool, soldier. Those vast territories are deadly, and you'll need all of your strategic training to get to your objectives without losing too many men. They may be plastic, but they're your brothers in arms. This is war at its most intense and – in gaming terms – enjoyable.

Remember a time when games were, well, simpler? Neon Runner does. This is a classically styled maze runner players of Pac-Man or Snake should instantly get familiar with – the 1980s colours and sounds kind of give it away. You guide a triangular craft around a series of top-down mazes, collecting the necessary quantity of coloured objects in order to unlock the level exit. Along the way you get thrown new features and elements to absorb into your repertoire and what starts out as a simple game evolves into something rather more complex – although at no point does it lose the timeless appeal of its classic gameplay.

Developer: Twistbox Publisher: Connect2Media

Developer: Pixalon Studios Czech Publisher: Connect2Media

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

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Sonic & Sega Tattoo All-Stars Racing Tycoon

Avalanche

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Developer: Gameloft Publisher: Gameloft

Developer: HandyGames Publisher: HandyGames

Developer: Gameloft Publisher: Gameloft

Yep, it's a cartoon-style racer in which ten characters from Sega's huge back-catalogue of gaming favourites compete head-to-head across eight tracks brilliantly inspired by some of the company's classic titles. A good sense of speed and bright, colourful graphics make the action – featuring turbo boosts and a healthy supply of power-ups, of course – look fantastic and the great deal of content and different play modes will keep you racing for ages.

When karting on your mobile is this much fun, who needs a suspiciously cheerful, slightly overweight plumber on the track?

Never let it be said that there's no variety in mobile gaming. In Tattoo Tycoon you get to rescue a previously mighty tattoo parlour from obscurity as it fights to make a name for itself against piercing competition. So play involves upping your reputation and flooding your parlour with fixtures and fittings to grab your customers' attention and generally making your premises the best around. This is time management-based play that's been cleverly mixed with real-time strategy sim elements, resulting in a permanently engaging nature.

Needles at the ready…

JULY 2010

Not entirely topical given the current season, perhaps, but then again what better way to melt some of the summer sun than by escaping to the digital slopes of this rather first-class, action-packed example of arcade snowboarding? And if the heat's slowing your brain, don't worry. Here you get immediately accessible controls and some top notch graphics to go along with the relentless on/off-piste shenanigans, which understandably involve pulling extreme tricks off ramps, grinding rails, clearing log cabins and the like. You may be hot, but this is totally cool, man.

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

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SimCity Deluxe EA Mobile

A landmark development It’s blocks in the city!

Virtual property tycoons rejoice, because EA has revealed details of its SimCity Java revamp. SimCity Deluxe is built on the same framework as past constructions but, as you’d hope, it’s been seriously tweaked and enhanced to suit a 2010 audience.

This enhancement is most apparent in the game’s visuals. The familiar isometric viewpoint is sharper and more vibrant than before, with attractive touches such as shadows cast by clouds. There’s also a hat-full of new animations to bring your city alive, such as

aircraft buzzing around the skies.

With the ability to enable disasters in Freeplay mode, EA is promising plenty of neat additional features (although we’re assured volcano activity will not inhibit air travel).

Aside from the aforementioned Freeplay mode, which enables you to build your city unrestrained, there’s a Scenario option that reins in the freedom a little and gives you clearly defined goals (such as reaching a certain population level). It’s ideal for mobile play, as well as for introducing newcomers to this incredibly deep and involving series.

If that’s you, don’t worry. The main area the publisher wants to emphasise is the new, more fluid interactive help system that offers

advice as needed.

Sure enough, bringing up one of the helpful bar chart screens (accessed by pressing ‘1’, ‘2’ or ‘3’) prompts a large animated head to appear and explain its function.

In the same vein, the tutorial is geared towards introducing the basics of the classic franchise to an audience that may never have touched such an in-depth city planner before.

Whichever camp you fall into, get your planning permissions, grab your hard hats and prepare to get your thumbs covered in digital bricks and mortar.

JULY 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

7

Batman: Guardian of Gotham Glu

Ka-pow!

the dark knight returns Gotham City has to be one bad, mad place if it still requires Batman to come out, night after night, and clear its streets of evil. You’d think criminals would give up and move to a town where they could make an easier living…

Of course, the fact they stick around means you get to put on the Batsuit once again, hence Batman: Guardian of Gotham. Here, Two Face and the Joker (along with their trusty henchmen) combine efforts to keep you busy. The game has an unusual combat approach, in that it gets you to rely on an endless supply of batarangs in order to take down your pesky opponents, before swinging ‘into’ the level in order to tie them up.

