Android App Review: AirDroid

After what feels like a really long time, we are back in the saddle again with a app review for an awesome little Android app that just happens to also be free!  It's named: AirDroid.  Basically, the concept behind AirDroid is simple.  It allows you to access the contents of your Android phone via a Wifi internet conncection just as if the phone was directly connected to the computer via a USB Cable.






This is accomplished by using a pretty slick looking web interface.  Essentially here are the steps to using AirDroid.
1- Turn on your phone's Wifi Connection and connect to your router.
2- Launch the AirDroid app on your phone or tablet.
3- Press the blue 'Start' button.
4- Enter the IP Address in your computer's web browser address bar.
5- At the Web Login Screen type in the password given to you from the app.
6- Your in!

Once inside the AirDroid web interface, you can launch various file manager type dialog boxes to move files to your computer from the phone or vice-versa.  If you need to backup anything like your music, pictures, and even apps; all this can be done quickly and easily.  In my example, I was able to backup all of my pictures to my Desktop computer in the form of a .ZIP file for extraction later.  And it took a couple of seconds to get it done.

The price of AirDroid is great considering it is free.  But even if the devs decided to start charging for it, I'd happily pay a couple of dollars for this type of app.

Be sure to watch the video for the full review:

Android App Review: AirDroid

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Android App Review: Gameloft's 9mm

Over the weekend, I jumped on the Gameloft bandwagon and decided to take 9mm for a spin.  I've had some hands on time with it over the latest couple of days.  And I have to say that I am very impressed with the game.  I'm glad we are starting to see some fully fledged games show up on mobile devices.  Granted a lot of these larger mobile games aren't the greatest looking (when compared to console's where these types of games regularly appear).  This game is a third person shooter and has a lot to offer.

However, for a mobile device; the graphics are amazing.  Before I jump into the full review let me go on record to say that 9mm is not a game for kids.  It is full of mature language, drug use, and some other stuff that shouldn't be experienced by children.

I've mentioned Gameloft before, and the fact that a lot of their games tend to gather inspiration from other larger titles.  Whether it be from an artistic perspective with it's design or gameplay that flashes you back to a very similar title.  And 9mm is no different.  In many ways it plays a lot like the Max Payne franchise.  The game sports side jumping in slow motion, bullet time and all.  But it does it extremely well, especially for a mobile game.

Let's start with the graphics.  The graphics are easily some of the best from a game on an Android device, period.  The character models look good ans sharp, the textures are pretty nice for the characters.  Some of the environment textures get a little bland.  Noticeably, the one's outside seem to be a little plain.  While the interiors are littered with torn wallpaper and crap cluttering up the place to give it some atmosphere.  And it works pretty freakin' well.

The sound is pretty good as well.  You get all of the action game fanfare you'd expect from gunfire from all directions to the music in the background.  Once again, the soundtrack can get pretty rough from the language standpoint.  But overall, it's exactly what you'd expect.

Controls is one of the factors that will make or break any game.  Mobile or console, a game has to have good controls.  There is a slight learning curve when first picking up this app.  If you press and hold your thumb on the screen a virtual joystick appears and you move by sliding your left thumb up or down to move forward and back.  And slide your thumb left to right to strafe.  Aiming and looking around can be accomplished one of two ways: using the gyroscope or sliding your right thumb around to aim.

While your aiming and moving, a couple more buttons make some screen time.  You get a small clock icon that activates and deactivates your 'bullet time' or 'slo-mo' camera.  If you tap and slide your thumb either to the right or left of the clock icon you will activate slo-mo time and execute a sideways jump.  While falling aim around the screen to take out bad guys while shooting.  Sounds confusing at first, but trust me you'll pick it up pretty quick.

I do find myself accidentally activating bullet time, but that is due to a wandering thumb.  The other button onscreen is your shoot button.  By default aim-assist is turned on.  I'd recommend leaving it on, without it the game would be near impossible.

The interface is pretty slim and offers only what you need to get around.  Which is nice, no clutter taking up treasured screen real estate.  In the top right corner of the screen you get your weapon indicator which doubles as a weapon selector by sliding the gun icon either left or right to switch guns.  To reload, tap the gun icon of the weapon you currently have equipped.  The bottom of the screen gives you two controls that enable squatting, sprinting, and an 'at-ease' stance after fire fights.

