Doragon Entertainment's Danmaku Unlimited 2 Is Released! - DU1 and Storm Strikers On Sale!

Because of the nature of the AppStore and how many crazy good releases there are every single year, it's no surprise that loads of great games never hit our radars before release. However, there are a select few that we find out about months beforehand and are psyched about for months. Doragon's Danmaku Unlmited 2 falls into the second category. 

We found out about DU2 last October, and since, we've been drooling at the thought of playing a third bullet hell shooter from one incredibly talented developer. Now, the time has come and Danmaku Unlimited 2 is available for purchase in the AppStore. 

Having been on the beta team, I can definitely say that, without a doubt, Danmaku Unlimited 2 will appeal to fans of the shmup/bullet-hell genre. The crazy Japanese styling, great color pallet, over the top visuals, 4 difficulties, 2 gameplay modes dependent on grazing bullets, up-close destruction, bullet canceling and special Trance Mode 4X multiplier sessions alongside the customizable upgrades (including being able to mix shot types [focused, wide and tracking] together) controls and screen size - not to mention the game being Universal, supporting the iPhone/iPod 5's widescreen and looking beautiful while running at 60 frames per second all comes together creating one of the best bullet-hell experiences available on the iDevice. Yes, even when including Cave's tried and true mastery of the genre. 

Also, if you've yet to experience Doragon's two previous bullet-hell shooters, Danmaku Unlimited and Storm Strikers, they are both on sale right now for $0.99 each. You can also pick up lite version of all 3 titles;

Danmaku Unlimited Lite

Storm Strikers Lite

Danmaku Unlimited 2 Lite

Make sure you DO NOT miss out on this game. Even if you don't consider yourself a bullet-hell gamer, with the 4 difficulty modes, there's plenty of great gameplay to be had by even the most casual of players. You can expect a review for DU2 ASAP... but until then, take a look at these awesome pics and screen melting trailer;

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Kemco + WorldWideSoftware's Aeon Avenger Hits The AppStore!

Kemco, one of our personal favorite iOS RPG Publishers, has just released their English version of Aeon Avenger. For those of you who do not have access to an Android device, and have not heard of Aeon Avenger yet, here's some info on the game;

A young man named Lake lost both his home and family when a mysterious man in black attacked his village. Revenge became his one purpose in life. One day, he met a woman from a tribe which kept the secrets of time travel. His destiny was about to change forever... Who is the Man in Black, who leads a host of monsters? A great story, spanning 3 eras, present, past and future!

Seems you're able to travel through time, as well as solve problems and puzzles in one era by traveling to another (reminiscent of Chrono Trigger). Weapons can be strengthened by using accessories called 'Bits' which can also be evolved as you progress throughout the game. And as always, there's a full cast of characters with some fantastic English translation done by Kemco.

Aeon Avenger also supports the iPhone 5's widescreen (even though this is not stated in the iTunes requirements - this has been tested and confirmed) and is the very first Kemco title to be UNIVERSAL! That's right, no more 2X mode for iPad owners!

You can snag Aeon Avenger on sale for launch priced at $2.99 - it will go up to $8.99 soon, so grab it ASAP!

As always, we will have a detailed review for the game up as soon as we can. Until then, check out some screens and the trailer! 

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Oyatsukai Games Releases A Free-To-Play Version Of Fractal Combat; Fractal Combat X

Fractal Combat, one of our favorite aerial combat games for the iOS, here at The App Shack, has just received a sister app; Fractal Combat X (FCX). In our review of the original Fractal Combat, we were incredibly impressed by the whole look of the game and how it played. It also made our Review Rewind, reserved for games that have been on our devices one year after our initial review. 

What's new in Fractal Combat X? Take a look at the list;

All new 3D assets, including an updated user interface.

Similar worlds but all new missions.

A new store.

A new upgrade system for items.

A new simulator control system which plays more like an actual airplane. 