It means Batman’s as busy as ever, which could make for a hectic and intriguing new experience.

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Marvel-lous full metal jacket (and trousers) Ah, summer. It’s the time of the year for t-shirts and shorts, as well as the period in which Hollywood blockbuster productions fight it out the fiercest around the world’s cinemas. And along with the films, out come the official games.

Here it’s the turn of Iron Man 2, sequel to the rather popular (and surprisingly entertaining) 2008 cinematic adaptation starring Robert Downey Jr. In the game you can expect to get involved in an all-action affair, giving you access to all of Tony Stark’s finest gadgets. These inevitably mean you get to blow things up – but then, anything less would have been disappointing.

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Army Men: Mobile Ops

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Simply sublime strategic, all-action, toy-flavoured war on you mobile.

2

Mystery Mania

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

3

Gish Mobile

As perfect a platform game as you’ll find on mobile. Bags of personality and a superlative adventure.

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Earthworm Jim

Excellent re-release that captures the gameplay and humour of the original action platforming classic.

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Edge

Oozing quality from every pixel, a brilliant mobile puzzle game without a single notable chink in its armour.

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Tekken Mobile

7

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing

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

Full Terms & conditions are on page 14

Loads of features and content, along with excellent two-player action make this mobile version a true knock-out.

Some much-loved characters in one of the best cartoon racers for mobile.

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24: Jack Bauer

You and Bauer in the middle of a first class conspiracy with plenty of action.

What more does a 24 game need?

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Pac-Man CE

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

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Tetris Revolution

This isn’t a revolution. It is, however, one of the finest versions of Tetris ever made. No small achievement.

Robin Hood: The Movie Game EA Mobile

Robin who? royal robbery

Forget Kevin Costner. The latest Hollywood Robin Hood treatment aims to be a far grittier take on the adventures of the heroic English outlaw than previous films have portrayed.

As the game of the movie (directed

by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, incidentally), Robin Hood includes elements of its cinematic inspiration but stays true to Robin’s roots, with archery, swordplay and sneaky thieving making up the core of the play.

For the most part, though, this an (isometric) action-adventure. As it should be – it’s what most people will associate with the Robin Hood legend, after all.

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With its combination of silly speed, sexy visuals and sumptuous powersliding, the Ridge Racer series has left a trail of dazzled gamers since screeching onto the scene in the 1990s.

And now it’s set to burn some more rubber on mobile, courtesy of Ridge Racer Drift.

You get six tracks and nine cars, which may not sound like much, but it’s what you do with it that counts. And Ridge Racer tends to know what to do with it, offering a uniquely rewarding drifting mechanic that always does the series proud.

We should be taking Ridge Racer Drift for a spin next issue, so expect a review then.

JULY 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

9

Catch the Prepare to be swept off your feet

by Samsung’s all-new handset There are smartphones, and then there is the Samsung Wave S8500. With a seamless and beautifully curved superslim design that showcases the gorgeous SuperAMOLED screen, the Wave is undeniably one of the most desirable mobiles you could carry in your pocket.

But it’s not just a pretty face – it’s smart, too. A powerful 1GHz processor is able to handle simultaneous applications with ease, while making everyday use of your phone faster and more responsive.

Want to impress your friends? Then the Wave’s excellent HD video playback and recording ability will do the trick, particularly once the (motion blur-free) footage shows up on the handset’s sumptuously colourful 3.3-inch wide multi-touch screen. The technology behind the display (see right) ensures this is the best viewing experience on a mobile yet.

If your friends aren’t around, keeping in touch is effortless. The Social Hub section integrates contact information from all your online accounts so you can quickly find the best way to communicate. All major communication options are catered for – so, aside from the usual text options, you can link to multiple webmail, Instant Messaging and calendar accounts.

As for content, a visit to Samsung Apps – the home of hundreds of applications designed for your Samsung – will reveal the apps and games specifically tailored for the Wave. You can then browse, download and enjoy to your heart’s content.

Whatever your needs, you’ll be glad the Samsung Wave S8500 has surfed onto the mobile scene.

