Escape Bear

Escape Bear App for iPhone
     So let's say you're a bear... You're in some sort of prison... This is the craziest booby trapped prison in the world.  You try to escape, but the prison guard chases you... and if he catches you, he will gruesomely beat you to death... Then you must be living in this game...  And your life is terrible, you have my pity.
     This is the basic concept of the Escape Bear application.  We don't know why the bear is in jail.  Nor do we know why teddy bear prison is so treacherous.  What we do know is that we must escape!
     You can do achievements and even earn coins to use in the shoppe.  You can purchase useful items and extra characters in the shoppe.  You can also use real money to purchase things here.
     There are sound and music mute options in case the noises start to bother you.
     There are several levels to run through.  Each level is just a long corridor.  You can not control your bear moving forward.  You can not turn back, slow down, go faster or stop.  Your bear automatically runs forward.  There are traps and obstacles scattered through out the corridor that you must avoid.  Certain obstacles will slow you down, others mean instant death.
     If you slow down more than once the dangerous bear running after you will catch up to you.  When he catches you he will pummel you to death with a spiked club.
     Each level becomes more and more of a challenge.  The first several levels are simple.  They gradually add newer obstacles and traps to the corridors, and they get longer and longer.  You will also get a score at the end of each level.  However, to unlock the next level you just need to complete the level before it.  Even if you don't do very well.

     The graphics aren't great, and the character design is a bit lacking.  The game is simple and after playing a few levels it begins to become boring from the repetition.  However, it's an alright game.  I'd suggest it in smaller doses.  There are survival and "hell speed" modes for more of a challenge, but I wasn't really that into them.  I suppose that's more for 'hard core' fans.
     I love teddy bears, and 'dark stories' paired with teddy bears always seems interesting to me.  However, this game didn't do much for me.  Maybe it was the graphics, maybe it was the lack of an actual story...  Or it could have just been that there wasn't enough to the game.  It's really just "Move left, move right, jump, move left, jump, move right, jump" over and over...
     Don't get me wrong, it's entertaining for a little while.  It's just not my sort of application.  I think this game requires a particular kind of gamer that enjoys this genre of games.  It's challenging for sure.  Especially in the higher levels.  I think it could be worth a shot.  You never know, you might like it (Especially if you're into "dark" games).  It 'is' free after all.  What do you have to lose?
Rating: 3/5

• Free
• Category: Games
• Updated: Jul 16, 2012
• Version: 1.2
• Size: 24.1 MB
• Language: English
• Seller: Humble Gaming Limited
• © Humble Gaming LTD

Rated 9+ for the following:

• Infrequent/Mild Cartoon or Fantasy Violence
• Infrequent/Mild Horror/Fear Themes

NekonNabe

Neko Nabe App for iPhone
     How many kitty cats does it take to fill a pot?  No, it isn't a lame joke and no cats were harmed (Or cooked) in the making of this app.
     It's a very basic idea.  You have an over-sized pot (Nabe) and many... many cats (Why do you have so many cats?... This must be the home of a crazy cat lady).  The object of the game is to fit as many cats (Neko) into the nabe as possible.  But it's harder than it sounds.
     When you begin the game the cats drop from above the pot, one at a time.  They start to fill up the pot.  But these are bouncy kitties.  And they may bounce or roll off the edge and out of the pot!  Your job is to poke them and drag them back into the pot (Tilting your device also affects the cats).  Once they're out of the pot it's too late!  Stacking these fur balls can be quite the challenge. Since each kitten that falls on the pile shifts all of the kittens it touches. be careful or you'll have a huge kitten mess on your hands (Not 'that' kind of kitten mess).
     When the last kitten falls and the pot settles you'll get your final score.  How well did you do?  The more cats in the pot at the end, the higher your score!  You can then share your final score with your social network friends.  Challenge your friends!
     This application comes with a tutorial as well, in case you forget what to do.  As well as options you can use to turn on or off the sound affects and music.  Or to reset the data (High scores).
     There are ad banners at the bottom of the application because this is a free app.  But it doesn't affect the game play.
     This is a fun and simple application.  It doesn't take long to play, so you can play it in a waiting room or any time when you have a few moments of boredom.  Not to mention it has adorable cats, which everyone loves...  It's a win win...
Rating: 4/5

