Alien Glyphs, the puzzle-based arcade app from Viacheslav Klimon, is a fast-paced matching game. Glyphs — alien glyphs to be precise — slide into view at the top of the screen and you must find it’s mate from the control panel below. The control panel contains a dozen or more glyphs depending on which level your on. As you get deeper into the game, the glyphs also come faster and become more complex.

Most memory-matching games don’t require a whole lot of strategy. Alien Glyphs attempts to overcome the standard by adding in a variety of power ups and penalties. Certain events slow down or speed up the time, or trigger  the glyphs to rearrange their position. Honestly, I had enough on my plate just trying to match the glyphs before the screen filled up and time ran out. However, serious gamers with better skills will appreciate the extra challenges.

Alien Glyphs has all the little extras that make a game truly polished: personal and worldwide high scores, OpenFeint integration, four different skins for customization, options for difficulty, a thorough tutorial, and an active developer dedicated to improvements and upgrades. In fact, this puzzle game has the feature set of apps well above it’s price point. It’s easy to see why the App Store reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

If someone told me that I would be testing out a memory app to train my brain and increase mental acuity, I’d have probably said “thanks, but no thanks.” Memory and concentration games sound more like work than fun. Alien Glyphs is slick enough that I’m more than happy to be proven wrong.

Watch the Alien Glyphs video demo for a taste of the action:

• app_name: Alien Glyphs
• rating: 8/10

© AppCraver, 2009. | Alien Glyphs: Grab this Rising Star in Memory-based Puzzles | Get our iPhone Reviews on Facebook & Twitter!

Super Juicy is bringing a new kind of action to the popular genre started by Bejeweled. The point is still to match like objects, but instead of jewels or parrots Super Juicy is all about the bubbles, baby. Moving bubbles that float, squeeze and grow in an ever-changing dance that kept me engaged for all 38 levels.

One of the things that makes Super Juicy so fun is that every level is different than the one before. Each level adds a new twist: bubbles that grow larger, bubbles that require larger groups to destroy, bubbles that bubble up instead of falling down, bubbles with spikes (bad) or fruit (good). The physics of this game add another layer to gameplay, as you can tilt your phone to rearrange the bubbles slightly.

If you learn to master each obstacle, then maybe you’ll have a chance at passing level 35. Unlock all the levels and you’ll be able to play them in any order you choose. Don’t even try to coast your way through. Tapping bubbles the wrong bubbles will get you penalized, either by losing points by causing the bubbles to double in size.

The menu graphics and general navigation outside the game are nothing special. It’s obvious that Super Juicy developer Greg Hjelstrom spent his all his time on the game, not the menus. Chances are, once you’ve tried Super Juicy you’ll feel the same way. Who needs menus? I just want to play all 38 levels in a row.

My only real complaint with Super Juicy is that there’s no way to turn off the scoreboard. Each time the game ends, you’ll need to tap through the scoreboard to get back to the beginning. It may not sound like much, but if I’m trying (unsuccessfully) to pass a level it’s annoying to have to circumnavigate the scoreboard to get back to the main menu. A “play again” button on the game over screen would easily end this frustration.

Calling Super Juicy addicting, is like saying that crack may be habit-forming. It’s a wild understatement. The last update added 3 new levels and I’m already jonesing for more.

There is a Super Juicy Light, but with only 5 levels it’s just a small taste what the game has to offer. Save yourself the time and pony up the buck for the real thing.

Watch the Super Juicy Video demo:

• rating: 9/10
• app_name: Super Juicy

© AppCraver, 2009. | Super Juicy Will Bubble to the Top of the Best Apps Ever List | Get our iPhone Reviews on Facebook & Twitter!

You’ll get a top-down view as you navigate from room to room. The graphics are crisp, with your typical monsters and mutants color scheme.

Runnin’ and gunnin’ isn’t usually my thing, so I was concerned that I would have a tough time testing Team Alpha. To my surprise, the dual-dial controls were really intuitive. The left dial moves the commando and the right dial controls where he shoots. It was sometimes odd to see his legs running forward while his torso faced backwards to shoot the bad guys, but overall the controls worked beautifully. The dials are smooth and responsive, leaving me to direct my focus where it belongs — on shooting mutants.

