Slide Gamer

The sequel to one of the best iOS platformers around is back and ready to give us another healthy dose of explode-by-punch-in-the-face satisfaction! Featuring the same addicting, touch as nails platforming from the original, League of Evil 2 offers tons of  levels to conquer– all in new, stylized graphics. If you consider yourself a tough platform gamer then definitely read on to see why League of Evil 2, though not as memorable as the first, is still a must have for any iOS gamer.

The gameplay of League of Evil 2 has remained virtually unchanged, which is mostly a good thing. Players must jump, slide, and dodge their way through the countless hazards standing between them and the end of the level, which is still a goofy scientist waiting to get punched into oblivion. Fast reflexes, precise timing, and a whole lot of patience are required to get through each of the 160 levels, resulting in a difficult yet satisfying experience. The briefcases have also made a return, adding some replayability and challenge to the mix.

A huge fan of the first game, my concern before playing League of Evil 2 was simple: “I just hope the controls are still good”. Well, Ravenous Games did not disappoint and the virtual buttons are as responsive and effective as ever, which is incredibly important in a game that demands precision. The progression of difficulty has also been executed well again, allowing you to get the hang of the controls before tossing some tougher hazards your way. The countless levels and cool new environments are also welcomed, as is the catchy music (which isn’t as catchy as the first but still good).

Unfortunately (and ironically) where League of Evil 2 tends to disappoint is in its newest features. First off, the new visuals. Sure, they’re more detailed and stylized that the first game’s oldschool pixel graphics, but players will no doubt feel like this game has lost that unique touch. The first game’s graphics were memorable for harkening to the oldschool days when the best platformers like Mega Man and Castlevania were around, but the new visuals feel empty. Another addition that could have been great are the boss battles, which instead are actually quite repetitive and should have just been left out.

Closing Comments:
Despite falling short with the new features, League of Evil 2 is still an awesome platformer worth playing—especially if you’re into games that demand pure skill to complete. The tight controls, fast gameplay, and incredible amount of content is sure to keep players busy for hours on end. Also offering achievements, customizable costumes, and leaderboards, $.99 is a small price to pay for taking on all those crazy scientists and their dangerous obstacles once a again, one exploding punch at a time.

League of Evil 2, $0.99  – Available on iTunes

If there’s anything iOS developers have probably realized by now it’s that cute visuals and simple gameplay is a pretty good formula. With games like Cut the Rope and Angry Birds still resting easy at the top of the App Store charts, it’s no surprise that 5th Cell, creators of Scribblenauts, sought to make something that was both visually appealing and casual-friendly. With ‘Run Roo Run’ it looks like they hit the nail right on the head, providing a game that both long time and new gamers can enjoy.

Players take control of Roo, a hat-wearing kangaroo that ventures through Australia in search of a kidnapped joey. If you’ve played Canabalt before then you’ll be familiar with this game; players must tap the screen to jump as Roo runs automatically across the screen. As if made out of paper or something, anything from rocks, cacti, and spikes will kill Roo, so jumping to avoid obstacles is of course something players do a lot. Various mechanics are also introduces throughout the game to keep things fun, such as clouds you can ride on, bouncy tires, cannons, and power-ups. With over 20 chapters that each boast over a dozen levels to complete, there’s definitely tons of playtime even if most levels take seconds to finish.

Run Roo Run is most impressive for one simple reason; it manages to provide an experience that gets better and better despite the fact that only one action is being performed the entire game. The new mechanics thrown at you throughout the game keep things interesting while the level design just feels right. The levels will always make you feel like your jumps demand precision and thinking to succeed, as opposed to just spamming jump, making completing levels very rewarding. Knowing that each jump counts and being able to learn from your mistakes results in little frustration while still offering challenge and a sense of improvement.

