Info//
Nintendo
drmario-world.com
Free
Compatibility: iOS 11 or later
T
he rise of the app brought hope to gamers
that the days of invention that had been
long stifled by the dominance of the huge
names in gaming could be about to return. And for
a while it really seemed this was the case, with the
first generation of iOS games heralding classic apps
that still top the charts today. Yet unlike their console
cousins it wasn't the EAs, Activisions, Nintendos
et al that spoilt our fun. No, it was greed! Greed in
the form of micro-transactions, the one dirty word
I will never become accustomed too. Why charge a
few bucks for a game when you can sell the player
success throughout its lifespan?
Dr Mario World is a perfect example of the
bottom line ruining a fantastic reimagined retro
treat. In an attempt to shake my utter distain for
the business model behind the game, let’s look at
the positives, of which there are many. Foremost,
the gameplay, while faithful to the original, adds
enough new features and tweaks to update the
formula for the modern match-three genre. The
ability to set multiple pills in motion at once is a joy,
but the new ability to change their path post-impact
tips the gameplay into the realms of thrilling. The
presentation, soundtrack and multiplayer modes are
also well implemented and produced. Yet the fact
remains, when you stumble upon a level you can't
complete, your attempts are limited unless you pay
for more goes. I thought practice made perfect, not
your credit card! JG
Remakes achieve far greater success in the gaming medium than the movies. These contemporary
retellings of classic video games rarely attract the same hatred and bile of their big-screen
counterparts. Unless, of course, you’re forced to pay to play!
Flotato Microsoft To-Do
E
ver wished you could use a website app as a self-contained
application? If so, Flotato is what you need. It’s simple to use
and works well. You can make your own apps, or choose from
a range of preconfigured site/apps.
Flotato isn’t as configurable as we’d like; for example, it would
be good if you could box out a portion of a website for the app,
instead of having to use the whole thing. Even so, it’s great if you’d
rather have sites like your webmail page, Facebook or Twitter on
an app. AF
I
f you already use Microsoft’s
To-Do app on the web, iOS,
or Android, you’ll be pleased
to know it’s been released as
a Mac app. It doesn’t yet offer
Planner integration, and we
could do with a Dark Mode, but
overall it’s a good combined
GTD (Getting Things Done)
app for those who need to be
in Microsoft’s ecosystem. For
everyone else though, you still
can’t beat Wunderlist. BC
Info//
Morten Just Petersen
https://flotato.com
Free
Compatibility: 64-bit processor,
macOS 10.12 or later
Verdict//
LAST WORD
A useful free app that can free
your regularly used websites
from their browser.
RATING: 3/5
Info//
Microsoft Corporation
https://todo.microsoft.com/en-gb
Free
Compatibility: macOS 10.13 or later,
64-bit processor
Verdict//
LAST WORD
A useful Mac release for a handy
cross-platform app, but it needs some
development before it challenges the
Mac’s premiere GTD applications.
RATING: 3/5
Verdict//
PROS AND CONS:
- Builds upon the classic
gameplay - Great visuals and
sound track - Loads of unlockables
- Irritating microtransactions
LAST WORD
I'm not sure how many more
times I am going to be forced
to say this, but Dr Mario is a
fantastic game ruined by the
accountants.
RATING: 3/5
AppleUserMAGAZINE