Wow, I hadn't thought to look here for the qualities I loved in ye olde Nintendo platformers! As luck would have it, Crescent Moon's and Thunder Game Works' approach to "Evertales" feels as if it's been informed by golden oldies like "Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse" and KID's "G.I. Joe" series. Is that a wholly positive thing, or do some negatives come along for the ride too?
Finally: a game with Doodads! "Mystery Ball" could still benefit from a little more polishing, but it already offers some great logistical challenge and its environment altering concept never gets old.
There's a wonderful little Action Adventure buried beneath some hard-hitting flaws here. Lack of a map system and finicky movement controls leave it at a severe disadvantage compared to its competition on iOS, so it takes a very forgiving genre fan to enjoy it for the time being.
"Alphadia" is the second in Kemco's one-two JRPG punch. Playing this one right after "Symphony of Eternity" was quite interesting; it makes one feel as if a perfect JRPG had been split down the center, with the interesting story, attractive presentation, and overall polish going to "Alphadia," while "Symphony" came away with the deeper gameplay.
In many ways, "Symphony of Eternity" plays like everything you could ever hope for in a JRPG: it serves up a truly great character class system, a competently delivered - if average - plot, and a battle system that encourages a strategic approach over level grinding. If only its environments weren't so tiny and restrictive!
You know, had I found myself in possession of a genie's lamp yesterday, I would have had one particular wish in mind: that the "Metroidvania" formula be brought to iOS to rejuvenate its Action Adventure library. It turns out that wish has just come true, and I had a genie to thank for it after all!
Chicken Coup Remix should enjoy a lengthy stay on the iDevices of casual gamers who seek frantic action and have a penchant for leaderboard competition. Don't look here for depth or evolving complexity though.