• Free
• Category: Games
• Updated: Mar 11, 2012
• Version: 1.01
• Size: 10.8 MB
• Language: English
• Seller: Takashi Iyoda
• © 2012 Iyoda

Rap 2 English Dictionary

Rap 2 English Dictionary App for iPhone
     Have you ever listened to a rap song and been completely baffled?  What are they talking about?  What does that phrase mean?  Is that English?  Well, this application is here to assist you!
     You start out with a list of letters from the alphabet.  This is how you search for words or phrases.  They have a variety of common rap terms available, from "About that life" and "Bapped" to "Wodie" and "Yolo".
     Clicking the letter takes you to the terms available that begin with said letter.  Clicking the desired term definition will provide you with a pop up that gives you the meaning.  I rather like the definitions provided.  however I do feel that the variety of phrases provided is a bit lacking.
     Below I have provided some samples of given definitions for particular terms.  I suggest clicking the images to view the larger screen shots.  This will make reading the text far easier.  No need to strain your eyes.

     The definitions are not the only available feature in this application.  You can add terms not already listed, should you find one you feel should be there.  Or you can take a test that will quiz you on word and phrase definitions.  Just how good are you at understanding rap?  Well, now you can find out!

     To the left you can see the page for submitting a term definition.  When you provide a definition it will be submitted to the database that everyone with the application has access to.  So though there are few terms available now, more can be added.  I plead with you, however... If you add a new definition, please provide one in simple English, and not in gibberish, text speak or using other rap terminological in the definition.  So should you choose to define "Ho" don't define it as "Sum betch b tyin' 2 hate on muh baby dady".  It will make me cry.

      I really like the idea of this application, and I find the setup to be agreeable.  The community submission idea is also nice.  As the community grows, so does the database, which also grows the knowledge of the users.
     I like this application.  Again I wish there were more terms available to start it off.  At this time I think there are surely under 50.  Not much of a dictionary.  So at this point my rating will be slightly lower.  However, as more terms are added, I would surely give this a higher rating.
Rating: 4/5

• Free
• Category: Entertainment
• Released: Jun 13, 2012
• Version: 1.0
• Size: 1.1 MB
• Language: English
• Seller: OceanRed,LLC
• © 2012 Ocean Red

MeiMei

MeiMei App for iPhone
     Have you ever wondered what your name means?  Have you ever wondered what your name would mean... in Japanese?  If so, this application is for you!  Keep in mind that this application is for entertainment purposes only!  So don't get mad if your name ends up being something you don't like, or doesn't make sense.
     This is a simple application, so it wont take any effort to learn or be confusing.  Basically you just type your name in and tell it what 'type' of meaning you'd like.  You tell it your gender and click "Create".
     You'll receive one of various backgrounds and the Kanji for your name along with the Romanji and the meaning for each character that, together, make up your name's meaning.  You can even get your results made into a T-shirt (for a price)!
     If you don't like the results you got you can always try again.  You can get a variety of results for your name.  there is bound to be one you are satisfied with.
     This is a fun application to use on your own name, your family and friend's names... pet's names... If you're making a story or a comic, this could also be a useful application to use as a way of naming your characters!
     There is a "How to Use" option on the front screen that explains the application and how it works.  There is also an option that explains the Kanji.
     I really like the Log feature on the front screen because you can scroll through all of the previous results you've gotten.  This way you don't forget your favourites!
     Below are some of the results I have gotten from this app.  You can click on the screen shots to view the larger version.  This will help in reading the text on them.