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• Faster and smoother user interface response • Simultaneous and seamless applications usage HD video player & recorder

• HD player with multi-codec support for DivX, Xvid, MPEG4, Real and WMV • HD video recording & playback (1280x720 @ 30fps) Social Hub

• Integrated contacts – friends’ numbers, profile photos, emails and SNS status can be checked all at once • Summary view of all email, SNS messaging, IM chat • Calendar – create an event, invite your friends and receive notification of their response

Internet browsing

• Dolfin web browser with flash video compatibility • Multi-touch navigation (quick and easy zoom) New TouchWiz 3.0 user interface

• Customisable homescreen and menu editing • Powerful and intuitive multitasking • Enhanced real-time widgets JULY 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

11

So you like…

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The World Cup is here, and people of 32 nationalities are daring to dream that their team might just go on to win the whole thing.

Except the Brazilians. They just expect to.

As our thoughts focus on football at this holiest of times, it only seems appropriate to devote our entire existence to The Beautiful Game. So when you’re not watching matches on TV or

12

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down the pub, you ought to be playing them on your mobile.

That monotonous commute, incomprehensible algebra lesson or dull marketing meeting you’re dreading? Get your phone out and they’ll be as much of a blur as Ronaldo’s step-overs.

Fittingly, this year we have three strong entries to the mobile footy genre: EA’s FIFA 10, Real Football 2010 from Gameloft, and Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2010. Read on for our live match report of this top-of-the-table clash.

You can’t mention football games without mentioning the FIFA franchise. The big game deserves a big game, and no other mobile footy sim has ever

matched the amount of official leagues and teams that come with FIFA 10 – it’s perhaps the pinnacle of the genre on that score.

The proof, however, is in the playing. The game has a strong passing ethic, the idea being to slot your way through the pack before slamming it past the keeper in the box. Play, on the whole, feels more responsive and based in reality than some of its competitors. The AI feels like a step up from Real Football, while free kicks are particularly good, balls flying into the net in a

manner that would even make Cristiano feel a little bit proud.

If it’s an entertaining season of footy you relish, EA’s trademark professionalism makes it remarkably easy to immerse yourself in the game.

An obsession with making passing the backbone of the game has also been one of Real Football’s passions of late, along with a desire to make the matches as colourful and full of life as possible.

Real Football 2010 keeps and, in some areas, builds on these strong foundations. Once again, it’s an especially playable affair, with most of the play reliant on your ability to pass the ball.

It’s really easy to do so and shooting is just as straightforward, yet often spectacular. Tackling has been smartened up since the last release, too, with slide tackles now a last resort. Pressuring the player in possession with the ‘5’ key usually does the trick instead.

By serving up a package with more modes than you can shake a fist at, Real Football 2010 may already have an unassailable lead over most rivals before they’ve even set foot on the pitch.

If you’re something of a connoisseur, you’ll already know that Pro Evolution Soccer on mobile is the thinking man’s footy game.

This latest outing does nothing to meddle with that, only serving to embellish the solid base that was already there.

In terms of the matches themselves, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is virtually faultless. Notably slower in pace than both FIFA and Real Football, players seem to have a bit more space on the pitch, encouraging you to hold onto possession until you can pick out the right pass, rather than kicking

it on as the competition closes in.

Not content with simply playing better than its rivals, however, PES 2010 also has the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League to fall back on.

But when the 90 minutes are up, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is probably the most intelligent, realistic and – most importantly – enjoyable football sim to ever hit mobile phones. Like Barcelona

taking on Bradford City, those looking for realism will feel PES’s brand of football is a league or two above everything else on offer, making victory over its rivals this season all but inevitable.

But ultimately, whichever game you choose – just like whichever nation you support in the World Cup – you’re guaranteed one hell of a summer for football.

FIFA 10 Publisher: EA Mobile A light yet comprehensive football game that stands as one of the finest examples on mobile. With a host of tweaks and additions, it’s also a significant improvement over last year’s effort, making it the perfect mobile footy choice for many.

10

8

Real Football 2010 Publisher: Gameloft The Real Football franchise has always known to make the most out of the mobile without pushing it too far. As accessible as ever, Real Football 2010 makes one or two strides forward to create a substitution that’s a shoo-in for this season’s crown.

10

8

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 Publisher: Konami Proving that slow and steady really can win the day, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 steps onto the pitch as the most sophisticated soccer sim to ever hit mobile. Some may prefer the more arcade nature of its rivals, but PES’s realistic approach is awesome.

10

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JULY 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

13

Download a game from Step 1: Get on the net

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Step 2: Pick a category Click on the Games icon and a new page that enables you to start looking for a game to download will open.

You can view new games, the Top 10 bestsellers and a selection of other groups; scroll down the page to see what takes your fancy. When you see a category of games that you like, click on the Go link.

Never used your phone for net access? Go to ‘Not on the net?’ first.

