Author: garrybalogh

Apple Arcade Splits Into Arcade Originals, Timeless Classics, App Store Greats

Yesterday started out as a fairly normal Friday as far as all things Apple Arcade go, with the release of two new Arcade titles marking the end of the week.

That in itself is not unusual.

The quality of those two new releases – Wonderbox and Fantasian – elevated that fairly normal Friday to an exceptional one. Both are outstanding games, and both are a particularly good fit for Apple TV, screaming to be played via Arcade’s console option.

I was one of the fortunate few who found themselves with a copy of Wonderbox weirdly downloaded to Apple TV a whole week ago following a strange release hiccup, and I’ve been playing it pretty solidly since. So with Fantasian being the shiny new thing, I logged four and a half hours into Mistwalker’s beautiful new JRPG yesterday, and plan to log many more (you can read about my first 11 minutes right here).

At about 11.45pm, I switched off the Nimbus, powered down the Apple TV 4K (which in turn automatically turned off my TV, handy), off with the surround sound system, and put the electric recliner back into seating position so my wife wouldn’t end up face planting into the lounge room rug in the middle of the night (again).

Off to bed, grabbed the iPad and checked my emails one last time before sleep.

A press release from Apple tells me more than 30 new games have just been added to Apple Arcade.

Continue reading “Apple Arcade Splits Into Arcade Originals, Timeless Classics, App Store Greats” →

Finally Fantasian Hits Apple Arcade

It’s been two years and two days since posting this story, which outlined everything ATVG knew about Apple Arcade following its big reveal onstage, including the unveiling of Mistwalker’s Fantasian.

Feels more like ten years and ten days ago.

But here we are, and I’ve just played Fantasian for eleven minutes.

It’s out. As I’m sure you know.

Oh my.

(Don’t hit the Continue button below if you’d rather discover Fantasian’s first eleven minutes for yourself)

Continue reading “Finally Fantasian Hits Apple Arcade” →

Wow. Edge Magazine Tells Gamers Not To Buy Nuts Until Available On Bigger Screens

Don’t get me wrong – I like Edge Magazine.

Mostly solid writers, interesting editorial pieces, and that page layout – gorgeous. 10/10 for artistic flair.

But when you’re wrong you’re wrong. And when being wrong effects readers who are looking for advice on how to spend the dollars they’ve budgeted for gaming, and also the developers (in this case, studio Noodlecake) who have worked their arses off making the game being written about, then something needs to be said.

I’m not writing this as an Apple fanboy (although I am one), I’m writing it as a fan of quality reporting and facts.

Click the Continue button below for more.

Continue reading “Wow. Edge Magazine Tells Gamers Not To Buy Nuts Until Available On Bigger Screens” →

Space Marshals 3: Chapter 2 – Pixelbite Aiming for Q1 Release

After playing and finishing the first chapter of the third Space Marshals title, all that’s left to do is wait for the second. And play other games. And maybe replay chapter one. The Space Marshals series is great for replay value, as there are always many ways to skin its levels.

You can check out ATVG’s impressions on the first 10 missions right here.

Following recent mail from Pixelbite, we now at least have a window of time for the second chapter’s release, and even a screenshot.

Hit the Continue button for more.

Continue reading “Space Marshals 3: Chapter 2 – Pixelbite Aiming for Q1 Release” →

Little Orpheus Episode 9 – More Beautiful Layers Of The Onion

A Rush of Onion to the Head is the cryptic title of Little Orpheus’ episode 9 which released just yesterday. Last night ATVG dimmed the lights, fired up the flatscreen, the Apple TV 4K and the Nimbus, and once again ventured down the rabbit hole with cosmonaut Ivan Ivanovich.

Was it a good night in?

Hit the Continue button below to resolve this Little Orpheus-style cliffhanger.

Continue reading “Little Orpheus Episode 9 – More Beautiful Layers Of The Onion” →

Time To Download Little Orpheus Again – Ep 9 Incoming (Very Soon)

Weighing in at 3.9GB on Apple TV’s App Store, Little Orpheus can easily be considered one of the big boned titles among Apple Arcade’s lineup (after all, there is that T-rex to cater for).

With only 64GB in total available on my Apple TV 4K’s hard drive, some housekeeping needs to occasionally be done, meaning that finite games with definitive endings are always the first to go once the credits roll (don’t worry Butter Royale, you are safe).

You can catch some bite-size reviews of a handful of games in which ATVG has seen the end credits (including Little Orpheus) right here, and here.

What I’m trying to say in a long winded way, is that I’m going to need to download The Chinese Room’s Little Orpheus again, because a new episode is on the way, and may even be out by the time I finish posting this piece.

The episode – number 9 – is titled A Rush of Onion to the Head, and The Chinese Room earlier today teased social media with some screens from the upcoming ep, complete with intriguing captions.

Hit the Continue button below for a peek.

Continue reading “Time To Download Little Orpheus Again – Ep 9 Incoming (Very Soon)” →

Real Racing 3’s Next Update To Include Marina Bay Street Circuit

New tracks and cars are the bread and butter of racing games when it comes to retaining player engagement.

The king of Apple TV racers – Real Racing 3 – now has over 140 cars to race and upgrade, with more on the way in its next big update – version 9.1.

New tracks however, are a much rarer feature, and some might say an even more exciting prospect. A new track gives players a fresh new playground in which to test out their favourite rides. Completely new turns to master, making an old game new again.

Now that F1 is a part of the Real Racing 3 roster, it makes sense to include more tracks from the real world of F1, and this is exactly what’s happening in the next big tentpole update from developer Firemonkeys.

Singapore’s Marina Bay street circuit is coming to Real Racing 3.

Hit the Continue button below for more.

Continue reading “Real Racing 3’s Next Update To Include Marina Bay Street Circuit” →