      This application is affordable at only 0.99 USD.  It also has a share option so you can share your results on your social network of choice.  I found it to be a fun application.  It could also be seen as educational.  It can help you learn different Kanji and the meaning of said Kanji.  If you are studying Japanese, this could be a useful application to have.
     This is not an application I would expect someone to be using on a regular basis.  So I usually wouldn't want to pay.  However, since this application is straight forward and does exactly what it's supposed to do, I think it could be a good purchase, if you are looking for this type of application.  Especially since it has so much variety in results.
Rating: 5/5

• $0.99
• Category: Entertainment
• Updated: Jul 12, 2012
• Version: 1.0.4
• Size: 20.6 MB
• Languages: English, Japanese, Spanish
• Seller: CINCOCCHO Inc.
• © 2012 CINCOCCHO Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Vacation Hiatus

     I wont be doing any application reviews for the next week because I'll be busy on my family vacation!  But fret not.  I'll be back next week with some new app reviews to share.
     We'll be visiting Chicago, Illinois, USA and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA to see the sights and visit family.
     I hope to come home refreshed and ready to bring you some of the neatest and cutest apps available on the US market.
     Until then, be well!  Have a fun Summer.  Don't stay cooped up inside your home!  Get out and breathe the fresh air.  Unless it's incredibly hot... In which case... just sit by a fan... and breathe the fresh air...

--Kitty

神ヴォイスチェッカー

神ヴォイスチェッカー App for iPhone
     This is a Japanese application for testing your voice acting skills.  It's a promotional application that's a companion for the Japanese film "神☆ヴォイス".
     Now this application is entirely in Japanese.  However, it's a simple application.  So with my translations, you should be able to use it easily, even if you can not read Japanese.  Kitty is here to help!
First you click the big yellow button to start and choose your gender.
      Now you see the image to the right.  The top says "Voice God Checker!" Which what this application is.  It checks your voice and gives you a number and chart to rate your voice quality.
     Next are the instructions in yellow.  "Press the record button and read the following lines, please".  The lines you have to read, in the white box says "Voice of God Miracles!"... But you have to read it in Japanese.  So that would be said this way "Kiseki wo Okosu Kami no Koe"... If you don't know Japanese syllables it's essentially:
"Kis" like Kiss
"ek" like Heck
"i" like E

"Wo" like Whoa

"O" like O
"ko" like Cold
"su" like Sue

"Ka" like Calm
"mi" like Me

"No" like No

"Ko" like Cold
"e" like Hey
     You will now be able to play back your recording, as shown on the left.  If you like it click the big button.  If you want to retry, click the smaller button.
     Once you have a version you like and have clicked to continue, you are given your score.
     The very top has an ad banner.  Ignore that, it isn't important.  I will display some of the possible characters and scores below.  Here's what the score says and means...
     Higher Numbers are better!  Obviously...
You see by the number the character's name and a phrase they have given you.  Below are some samples from the images I provided.
"Lucky, you'll get a good score.  -Tinkun"
"Some Notes. -Rodrigues"
"Fight Fight -6 Shooting Scene"
"In, In, In -4 Shooting Scene"
"I was standing on the starting line -Arrow Clear Oda"

     You will then see the image of the character who is speaking to you.  The character is attached to the score.  Meaning if you get a certain score you will always get 'that' character.
       Below the photo you'll see some small text  It tells you your voices rank in the national rankings list for this application.  Try to get a good score.
      The graph under this score shows you your performance, and what the score was based on.  At the top of the graph, "voice pitch".  Clockwise we have, "Length of recording", "Smoothness of voice", "Ease of listening" and "Volume of voice".  So to get the best score possible speak loud, clear, smooth and speak the syllables accurately.
     You can try again by pressing the blue button.
     I think it's an interesting application.  I have not seen the film, nor do I intend to... So I can't really say much about the character references and so on.  But as an application, it seems fun.  It's nice to try to get a better score.  I also like seeing the graph that shows a judgement of my voice qualities.  I think this could be a good download for people who want to have a career in voice work.  Or people who wish to practice their Japanese speaking (Even though ther is only one phrase).  Obviously, if you have seen the film, and liked it... This is also a good download for you too.  And it's free!  So that's always nice.
     I would of course have liked them to translate this before releasing it on the US marketplace.  Even if not the phrase to speak, at least the text within the application.
Rating: 3.5/5

• Free
• Category: Entertainment
• Size: 5.0 MB
• Language: Japanese
• Seller: KAYAC Inc.
• © 2011 Team G.V. KAYAC Inc.