In Fractal Combat X there are 3 landscapes split up into 6 worlds with each world having 5 missions, or levels. Upon completion of these levels, you'll earn credits which you can use to purchase upgrades, like better thrusters to make your jet fly faster, improved missiles for increased damage, better electronics so that you can lock on more targets and jam more missiles, better armor and improved handling. Each landscape is split into Classes. Landscape 1 is labeled as 'Class 1' - and here, you'll only be able to use Class 1 fighter jets, Class 2 can only use Class 2 jets, ect. Each Class has 2 separate jets to choose from, and once you complete a Landscape, you're given a sizable credit bonus so that you can pick up either of the next two jets. 

Oyatsukai has also said that they're already working on new levels and stronger player jets, so content updates are in line for the future. If you haven't checked out the original Fractal Combat, we STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you do. It's easily in our top 3 aerial combat titles on the iOS, if not our top favorite. The action/arcade gameplay and crazy amount of enemies that you'll encounter, as well as the GameCenter leaderboards have kept us coming back again and again. You can also check out this freemium version of Fractal Combat with all the new bells and whistles, as it's now available in the AppStore. Oyatsukai is one of the few indie developers that has consistently listened to player feedback and kept the updates coming, even though their game has sold basically no copies over the last year and a half, and for that, we're incredibly grateful. They definitely fit into the 'needs to be supported' and 'deserves WAY more attention' group of developers on the iOS.

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New Ayopa release - MacGuffin's Curse‏ - TBR April 19th

Ayopa Games has quickly become one of our favorite publishers here at The App Shack. Their first release, W.E.L.D.E.R. was a huge hit, getting named Apple's Game Of The Week, along with loads of attention from iOS sites and gamers all over the world. Though this first release isn't really what got our attention. Also released the same day as W.E.L.D.E.R. was Chicken Rescue, a game more directed at kids, but having quite a bit of issues relating to the controls, framerate, and some various other gameplay issues. Chicken Rescue quickly received multiple updates based on user feedback, becoming a very polished and entertaining title.

After that, Big Bot Smash was released, and it also had it's share of issues, which again, were fixed very quickly based on user feedback. M.U.S.E., Mailmen, and Dungeon Crawlers pretty much all went through the same thing. Problems with controls, followed by quick updates after the developers of those titles got active within the gaming community, and listened to player feedback. This is why Ayopa has become one of our favorite publishers. Every single one of the games that they've published has had developers that have gotten their hands dirty, been able to admit that their game's first version wasn't perfect, listened to player feedback, and quickly fixed whatever issues were brought up. Ayopa also being very responsive in passing on user feedback to the developers also helps quite a bit. They're a publishing company who's very interested in user feedback, and also releases games from developers who feel the same. Not to mention, every single one of the releases that has gone through Ayopa has wound up being a top notch, highly entertaining gaming experience.

So when we got e-mails saying that their next title, MacGuffin's Curse, was coming to the AppStore this Aril 19th, we got very excited. This time around, Australian developer Andrew Goulding's company, Brawsome (who in 2010 won Freeplay's "Best Australian Game" for the PC/Mac title Jolly Rover) is bringing unique puzzler, MacGuffin's Curse to the iDevice, as well as Steam and the Mac Store.

MacGuffin's Curse has you playing as a magician turned thief, MacGuffin, who winds up needing to steal a diamond to pay the rent. Things don't go as planned, and MacGuffin winds up being forced to steal the diamond for an ex-detective. Putting the diamond around his neck, MacGuffin turns into a werewolf, capable of moving large objects, and smashing blockades along the citywide security system. You're able to change between human and wolf forms whenever touching the moonlight, and will need to constantly switch between the two to make it through each of the puzzles, unravelling a witty and humorous plot.

This top-down adventure is full of fantastically hand-drawn art set up as a comic that you'll be able to explore and find pieces of throughout the game, has simple swipe-drag-tap controls, hundreds of puzzles increasing in difficulty as you progress throughout the game, catchy music, a great cast of characters, and smooth, entertaining gameplay. Published by Ayopa, MacGuffin's Curse will be available for purchase in the AppStore (for iPhone, iPod, and iPad), Mac Store, and Steam on Thursday, April 19th. Make sure to keep an eye open for it, and also check out some extra information, screens, and videos on both the Ayopa and Brawsome Websites.

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Wednesday Night Releases - Chaos Rings II, MotoHeroz and more!