Otherwise, open your phone’s web browser from the main menu. If it doesn’t go straight to T-Mobile’s site, enter the following address: www.t-zones.co.uk.

Wait a few seconds for the page to load and you’ll see a collection of six icons on the screen, one of which will be Games. Move the on-screen cursor or link highlighter over it.

14

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

If you’re on a Pay Monthly contract, 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 on your account to pay for the game! As long as that’s the case, you’ll be prompted to download and save your chosen game.

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Step 3: Pick a game You’ll be taken to a page listing the games within the selected category and you can scroll down to view them all. To learn more about an individual game, click on its title and you’ll see a brief description along with the relevant picture.

Once you’re ready to buy a game, simply click on the Download link.

Step 5: Time to play Download and save the game, but don’t start it until you’ve exited your mobile phone’s internet browser. You can start your new game by going to your phone’s main menu and looking in the Games or Applications section, depending on the make of your handset. (And don’t worry if someone rings you – the game will pause, enabling you to take the call!)

Get your game via SMS The step-by-step guide to the left shows how you go about downloading games from T-Mobile’s t-zones 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

There are special short codes usually 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 code (it will always include the word ‘GET’ followed by the name of the game, e.g. you’d text GET FIGHT4 for Fight Night Round 4) and then press Continue or Confirm.

3. Send your message to 22222

You’ll then be asked to enter a number to send the text to, in this case it will always be 22222 (that’s five 2s). 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 T-Mobile 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 on-screen 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!

JULY 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

15

Download a game from Step 1: Go to Vodafone Live If you’re looking to download the games, the first step is to go to the Vodafone Live portal.

How depends on your phone: some have a dedicated Vodafone Live button on the handset itself, while others require pressing one of the soft-keys under the screen. Once there, you’ll see the portal’s homepage.

Step 4: Get more info Clicking on a game’s More Info link takes you through to its page, where you’ll find more screenshots of the game, and information on what it’s about. You’ll also notice a review score at the bottom of the page supplied by Pocket Gamer, with a link to click through to the full review of the title.

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In association with

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

Step 2: Browse games menu Scroll down to find the Games link, which takes you to the portal’s main games page. There, you’ll be able to access this week’s special offers, as well as direct links to What’s New, Top 10 Games, and the Game of the Week. Games are updated on Fridays, so it’s worth checking back every week.

Step 5: Buy your game Select the Buy Now link takes you through to the payment screen, which asks you to confirm you’re willing to pay the price – usually £5 for new games. Clicking on Buy pays for the game, either taking the money off your account balance (if you’re pay as you go) or adding it to your monthly contract.

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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 game genre.

Get your game via SMS The step-by-step guide to the left shows how you go about downloading games from the Vodafone live 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

Normally, you’ll find special short codes 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’.

Step 6: Download it NOW! Once payment has gone through, it’s time to download your game.

The exact method varies from phone to phone, but usually you’ll be asked to confirm that you want to download the game, and then sometimes you’ll be asked where you want to save it – in Games or Applications is usually the best choice.

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Simply enter the code (it will always include the word ‘GET’ followed by the name of the game, e.g. you’d text GET FIGHT4 for Fight Night Round 4) and then press Continue or Confirm.

3. Send your message to 22222

You’ll then be asked to enter a number to send the text to, in this case it will always be 22222 (that’s five 2s). 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 T-Mobile 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 on-screen 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!

JULY 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

17

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

Download a game from Step 1: Go to Planet 3

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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Step 2: Browse Games menu

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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.

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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!

JULY 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

19

Reviews mobile Rounding up the hottest games available now

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In association with

Reviews

Splinter Cell: Conviction Developer: Gameloft Publisher: Gameloft Format: Java

Convincing performance According to a popular alcoholic beverage’s adverts, ‘good things come to those who wait.’ Going by that logic, Tom Clancy’s Splinter

Cell: Conviction should be damn near perfect considering it’s been three long years since the last game in the series, Chaos Theory.

Games cost either £3 or £5 and you will be advised of price before purchase. Full Terms & conditions are on page 16

Well, the wait is over and good things really have come because Conviction is one of the best mobile action games of the year so far.

The game begins with Sam Fisher, ex-government agent and all-round bad-ass, tracking down his daughter’s murderer in the streets of Malta. But it soon turns into a race against time to stop a bomb, uncover a splinter cell conspiracy, and save the president. To get to that point, Sam has to creep, sneak, batter, shoot, fight off attack dogs, blow up jet planes, and dodge the slowest moving bullets in history. It’s exciting stuff, helped by the fact that every one of the 13 levels in the game has something new and unique waiting to surprise you.

