03-30-2019, 02:58 AM
The Weekender: Old Kingdom Edition
<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/the-weekender-old-kingdom-edition.jpg" width="1920" height="1080" title="" alt="" /></div><div><div><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/the-weekender-old-kingdom-edition.jpg" class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div>
<p>It’s nice to see a weekly update packed with a range of genuinely interesting new releases, sales and updates. It’ll set us up well for April as we start getting reviews out – this week has been more news focused as we’re in the limbo period between freelance budgets, but hopefully you’ve appreciated being kept up to date with some of the more notable happenings this week.</p>
<p>We’ve got a couple of features on the horizon that hopefully will start appearing next week, otherwise it’s mainly keeping on top of the review pile.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in mobile gaming…</p>
<h2>Out Now</h2>
<h3>Holy Potatoes! A Spy Story?! (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/holy-potatoes-a-spy-story/id1446725273?ls=1&mt=8&at=11l7vY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS Universal</a>) (<a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/holy-potatoes-a-spy-story/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review</a>)</h3>
<p>Headline for this this week is a new entry in the tongue-and-cheek <em>Holy Potatoes! </em>Series, which we reviewed yesterday. This version sees you put in charge of a spy agency, building up your HQ, going on missions and navigating through a central story. For fans of the series it’s more of the same, which is fine although we hope to start seeing more innovation in the future. For newcomers this is a respectable espionage-themed management game that’s refreshingly silly. Hopefully, we’ll see this one cross over to Android.</p>
<iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='654' height='368' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RVQaFRNDIoM?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe>
<h3>This War of Mine: Stories – Father’s Promise (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/this-war-of-mine-stories/id1402080820?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS</a> & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elevenbitstudios.twomstoriesmobile" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>) </h3>
<p>For some reason PT never covered the original mobile release of <em>This War of Mine, </em>arguably one of the most successful indie titles of this generation. While it’s narrative focus isn’t quite the kind of thing we look at here, the marriage with tense, survival mechanics as you strive to live through the civil war that’s tearing up your city makes for some morbidly compelling gameplay. The <em>Stories</em> spin-off is a stand-alone tale, with a unique story and unique locations, and is a stand-alone release.</p>
<iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='654' height='368' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tQ5BKWZEEog?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe>
<p>Sports releases are few and far between in the mobile world, so we try to highlight newcomers wherever we can, especially across sports other than Soccer/Football. We’ll try and get a full review of this one up and running so true baseball fans can gauge whether or not this is worth their time. The 2019 version of <em>R.B.I. Baseball </em>sports some new features such as a Franchise mode that lets you manage the same team across multiple seasons, and of course the yearly updates to rosters, uniforms etc…</p>
<iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='654' height='368' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xRd86HHqkBY?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe>
<p>The sequel to Clarus Victoria’s <em>Predynastic Egypt</em> turn-based management/sim game, although this new title is only on iOS for the moment. <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/646500/Egypt_Old_Kingdom/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Released on PC</a> last year, <em>Old Kingdom</em> offers more of the same simulation-like gameplay where you must guide Egyptian society through the “Great Pyramids” era. The mobile version represents starts at ‘2.0’, so it’s had a lot of fixes and improvements since launch on top of the new features brought in.</p>
<p>The developers are offering the main game for free, where you can play through the first 50 odd turns, with the full game being locked behind a £4.99 IAP.</p>
<iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='654' height='368' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-wgN5BpKssY?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe>
<h3>Shattered Plane (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/shattered-plane/id1455102219?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS</a> & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eremite.games.shattered.plane.turn.based.stategy.game" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>)<em> – Full Review Coming Soon!</em></h3>
<p>Last but certainly not least, a new turn-based strategy game has come to turn. <em>Shattered Plane </em>pits four players and/or AI opponents against each other in a fast-paced game of conquest. You have armies that you push around the map, and you can either attack your opponents armies or conquer settlements. It describes itself as ‘tactical’ but there arn’t any actual tactical battles – everything auto-resolves. Planning is paramount, and maps are procedurally generated. There are online rankings, as well as local hotseat multiplayer available. </p>
<iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='654' height='368' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-VTuzdMJMuE?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe>
<h2>Updates</h2>
<h3>Rebel Inc. (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rebel-inc/id1439187947?mt=8&at=11l7vY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS</a> & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ndemiccreations.rebelinc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>) (<a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/rebel-inc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review</a>)</h3>
<p>Ndemic have released the third major update for their insurgency strategy game, <em>Rebel Inc</em>. Free content includes deserting soldiers and luxury hotel construction, while the <em>Tanks & Caves</em> expansion adds a new maps, a new commander, and tanks! You can unlock the expansion for $1.99 or by playing through the whole game on Brutal. There’s a season pass option now as well.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to check out <a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/guides/rebel-inc-tips-and-tricks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our tips & tricks guide</a> if you’re looking for advice – we’re in the process of updating it with the new content.</p>