Although addicting, a simple game like this can’t hope to reach the top without boasting some adorable visuals– and Run Roo Run doesn’t disappoint. Everything in the game has that cute cartoon look that most casual-friendly iPhone games have adopted, which is certainly a good thing since you’ll be seeing the same environments repeatedly. Also worth mentioning is leaderboards and achievements support, as well as the ability to return to finished chapters to take on incredibly difficult levels that only the most perseverant of gamers will complete.

Closing Comments:
You can’t say Run Roo Run introduces any original concepts that we’ve never seen before, but there’s no denying that what it does do is take several ideas and blend them in to create a captivating and charming experience. Boasting more than 400 levels, easy-to-pick-up gameplay, and neat graphics, it’s no surprise that Run Roo Run is already at the top of the charts. With 5th cell asking for only a buck for this title and planning to release new levels on a weekly basis, there’s no excuse for skipping this one.

Run Roo Run, $0.99  – Available on iTunes

If one were to ask a typical gamer whether the Nintendo 3DS or the iPhone was the more powerful gaming device, it wouldn’t be surprised if a decent amount of answers went toward the Big N’s handheld. This may be because, with an App Store flooded with games developed to make a quick buck, we rarely see games that try to push the limit of Apple’s impressive machines. However, all it takes is a couple minutes with Chair Entertainment’s anticipated sequel to realize just what the iPhone can do. Keep reading to find out why Infinity Blade II is easily the best iOS game to date.

Infinity Blade II starts off exactly where the first game left off, with the hero seeking help from the creator of the Infinity Blade, The Worker of Secrets. The plot this time is that he’s currently a prisoner and can only obtain freedom if three Deathless are destroyed. As you’d expect if you’ve played the original, these Deathless can only be confronted after taking on a ton of different enemies first in an area called the Vault of Tears. This time, however, the story dips in more into the main heroes own desires and personality, shining some light on why he is tasked with repeating an ‘infinite’ cycle of fighting.

In terms of gameplay, Infinity Blade II is more of the same but improved in just about every way. The combat now is much more dynamic,  introducing an endurance bar that depletes with each dodge— the less endurance, the more tick damage you’ll take for narrowly avoided hits. Parrying is also far more accurate, which is welcomed considering the inability to spam dodge like before. Probably the neatest addition is the inclusion of dual wielding and heavy weapons, which allow for varying strategies. Dual wielding two blades allows you to inflict more damage via combo chains at the expense of not being able to block, while heavy weapons let you attack slower but with much more power. There are now also gems that serve as modifiers, allowing you to add elemental damage to attacks or other bonus effects.

When it comes to visuals this game will blow you away. Gorgeous, detailed environments now await players throughout a larger fortress filled with memorable set pieces and enemies. From improved particle effects and character textures to real-time shadows, this game is an absolute delight to see in action and is undoubtedly the best looking game on the iOS platform. The variety in environments this time around also allow for a more fantastic atmosphere, immersing players like never before.

Closing Comments:
If there’s anyone who knows how to take a game and address all the concerns to produce a superior sequel, its certainly Chair Entertainment. Infinity Blade II is above and beyond that of the first, providing incredible visuals and environments, excellent additions to the combat, and even a stronger narrative. If you’ve been waiting for a captivating game that takes advantage of the iPhone’s power while also offering a genuine gaming experience, download Infinity Blade II today and begin what’s simply the best iOS game available.

Infinity Blade II, $6.99  – Available on iTunes

Zombies are everywhere! No, not literally (though it helps to have a shotgun handy…just in case) but in media and culture zombies seem to be all the rage. Is it because of the world has reached a point of dysfunctional consumerism that zombies are so appealing? Are we not zombies ourselves already? These are questions that will not be answered because this is a game review. Instead the question that will be answered is, is Zombieville 2 worth your time and money?