Whether it’s a cunning new trap, toy, environmental puzzle, or simply a new twist on a previous feature, Conviction is never boring and all this action is wrapped up by some excellent graphics that vary wildly from level to level, excellent animation and sublime control.

The main reason SC:C succeeds, though, is that it’s great fun to play. While it may have been a long and gruelling wait for this latest iteration of Splinter Cell, the resulting game is certainly worth it.

Splinter Cell: Conviction is a superb action/stealth game that remains fresh and inventive from start to finish

9

10 JULY 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

21

Reviews

Age of Empires III:

The Asian Dynasties Developer: Glu Mobile Publisher: Glu Mobile Format: Java

Fieldrunners

Fulfils Eastern promises How do you tackle a massive PC strategy franchise such as Age of Empires on mobile without suffering a risible and crushing Napoleonesque defeat?

Developer: MachineWorks Northwest Publisher: Hands-On Mobile Format: Java

Field of its own Anyone who’s seen footage of WWII beach-head assaults will have an idea of how scary assaulting a fixed, well defended position must be.

It’s a fair question, but one that Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties laughs at. And it can afford to, because it presents a fullyfunctioning real-time strategy game like its bigger brethren, but also because it’s an excellent fully-functioning real-time strategy game.

One of the most popular casual game genres of recent years has been the tower defence genre, which chirpily makes you the faceless menace.

Here it’s up to you to carefully set up elaborate defences in order to repel an attacking force. That’s the structure Fieldrunners follows.

The main campaign takes place during the second Japanese invasion of Korea, spanning the years 1597-98, and there are three playable nations in the game – Japan, China, and India.

Various types of enemies attempt to cross an initially empty field (or arena, or desert) from one, two or three entry points. It’s up to you to build a twisting maze of defence turrets which both slow the enemy’s progress and pummel them into submission. Airborne enemies fly straight over your defences, so it’s important to have a strong spine running the length of the game field.

There’s way too much to say about the game that would fit here, so just know that this is as good an Age of Empires version on mobile as you could wish for.

It’s excellent, compelling stuff, and the best thing is it’s been made to work brilliantly on mobile.

A fully fledged RTS game on your mobile brimming with content. No strategy fan should pass this one up

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In association with

9

10

startlingly complete version of the popular tower Defence game that lands on Java beach intact and ready to rumble

8

10

Prince of Persia:

The Forgotten Sands Developer: Gameloft Pub lisher: Gameloft Format: Java

Games cost either £3 or £5 and you will be advised of price before purchase. Full Terms & conditions are on page 16

Developer: Ministry of Fun Publisher: GlobalFun Format: Java First Class

Sometimes, in a game, you just want to park the brain, put down the complex plot, pack away the pretentiousness and just repeatedly blast anything that moves to kingdom come.

It’s on fire Forget the princes of our Royal Family. As swashbuckling princes

go, they don’t hold a candle to the Prince of Persia.

Thankfully, Postal is here. The story follows the misadventures of main character ‘Dude’, who steps outside his front door only to encounter a gang of car-jackers who make off with his ‘favourite car’.

This acts as a catalyst for what can only be described as a rapidly escalating blood-bath as you make your way from level to level in search of the culprits.

At the start of his latest game, the agile royal must fight his way single handedly through an invading army as it lays siege to his brother’s kingdom.

Now that’s bravery. Or stupidity.

Either way, ahead lies an action platformer in which you negotiate a series of impossibly twisty levels thanks to a semi-automated movement system that sees you leaping from wall to wall like a young gazelle. You get magic, too, and can reverse time or even turn yourself into water to slip through grates.

What Postal lacks in sophistication it more than makes up for in self-indulgent fun. Much like an action movie, the plot is secondary to the explosions. A particular highlight is the hugely satisfying flamethrower that becomes available toward the end of Story mode.

If you’re looking for subtlety and nuance you’re in the wrong place. This is a world where any problem can be solved by shooting someone, casual arson, or blowing something up. But although Postal is almost completely devoid of depth, it’s right up there with the best in terms of action-packed fun.

But the game is mostly about action, such as when you play tug of war with an enemy over a large buzz-saw with messy results. When was the last time you saw Harry or William do that?

Attractive and playable, persia’s favourite, actionobsessed prince jumps and slashes with the best of them

Postal

7

10

It’s not big and it’s not clever, but empty-headed violence is rarely this much fun either

JULY 2010

8

10

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

23

MTV Star Factory Developer: GameHouse Publisher: GameHouse Format: Java

Fling!

