Readers’ App Reviews – March 2014
Check out apps made by raywenderlich.com readers in March 2014 – from a Tetris+CandyCrush combo to foreign language learning and more! By Ryan Poolos.
Readers’ Apps!
It is March, so you know what that means: more great apps by fellow readers ready for the world!
Once again I’ve been lucky enough to play with all your apps and pick a few to showcase. It’s a hard job, but someone’s got to do it! :]
Here are some of the highlights from this month:
- A space shooter that brings back memories of Galaga
- A combination of Tetris and Candy Crush
- An app to help you learn foreign language vocabulary
So stop what you’re doing now: it’s app time!
Time Clash
Battle evil across the ages in Time Clash!
Time Clash takes your hero through time to fight evil every-when. Fight hordes of enemies with special abilities and weapons. Grab powerups to help and upgrade your hero between levels.
But you’re not alone, summon an army of allies to fight beside you or get a pet for moral support.
- Author: Willy Sotomayor @AmbusStudio
- Most useful tutorial: UIGestureRecognizer Tutorial in iOS 5: Pinches, Pans, and More!
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Retro Blaster
Retro Blaster brings fond memories of our favorite games from arcades of the past.
With classic graphics and sound effects Retro Blaster brings a modern touch. And thanks to flingable bombs you even get a bit of touch screen delight.
Space Invaders, Galaga, Centipede, and more are all represented in this retro fusion remake. It’s a blast from the past!
- Author: Chris Halfacre @TwinPeaksMedia
- Most useful tutorial: Space Game Starter Kit Third Edition (Sprite Kit Version) Now Available!
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Connectris Multiplayer
Bejeweled and Candy Crush are kinda fun, but then again so is Tetris. Lets combine them!
Connectris is a Tetris style game where the goal isn’t lines of blocks, but instead 3+ color matches. It takes the strategy dynamic to a whole new level.
During endless single player, combos build your energy which you can use to eliminate entire colors. But during GameCenter multiplayer your energy bar can be used to drop iron bricks on your opponent to give you the edge.
- Author: Christian Lysne @PeekabooTweets
- Most useful tutorial: How To Make a Simple Multiplayer Game with Game Center Tutorial: Part 1/2
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Gold Word
Gold Word is a different kind of word game.
Gold Word provides 7 letters and your goal is to find the highest point word, the Gold Word. You get points for lesser words too, and speed counts, you’ve only got 30 seconds.
With its fast paced head to head play, Gold Word becomes a fantastic multiplayer game. You both get the same letters and same time limit. Highest scoring word wins!
- Author: Eric Auer
- Most useful tutorial: How to Submit Your App to Apple: From No Account to App Store, Part 1
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Don Julio
Don Julio is on a mission. He needs the most exotic ingredients for his restaurant.
You can help Don Julio battle chickens and goats while he hunts for the ingredients at the end of the rainbow in the sidescrolling platformer. You’ll visit Spain, Peru, Italy, and more.
Bonus points for a sweet setting that allows you to drag and drop the controls whereever you’d like them.
- Author: Luis Avila @LuisAvilaDev
- Most useful tutorial: How To Make A Simple iPhone Game with Cocos2D 3.0 Tutorial
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Pickabulary
Pickabulary is a great tool for learning new vocabulary for foreign languages.
Pickabulary lets you enter your own word sets along with their translations, then offers chances to practice, learn, and test yourself. It will keep track of the words you have trouble with so you can revisit them more often.
I’ll defintely be putting Pickabulary to use in my German classes.
- Author: Tomasz Horowski
- Most useful tutorial: Core Data on iOS 5 Tutorial: How to use NSFetchedResultsController
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Rare Steak Timer
Cooking steak isn’t always east. Sometimes we forget about it, sometimes we just don’t have a feel for how long to leave it on.
Rare Steak Timer helps. Pick your cut, select a thickness, and then decide how you want it cooked. Rare Steak Timer will tell you how long it needs to sizzle, and fire a timer when it’s done. It will even remind you to flip it. Don’t forget to let it rest before you stuff your face. ;]
- Author: George Goldhagen @ggoldhagen
- Most useful tutorial: iOS Apprentice Second Edition Now Available: Fully Updated for iOS 7!
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Melody DJ
Melody DJ is a Guitar Hero style game in your pocket.
Melody DJ has you take the lead playing the melody of your favorite songs in realtime. If you mess up, you’ll know about it.
Its landscape design means you are tapping notes all over the place as they come from down screen. This was a very addicting game to have in your pocket. Who’s got two thumbs and Melody DJ? This guy. :]
- Author: Pier Lim @tenaciousfrog
- Most useful tutorial: Trigonometry for Game Programming [Sprite Kit Version]: Part 1/2
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Mouse or House
Mouse or House is a cute game for the younger kids.
Kids get to wipe away the frost on the glass to see the card underneath, then they match it to the 3 cards on the right. It’s got 30 very cute illustrations kids will love to uncover.
- Author: Dimitar Chakarov @gimly
- Most useful tutorial: Beginning Auto Layout Tutorial in iOS 7: Part 1
- App Store Link: Check it out!
Yardhoppr
Yardhoppr is a great app when you just want to shop around local.
Yardhoppr uses aggregator 3taps to find all the yard sales, garage sales, estate sales, and auctions around you. You can see a map of the closest ones and favorite the ones you’d like to hit.
Yardhoppr offers turn by turn directions when you’re ready to go.
- Author: Richard Baker @r_bake_r
- Most useful tutorial: Storyboards Tutorial in iOS 7: Part 2
- App Store Link: Check it out!