Team Alpha didn’t have any lag as I worked my way back and forth through the rooms, mutants came flying across the screen without even a hiccup. There are 10 levels each with multiple rooms. You won’t know what’s in a room until you get there. You’ll need to remember what you’ve done if you need to go back, which adds to the fun and complexity of the game. You can also tap the screen to view a map of your current level along with the rooms you’ve already completed.

From my playing, the rooms are pretty basic. They all contain mutants to kill or objects to blow up. Kill and destroy to earn cash. As you earn cash, you’ll become eligible to purchase bigger and better weapons for even more killing and destroying. Are you sensing the theme yet?

Team Alpha has just about all the features of a top-tier game: automatic game saving, a local high score board and global leaderboard. There is no true interaction over WiFi which is quickly becoming the norm for more advanced games. For me, this isn’t a big deal. But Open Feint integration would be a nice touch for gamers that look for a more layered gaming experience.

Team Alpha is a solid, video game for the iPhone and iPod touch. The features are strong, the controls are easy to use and there’s very little learning curve. There’s no denying that Team Alpha is similar to any number of strategic shooter games. But honestly, can you ever really kill too many mutants?

Wondering if Team Alpha is the app for you? Watch the video demo below.

• app_name: Team Alpha
• rating: 8/10

© AppCraver, 2009. | Team Alpha: All the Mutant-Shooting Action You Can Handle | Get our iPhone Reviews on Facebook & Twitter!

Picto-Mail — Emoji are all the rage, but not everyone has the ability to see the miniature pictograms. Sure there are plenty of apps to unlock emoji on your iPhone, but what about your non-iPhone buddies?

If you consider this a dilemma, then Picto-Mail wants to solve your problem. Picto-Mail is an email program that uses “pictos,” or icons, to replace 2,500 common words. After you type a message, Picto-Mail will scan your text and any words it recognizes will be replaced with a picto.

The resulting message can be cute or confusing. If you’re familiar with the iconography, then it’s a fun way to send a semi-encoded message. If the recipient is less familiar, then the result will be considerably less fun. Picto-Mail claims that their specially-created “pictos” — representing words, phrases, actions, etc. — are globally recognized. This wasn’t always the case with me, but ymmv. I’m sure if I can learn to decode sentences like “Im a br f v ltl brn & lng wds bthr me,” then I can learn to read Picto-Mail too. (btw, it says “I’m a bear of very little brain and long words bother me.”)

It should be noted that Picto-Mail is a one-way email program. You use the app to write an email and translate it into pictos. The email can be viewed on any email system, however there is no Picto-to-English translator available. It would be more helpful if the Picto-Mail could also receive and translate incoming picto-messages.

As an email app, Picto-Mail is works as expected. You can access the iPhone’s built-in contact list by tapping the blue button or enter an address by hand if you prefer.

The messages I received displayed perfectly — exactly how they looked in the app. However, each “picto” comes attached as separate image. The files are pretty small, but my test message was just two sentences and had 8 attachments. Seems like it could get out of control pretty fast. The upside to the multiple attachments is that by reading the file names, recipients can use a sort of “mad-libs meets word jumble” approach and decode the message. Each attachment is named with the word it replaces.

Picto-Mail has a favorites feature that lets users save a message or part of message so it won’t need to be retyped every time. This can be a real time-saver and shows thoughtfulness by the developer.

Picto-Mail is an interesting concept, but the app lacks polish. The images are rather plain and and without a way for non-Picto users to translate the emails, it seems if all the wrinkles haven’t quit been worked out yet.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see an app like this take over as the next big thing in mobile communications. This sort of visual messaging could be faster than texting and easier to “read” at a glance. Picto-Mail just isn’t the app that’s going to start the revolution… yet.

• rating: 7/10
• app_name: Picto-Mail

© AppCraver, 2009. | Picto-Mail: Can You See Me Now? | Get our iPhone Reviews on Facebook & Twitter!