Developer: Candy Cane Publisher: Player X Format: Java

If years of The X Factor have taught us anything, it’s that the likes of Leona Lewis or Alexandra Burke aren’t the show’s real winners.

Nope, it’s the people behind the stars who get super-rich from their success. And in MTV Star Factory, that could be you. The game charges you with the task of becoming a music mogul, putting together bands and solo artists with the aim of catapulting them to the top of the charts.

As is the case in real life, doing so is a question of spinning many different plates at the same time. Get your act known by the public through gigs, pen some catchy songs… whatever you do, it’s done through a collection of mini-games – all are fairly simple to grasp and equally engaging. Success, which is ultimately monitored by a series of benchmarks, relies on you dipping into one after the other. Simple, but the game retains an undeniable charm, its melody ensuring a run in the top ten. play it as it’s meant and this will effortlessly fill the ad break of your favourite talent show

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In association with

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Has the term casual gaming become a bit of a dirty phrase for some, as if the ‘casual’ modifier suggests a dumbing down or little care in the game’s creation?

Casual doesn’t have the same connotation elsewhere. ‘Casual attire’ suggests a comfort, for example.

Fling! is most definitely a casual game, and we say that in a very positive sense.

The idea is simply to rid each puzzle grid of all but one fuzzy creature, achieved by shunting them into one another. You’re not allowed to push a fuzzy off on its own, and there must be space in between the fuzzies before you take your snooker-like shot. This means that each level is a finely choreographed affair, requiring you to think at least three moves ahead.

The gently taxing push and shove gameplay is well suited to mobile play – instantly fun and easy to grasp. A decent example of casual gaming…

Fling!‘s gently puzzling gameplay is deceptive – it’s easy to pick up but tough to put down

7

10

Games cost either £3 or £5 and you will be advised of price before purchase. Full Terms & conditions are on page 16

Casual fling

Fifteen minutes of fun

Reviews

Fido Bowling Facebreaker Developer: EA Mobile Publisher: EA Mobile Format: Java

Boom boom pow

Futurebowlerama

Call us naïve, but we’ve always assumed that punching someone in the face repeatedly in order to win a belt so big you’d look ridiculous actually wearing it outside of your bedroom is a simple task.

Most bowling games don’t do justice to the real thing. The weight of the ball in your hands, the satisfying sound of pins tumbling when you score a strike, the embarrassment when your friends point out you have your bowling shoes on the wrong feet.

However, judging by the amount of money that tends to get shoved into the victor’s equally large shorts, we’re willing to admit we could be way off base. Boxing might actually be a more complex sport than imagined.

None of this has ever been successfully reproduced in the gaming world. And so Fido Bowling eschews the traditional approach to the bowling sim and opts for outer space, casting one-time 7 Up ambassador Fido Dido in the lead role.

That’s unless you’re playing Facebreaker, of course. Any hint of complexity would be treated as heresy here. This is a brilliantly simple, and occasionally surprising, 2D fighter.

Its simplicity is undoubtedly its strength, with the controls stripped back to serve up five key options: punching high, punching low, smacking straight with a jab, giving your opponent a push, and blocking.

You’ll spend the most time playing Story mode, which challenges you to save planets by scoring a certain number of points in a standard ten frames of bowling.

The arena for this challenge is a psychedelic lane of energy floating in space. And why not? You’re soon too immersed in a world of pins, power-ups, and smack-talking aliens to care.

But though there’s an inevitable focus on the lighthearted, Facebreaker represents an admirable and successful attempt to make boxing palatable to all – us included!

Simple as they come but a little bit addictive with it, Facebreaker’s pick-up-and-play approach will definitely keep you entertained

Developer: Jump Games Publisher: Jump Games Format: Java

7

10

An enjoyable, stylish and unusual alternative to the common ten-pin bowling sim

JULY 2010

8

10

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

25

Get to know…

Android Market Your gateway to a world of new experiences If you own an Android phone, you’ll need to get exploring Android Market. It’s an online software store that’s been developed by Google for all Android handsets, see. On most models the ‘Market’ app will come pre-installed, giving you instant access to thousands of applications that will transform the way you use your Android mobile.

Apps span a wide range of categories – anything from the incredibly useful to the incredibly silly (and not forgetting games, of course) – and can be downloaded (for free or purchased) directly onto your phone. With an ever-expanding catalogue of applications to choose from, you’re bound to find something that will have you wondering how you could have lived to date without.