In a nutshell, yes. Zombieville 2 is a rip roaring good time. The game is feature loaded with lots of characters to choose from, dozens of weapons that can be upgraded, along with a large variety of skills that can also be upgraded. Want to be a goth chick touting a minigun? Go for it. A homeless man with a flamethrower? You can do that too. The variety of weapons and skills along with their various upgrades allows you to create a play style that suits you. My preference is buttering up zombies with my shotgun then bashing their head in with my baseball bat as they get closer. A friend of mine, however, prefers using handguns from afar, and then letting his axe to the talking with ammo runs scarce. There is no story to speak of, but zombies trying to eat your brain is the only motivation you need to pick up your arsenal and deliver satisfying, gory justice.

The game plays really well too. There is a virtual thumbstick on the left side and three colored buttons on the right. Each button corresponds to a different weapon that you can equip in the menu screen before entering a level. Tapping a button equips the weapon in that slot, and repeating taps will fire it. It’s a great system that makes weapon switching on the fly easy. The thumbstick can be glitchy, sometimes getting stuck in a certain position and can lead to some cheap deaths. Luckily this doesn’t happen too often but is an issue that should be addressed. The main problem with the gameplay is that it may seem monotonous at first with the constant zombie shooting, but the game mixes it up by adding different enemy types and, coupled with the weapon variety, the game stays fun and addictive.

Visually the game runs extremely smooth. The cartoony 2D graphics give the game the vibe of those Newgrounds game you played as a kid. Blood splatters everywhere along with eyeballs and various body parts. The zombies themselves look cool and die in various and satisfying ways. Slicing them in half never gets old. Did I mention the audio is superb? The levels contain a refreshingly campy soundtrack that accentuates the game very well. The mall level in particular has an instance where mall music plays while you blow some more zombies away. After playing so many iOS games that pay little to no attention to their audio, its great to have one where its immediately apparent how much thought went into the sound design.

Closing Comments:
If you haven’t guessed already, I like Zombieville 2 a lot. No, I love zombieville 2. It’s a fast, fun, and deep side scrolling shooter and a great change of pace from those puzzle games every one rages about. Besides the slightly iffy thumbstick, every aspect of the game is well designed. The tons of weapons and upgrades will keep you playing just to get that new weapon or upgrade that shotgun. For the price of a dollar, I recommend hardcore and casual gamers alike to pick this one up immediately.

Zombieville USA 2, $0.99  – Available on iTunes

As the technology for the iOS platform improves, gamers are getting closer and closer to that much-coveted console experience on the go. Unfortunately sports games seem to be faring the worst, as games such as NFL Rivals water down the experience immensely in order to make it playable. Flick Tennis: College Wars is a tennis sports game that attempts to bring sports to the iPhone, but does it serve up a good and worthwhile experience?

Flick Tennis: College Wars, despite its abysmal name, is actually pretty unique in terms of presentation. There is a story mode that is really just a rehash of every sports movie in the past decade (struggling prodigy, broken home, uplifting message to follow your dreams) but it aids immensely in adding drama to the tennis games, and is told through some sometimes well drawn and other times downright terrible comic book panels. One of the female characters in the comic does not even look like her in-game counterpart. The menu system is one of the best I have seen in a game. Sure its just a menu, but everything from options to saving to the story and exhibition modes are right there, eliminating the need for constant scrolling to find the option you want. Starting the game up is a treat too as the requisite upbeat sports tune starts up as the developer logo is displayed.

That is all fine and dandy, but how does the game play? Pretty well actually. The game is played by swiping in a direction, prompting the player to hit the ball that way. Different swings are done by swiping with one or two fingers either up or down the screen. It is a system that will take a bit of time to learn and memorize, but feels satisfying once you are able to lob and smash with ease. The main problem is that it is difficult to tell exactly where the ball will land until it goes in that direction. For example, many times when I would swipe to the corner, the ball would actually fly out. It takes some trial and error to figure out the best swipe patterns, but many times I lost a game due to the fact that the ball went to the side instead of the corner it was aimed at.

