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Daily iPhone App: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2 brings Sonic back again
The big question with Sonic games is always if it's as good as the old titles on the Sega Genesis and the Dreamcast, and as usual, the answer here with Sonic 4 Episode 2 (yes, that's how they're releasing these) is unfortunately no. But that's not really a bad thing -- this is pretty good 2D Sonic, put together with quality graphics and plenty of content to play through. It won't compare to the old titles (because what does, really?), but if you're just looking for Sonic and Tails to run around in a colorful world, you'll get it here. Yes, Tails is back in this one, and he and Sonic team up to run, do a little flying, and race through lots and lots of levels together. You can even hook up with two players over Bluetooth, one on Sonic and the other on Tails. Just like the last Sonic on iOS, the proceedings are plenty colorful, varied from stage to stage, and while the controls are only virtual (actually, iCade compatibility would be a nice bonus here), they work about as well as virtual controls can. Sonic 4 Episode 2 isn't a bad game at all, though like all of the other Sonic titles out there, it probably won't live up to your memories of what the series once was. If you want old school Sonic action, and wouldn't mind seeing Tails in 2D after quite a while away, the game's available for $6.99 in a universal version right now.
Phoenix Wright, Half Life 2, and Chocobo Panic available now
Here's some quick hits on a few big name releases across Apple platforms. First up, the funny and addictive DS hit Phoenix Wright has made its way to the iPhone, and you can pick it up for US $4.99. While it's kept the two-screen gameplay from Nintendo's handheld, it's still a great time. Square Enix has released another original title for the iPad; Chocobo Panic is a cute little puzzle/action game in which you grab and release the Final Fantasy-famous birds. Those expecting anything deeper will be disappointed, but if you want a fun touchscreen game with the slimmest of Final Fantasy ties, I hear it's fun. Finally, as announced yesterday, Half Life 2 is now available for the Mac via Steam. And it tuns out that Episodes 1 and 2 have been released as well. The game itself is a jaw-dropping $7, and you can get the two add-ons for $5.59 each. If you already own them on Steam, they're all available via Steam Play, so that means you already own them on the Mac, too; just head into Steam and download away. AAA companies releasing games natively on Apple platforms? Man, it's a great time to be a Mac gamer.
Final Fantasy retrospective beginnings: Parts I & II
We definitely enjoyed the Legend of Zelda retrospective and we're happy to see Brandon Jones, who wrote, produced and did the voice-over for that saga, is back to tell the Final Fantasy series in the same style. Due to the madness of E3, the first episode of the Final Fantasy retrospective got lost in the fray. You can watch the first episode above and then as a special gift from us, check out the second episode after the break. The other eleven episodes are expected to come out weekly.
Valve unleashes Half-Life 2: Orange screenshots
Half-Life 2: Orange, as we now call it, has been forever delayed and will only show up much later this year. But what are eager Half Life fanboys supposed to do until that time comes ... wait? Yes, you will have to wait, but Valve understands your pain by offering some screenshot love. They just released a massive amount of screens from the Half-Life 2: Orange bundle including Portal and Team Fortress 2. All the games are looking pretty good, but Portal and Team Fortress 2 lack visual goodness that Half-Life 2 offers, which is probably intended. Check out the nifty gallery Joystiq put up and come back to post your thoughts on what is sure to be one great compilation.
What's inside the Half-Life 2 box
Soon, Half-Life 2: Episode 2 will be making its way onto the Xbox 360 and will be bundled with a bunch of other goodies. And those guys over at Valve found an easy way to identify the new compilations ... by color. The Xbox 360 (PC and PS3) will be getting what is known as the Half-Life 2: Orange bundle. Included is the original Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episodes 1 and 2, Team Fortress 2 and Portal. The orange package will set you back a reasonable $59.99. For our PC brethren they have one other option called Half-Life 2: Black. This bundle will include Half-Life 2: Episode 2, Team Fortress 2, Portal and will cost $39.99. The Black bundle is for those PC gamers that already purchased Half-Life 2 and Episode 1. Phew ... there you have it. But is anyone a little turned off by the whole color coding system?
More maps and modes for your Sin Episodes
Ritual Entertainment is about to release four extra maps and a new gameplay mode for Sin Episodes, at no extra charge for auto-download via Steam (the "no charge" bit will no doubt make many console owners jealous). The four new maps will be dedicated to the new mode called "Arena"--which is a single player experience akin to many games' survival modes--and will be designed around typically generic first person shooter situations like an office, a turbine room and a processing plant. Shawn, the lead game designer of Sin lays it down on his blog; "It's an infinitely repayable single player mode where you continually try and beat your high score". Our translation: "shoot loads of people and then obsess over the number of enemies you shot in the groin".Other bits mentioned on Shawn's blog include a comprehensive stat tracking system, enabling yourself and other players to compare their groinshot score, the mention of the impending release of a Software Development Kit (SDK) and a Sin development Wiki, and absolutely no news about when Episode 2 is going to hit Steam; Shawn got a little excited and forgot to give us any information beyond saying that he'd "be on the look out for some Episode 2 media in the near future" if he was you. We want dates dammit![Via EuroGamer]