In the meantime, consider this your gentle introduction to Android Market – it’s simple, it’s huge and it will unlock the potential at the heart of your Android handset.

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In association with

Getting STARTED Before you can buy anything, you naturally need to register your details with the store. This is where Google has already got its foot in the door, since the majority of us have registered with Google at some point in the past – either to buy something using the Google Checkout, to get ourselves a Gmail account, or simply to customise our browser’s search page.

Android phones tend to insist on you setting up a free Google account, so if you own such a handset, much of the work is already done when it comes to getting your details onto the Android Market.

The service pulls in all your details, including any credit cards you have registered (allowing you to choose your payment method when buying a game, which is a nice feature) so it’s very quick and easy to become a registered buyer and get straight to the shop front.

Android Market Have a look at these apps to get you started…

ACCESS The Android platform only allows you to access the Market through an actual Android phone. As such, there’s been a clear effort made to reduce the number of app categories, and everything’s accessed through big, bold buttons, so you can surf the Market comfortably with a single finger.

The lists of applications that are displayed can be sorted by date or popularity, and by going through the menu you can filter them to only show free or paid apps.

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

info They might be cheap, but you still need to know what you’re spending your money on when purchasing an app. A good description is really down to the developer of the app, and Android Market prioritises this lead in to the product.

It’s not uncommon to trust the views of other users, of course, so user reviews are vital.

Thankfully, you’ll find these directly from the application page, along with a handy five star rating.

Of course, if it’s games you’re looking at remember that you can also check out the reviews on Pocket Gamer.

JULY 2010

BUYING This is very much linked to the Getting Started section, as most of the information the Market requires in order to sell you something is entered at the beginning.

Registering a card carries that info over to the Market store, and once you’ve hit the ‘Buy’ button you’re taken through a rather polished version of the Google Checkout – it’s very quick and feels secure to make a purchase.

One excellent thing you get with the Market is a no quibbles 24-hour refund.

Uninstall an app within 24 hours and you get your money back. So you can buy with the confidence that if you don’t like what you’ve ended up with, it won’t cost you anything in the long run.

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

27

Ten Top Apps

oid device r your andr o f ads lo le down Indispensab

PicSay FREE APP

3

Developer: Shinycore

Category: Multimedia

1

it comes to using it. You can count on support for multiple 4 Twitter accounts (complete with cross-posting so the same tweet can be posted across them), and nifty functionality such as the ability to jump back to the top of a Twitter timeline at the touch of the screen. And if you’re bored with typing, then simply resort to the visual medium – Seesmic also enables you to share photos on your accounts or post videos to YouTube.

Looking for the most powerful picture editor for your Android? You might just have found it. PicSay – which comes in free and premium ‘Pro’ version (the latter featuring additional features and enhanced functionality such as finger painting) – may sound wee and cuddly, but it’s a fully fledged package that comes loaded with features.

Whether you wish to colour correct your shots, add word balloons, titles, 10 graphics and effects (tints, distortion and many more), or fool around with FREE more classic parameters such as filters, APP Developer: Aloqa exposure, contrast, saturation and hue, Category: Travel you’ll find it all here in an easy and You know what it’s like. You’re out on intuitive user interface. Once you’re the town, you’ve had a hard day at done tweaking, you can upload work and you’d like nothing better directly to your Facebook, Flickr, than to be pointed in the direction of a Twitter and Picasa accounts so your bar, restaurant, comedy club or gig artistic masterpieces can be viewed by that you’re likely millions. Well, perhaps not millions, but stress no longer to enjoy. Well, because Aloqa will by your friends, at least. do that for you. This funky little app will scan your surrounding area 6 using your phone’s GPS for 2 FREE businesses, social attractions, APP Developer: Seesmic landmarks, places of interest, cash Category: Social points… the list is long. And A rising star within the world of Twitter because all the recommendatio ns client Android apps, Seesmic is both are based on your preferences, you powerful and not shy when it comes can head off in confidence (you get to its feature list – indeed, it packs in directions, of course, and the latest the kind of functionality you normally update includes Street View), knowing only find in premium apps such as they’ll be the places you want to go to.

Twidroid (a past favourite) – but, And if you like what you find, crucially, remains simplicity itself when recommend the locations to friends via Facebook. They’ll soon join you.