The graphics are as mixed as bags get. The animations are decent, and I love the inclusion of well rendered shadows, but the color palette is too focused on singular, bold colors. Rather than give the players names they might as well say “Red shirt guy against green shirt guy.” It may seem like a nitpicky complaint but when the tennis games last a while, the color scheme becomes gratingly dull. The audio doesn’t offer much except for a robotic sounding announcer and relatively few sound effects, but tennis games where never known for great sound design.

Closing Comments:
Don’t be turned off by the terrible name; Flick Tennis is actually pretty good and one of the better attempts at sports on the iOS platform. The story mode adds drama to the matches, along with several other modes for your liking. The gameplay is not perfect, but better than one would expect. With the sale price of only $0.99 I heartily recommend that any tennis or sports fan give this game a try.

Flick Tennis: College Wars, $0.99  – Available on iTunes

There’s nothing worse than a game that exhibits great potential only to fall on its face. Sometimes games, with a little more time and polish, can be great pieces of entertainment. However, that small lack of extra sheen can make or break it. Bike Baron is one such game that, despite bringing some good ideas to the table, isn’t the enjoyable experience you expected.

Bike Baron is as barebones as they come as far as presentation is concerned. As soon as the game starts, you are already on the first level. You control the bike baron who must drive his motorcycle from one side of the stage to the other. Along the way there are jumps, obstacles, and cans of nitro to accelerate your bike to increased speeds. Your character can lead forward or back accordingly, and crashes lead to some hilarious results as the baron flies from his bike and flops around with some exaggerated rag doll physics. This will happen often as the lack of a tutorial causes the mechanics to be learned by pure trial and error, and may frustrate many people including me. There are coins to collect in each stage that are used to unlock further levels, a practice we should all be familiar with at this point.

The gameplay often harkens back to the days of Sonic. The first few levels are straight forward, but once loops and other obstacles enter the picture it is hard not to reminisce about Sega’s popular blue hedgehog, probably because those games captured the fun and excitement of speed more admirably than Bike Baron. When the game is slow, its dull and when its fast, its frustrating. There are moments where the game is fun, as making a difficult jump is satisfying, but the most fun I had came from crashing consistently in as many crazy ways as I could. The fact that a game is so annoying that the most fun is taking it out on the main character is usually not a good sign.

Graphically the game is pretty nifty and definitely has its own style. The characters and stages are exaggerated but still realistic enough that the crashes can make you wince. I just wish there was a soundtrack, or real audio opposed to two samples. On the game description in the AppStore, one of the touted features is the inclusion of the composer of Angry Birds. Exactly why they chose a composer of a game with no real soundtrack is beyond anyone, but I do not recall a single tune or even note in Bike Baron. Apparently this composer is the master of minimalist music, which is unfortunately because a fun soundtrack would make the frustration much more manageable.

Closing Comments:
Bike Baron has the potential to be a fun, fast game that builds on the Sonic formula, but instead results in a rather boring game with broken mechanics. The lack of audio really hurts as well; a soundtrack is always welcome. The graphics are pretty cool, but everything else is lackluster. If you are willing to take a chance with Bike Baron, go ahead and spend your dollar as the game contains a few moments of fun (and hey, other iOS users seem to like it).

Bike Baron, $0.99  – Available on iTunes

When Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots hit my desk, I couldn’t help but groan. Another movie tie-in game? After over a decade of mediocre to downright terrible movie games its hard for any gamer to get excited. Fortunately Dreamworks was smart in how it approached the game, getting the Halfbrick Studios to make an extension of its popular Fruit Ninja game and create something that is familiar yet refreshing.

Players of the original will find that the basic premise is the same. You take the role of a ninja who slices tons of fruit that soar across the screen while avoiding bombs. Replace the ninja with the popular Puss in Boots from the Dreamworks films and you get this game. The presentation is amped up with a different menu and Puss spouting lines during the game. The game has a free play mode like the original Fruit Ninja, but also a new mode called Bandito, which is the real draw of the game.

