eXPERIAnce the Fun: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

   Lara Croft is a legend. And now that legend has made her way to Playstation Certified phones with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. The app has been said to be almost an exact port of the original. This time, she is in a game without "Tomb Raider" in it's title. It's the first game from developers Crystal Dynamics to be a downloadable only title. Take on Xolotl, the God of Darkness, and stop his evil plans and save the world. The publisher is Eidos Interactive. The app has received positive reviews from gaming sites, even without Angelina Jolie in it. It's exclusive (sort of) to the Xperia lineup of  smartphones that include the Xperia S, Xperia ion and Xperia Play for $1.29.

A few things to be aware of:

-fixed 3D camera angle. 

-According to two user reviews, IT DOESN'T SUPPORT TRANSFER TO SD CARD, this can be a big problem for the Xperia Play, one of the 3 supported Android devices.

-the app versions have 10 levels of the 14 levels in the full version. 

-it is common for people to have issues with with the videos (cutscences). A method that might help remedy this bug is to try what this person did.  

Stefickk - August 1, 2012 - SEMC Xperia Play with version 1.2.284922

Great Game!! [by the way, problem I solved the problem with video in this way: - fully uninstall the game; - restart the phone; - download again the game; - restart the phone before launching the game. Many thanks to support!!]

                                                     -Source:Google Play review

Can I still play the game if I don't have one of those specific  phones? If so, how?

-Owners of other smartphones can bypass this lockout by using Onlive and purchasing it for different prices. This is probably not the ported version.

    *$3.99 for 3 days

    *$6.99 for 5 days

    *$14.99 for Full (unlimited play?)

 You'll need fast wifi to play it with Onlive though.

And by purchasing the game from Steam for $14.99.

If you find yourself wanting more after completing the game, There are downloadable contents for both games for additional costs. (at least for the nonported versions) I haven't seen any signs of the Ported App versions having any DLC.

DLC's for the console versions and PC versions of Lara Croft GoL are:

-Raziel and Kain Character Pack      (from Crystal Dynasty's other game Legacy of Kain)

-Challenge Pack 1: All the Trappings      (4 new maps)

-Challenge Pack 2: Things That Go Boom      (4 new maps) (not available for XBox360)

-Challenge Pack 3: A Hazardous Reunion       (4 new maps)

-  iOS can already get the application from the App Store for $2.99. It's been available there since December 2010!!! in this version you can. In Multi-player mode Play as Lara Croft, or the Guardian of the mirror, Totec. I'm not sure if the Android version has coop play(but I believe there would be complaints if it didn't). The original version received online two player mode. iPhones could play with iPads by using wifi and bluetooth for co-op.

All the listed prices are just as of right now (8/22/12) and I don't know if they are on sale or not.

The game isn't new. The actual nonported version of the game came out in August(Xbox Live Arcade) and September (Playstation Network) of 2010. So those are other ways you can get a hold of the game if you own those consoles. However, the Lara Croft game is fresh to Android. So although the game isn't exclusive to those Xperia devices, owners of those mobile phones get the perk of having it for the cheapest price. Wikipedia doesn't even have the game as being available on Android yet.

I have to admit, iphone's App Store have way better screenshots besides the big title headline image on top.

The pics are a lot more informative of how the gameplay in action looks.

Even interaction is shown.

And how the store system or menu looks like.

On Google Play the developer and distributor is Square Enix Ltd , more popular for it's RPG franchises like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts. Most of these exclusive apps are only exclusive for a while, however there is no indication if it will expire like the more commonly seen 30 day thing. Oh well, whichever gaming console or OS you have, Enjoy.

Android Gets Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies

August 3rd 2012, the day that Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies became available for some Android Devices. Those "some" include the Xperia line of phones like the Xperia S, Xperia ion and Xperia Play. After 30 days, let's just say September, the rest of Android will be able to join in on the fun. This app is a real port of the real version (minus some small things, really, I mean it). Activisionis the name of the publisher for the COD Black Ops game, but on Google Play it's Glu Mobile. Here's what some have had to say about the mobile version of the pandemic game.

-Apparently there is a save option.

-Plays and controls a lot like the console versions (XBox 360, PS3)

-Looks great

-includes Dead Ops (classic arcade looking mode)

-includes Call of the Dead (HOWEVER THE CELEBRITIES DO NOT MAKE APPEARANCES, they have been replaced by noncelebrity game characters. SAD)

-Just playing it on the phone is awesome.

-Comes with both the Downloadable Content from the iOS Version (these are FREE on both platforms I believe.)

-This app is for reals.

Those are the good stuff. Now here are some of the points you should be aware of that people say:

-lacks sensitivity setting (too slow for many players)
-walking might be slow compared to console versions
-have to hold "X" to run. Could be tricky to hold the X button while using one thumb to move, and the other to control the camera.

-can't customize the buttons on the XPlay (moves with touchpads with analog style controls. Can't button map to use d-pad for movement)

-lags on the Play with more than 4 zombies are present.

-to rapid fire with automatic weapons you double tap
-there's a button to aim, and press again to not aim.(instead of holding like consoles)
-you can only play with others on local wifi, not using the internet. (no online play)
-I guess it's more like the Directors Cut, but I don't know much about that either.
-players have made references to the app called DEAD TRIGGER, wanting COD:BOZ to have similar controls as application. (Dead Trigger is FREE so I'll be testing it out) It's also reported to run smoother, it doesn't claim to be Xperia Play Optimized, but it is. DT Seems to have good graphics. It might be a good free alternative. (sorry getting off topic)

Although the exclusiveness of the game sounds cool and feels like Sony is showing some love to it's smartphone owners, it's odd having that extra advantage for only 30 days max. I realize it would also be worst to hold potential customers back from purchasing a money maker for a long time. It is nice to have my phone pointed out on big name apps with the slight chance that someone I know will read it and say "Hey, that's the phone Josh has!".

A mood killer is that iphones got this app in December of 2011!!!, making all Android owners look a little less important (imo).

Even though they got a lot right with the porting,not having Sarah Michelle Geller (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Danny Trejo (Machette), Robert Englund, (Freddy Cougar from Nightmare on Elm Street), and lesser known Michael Rooker who plays Merle Dixon on AMC's The Walking Dead ( a good or great show about Zombies taking over) causes a bit of an "aw". However, this map comes with no extra charge and you still get most of it for a fraction of the price along with regular zombie mode and zombie ops. Most COD players already know those celebrity characters and don't need that information again but I wanted to add it
 because A. they're cool B. it might generate hits for my article.

Just writing about it makes me want to get it so bad and show off in front of people (men and boys). People say that this is the best game for the Xperia Play. "Best" gets thrown around a lot but this one is really exciting me. Try it out and see if you agree. For you other guys, the wait is almost over.


P.S. Whoa, i just saw a response from Glu Mobile to a user review. The response is indented. I don't think I've seen a direct response like that before.



ENJOY!!!