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| Mike Salbato |
Yes, the published-by-Atlus-on-Nintendo DS Touch Detective.
08.10.11 - 11:44 PM
After last week's near-avalanche of iOS news and releases, things calmed down a bit this week. Since it released a day later than typical releases, we didn't know last week if Gravity's claim of "iPad support" in Ragnarok Violet meant it would actually run at the iPad's native 1024x768 resolution. If you haven't grabbed the (free) game yet, we now know it regrettably does not. However, it's at least a beautiful game on the iPhone and iPod touch.
As for today, we have a brand new release from the developers of Fantastic Knight, a completely unexpected and random port of a DS game, and a substantial update to an iPad-only top-down RPG. Let's get to it!
Touch Detective (iPhone/iPod touch)
by BeeworksGames
Price: Free (Chapters 1-2) [iTunes link]
Remember Touch Detective? This quirky little graphic adventure landed on the Nintendo DS in North America thanks to Atlus back in 2006. Now, original developer BeeworksGames has brought the title to the iPhone and iPod touch. This was an unexpected surprise, despite the resurgence of graphic adventure titles on touch screen devices. Touch Detective is a free download, and allows you to play Chapter 1 and the first half of Chapter 2 for free. If you decide you want to play the rest of the game, three more chapter packs are available at $3.99 each as in-app purchases, or $8.99 will unlock the entire game.
If you want to know more about Touch Detective, Neal's review of the DS version is linked at the end of this article.
Exitium: Saviors of Vardonia (Universal)
by Minoraxis, Inc.
Price: $1.99 (launch sale) [iTunes link]
A few weeks ago, we talked about Minoraxis and their release of Fantastic Knight, an action RPG (that also has a free edition available). Tonight, the developer is releasing another action RPG: Exitium: Saviors of Vardonia. Promising full-resolution graphics on the iPad and Retina Display support on the iPhone and iPod touch, there's no denying it's a gorgeous game, with sprite-based artwork that brings back memories of titles like Legend of Mana.
Exitium features four characters/classes, two melee-focused and two magic-focused, each with their own specialties. There are over 800 main and side quests available, upgradable equipment, Game Center Achievement support, an item creation system, and, perhaps most unique compared to most iOS action RPGs, the ability to trade items with other players online. Exitium: Saviors of Vardonia is launching at $1.99 (USD) as a sale price - there's no details on how long the sale is, or what the full price will be yet.
Trailer!
Companions (iPad)
by Smuttlewerk Interctive
Price: $4.99 [iTunes link]
Lite version: Free [iTunes link]
We've not covered Smuttlewerk Interactive's fantasy-themed iPad RPG, Companions, though with an average of 4.5-5 star reviews in iTunes, it's certainly hitting the sweet spot of many an RPG fan. Last week, the title got a fairly substantial 1.2 update, which not only fixed a myriad of bugs, but includes better drag & drop item handling, auto-saving in single-map games, adds brand new items, improved tooltips, a new Elemental Assault single-map, the ability to save up to 7 quests per campaign and more.
Alongside this update, Smuttlewerk also released a free "Lite" version of Companions, which includes the tutorial and entire first map of Campaign mode.
The Companions official site has several videos of the game in action, including this original teaser video:
There you have it, short and sweet. I know I mentioned it last week, but we really should have some news on Rocketcat's Mage Gauntlet soon, but I can't promise exactly when. I think you're going to like what's coming though. That aside, next week's potential news is still a mystery, since iOS game news and releases often happen without much warning, so check back next time to see if any cool surprises turn up.