The free play arcade mode is the same as ever, but Bandito changes up the rather monotonous Fruit Ninja formula with varied mini games, ranging from slicing fruit while avoid a giant bomb to slicing only certain types and so on. It makes the game more than just mindless slashing as I found myself timing and planning my swipes opposed to swinging wildly. It’s fun, challenging, and more addicting than the free play. This is another smart idea of the developers, actually adding to the game then making a rehash, which they easily could have done.

Graphically the game has not changed. The bombs look cooler but the fruit slicing looks the same as ever. It is hard to complain as the graphics work well for this kind of game, but more explosive fruit or some more visual flair can never hurt. The audio received the biggest uplift as the game features a more classical Spanish soundtrack to fit in with the Puss in Boots theme. Cosmetically little is different from the original Fruit Ninja.

Closing Comments:
Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots is a welcome surprise. It does not stray far from the already popular formula, but expands on it with varied mini games and a popular movie character. In fact, Bandito mode is so fun that I would recommend even seasoned fruit ninjas plunk down their dollar to pick up this game. Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots may not be a standout among the many games in the AppStore, but it is still a fun movie tie in built upon one of the most popular iOS games.

Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots, $0.99  – Available on iTunes

Though the age when JRPG’s dominated the genre is long over, now receiving very formidable competition from countless acclaimed western RPGs, there’s still a special place in most of our hearts for the turn-based formula. BitWit Games’s Pixel Fighters does a solid job of offering an experience where turn-based fighting is the focus, but does the lack of story and innovation make this title passable for even purists of the genre?

In Pixel Fighters, players must control different characters and use their various attacks to defeat enemies in turn-based combat. Upon starting the single player adventure, players must select three characters from five different classes, each possessing their own strengths and abilities (five other characters are locked at first). After a brief intro that reveals the premise of the game, the game immediately jumps into your first of MANY battles. As you’d expect, players must take turns with the AI selecting which actions each character will perform, such as attacking, defending, ect. You receive 3 action points every turn, which are used to perform actions and are shared between your three characters. Between each battle you can upgrade your stats if desired by using the pixels received for being victorious.

Having lived through the days when turn-based combat was the pinnacle of RPG gaming, Pixel Fighters definitely caught my interest right away. Though not nearly as complex as say Pokemon, this title nonetheless serves as a treat for old school RPG fans. Though still fairly simple, the AP sharing system does add a small tad of strategy and thinking to the mix, forcing players to choose their actions wisely every turn. The online multiplayer is also pretty cool, allowing you to take on opponents online in real-time (players get 40 seconds to choose their actions).

As I said, though this game did grab a hold of me at first, not a few minutes later did I start growing tired of it already. The problem with Pixel Fighters is that its just way too repetitive and really gives no reason to make you want to keep going. Turn-based games were fun back in the day because you knew you were getting closer to an awesome plot detail or new town. Not here though– you simply fight a battle over and over until the game is finally over. It’s just constant battling, which wouldn’t be too bad if the combat system was unique or complex enough to keep you interested.

The visuals, however, are pretty great. The character sprites and scenery are incredibly polished and professional, allowing for some nostalgic feel while still delivering attractive graphics. However, there’s hardly any variety in terms of backgrounds/settings and you’ll find yourself fighting in the same place a lot, which gets dull. The music is at least catchy and feels straight out of the SNES era.

Closing Comments:
Pixel Fighters is a solid turn-based offering that perhaps only the most hardcore RPGers will enjoy. Though the art style and music are good enough to evoke some nostalgia, the repetitive, slow-paced gameplay will result in only playing this game for a few minutes at a time. The multiplayer may be neat but the lack of depth in the one player adventure certainly makes this game recommendable only to those madly in love with turn-based battles.

Pixel Fighters, $.99  – Available on iTunes 

One of the great aspects of iOS games is that they can make the old and familiar seem fresh and new again.  Whether it is the touch screen or the bright graphics or smooth framerate, 8 and 16 bit style games on the iPhone still retain the magic that captured us back in the old SNES days.  Mage Gauntlet is another in a large crop of games that embraces the games of yore while remaining unique, fun, and relevant even today.