It's YOU!

It's YOU! App for iPhone
     This is a simple application that takes a game that was originally played with paper, and made it into a digital game you can play over and over without killing any trees.
     First select the gender of the person you are playing the game with.  Is your friend a male or female?  From here on, your friend will make the choices.  But all of their choices will be made blindly.  Will the outcome be good?  Or something gruesome?
     You are taken through a series of facial features. Head shape, hair, eyes, nose and so on.  You do not show the screen to your friend!  Let them know when you begin.  Then start swiping your finger back and forth across the screen.  When they say "Stop", you stop your finger wherever it happened to be at that moment and remove it from the screen.  That facial feature has been chosen.  You will move on to the next feature.  this continues until the entire face has been pieced together.  Show them the result.  It's them!  Does it look like them?

     You can keep the setting on random and it will always select 4 random versions of each feature.  If you turn it off, you can select 4 features to play with manually.

     This is a really cute and fun two person game.  It reminds me of rides to school on the bus.  So much time to waste, you'd always spend time playing paper games with the person sitting next to you.  M.A.S.H., Cootie Catcher, and games like this! 

Rating: 5/5

• Free
• Category: Entertainment
• Size: 6.9 MB
• Languages: English, Korean
• Seller: Juhee Cho
• © 2012 MINTWOOBI

YubiStar

Yubi Star App for iPhone
     Do you like Twister?  Well think of this as Twister for your fingers.  Two people use one of their hands and click the buttons with their index and middle finger.  If you can't make the connection in the amount of time allotted, you lose!
     This is very much a two player game.  I tried to play this by myself, as both players.  I felt really pathetic and it was incredibly easy.  So be sure to find a second person to play with you!  Good for road trips, parties and other such social events.
     The game has a built in tutorial that explains how the game works.  I have screen captured it and you can view it to the left.  You can click the image to enlarge.
     You may be wondering what the point is.  What happens when you win?  What happens when you lose?  When the game ends it will give the losing player a "task".  Basically a punishment for losing.  There are a variety of punishments available.  Some include "Copying someone" AKA mimicking, being obligated to fulfill one wish of the winner (Good for the winner!), sing your favourite song (Could be bad for the winner to hear) and so on.
     I think it's a really unique application and a fun experience when you have more than one player.  It's free so it's worth the download in my opinion.  It has a catchy beat for the background music, but if it isn't your style, the music can be muted.  It's very bright, colourful and visually appealing.  I also like the fact that you can hit the wrong button up to 5 times.  So if you mess up on accident a few times, you'll still be alright.
Rating: 4/5

• Free
• Category: Entertainment
• Size: 15.3 MB
• Languages: English, Japanese
• Seller: CINCOCCHO Inc.
• © 2012 CINCOCCHO Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Guess the Person HD Free