There's a great variety of games coming out tonight including some from prized developers Square Enix and Ubisoft. As you probably know all of these games will be coming out around 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in the U.S. or much earlier depending on if you live in the eastern hemisphere such as New Zealand where the games are first available. Links included in the article lead to the app in the NZ market not the U.S. one.

Chaos Rings II - $18.99 

Azkend 2 - $3.99

DoDonPachi Resurrection HD - $9.99

Dreamy Goat - $0.99

Fireball SE - $0.99

Letris Power - FREE 

Cheeky Mouse - FREE

Cheese Please - $0.99

Kung Fu Rabbit - $0.99

Harry the Fairy - $0.99

MotoHeroz - $0.99

Super Lemonade Factory - $0.99

Rune Raiders - $1.99

Picnic Wars - $0.99

Pretty decent roundup tonight eh? Leave a comment down below on which ones you would like to see us review for you. Happy Pi Day!

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Coming Tonight - Soul Calibur, JAZZ, Ash II: Shadows and tons more!

The App Store is finally starting to pick up speed and tonight the flood gates are opening as tons of quality titles are launching simultaneously. Check out the fine selection below.

Soul Calibur - $12.99 [Universal]

Soul Calibur is the port of the 1999 Dreamcast version of the game and is debuting to the tune of thirteen dollars.  Though the typical Apple gamer may balk at the price tag, fans of the fighting series are probably mashing the buy button as it releases around the world. 

JAZZ: Trump's Journey - $2.99 [Universal]

Set in New Orleans during the era of jazz music, JAZZ certainly seems to embody how the city looked like back then. With a unique musical twist this platformer certainly looks like a great time. Check out our review of it here: http://www.the-app-shack.com/2012/01/jazz-trumps-journey-299-bulkypix-egg.html

Ash II: Shadows - Silver ($2.99) Gold ($4.99) [Universal]

The popular JRPG Ash, now has a sequel which is surprisingly published by Konami. There are two versions called Silver and Gold. Apparently Silver gets you half off all future content updates presumably available by iAP. Gold, while being a bit more expensive, promises free content updates forever.

Time of Heroes - $0.99 [Universal]

Looks like an interesting turn-based combat game with an interesting story.  Coming from Smuttlewerk studios, we are sure this is a top of the line game.

Niko - $1.99 [Universal]

Free to try platformer with full game unlock for $1.99. Looks like it differentiates itslef from the other platformers with an unique control system. 

Puzzlejuice - $2.99 [Universal]

Another of the many word game that have been taking the Appstore by storm over the past few weeks. From the description it seems like a combination of Bejewled, Tetris, and Spell Tower. Certainly looking forward to this one.

Also a number of other releases came out earlier today before the massive rush. Here are the ones that looked worthwhile to download:

Caverns of Minos - $1.99 [Universal] 

Coming from the master of retro games, Llamasoft, this will tide you over till the rest of the releases come out and probably for the rest of your weekend! Just got it and am really loving it so far.

OVERTURN - $3.99 [iPhone only]

(Footage of Wii version)

Adapted from the Wii to the touchscreen interface, Overturn certainly looks like an interesting game.  My only worry is that the controls may not be the best. Other than that looks great!

Now it's your turn to have your voice heard! Let us know in the comments which of these games you would like to win and we will try to secure a code for you. First person to ask for a specific game gets it IF we receive the code. You are more likely to win if the game is not as well known or from indie developers. One entry per person. 

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Plethora of New Releases out tonight!

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Because of the Appstore freeze that is occurring on the 22nd through the 29th a lot of new releases are being unleashed today rather than the typical Wednesday night releases. The typical time zone rules do apply though as the U.S. will receive these games at 11:00 at night.

M.U.S.E- By Ayopa games

$5.99

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Dungeon Hunter 3 - By Gameloft 

Free

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Lost Winds - By Frontier Developments

Review posted on the 21st

$3.99

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Mega Man X - By Capcom

$4.99

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Terra Noctis - By Bulkypix (Already out)

$2.99

Note: Links will not lead to the U.S stores as it is not available there. These links lead to the NZ Appstore. Post will be updated with the U.S. links once they are out.

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