The followup to the side scrolling adventure game Alto’s Adventure, Alto’s Odyssey, is available a day early for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
Games
Nintendo's Mario Kart Tour Coming to iPhone
Get ready to totally kill your iPhone battery because Nintendo is bringing Mario Kart Tour to Apple’s smartphone.
The Mac Observer's Top iPad Apps for 2017
Here’s our short list of stand-out iPad apps from 2017.
Pokémon GO Just Got More Realistic Thanks to ARKit
Your hunt for Pokémon just got more realistic thanks to ARKit support in Pokémon GO for the iPhone and iPad.
Nose Zone for iPhone X Turns Your Nose into a Laser Targeting System
Yesterday it was Rainbrow, and today it’s Nose Zone, the latest game to take advantage of the iPhone X’s facial tracking. In Nose Zone you point your nose to control an onscreen dot’s movement to destroy boxes. The more boxes you zap before time runs out the higher your score. It’s easy to learn and taught me just how bad I am at aiming with my nose. Nose Zone is a free download at Apple’s App Store.
Here's the Cheap way to Play Steam Games on your TV
Want to play computer games on your big screen TV? Valve has a slick little box that’ll stream what you’re playing to your television.
4 Cool Star Wars Games to Hold You Over until The Last Jedi Opens
Looking for some cool games to kill time while you wait for Star Wars: The Last Jedi to open? Check out these iPhone and iPad games to hold you over.
Kill Time With 5 Fun AR Video Games for iPhone
This Thanksgiving we’ve rounded up five fun AR video games to kill time when you’re traveling or just want something to do.
Goodbye Pokémon, Harry Potter Wizards Unite is Coming to iPhone AR
Niantic, the makers of Pokémon Go, and WB Games have pre-announced Harry Potter Wizards Unite, an augmented reality world based on JK Rowling’s enduringly popular books.
Want to Explore the Upside Down? Check Out Stranger Things: The Game
If you can’t get enough Stranger Things ahead of Season 2’s premiere, there’s a game for you.
Check out this Tilt-Control Racing Game for iOS
GRID Autosport is coming to iOS (and Android, if that’s your jam). This is racing game, and the iOS trailer looks amazing. It’s being developed for mobile by Feral Interactive. We don’t have a lot of details yet, but the company noted in the comments on YouTube that it will have a career mode, just like the original console version. GRID Autosport will be a tilt-and-touch game. What do you think?
Civilization VI Adds Nubia Civilization and Scenario Pack
The update also includes some bug fixes, improvements to the game AI, improvements for other civilizations, and adjustments to game balance.
Formula One 2017 for Mac with Same Day Release as Windows on August 25th
Feral Interactive announced Friday that Formula One 2017 will be released on August 25th, with a same-day release for Mac and PC. The game, created by Codemasters, offers a stunning Formula One racing experience. In addition to the trailer below, Codemasters released a 26 minute, unedited gameplay video that is just unbelievable. The game features a Research 7 Development tree, the ability to tune the cars, a career mode, and off-track activities. The game will be available through Feral and Steam for US$59.95, with a Mac App Store version coming later for $49.99. System requirements haven’t published, but are likely to be steep. If you’re a racing game enthusiast, it’ll be worth it.
Jettomero Wants to be the Hero of Your Universe
I’m not a big gamer, but Jettomero: Hero of the Universe is one I can really get behind. You play the role of a giant clumsy robot who wants to keep the universe safe while learning about its own mysterious past. The art has a wonderful comic book feel, the original soundtrack is great, and the game just looks like a giant bucket load of flat-out fun. Developer Gabriel Koenig has nearly finished the game and has a Kickstarter to handle the final costs of bringing it to market. It’s going to be available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Xbox, and it can’t come soon enough.
The Walking Dead: March To War Pre-Launch Gameplay Trailer
Disruptor Beam launched a new gameplay trailer for The Walking Dead: March to War, a strategic multiplayer war game coming to iOS and Android, According to the company, it takes place “just before Volume 20 of [The Walking Dead] comics, All Out War.” Players will build up their bases, recruit survivors, and fight against other factions. It looks great, too! There’s more gameplay info in the company’s blog post.
Classic FPS 'Shadow Warrior' Available for Free at GOG
Shadow Warrior, the classic 1997 3D Realms first-person shooter, is available for free from GOG. The game runs on both Windows and macOS, and includes both expansion packs, Twin Dragon and Wanton Destruction, as well as the game’s soundtrack. You can also pick up the remastered “Redux” version of the game from Steam for just $0.99 as part of the 2017 Summer Sale. So if you’re itching for some classic FPS gaming, act fast!