Guess the Person HD Free App for iPhone
     If you're like me, you played a lot of board games as a child.  This also probably means you are from the early 90s or older, because after that point kids weren't as interested in board games.  One of my favourite games to play was "Guess Who".  This application is based on that classic game.
     First off let me say that the artwork in this game is pretty sub par.  Sometimes I find it difficult to tell if someone 'is' in fact "wearing glasses"  I sort of wish they would have chosen a better style to make the character graphics in.  But perhaps that is simply a personal preference.
     For those who have never played Guess Who... The point of the game is this.  You choose one of the people on the board.  This is "You", or "Your person".  The other player does the same.  You ask one another questions about their chosen person in order to narrow down which one they are.  Questions such as...
"Is your person a female?"
"Does your person have blonde hair?"
or "Is your person wearing a hat?"
     The goal is to figure out their person, before they figure out yours.
     Now this app take on the game can not of course hear you ask the questions, and has no type feature.  The way you ask is to click on a question to the left.  The eyes will ask if they have blue eyes.  The hat will ask if they have a hat.  The hair is tricky.  Click the colour wheel, not the hair.  Then choose the colour of hair you want to ask about.
     Once you have asked a question, you will not be able to ask it again.  After you ask the question, click the people who are clearly "not" the other player's person.  Then, when you are done, click "pass" and they will ask you a question about your person.
     You are playing against the computer.  In the full version they have online two player mode available.  This would allow you to play against an actual player and not an NPC.
      Also available in the full version; 3 difficulty settings, 11 unlockable characters (As apposed to only 3 unlockable characters in the free version), animated characters and more.  So if you are a huge Guess Who fan, you may choose to pay 99 cents to get the full version.  However, I was content enough with the free version, and at the same time not 'impressed enough' to want to pay for the full version.
     You may be wondering how to unlock characters.  Playing and winning the game can unlock characters for you.  Play through a few times and you might get lucky!
     This being a free app, as usual you will see ad banners at the bottom of the screen.  This may or may not be an issue for you.  I am fairly sure that the full version does not have this issue.
     I may try downloading other apps for Guess Who style games to see how they compare.  I am told that many other Guess Who apps far surpass this one.  But since I have not played any others, I can't say for sure if this is true.  Based on what I have seen, I would say it's a solid application.  Fun, and does what it intends to do.  I like the fact that you can unlock characters.  It gives you something to gain or work toward.  Not a fan of the graphics or the way some of the question buttons look/work.  It's a blast from the past and a good game for all ages, really.  And if you all have phones, maybe you could purchase the full version to play together.  99 cents each for the full app is cheaper than purchasing the actual board game.
Rating: 3.5/5

• Free
• Category: Games
• Size: 41.4 MB
• Languages: English, Dutch, French
• Seller: Richard Buckingham
• © 2012 Richard Buckingham

Hetalia Chibi Carnival

Hetalia Chibi Carnival App for iPhone
     This is a cute mini game based off of a Japanese cartoon and comic series.  It features characters from various countries around the world.  The comic is distributed via Tokyo Pop if you wish to take a look into reading up on some of these characters.
     This is a free game.  It's simple enough and you can win cute wallpapers for your phone by doing well in the game.  The wallpapers feature the characters from the game (The cartoon and comic characters).
     You will see 3 rows of boxes.  Each box will have either a character's face or a flag inside of it.  They scroll to the side.  The bottom scrolls fastest.  The middle less so, and the top row scrolls by slowest.
     At the bottom, below these rows, you will see a box with a single character or flag inside, as well as a timer, your level and total accumulated points.
     There is also a help button for instructions; an about button for information about Hetalia (Character origins and so on); a pause button; a home button and a sound disable button.
     Your goal is to click as many boxes that match the box shown at the bottom, in the amount of time on the timer.  You can not make the boxes scroll faster.  It's alright if you miss some of the clickable boxes, this will not deduct any points.  You 'can' have points deducted by clicking the wrong box.  If you are shown a French flag and click on a German flag by mistake, you lose points.
     When you have accumulated enough points and reach certain level you will get a pop up that tells you that you've done a "Great Job" and offers you a wallpaper.  You can either choose to receive this wallpaper or ignore it and keep playing.  the first play through you should accept them.  The continue playing button if for when you already have the wallpaper you're winning.  When you tell it to save the wallpaper you will be shown the picture you are winning, and then it will go back to the game.  You start off where you left off.
      If you don't earn enough points come time to level you will get a "Game Over".  It will tell you how many points you have earned, the level you were at when you lost and your previous high score.  It will also ask if you wish to try again.
     Below are some samples of the wallpapers you can win through playing this game.

     I think it's a cute, fun and simple game.  No complicated bits to figure out.  It's a nice way to waste a little time in a waiting room, or spend more time to try and get the complete wallpaper collection.  I am not familiar with the cartoon but the artwork is very cute and clean.  The game runs smoothly, no glitches or crashes.  It's a solid application, and well worth the download.
Rating: 5/5

• Free
• Category: Games
• Size: 16.1 MB
• Language: English
• Seller: TOKYOPOP, Inc.
• © 2008 Hidekaz Himaruya, GENTOSHA COMICS