Aloqa

9

8

Seesmic

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In association with

3

Ten Top apps Google Maps

6

7

an event you weren’t even aware was happening. With Alice, you can at least rest assured that should any of your Category: Travel favourite bands decide to play your town, you’ll hear about it. The app Everyone loves Google Maps on their 10 computer, so why miss out when tracks live music events for your chosen artists by syncinc with Last.fm you’re out and about with only your and BandsInTown. You can then share Android for company? The answer is you don’t have to. Recently updated to the info by email, add it to your include new features such as a Latitude calendar or even buy tickets. widget, new search results display, the 9 ability to share places by email, SMS and more, or making your current FREE APP Developer: DataViz location into your wallpaper (way Category: Productivity cooler than it might sound), Google’s location-loving app continues to A lifesaver for any professional impress within its sector. Whether you on-the-road, Documents To Go rely on its turn-by-turn directions, like enables you to view and edit (in to plan a forthcoming route or just like premium version) Office documents – to explore your surroundings, this app Word, PowerPoint, Excel – as well as is essential. view other files such as PDFs. Perfect for when you need to take vital 7 4 documents but don’t fancy carrying a laptop around.

FREE Develo FREE APP

Developer: Google Inc

Documents To Go

TuneWiki APP

per: TuneWiki

Category: Multimedia

3G Watchdog

2

Let’s not focus on TuneWiki’s social FREE APP Developer: Richard Gruet media player ability – fine as it is Category: Tools – because music lovers are likely to grab this groovy app for its ability to What would we do in life without display lyrics as you listen to your monitors? Not the kind you stare at, tunes. Or for the ability to watch silly – the sort that keep an eye on music videos, stream songs or search things and alert of when things aren’t for lyrics from Last.fm and Shoutcast as they should be. 3G Watchdog falls radio directories – that’s a database of into that category. Its primary function some 2.5 million songs. And if you is to monitor your mobile internet – love your music, then the ability to that’s 3G, EDGE, GPRS – traffic usage create playlists within the TuneWiki and display a status icon on-screen. community will come in handy.

You get green, orange or red, depending on the usage and it’s an 8 easy and quick way to know if you’re likely to go over your data plan’s FREE APP Developer: Thibaut Nicolas restrictions. (For those who relish such Category: Tools things, the app will also provide you with a more detailed report.)

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the finest. TasKiller falls into that category.

5 Available in both free and premium editions, this is an essential app that FREE APP Developer: Pandora enables you to view all running apps Category: Multimedia clogging up your Android’s memory and slowing down your phone. At a Fancy your own (free) personalised click, you can then ‘kill’ them to get radio? Of course you do – there are few your device’s speed back up. things in life worse than having to endure someone else’s music tastes if 1 they differ from yours. In Pandora Radio, no such scenarios exist. You just FREE APP Developer: Tim Clark select your favourite artists and the Category: Entertainment app will stream their music – along with similarly themed entries – to In a world so full of media clutter, it’s create a ‘station’ just for your listening not surprising to find that no matter how on the pulse your finger might be, pleasure. You even get a rating system at times it’s still possible to miss out on to fine tune the station to your liking.

Now that’s personal service.

TasKiller

Pandora Radio

5

Alice

JULY 2010

www.pocketgamer.co.uk

29

te da is g s 10 in trie t 20 s o n s Cl r e gu fo Au h 6t

a

handset!

be yours! samsung’s awesome new mobile could They say first impressions last, so consider this scenario: if you brought home a Samsung Wave S8500 to meet your parents, your mother would immediately start planning out the outfit she would wear at your wedding.

That’s the kind of impression Samsung’s latest handset makes. You’ll fall in love with its undeniably gorgeous curves, but it’s the remarkable features beneath the good looks and the incredibly bright 3.3-inch SuperAMOLED touchscreen that guarantee long-term happiness.

You’ll find a detailed look at the Samsung Wave on p10, but there’s always time for a quick overview.

The most important features read like a who’s who of mobile phone technology. Internet browsing?

Check. Support for all your social networking needs? Check.

HD video recording and playback?

Check. Intuitive and advanced user interface? Check. Powerful processor? Most definitely check.

Trust us, you want this phone in your life. Good luck!

To be in with a chance of getting your hands on a gorgeous new Samsung Wave S8500, check out the following question and then just send your answer via email or post to the addresses shown below, by the closing deadline of Friday 6th August 2010.

WHERE TO SEND YOUR ENTRY

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

Which of the following is not an ocean?

A) Indian B) Baltic C) Southern

Terms and conditions apply. Prize image is for illustrative purposes only and details may vary. Editor’s decision is final, and the competition is open to UK residents only.

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