I thought the last six iPad games I bought were going to keep me happy at least a month or so.

I still haven’t completed all of them and I still enjoy them. But App Store always manages to sneakily get into my line of sight. Seriously!

And App Store is to an iPad gamer what a candy store is to a kid. You want everything. You can’t have too many of everything.

That’s how I ended up with 24 games on my iPad at last count. (5 iPhone imports, 8 free/trial games, 11 bought.)

I want to talk about Vacation Mogul today and I’m quite long-winded about it so there will be two GGFs this week so I can cover more games.

Yay.

Vacation Mogul HD (US$6.99)

This was actually an accident. I was browsing iTunes when I acidentally bought Vacation Mogul for iPhone (US$2.99). I had just wanted to read the product description but clicked on the buy button, instead.

And the worse thing was that, a minute prior to that, I had thought to myself, “It’s so easy to accidentally buy apps in iTunes. Based on Murphy’s Law, it’s probably gonna happen to me one day.”

Talk about self-fulfilling prophecy.

(In iTunes, when you click on the price tag, it’s an instant purchase since they’ve got all your credit card details already. There’s no warning: “You’re buying this game. Accept? Decline?”

I mean, I like that cos it’s very convenient but it sure is risky for dodos like me.)

The good news is that the accident was a happy one. Vacation Mogul is so fun that, after doing the first few tutorial missions, I went and bought the iPad version.

Because of my doofusness, I ended up playing through the tutorial missions four times (that’s 20 missions in total).

First time was on the iPhone. It was fun, so I decided to see how it would feel on the iPad’s bigger screen, although I had to put up with slightly blurry graphics from the stretch.

Then I decided to download the free iPad version to compare the difference. That’s a third playthrough. The gameplay is still the same but HD graphics just can’t be beat. It really enhances gaming experience (for me, anyway).

That’s when I impulsively put down another US$6.99 for a game I already own which I had accidentally bought in the first place.

Since there’s no data porting between the free and paid version, I had to play the tute missions a fourth time.

Fortunately, the game is fun enough for that not to be a huge chore.

Vacation Mogul combines fun simulation gameplay with an interesting plot.

You inherit five islands from your recently-deceased uncle and are tasked to make thriving resorts out of them. Then, something happens to make you suspect that your uncle was murdered. So, in between being a future resort tycoon, you have to investigate your uncles’s death.

The game is mission-based, where you get a different goal to accomplish each level. Complete it faster to earn more money and experience points.

Experience points are needed to make blueprints for new resort amenities (to attract more tourists), as well as game bonuses that help you do your missions better.

It’s really addictive. I mean, I’d rather be playing it now than writing this review but I’m sensible like that and know when it’s crucial to do the right thing, lol.

There are also fun little surprises along the way. One part of the plot leads to a hidden objects mini game. An easier one than a proper hidden objects game, but still cool. You’re allowed to skip this, though. It’s just for fun and doesn’t add to game progress.

If you have an iPad, I’d totally recommend the iPad version over the iPhone one. Both are mostly the same, but why squint your eyes when you can enjoy beautiful HD colours and feel assured that you won’t mispress anything on the iPhone’s tiny real esate?

The main difference between both versions (quite neglible if you’re not the fussy sort) is that you can see all five islands on one screen on the iPad. On the iPhone, you have to scroll through them one by one. Not a big deal.

Likewise, on the research page where you buy new blueprints and bonuses, you can see the whole list on the iPad but only scrollable sections on the iPhone. This is slightly more important because you want to see at once what blueprints get unlocked next.

iPad:

iPhone:

The missions themselves are the same. No scrolling required. And that’s the crucial part. But it does help when it’s on a bigger screen. It always does.

There’s a free version for the iPad which you can download to try. I think you can play through the entire game on it (although I can’t be too sure cos I only played one main island before getting the paid version).

The catch is that a pop-up message will interrupt you after every mission to persuade you to buy the game so you can get rid of the annoying message.

Anyway, I’m not writing a full review of this game because it’s already been out for months. Just wanted to talk about it because I’m quite pleased that an accidental purchase became a pleasant surprise.

Will introduce more iPad games tomorrow!