<h3>Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (iOS & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aspyr.swkotor&hl=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>)</h3>
<p>One of Bioware’s all-time classics, <em>Knights of the Old Republic</em>, as been a welcome sight on mobile for a while now thanks to Aspyr (the same company that brought <em>Civilization 6</em> to iPads as well). Being as aged as it is, you don’t often see much support for it these days but the mobile devs have been good at pushing out quick-fixes where they’ve been needed. This week they released a small patch that made some UI & resolution adjustments for iPad and iPhone X devices, as resolving a crash issue on iPad Pro.</p>
<h2>Sales</h2>
<h3>Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?! (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/holy-potatoes-were-in-space/id1315946489?mt=8&at=11l7vY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS Universal</a>) (<a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/review-holy-potatoes-were-in-space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review</a>): $2.99<br />Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?! (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/holy-potatoes-a-weapon-shop/id1048011718?mt=8&at=11l7vY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS</a> & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.daylightstudios.hpawsmob&hl=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>) (<a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/review-holy-potatoes-a-weapon-shop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review</a>): $1.99</h3>
<p>In celebration of the release of <em>A Spy Story, </em>above, Daylight have discounted their other <em>Holy Potatoes! </em>games, so if you’re interested in checking out the others now’s a great opportunity to jump on board.</p>
<h3>Wars Across the World (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1421080963?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS Universal</a>) (<a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/wars-across-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review</a>): $0.99</h3>
<p>One of our <a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/guides/war-games-android-ios/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">favourite iOS war games</a> is currently half price for the second time since launching… although considering full price is $2, that’s not saying much. WATW’s main thing is through the various scenario DLCs available, which are still their usual price. Still, if you’re looking to speculate, now is a good a time as any.</p>
<h3>Solitairica (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/id970202342?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS</a> & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.RighteousHammerGames.Solitairica" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>) (Review): $1.99</h3>
<p>We’re getting a lot of roguelike/card game combinations coming out at the moment, but back in 2016 <em>Solitairica</em> set a gold standard for this type of game. You can read Tof’s review to find out our full thoughts on this, but if you haven’t tried it yet we’d highly recommend you do so while it’s going cheap. Note that the game is free-to-download on Android, with IAPs for the full game.</p>
<p><em>Seen anything else you liked? Played any of the above? Let us know in the comments!</em></p>
</div>
<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/the-weekender-old-kingdom-edition.jpg" width="1920" height="1080" title="" alt="" /></div><div><div><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/the-weekender-old-kingdom-edition.jpg" class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div>
<p>It’s nice to see a weekly update packed with a range of genuinely interesting new releases, sales and updates. It’ll set us up well for April as we start getting reviews out – this week has been more news focused as we’re in the limbo period between freelance budgets, but hopefully you’ve appreciated being kept up to date with some of the more notable happenings this week.</p>
<p>We’ve got a couple of features on the horizon that hopefully will start appearing next week, otherwise it’s mainly keeping on top of the review pile.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in mobile gaming…</p>
<h2>Out Now</h2>
<h3>Holy Potatoes! A Spy Story?! (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/holy-potatoes-a-spy-story/id1446725273?ls=1&mt=8&at=11l7vY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS Universal</a>) (<a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/holy-potatoes-a-spy-story/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review</a>)</h3>
<p>Headline for this this week is a new entry in the tongue-and-cheek <em>Holy Potatoes! </em>Series, which we reviewed yesterday. This version sees you put in charge of a spy agency, building up your HQ, going on missions and navigating through a central story. For fans of the series it’s more of the same, which is fine although we hope to start seeing more innovation in the future. For newcomers this is a respectable espionage-themed management game that’s refreshingly silly. Hopefully, we’ll see this one cross over to Android.</p>
<iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='654' height='368' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RVQaFRNDIoM?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe>
<h3>This War of Mine: Stories – Father’s Promise (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/this-war-of-mine-stories/id1402080820?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS</a> & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elevenbitstudios.twomstoriesmobile" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>) </h3>
<p>For some reason PT never covered the original mobile release of <em>This War of Mine, </em>arguably one of the most successful indie titles of this generation. While it’s narrative focus isn’t quite the kind of thing we look at here, the marriage with tense, survival mechanics as you strive to live through the civil war that’s tearing up your city makes for some morbidly compelling gameplay. The <em>Stories</em> spin-off is a stand-alone tale, with a unique story and unique locations, and is a stand-alone release.</p>
<iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='654' height='368' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tQ5BKWZEEog?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe>
<p>Sports releases are few and far between in the mobile world, so we try to highlight newcomers wherever we can, especially across sports other than Soccer/Football. We’ll try and get a full review of this one up and running so true baseball fans can gauge whether or not this is worth their time. The 2019 version of <em>R.B.I. Baseball </em>sports some new features such as a Franchise mode that lets you manage the same team across multiple seasons, and of course the yearly updates to rosters, uniforms etc…</p>
<iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='654' height='368' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xRd86HHqkBY?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe>
<p>The sequel to Clarus Victoria’s <em>Predynastic Egypt</em> turn-based management/sim game, although this new title is only on iOS for the moment. <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/646500/Egypt_Old_Kingdom/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Released on PC</a> last year, <em>Old Kingdom</em> offers more of the same simulation-like gameplay where you must guide Egyptian society through the “Great Pyramids” era. The mobile version represents starts at ‘2.0’, so it’s had a lot of fixes and improvements since launch on top of the new features brought in.</p>
<p>The developers are offering the main game for free, where you can play through the first 50 odd turns, with the full game being locked behind a £4.99 IAP.</p>
<iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='654' height='368' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-wgN5BpKssY?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe>
<h3>Shattered Plane (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/shattered-plane/id1455102219?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS</a> & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eremite.games.shattered.plane.turn.based.stategy.game" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>)<em> – Full Review Coming Soon!</em></h3>
<p>Last but certainly not least, a new turn-based strategy game has come to turn. <em>Shattered Plane </em>pits four players and/or AI opponents against each other in a fast-paced game of conquest. You have armies that you push around the map, and you can either attack your opponents armies or conquer settlements. It describes itself as ‘tactical’ but there arn’t any actual tactical battles – everything auto-resolves. Planning is paramount, and maps are procedurally generated. There are online rankings, as well as local hotseat multiplayer available. </p>
<iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='654' height='368' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-VTuzdMJMuE?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe>
<h2>Updates</h2>
<h3>Rebel Inc. (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rebel-inc/id1439187947?mt=8&at=11l7vY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS</a> & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ndemiccreations.rebelinc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>) (<a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/rebel-inc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review</a>)</h3>
<p>Ndemic have released the third major update for their insurgency strategy game, <em>Rebel Inc</em>. Free content includes deserting soldiers and luxury hotel construction, while the <em>Tanks & Caves</em> expansion adds a new maps, a new commander, and tanks! You can unlock the expansion for $1.99 or by playing through the whole game on Brutal. There’s a season pass option now as well.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to check out <a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/guides/rebel-inc-tips-and-tricks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our tips & tricks guide</a> if you’re looking for advice – we’re in the process of updating it with the new content.</p>
<h3>Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (iOS & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aspyr.swkotor&hl=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>)</h3>
<p>One of Bioware’s all-time classics, <em>Knights of the Old Republic</em>, as been a welcome sight on mobile for a while now thanks to Aspyr (the same company that brought <em>Civilization 6</em> to iPads as well). Being as aged as it is, you don’t often see much support for it these days but the mobile devs have been good at pushing out quick-fixes where they’ve been needed. This week they released a small patch that made some UI & resolution adjustments for iPad and iPhone X devices, as resolving a crash issue on iPad Pro.</p>
<h2>Sales</h2>
<h3>Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?! (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/holy-potatoes-were-in-space/id1315946489?mt=8&at=11l7vY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS Universal</a>) (<a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/review-holy-potatoes-were-in-space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review</a>): $2.99<br />Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?! (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/holy-potatoes-a-weapon-shop/id1048011718?mt=8&at=11l7vY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS</a> & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.daylightstudios.hpawsmob&hl=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>) (<a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/review-holy-potatoes-a-weapon-shop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review</a>): $1.99</h3>
<p>In celebration of the release of <em>A Spy Story, </em>above, Daylight have discounted their other <em>Holy Potatoes! </em>games, so if you’re interested in checking out the others now’s a great opportunity to jump on board.</p>
<h3>Wars Across the World (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1421080963?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS Universal</a>) (<a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/reviews/wars-across-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review</a>): $0.99</h3>
<p>One of our <a href="https://www.pockettactics.com/guides/war-games-android-ios/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">favourite iOS war games</a> is currently half price for the second time since launching… although considering full price is $2, that’s not saying much. WATW’s main thing is through the various scenario DLCs available, which are still their usual price. Still, if you’re looking to speculate, now is a good a time as any.</p>
<h3>Solitairica (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/id970202342?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">iOS</a> & <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.RighteousHammerGames.Solitairica" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Android</a>) (Review): $1.99</h3>
<p>We’re getting a lot of roguelike/card game combinations coming out at the moment, but back in 2016 <em>Solitairica</em> set a gold standard for this type of game. You can read Tof’s review to find out our full thoughts on this, but if you haven’t tried it yet we’d highly recommend you do so while it’s going cheap. Note that the game is free-to-download on Android, with IAPs for the full game.</p>
<p><em>Seen anything else you liked? Played any of the above? Let us know in the comments!</em></p>
</div>