MyPlaylists is one of those apps. The app plays music and lets you browse your music library to create new playlists. The big difference between MyPlaylists and the iPod app already installed is that users can create unlimited new playlists — rather than one very limited “on-the-go” playlist.

It’s a straightforward process — how hard can it be to build a list of favorite songs. Use MyPlaylists to create a brand new playlist or import and modify a previously-made playlist from your library. You’ll have access to all the songs in your library and can add or delete them from the current list by tapping the +/- button. Making a new set in MyPlaylists works much the same way as creating an On-the-Go playlist.

You can play your new playlist by tapping any song to start the music, just like in Apple’s iPod app. Once the music starts, the difference between MyPlaylists and the built-in iPod is nearly undetectable. You can set your songs to shuffle or repeat and use all of the tools you’re used to because the music is playing through the built-in iPod. Your new playlist will even continue playing after you quit the app.

MyPlaylists doesn’t offer much in the way of innovation. Anyone familiar with iTunes, iPods and iPhones likely knows how to create a playlist. There’s nothing cutting edge about creating them with MyPlaylists.

The big deal with MyPlaylists is that it offers the ability to edit your current playlists while away from your computer. Also, while users are limited to a single “On-the-Go” playlist, MyPlaylists lets music fans create as many new playlists as they want. For folks that keep a lot of music on their phone, there’s a certain amount of freedom in being able to mix up a quick set whenever the mood strikes.

The big downside is that music sets created in MyPlaylists are only available from within the app. They won’t sync with iTunes and can’t be chosen from within the iPod app. This isn’t a big deal most of the time. But if you do happen to create the perfect playlist, you’ll have to do it again in iTunes if you want to listen to it on your computer.

Graphically, MyPlaylists is “pretty ok.” Again, it’s nearly identical to using the built-in iPod Library — except for a spelling error on one of the buttons. Using this app will feel familiar and there’s virtually no learning curve.

Whether or not you need MyPlaylists is a personal choice. I like the musical freedom of creating multiple playlists on-the-go and the ability to quickly delete that one NSFW song from my otherwise awesome playlist. If these are features that you find yourself needing then it’s easily worth a few bucks.

(*Editor’s note: MyPlaylists is currently on sale for $0.99. So, if you’re on the fence buy it now.)

• app_name: MyPlaylists
• rating: 7/10

© AppCraver, 2009. | MyPlaylists: Control How You Listen to Your Music | Get our iPhone Reviews on Facebook & Twitter!

Most of the scanner apps are still rookies with less than a month in the App Store. Only two of them — Police Scanner by Juicy Development LLC and Emergency Radio by EdgeRift, Inc — are seasoned veterans with experience and multiple updates under their belt. Both apps do a very good job of providing live streaming transmissions to your iDevice, but there are subtle differences between them.

Police Scanner provides more than 1700 streams from 7 countries, so finding an agency to listen to is fairly easy. Police Scanner allows you to select a location from three different pages of listings or use the Near Me page to see a list of pre-selected agencies based on your current location. The Browse page is your guide to every available agency. Select a country, then drill down and narrow your search by region / state / county until you find an agency that sounds interesting. The Favorites page stores quick links to your chosen agencies making it faster to get to where you want to be for future sessions.

While listening to a stream on Police Scanner the screen displays the name of the agency, a play and pause button, volume control, and a favorite button that allows you to add that stream to your favorites page.

Emergency Radio provides around 1500 streams from 2 countries — the U.S. and Canada. Much like Police Scanner, Emergency Radio opens to a page that lets you choose how to select a station. The All page allows you to scroll through the streams or enter text to jump ahead to a specific city. The Nearby page is, again, a list of available streams close to your current location. You can adjust what distance Emergency Radio considers “Nearby” from as few as 5 miles to as many as 1000 miles. The Favorites page stores your list of preferred agencies. For those not familiar with police and fire codes, a glossary of terms is listed below the channel as it is streaming.

