Why Smartwatch-Based Mobile Gaming Makes Sense

Five or so years ago, after years of domination by both games consoles and PCs, the way that people gamed underwent a massive change. Smartphones and tablets, with their processing, memory and graphical rendering capabilities, brought forth a new age in gaming, and soon the pastime was not merely the preserve of enthusiasts, geeks and teenagers. Mobile devices had suddenly brought gaming, kicking and screaming, firmly in to the mainstream. But a new device is peeking its head over the horizon of the mainstream; smartwatches. Will these new devices signal a new mobile gaming craze? The answer is yes, but not in the conventional sense.

According to industry pundits, games being produced for smartwatches won't be akin to conventional mobile games. Instead, new experiences, based around oft-touted but rarely realised notions such as augmented reality, could be the focus of innovation and development. Virtual treasure hunts, Pokemon-like adventures and the like could all become intriguing and popular ways to play over a mobile device. Geolocation software, built around the everyday world; it's something we've see talked about before but is a thing yet to take the public's imagination. The utter flop that was (or is?) the Google Glass was based around similar ideas, but the self-consciousness that accompanied the product proved a huge hurdle to surpass, but smartwatches may prove inconspicuous enough for the idea to work.

Lots of current games will indeed likely work with the new crop of smartwatches, however. If a title runs on android, and has display scaling built in to its design, you'll be able to at least try to play the game on the rather reduced screen size. Sites such as SlotoCash might even find this makes their games more accessible. Slot games only really need a few small buttons, plus the slot machine graphics themselves, and one could easily conceive this fitting in to a mini screen. The same goes for puzzle games that simply require small swipes from the player. Sudoku on a smartwatch sounds like the perfect panacea to a boring commute, that's for sure.

The likely syncing that will occur between watches and smartwatches will likely also become a big thing in the world of watch-based gaming. Players of RPGs, strategy games, sports titles and shooters via smartphones might, in the near future, be able to play around with their loadouts, characters and squads on scaled-down versions of their games whilst they're out and about.  

Will smartphones prove the next big thing in gaming? Only time will tell, and in the end it will be the public who dictates the success of the idea.

Honey Heroes - Android App Review

Honey Heroes by Game Gurus - Android App Review

Today, the amount of games available for Android smartphones and mobile devices is truly staggering. There are literally millions of games from all types and genres, just waiting for you to download. So, the problem becomes not one of finding a good game but selecting from the multitude a game that is right for you and your needs.

Google play games for Android can be broadly divided into several types. Strategy games, simulators, arcade and action games. Of course, a very important type is puzzle and the various mind games. This review is of a puzzle game called Honey Heroes by Game Gurus. 

Honey Heroes is a puzzle game with several twists. First of all, it is very graphic intensive in contrast to most other puzzle games. In addition, the game is not a standard match 3 puzzle game but each level presents different puzzles and different requirements for finding a solution. A last difference is the fact that this game is VERY professional in its concept, design and implementation.

We've sent the game, like we always, do to our small horse of reviewers and sat back and waited for their input. One of the advantages of puzzle games that is represented well in Honey Heroes is that the game appeals to reviewers of all ages, professions and aptitudes. 

So, what did the reviewers say? 

First of all, most if not all the reviewers commented about the design and visual appeal of Honey Heroes. Like we wrote earlier, our reviewers were very impressed with the graphics and professionalism of the user interface and the visuals of the game, from the animation to the menus to the design of the characters themselves.

The game itself is both challenging and interesting. The various puzzle types are all different and require thought and concentration of the part of the players. The variety itself is very refreshing as playing through dozens of levels remains interesting and challenging, which is something not all puzzle games succeed in doing.

Our reviewers also liked the variety of characters and different heroes in the game, as the players play with bees, butterflies, dragonflies and more, all done beautifully with exquisite detail. Another thing our reviewers liked was the way the game is almost self explanatory. A new player can just start playing the game, without the need for long help documents and sessions. 

Our reviewers sent several tips. The most important of all is about the game and kids. The game is very suitable to kids, with cute characters, no violence and is actually beneficial as it makes them work the muscles in their head and like it at the same time!

Another thing our reviewers pointed out is about the puzzles and the powerups. Even though the powerups are important, it is best to save them for the harder levels where you'll really need them. Last but not least tip is to survey the puzzle carefully before starting to solve it, even though time is of the essence when solving the puzzles in the game. 

Android Review Center's conclusion is that Honey Heroes is one of the best puzzle game we and our reviewers saw. Beautifully designed, challenging and constantly intriguing and interesting, Honey Heroes is a puzzle game suitable to all ages.

• Score: 4.8. A well designed and interesting puzzle game.
• Description: A puzzle game with different puzzles, centered around honey and cute insets.
• Good Points: Different and original puzzles. Great design, animation and menus. suitable to all ages. Can be played from different devices and even PC with the same account.
• Bad Points: Couldn't really find one. Perhaps making it a little less cute would have appealed more to teen age boys.
• Experience: The game is very easy to play, as it is almost self explanatory.
• Longevity: As there are dozens of levels and puzzles and the game can be played from different devices, people will keep playing this game for long.
• Link to Google Play

Galaxy Wars: Space Defense - Android App Featured

Galaxy Wars: Space Defense by Psycho Sandwich Studios - Android App Featured   

Android Review Center is a professional review site for articles and reviews about any and all apps and games for Android smartphones and mobile devices. Okay, how do you differentiate between the professional and amateur review sites? Well, it is quite simple, really. A professional site and article writers adhere to a strict set of rules when reviewing an app. 

In other words, it is not enough just saying we like an app or a game. We have to say WHY we like (or dislike it) and then use the same set of rules or guidelines when reviewing all apps.

Well, what about Galaxy Wars: Space Defense? It's got spectacular graphics but is it any good as a game?

Galaxy Wars: Space Defense is a space shooter, an action game where the player gets to pilot a ship (or space fighter, to be exact) and fight against hordes of enemies, all shooting back with missiles, beam weapons, mines and a lot more ... The game is has a 2D setting where the player looks from above on the unfolding action and pilots his or her fighter with finger swipes across the mobile device's screen.

This game has a lot of things going for it. Its graphics are amazing, crystal clear and vibrant, even in the midst of furious battles. The fighters the player use can be upgraded and the enemies along with the bosses are many and varied. 

Well, our rules for reviewing games and apps state that each app and game must be measured up against the goals its type of app or game aim for, and Galaxy Wars does great job. The game is simple to operate and the player gets right to business, to the combat. Control is simple and easy and even the various upgrades are simple and easy to operate.

Psych Sandwich Studios create an action game that is ideal for those who want quick and furious combat RIGHT NOW and those who want to test their minds by coming up with various strategies and not only their reflexes, though in this game both will be tested sorely.

A great action game, varied and colorful, Galaxy Wars takes a seat of honor among the space shooters on Google Play.

Google Play Link