Mage Gauntlet is an action RPG in the same vein as Zenonia and The Legend of Zelda.  You control Lexi, a young girl with a strange affinity for destroying anything magical with her touch.  This leads to some rather large problems considering the world is run on magic.  Unable to discover the cause of her cower, or curse, she reaches out to the great magician Whitebeard, known for sealing away a great evil long ago.  Whitebeard gives her a gauntlet that allows her to not only interact with magic, but also imbue her with its power.  When Whitebeard loses contact with his fellow sorcerers in charge of keeping the evil trapped in the dark realm, Lexi embarks on an adventure to find the cause.  It is not the most unique story, but one with a lot of pathos for Lexi who yearns to only be accepted not to mention the writing is sharp and witty, especially for Lexi.  She is fun and carefree, and is more than eager to help if it means acceptance from the magic community.  She is a character you can truly root for.

Thankfully the gameplay is just as fun.  Whoever had the idea of giving the game pro stick controls, that is you can put your finger anywhere and drag to make her move, is a genius as the game avoids the awkward d pad controls that plague many other games, Zenonia in particular.  Having an option for an onscreen analog stick or d pad is just icing on the cake, and both those options work well.  Lexi has a basic sword attack along with a dash and a powerful charge attack.  She also has magic spells that must first be obtained from containers for a one time use.  The spells are one of the main highlights of the game both in graphics and in function as the spells animate extremely well, look beautiful, and are wonderfully destructive.  Taking out a room with a lighting bolt spell is always satisfying and truly instills a sense of power.  There is plenty of loot to collect from weapons to clothing that affect your stats, and various unique enemies roaming the land.  The boss fights are a lot of fun too as the bosses tend to taunt you several times before the encounter, furthering the sense of drama.  The combat may appear slow at first, but when bigger enemies enter the picture Lexi will be dashing and slashing her way across the screen.

Graphically the game shares the same 16 bit look of games such as The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.  Graphics for games like these are the hardest to review as the developers obviously went for a vintage style and pull it off admirable, yet the game does little to push the boundaries of what the iPhone can do.  There is nothing wrong with the graphics themselves as they suit the game perfectly, but do not push the boundaries in any way.  The soundtrack also harkens back to the old days of gaming with its upbeat MIDI soundtrack.  Like the graphics, they suit the game but do not provide much else.

Closing Comments:
Mage Gauntlet is like one of those hole in the wall restaurants.  You walk in expecting something average but will satisfy you, only to find an extremely tasty dish that leaves you wanting more.  The game is fun, addicting, and well written, the latter which cannot be said at many big budget iPhone games.  This game is well worth that hard earned $3.

Mage Gauntlet, £1.99 (Early Buyer Bonus)  – Available on iTunes

When Scribblenauts Remix appeared on my plate, I was excited.  Despite reading numerous reviews and lists that all claim Scribblenauts as one of the best DS titles around, I never got around to picking it up.  Now having played it, I can see why this game is heralded as one of the best games in portable gaming.

Scribblenauts is simple only in premise.  You control Maxwell, a scribblenaut, who can create almost anything by writing it in his notebook.  Want to make a giant red cow?  Well now you can.  Wanna see what happens when you drop a toaster in a lake full of sea creatures?  Try it out!  Just don’t call PETA.  The ultimate purpose of creating items however is to solve the many puzzles in Scribblenauts that range from helping a teacher set up her class room to planning a bank heist (I still think the small blue anaconda was a good idea, despite it killing my ninja ally).  The amount of different items available is staggering.  The game claims that if you think it you can make it, and from what I have seen that is most certainly the case.