Overall both Police Scanner and Emergency Radio do a fine job and provide a good service. But in any head-to-head somebody has to win. So, here’s the break down:

Police Scanner has an edge on clarity with, what seemed to me, a crisper listening experience. By providing additional countries and more than 200 additional channels, they also have the edge on quantity. Finally, maybe looks aren’t everything, but Police Scanner has much better graphics.

Emergency Radio has the edge with their search function by allowing users to type in a city name. They also get points for including a glossary.

So many features in Police Scanner and Emergency Radio are similar but for now the nod of approval goes to Police Scanner. The clear audio and slick graphics are attractive, however its the ability to eavesdrop on crime-fighting play-by-plays in so many other countries that really won me over.

Just something to keep in mind, both apps can have long periods of silence. That’s the nature of a police scanner: Transmissions correlate to the call load and some areas naturally have more activity than others. If the action is too slow you can always find another channel or country to listen in on.

© AppCraver, 2009. | Police Scanner or Emergency Radio? | Get our iPhone Reviews on Facebook & Twitter!

The goal in Sparkz is to fence off the screen by traveling a perimeter of your own design to create closed shapes: square, rectangle, etc. Basically guiding your diamond-shaped controller — the Stix — around the screen to trap the Sqix in an ever-smaller area. At the start of each level, the playing field is a large, empty rectangle, with only your controller and the rotating arches of the Sqix in site. The Sqix is a stick-like form that rotates gracefully, if unpredictably, across the screen

Get going and wall off as much of the screen as you can. The controls are simple and responsive. Use a finger or the accelerometer to guide the diamond marker vertically or horizontally to draw a line. If you complete your shape without being touched by the rotating arches of the Sqix, the territory becomes yours. To complete a level, trap the Sqix by claiming a super-majority of the arena.

Each level you will have to gain more and more territory, while the Sqix begins to move faster and new obstacles are introduced — Sparkz, SuperSparkz and Mines. Sparkz also has 5 hidden gems to discover that add new twists to the game.

There are 50 stages of gameplay, each featuring a different nature photo which is unveiled as you capture territory. Overall, the graphics are straightforward without a lot of pizazz, probably because Sparkz is a reproduction and that’s just how games were in the “olden days.”

Sparkz is a puzzle game, where timing and strategy are required. It’s easy to play and just challenging enough to hold my interest for short bursts of play. If you need more of a challenge, you can also log on to the AGON-supplied leaderboard to compare scores online or against your Facebook friend list, or post your best scores to twitter.

Not sure if Sparkz is for you? Watch the Sparkz demo video from Codengineer to find out:

• rating: 7/10
• app_name: Sparkz

© AppCraver, 2009. | Sparkz: Qix Clone Finds new Generation of Gamers on the iPhone | Get our iPhone Reviews on Facebook & Twitter!

The backstory may be thin, but the game has more depth. There are five levels to wind your way through using a simple 4-way controller. The game map is pretty extensive, so it can take a good bit of time to locate and recover the jars. (Apollonia video after the jump)

Apollonia Kingdom presents view-from-the-top map. On the left, you’ll find a four-way controller.  The top of the screen holds maps and timers. The right side of the screen contains the “fire” button for blasting away at the bad guys. All of these items sit on top of the game map which makes for a cluttered interface. I’d like the option to hide all the extras and bring them up only when needed.

In addition to the clutter, I’ve become to used to playing apps that are controlled by tapping in different areas of the screen. It took some time to familiarize myself with the directional buttons. It’s an easy enough system, but it’s definitely more “video game controller” than “iPhone controller,” and not always responsive.

The screen moves with the player, so you can’t see too far ahead in any direction. You can use the map to plan your route, but it’s an abstract depiction of the landscape and doesn’t include any real landmarks.

During your search you can also collect money. Use your booty to visit the Apollonia Kingdom Marketplace and buy weapons, ammunition, magic ingredients, and spells for destroying the enemy. This is where your strategy skills come in handy. There’s a decent variety of upgrades to choose from, or you can spend your cash on better health and more time to complete the level.

