Game Review – Transformers
Tue 29 May 2007Filed Under: Game Reviews | Leave a Comment
NAME: Transformers
COMPANY: Glu, Hasbro
PLATFORM: JAVA
GENRE: Movie/Cartoon tie in platformer
SIZE: 120 KB
TEST PHONE: LG U310
RATING: 9/10
In line with the forth coming real-action movie (2007) welcome to the game review of The Transformers by Glu.
We remember when they where all the rage in the 1980’s but dropped off the scene when it went cable. There where many subsequent TV series after the original and all added to the Transformer universe. This year we will see a proper movie based on these characters and this game has been released to promote the soon to be released film.
There have been many attempts to make a video game based on the series but none to date have been memorable. So when we finally downloaded the latest version we didn’t expect very much. (Also bearing in mind that past movie based games have by far been the most disappointing releases.)
We where surprised when we started the game. Glu have done a very good job! Very 2007. The graphics and images are all top of the class for the introductions and in-game narration of the various chapters. Actual game character/s are animated really well transforming from vehicle to person mode are a nice touch. The ‘breathing’ action when standing still is certainly a novelty. When we saw the Transformer movie trailers we understood why the graphics where so detailed.
Gameplay was the standard platformer but the production quality of the action was excellent. You can jump up and down transform into vehicle mode and ram into things and so forth. That said although excellent for a mobile phone game its still not as good as say the benchmarked Gameboy titles by Nintendo. I would expect releases on other platforms like the PSP and DS by be even better.
The in game story is integrated with the various levels the difficulty progresses nicely throughout the game. Game saving is automatic as you clear each level.
Summary
Overall we think this is a very good game. Sure the platform style is old hat but the production quality and story line are engaging.
Game Review – FotoQuest Fishing
Mon 28 May 2007Filed Under: Game Reviews | Leave a Comment
NAME: FotoQuest Fishing
COMPANY: Digital Chocolate
PLATFORM: JAVA
GENRE: Aquarium management
SIZE: 230 KB
TEST PHONE: LG U8630
RATING: 9/10Welcome to the game review of FotoQuest fishing by Digital Chocolate.
You are a student on vacation! On vacation you score a job taking pictures of sea life to sell to other tourists. Scores are determined by the type of fish and number you can get in a single photo. Sounds easy does it? Well the developers have added additional difficulty in the form of nervous fish, quests to photograph rare species and a time limit.
Game play can easily be done one handed. With a story line that you don’t have to remember from the last time you played it and a auto save feature after each level ensures you can pick it up and play at any time. The game rewards your great photos by unlocking new areas with new fish and badges for your efforts. It is an easy to play game on the bus or train.
Graphics are good and there is in game BGM which is rare on mobile games. The music suits the game, nice sea themed perfect elevator music in our opinion.  There is very little to pick on all things considered.
Gameplay hints: Moving around causes the fish to swim away so move your camera viewfinder slowly. When you first take a dive there will often be no fish swimming around so simply move quickly to another spot and then stay there. The fish will appear in no time!
Longevity is good because of the random nature of the fish swimming around. You can certainly enjoy taking more pictures even after finishing the quest part of the game. For example we loved trying to get more than 6 jelly fish in one picture.
Summary
FotoQuest Fishing is a game MADE for the mobile phone. This is one of the best mobile phones available. Its even included as standard on various mobile phones. Yes we are wary of standard mobile games but this one is a good one.