The gameplay is solid and extremely addicting.  Maxwell can run left or right by holding the respective side of the screen, but the main gameplay comes from creating and placing items.  Only during very few puzzles did I need to physically move Maxwell.  In essence, he provides little more than an onscreen avatar to represent the player.  As previously stated, the amount of sheer content in this game is staggering.  You can make a Pegasus and fly on it, create animals and see how other characters in a level interact with them.  One of my favorite moments is when I created an apple and a teacher in one level ran to it and gobbled it up.  Just creating random objects itself is addicting, and seeing them interact with the world just adds more reason to waste time opposed to completing the puzzle at hand.  Oh the puzzles.  Some are rather easy, but others will require quite a bit of creative thinking.

The game looks good as well.  While not a graphical powerhouse the game retains a cute and animated art style.  Characters move smoothly and many of the animations are hilarious.  One of my favorites is when you give a knight something to replace his sword, and he just tosses it with disdain to pick his sword back up.  The soundtrack retains the game’s charm with its energy, and the sound effects serve their job well.

Closing Comments:
Scribblenauts Remix is a pleasure.  The gameplay is fun and addicting, and one can lose themselves for hours just crafting items or finding new ways to complete puzzles.  It is extremely refreshing to play a puzzle game that ditches the presentation of games such as Angry Birds to embrace its unique and quirky gameplay.  Despite a somewhat pricey $5 on the AppStore, the game is still cheaper than its DS iterations and well worth the money for any iPhone owner.  A must buy.

Scribblenauts Remix, $4.99  – Available on iTunes 

Scribblenauts Remix review
When Scribblenauts Remix appeared on my plate, I was excited.  Despite reading numerous reviews and lists that all claim Scribblenauts as one of the best DS titles around, I never picked it up.  Now having played it, I can see why this game is heralded as one of the best games on the market.
Scribblenauts is simple only in premise.  You control Maxwell, a scribblenaut, who can create almost anything by writing it in his notebook.  Want to make a giant red cow?  Well now you can.  Wanna see what happens when you drop a toaster in a lake full of sea creatures?  Try it out!  Just don’t call PETA.  The ultimate purpose of creating items however is to solve the many puzzles in Scribblenauts that range from helping a teacher set up her class room to planning a bank heist (I still think the small blue anaconda was a good idea, despite it killing my ninja ally).  The amount of different items available is staggering.  The game claims that if you think it you can make it, and from what I have seen that is most certainly the case.
The gameplay is solid and extremely addicting.  Maxwell can run left or right by holding the respective side of the screen, but the main gameplay comes from creating and placing items.  Only during very few puzzles did I need to physically move Maxwell.  In essence, he provides little more than an onscreen avatar to represent the player.  As previously stated, the amount of sheer content in this game is staggering.  You can make a Pegasus and fly on it, create animals and see how other characters in a level interact with them.  One of my favorite moments is when I created an apple and a teacher in one level ran to it and gobbled it up.  Just creating random objects itself is addicting, and seeing them interact with the world just adds more reason to waste time opposed to completing the puzzle at hand.  Oh the puzzles.  Some are rather easy, but others will require quite a bit of creative thinking.  A great one is where you have to help a knight to cross a shark-infested river.  How to kill the shark and cross the river may leave some stumped, but leads to ever satisfying results.  The only downside is that the controls may lead to a death here and there and sometimes getting AI characters to do something can be frustrating, but these moments are few and far in between.
The game looks good as well.  While not a graphical powerhouse the game retains a cute and animated art style.  Characters move smoothly and many of the animations are hilarious.  One of my favorites is when you give a knight something to replace his sword, and he just tosses it with disdain to pick his sword back up.  The soundtrack retains the game’s charm with its energy, and the sound effects serve their job well.
Closing Comments:
Scribblenauts Remix is a pleasure.  The gameplay is fun and addicting, and one can lose themselves for hours just crafting items or finding new ways to complete puzzles.  It is extremely refreshing to play a puzzle game that ditches the presentation of games such as Angry Birds to embrace its unique and quirky gameplay.  Despite a somewhat pricey $5 on the AppStore, the game is still cheaper than its DS iterations and well worth the money for any iPhone owner.  A must buy.