Overall, Apollonia Kingdom feels kinda old school. It’s a fine enough first effort from PervasiveWorks. If you like battling monsters and saving the kingdom, then you may enjoy Appollonia Kingdom. And if not, it’s only $0.99 so it won’t drain you stash of gold coins.

See if Apollonia Kingdom is for you. Watch the app video:

• app_name: Apollonia Kingdom
• rating: 6/10

© AppCraver, 2009. | Apollonia Kingdom: Save the Jars, Save the Kingdom | Get our iPhone Reviews on Facebook & Twitter!

Such is progress. Nevertheless (progress be damned!), sometimes I just want a unblemished, side-scrolling platform. Something that is fun to play, without all the bells, whistles or learning curve. Pig Rush is just that game.

Pig Rush has just one goal. Keeping going.

In Pig Rush your little piggy isn’t going to market, he’s jumping platforms. The game will keep your pig running to the right at all times. Your job is to help your pig jump (or fly) from platform to platform without falling off the edge or landing in the fire. As the game progresses, your pig will run faster, the fires come closer together and the platforms feel just a little bit farther apart.

It’s a simple set up and instantly addictive. Pig Rush is a one-more-game kind of app. Much like Swine Flu, the games are short which makes it easy to justify playing again — and again, and again.

Usually, I’m playing games while the roommate watches football, which means that I play a lot of games without sound. Boy was I missing out with Pig Rush. The soundtrack adds life to the game in a way that few audio tracks do. It’s a musical mash-up of Dick Dale and Santana set to a catchy drumbeat.

If bacon is meat candy (and it is), then Pig Rush is app candy. Delicious app candy.

• rating: 8/10
• app_name: Pig Rush

© AppCraver, 2009. | Pig Rush is Better than Bacon | Get our iPhone Reviews on Facebook & Twitter!

Nut Chuckin’ is a game where you must dodge the flying nuts of your tormentors and attempt to beat them at their own game. As Risoo the Squirrel, you’re parked on a branch front and center. The other squirrels — apparently suffering from a fit of rabies — are all against you. They come at you — alone or in packs  — and chuck nuts at your head, trying to knock you off the branch.

It only takes one acorn in the head to make Risoo fall, which is unfair considering some of his combatant brethren can take multiple knocks to their noggin before finally passing out. Nut Chukin’ progresses through levels in stages, so if you do fail a stage, you don’t have to start the whole level over again.

Nut Chuckin’ uses the accelerometer to control movement and touch to control the shots. To avoid flying nuts, tilt your device left and right to make Riso scurry back and forth across the tree.

Simple avoidance isn’t the best plan. The real object is not to avoid the nuts, but to catch them and throw ‘em back. When an acorn comes hurtling towards your head tap to catch it. Then, aim and fire it back at any one of your opponents.

After awhile Nut Chuckin’ is about as much fun as a game of catch. Some folks will fall into a rhythm, get in the zone and find their own little piece of squirrel-killing zen. Others will be frustrated by the pace and start to wonder if there’s any point to tossing around a ball when know one’s keeping score.

As players move up the branches, there are fun little extras — squirrels that run off, do flips or are mutantly overgrown — and new challenges to defeat. The problem is that it takes too long to pass each stage because little Risoo is so frail. Give this nut chucker a few extra lives, and the game would progress faster and be able to keep my interest longer.

Nut Chuckin’ has several good things going for it. The controls are smooth and responsive, and the graphics are really excellent. The illustrations feel more like a popular animated flick than a video game. That’s high marks in my book.

In fact if not for the quick death, Nut Chuckin’ is polished enough to make it into our Editor’s Picks. Hopefully a future update will make Nut Chuckin’ a more sticky gaming experience. Until then, it’s still a solid 7 that most casual gamers will enjoy, for now.

* Nut Chuckin is on sale for $0.99. Take advantage and get an afternoon of fun for just under a buck.

• rating: 7/10
• app_name: Nut Chuckin’

© AppCraver, 2009. | Nut Chuckin is Fun for a Crisp Fall Afternoon | Get our iPhone Reviews on Facebook & Twitter!