StarCraft Remastered Coming to Mac and Windows on August 14th
StarCraft, the classic real-time strategy game that was hugely popular on both Mac and Windows, is returning to the Mac this August with StarCraft Remastered. First teased back in March, Blizzard this week confirmed that the remastered version — which includes improved graphics up to 4K resolution, remastered audio, widescreen support, and modern multiplayer features — will launch for Windows and macOS on Monday, August 14th. Check out trailer and head over to Blizzard’s website to pre-order the game for $15.
GameMaker Studio 2 for Mac in Closed Beta
The game engine from YoYo Games—GameMaker Studio—got a big update today with the release of the second version. It lets developers easily create video games for mobile, console and desktop. Plus, the Drag and Drop system (DnD™) lets people with limited coding skills use it too. You can download a free trial of it too.
Asypr Bringing InnerSpace Game of Exploration to Mac
Aspyr announced Thursday that it will be bringing InnerSpace to the Mac. InnerSpace is an exploration game where players, “soar through the skies and dive through the oceans, and the secrets of Inverse will reveal themselves.” Players can also uncover artifacts throughout the game world that upgrade your vehicle and reveal clues about past civilizations. I’m writing about it today because I think it’s gorgeous. Initially crowdfunded through KickStarter, Aspyr is partnering with the developers to bring it to both PlayStation 4 and Steam (for Mac and Linux). Pricing hasn’t been announced, and the game is expected later this year.
Pokémon GO Adding 80 New Monsters to Catch
Get ready for Pokémon GO Gen 2 and 80 new monsters because Niantic plans to give us more characters we gotta catch by this weekend. The new monsters come from the Pokémon Silver and Pokémon Gold video games, so if you’re tired of the gobs of characters already available you’ll have plenty more to keep you roaming around your neighborhood. Niantic also rolled in new evolutions and Evolution items to collect, new berries, new avatars, and more. The updates are free, unlike the time we’ll all spend hunting for Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile.
Photon Strike is a Fun Arcade Scroller for iOS
You may known of my penchant for tower defense games, but I also have a not-so-secret love for arcade scrollers. The good news for your time-sucking pleasure is that I found a new one called Photon Strike. It’s a solid vertical scroller for iPhone an iPad (I played on iPad) with good graphics and fast action. In fact, it’s very fast. It’s similar to others in the genre. You have to steer your ship (with your fingers), firing as long as your finger is on the screen. Waves of enemies fly around the screen, and you have to shoot/avoid them. Powerups are available throughout each level, and you get credits for each enemy you destroy for buying upgrades. It’s free to download, but for real-world cash, you can get yourself a whole heap of credits. You can also watch videos for free credits. Every five waves there’s a boss at the end. It’s ad-supported, but the ads go away with any purchase (the ads are not obnoxious). That said, this is the kind of game where I’m happy to pay to unlock ads to directly support the developer.
Kult of Ktulu : Olympic, a Textual Narrative Lovecraftian Video Game
Check out Kult of Ktulu: Olympic. It’s a textual narrative game, but what hit me were the gorgeous graphics backing up the narrative. Players take on the avatar of a young girl named Elena on a ship crossing the Atlantic in the early 20th century. Elena is investigating the Kult in a world built from H.P. Lovecraft imagery. I haven’t played it yet, but it looks lush and delicious. It’s currently in the App Store as a free download with in-app purchases. It’s in Google Play, too, if that’s your poison.
Civilization VI Gets Viking and Poland Expansions, Other Improvements
Civilization Vi got its first expansions Wednesday with the release of the Poland Civilization & Scenario Pack and Vikings Scenario Pack. The Polish pack includes the full Poland civilization, which includes the ability to take over tiles by fortifying their borders. The Poland scenario is a 60-Turn game where you defend Poland, Prague, and Vienna from Teutonic Knights and Ottoman Turks! Sounds awesome. The Viking Scenario includes new City-States with new benefits, and a 100-Turn game where you invade England, take Paris, find Vinland, or raid the Mediterranean. I’m slacking off from work just thinking about it. Each pack is $4.99, and is available through both Steam and the Mac App Store version of the game. Civilization VI itself was released in October for $59.99, and Wednesday’s update includes a variety of bug fixes, balance changes, AI tuning, and a new Earth map (standard size).
![8Bitdo AP40 Game Controller Inspired by Apple ][ – Fulfilled!](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/8bitdo-Final-wide.webp)
8Bitdo AP40 Game Controller Inspired by Apple ][ - Fulfilled!
Last September, Jeff Gamet wrote up an Apple themed game controller by 8Bitdo, makers of a variety of retro-looking game controllers. Kelly Guimont got one, and she took pictures to show us just cool it is.
