Welcome to another Game Friday roundup on iPhone.Appstorm. This weeks issue focuses on music games for the iPhone/iPod, from the heavyweight Rock Band, to the minnow HangTunes. If you think we’ve missed Guitar Hero off the list, don’t worry, we covered it in an earlier Game Friday on New Releases.
Like always, if you have a game you want reviewed, please let us know!
Rock Band
Rock Band
First up this week is Rock Band, a game which works fantastically well on all major consoles where you can utilise different instruments, but it unfortunately a little linear on the iPhone. You can rock out to 30 free songs on guitar, bass, drums or vocal, but it all boils down to the same button tapping (you can’t even sing the vocals!) and the buttons that you have to tap are not really big enough.
However, what Rock Band lacks in playability, it makes up for with a fantastic selection of songs, including hits from Foo Fighters, Motorhead and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Additional tracks can be download for $0.99 and once you have the hang of it, it really isn’t all that bad!
Price: $6.99
Developer: Electronic Arts
Download: App Store
Thumpies
Thumpies
As far as odd-ball rhythm games go, Thumpies is right up there with the best of them. The aim of Thumpies is simple, you tap the drums in time with the bounce of the furry little animals in order to fill your progress meter and advance to the next level.
It starts off simple in order to ease you in gently, however when Thumpies are bouncing all over the screen, you need quick thinking to stay in the game. The controls are nice and responsive, which is essential for a rhythm game, and the graphics are lovely and colourful to appeal to both adults and children alike.
Price: $2.99
Developer: Big Blue Bubble
Download: App Store
Six-String
Six-String
While Rock Band and Guitar Hero are arguably the best rhythm games out there, they really are nothing like playing the actual guitar. Six-String aims to change all that with an alternative approach to their gameplay, incorporating six strings and including features such as strumming and changing chords while you play.
It’s not an easy game and takes a lot of getting used to in order to master, but the song availability is solid, with hits from Bon Jovi, Scorpions and Tom Petty among the embedded tracks, with Hinder, Lady Gaga and Sum 41 available for purchase. For those of you who like a challenge, download the free demo and test your guitar playing skills.
Price: $4.99
Developer: UMG Recordings
Download: App Store
Genesis
Genesis
Genesis is a rather oddball game, combining puzzle solving and music to create a rather intuitive and enjoyable app that can be incredibly challenging. You solve puzzles by bending light around space, connecting suns in order to complete the level.
The music gets louder the closer you are to solving the puzzle and there are hints available to help you when you get stuck. The beautiful graphics and original gameplay make this a great little title, albeit slightly on the short side. However, for $0.99, you can hardly complain that much!
Price: $0.99
Developer: Elements of Design
Download: App Store
HangTunes
HangTunes
Lastly this week is HangTunes, a hangman game that tests your knowledge of your own music library. It plays like a standard hangman game, with you needing to guess the names of songs from your music collection.
If you get stuck, you can get hints in the form of an audio sample or cover art preview. It sounds like an easy game, but when you have a few thousand songs on your iPhone/iPod, it can be hard remembering the obscure name of that song by a band you haven’t listened to in three years. Great for helping you rediscover your old music.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Stone Road Software
Download: App Store
What Have You Been Playing?
We always appreciate your feedback and suggestions for other games so please let us know what you have been playing in the comments below.