Game content is another place this app shines (except for your characters name, it's a little cheesy).  Okay, you're character's name is really cheesy.  You play as John "Loose" Kannon.  But that is where the goofiness stops.  Kannon is a tough cop in a bad part of town who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to get the job done. And he is thrust into the middle of a new drug hitting the streets and he will stop and nothing to stop it from happening.  Between fire fights you'll be doing some context based minigames that involve roughing up drug dealers during interrogations and interacting with the environment.

Other features include a multiplayer option as well.  I haven't actually tested it yet.  But I will update as soon as I do.

In review, if you are looking for an awesome game for your mobile device I'd highly recommend 9mm (but only for the mature audiences).  With great graphics and gameplay, you'll not be sorry.  If you have played any of the older Max Payne titles for game consoles, you'll feel right at home here.

Get the Game: Gameloft's 9mm from the Android Market at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.gameloft.android.ANMP.Gloft9MHM&feature=search_result

The app sells for $6.99 (and it's worth every penny)

I'd rate 9mm: 5 out of 5 stars

View the trailer here (mature language ensues): http://youtu.be/wE7RwLR2MdQ






Pro's: Great gameplay and graphics.  And awesome experience for a mobile device.
Con's: The controls can be a little weird at first, but you get used to them after a few minutes.  The game is really targeted towards the older crowd.

Other Thoughts: I'd love to see Gameloft adopt the compatibility that Honeycomb tablets offer to game pads. That would elevate the game experience even more in my opinion.

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Android App Review: Star Legends Beta

I've been eagerly anticipating the release of Star Legends for Android devices.  So much in fact, that it's release into Beta slipped right past me.  It wasn't until a couple of days ago I found an article about the game.  So I had to check it out, and I must say that I am hooked.

Star Legends was created by Spacetime Studios.  If the name sounds familiar that is because they also released Pocket Legends for iOS and Android mobile devices.  The both games are mobile MMO titles.  And they are both awesome.  Pocket Legends is a fantasy world MMO where you play as a bipedal animal is a fantasy kingdom.  Whereas Star Legends is a lot of the same, but set on a space station type ship.

From the start of the game you get to pick your character class.  There are three classes: Commando, Operative, and Engineer.  They each have their own unique uses.  Engineers can repair things, Commando players have access to heavy weapons and armor making a great tank class.  And the Operative class can actually dual wield pistols and firearms.  Personally, I went with a Commando class.  After selecting your class you can customize your character appearance somewhat with a limited selection of hair styles/colors and faces.  You can also switch the gender of your character between male and female.

As you play you'll level up, just as with any other MMO style game.  The early missions have you running around the ship learning where things are and doing some simple missions.  I'm up to level 6 now and am able to pretty well hold my own in a fire fight.  Which is a lot of fun.

The controls are simple, there is a "virtual" joystick on the bottom left of the screen and the combat button and skill buttons are on the bottom right side of the screen.  You can loot storage chests for gear and use enhancers to temporarily give you the upper hand during a mission.  Things like vanity gear and enhancers can be bought with Platinum (which can be bought with real world money).  However, the use of these paid items isn't necessary to enjoy the game.  They do give every new player a one time use, free enhancer.

The missions are fun, but do get a little repetitive after playing for a while.  However, when you take into consideration that this is still a mobile game, and it's intent is to be played on the go.  Chances of someone sitting for 3 hours farming a particular instance probably isn't going to happen that much.  More like jumping in and running a mission for 10 minutes here and there was more of the intent.  With that being said, wiping out a mob with a group of other players is pretty gratifying.

Where this game really shines is in the social department.  It is extremely easy to build a friend's list in this game.  I have been playing Guild Wars for several years now and have about a dozen people in my friend's list.  I have played Star Legends for 2 days and already half 6 people in my buddy list.  All of which I have run other missions with since initially meeting with them in game.

The ability for upgrading your character's skills and abilities is extremely easy and well thought out.  Inventory management is a cinch too, since you start out with 50 free slots.  Items you no longer need or want can be sold directly from your inventory screen, eliminating the need to find a vendor or seller to get rid of low level items you'll pickup during a mission.

I'll have to be honest, I played a little bit of Pocket Legends on my iPod Touch quite some time ago and thought it was a good game.  But couldn't get into it (the smaller screen felt small and cramped to me).  However, on a 10 inch tablet screen, the game is great.  Looks great, sounds great and plays smooth.

I would highly recommend this game to RPG fans, MMO fans, and Space Shooter fans.  It has a little something for everybody.  And to beat it all, the app is free of charge.  If this is the bar that is being set of MMO's on mobile devices, the future is looking sweet!

Star Legends Beta: Download from the Android Market!

I give this Star Legends Beta 5 stars out of 5 stars.

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