I almost didn’t want to write this today because I couldn’t stop playing the new games I just bought for my iPad.

They are all amazing. Playing games on the iPad is amazing. I haven’t been so excited about a handheld gaming console since the DS, even though the iPad isn’t, strictly speaking, a gaming console.

But playing games on a 9.7″ full HD screen with multi-touchscreen capabilities is just ace. I’m all the more awed because I never intended to buy the iPad in the first place. When I finally did buy it, it was because I thought I needed an ebook reader to solve the space problem at home.

Well, so far, I have clocked maybe 60-80 hours on my iPad and I haven’t read a single book on it.

I would have clocked more hours on it had it not been frequently kidnapped by people around me (especially the Goonfather and Nanny Wen). Last I hear, they’re both gonna get their own. Good.

Anyway, people have been asking me (in Twitter/Plurk/Facebook) what games I bought, so I’ll provide a more comprehensive answer here.

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Plants vs Zombies HD (US$9.99)

This was the first game I bought. I wanted something fun to break in my iPad. I’ve already completed the PC version but this is the kind of game that you can play over and over for the rest of your life.

Now, if you haven’t played PvZ on the iPad, you haven’t experienced anything. I urge you to put this on your list of 10 (or 100) things to do before you die. (10 if you’re a gamer, 100 if you’re not.)

The main highlights are the amazing colours on the HD screen and the 11 touch points. (I don’t know who uses all 11 points at once, though. Anyone got a spare finger to lend me?)

But just think about it. You know how you go crazy juggling the need to plant more ammo with the need to collect much-needed suns (or coins) before they disappear? On the iPad, you can collect 10 suns at once with just one touch, leaving plenty of time left to plant a cob cannon to obliterate that annoying gargantuan.

My friends who borrow my iPad to play PvZ tend to use just one finger to play, as if playing on the PC. THIS IS WRONG, GUYS, THIS IS A MORTAL SIN.

If you’re playing PvZ on the iPad, you MUST train yourself to activate all your fingers for the ultimate gameplay experience.

Enough said.

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The Jim and Frank Mysteries – The Blood River Files HD (US$4.99)

This game is totally like Professor Layton on the DS, although it’s a smaller game, entirely linear, with fewer puzzles. I completed the game within 3-4 hours. But still fun. In fact, I enjoyed this a lot more than I did Professor Layton.

The gameplay is the same. There’s a storyline with small mysteries within a big mystery, which provides the frame for the game. As you go about unfolding the storyline, little puzzles pop out for you to solve before you can advance.

The puzzles are very similar to the Professor Layton ones, although I came across quite a number of unique ones. They’re also easier on the whole, although there were some rather tricky ones.

But I just love puzzles, and I like them not too hard so I can progress faster and play more games. I get bored if I get stuck at the same puzzle for, like, 20 minutes. (Not counting tough sudoku or crossword puzzles. Those are whole games by themselves.)

Anyway, this game makes pleasant use of the iPad’s touchscreen and the hand-drawn graphics are beautiful, so I had a really enjoyable time despite the main storyline being a bit juvenile.

Just enjoy the single puzzles. Don’t place too much hope on the main plot.

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Puzzler World US XL (US$4.99)

You can tell by now that I really love puzzles. I was playing this till 4:30 am last night. I had to make myself stop.

There are over 1,000 puzzles in this game. After a few hours of playing, I’m only at 5.9% of the Challenge Mode. In this mode, you need to successfully solve 560 + 560 assorted puzzles. (The +560 are mini puzzles. Each main puzzle is paired with a mini one.)

The puzzles get increasingly difficult. I’m now only at #33, so it’s rather easy, but still enough of a challenge to be fun. I don’t know what the later ones will be like!

You can also choose the Quickplay Mode to just play your favourite puzzles. (There are two types of puzzles I don’t enjoy in the Challenge Mode but I still have to play through them just to conquer the challenge, duh.)

List of puzzle types
Wordsearch (never really like this, but the iPad makes it quite pleasant)
Sudoku (fun, but the beginning ones are too easy)
Crossword (luckily, there’s a hint system using points)
Spot The Difference (nice break between tough puzzles)
Link-A-Pix (unique and very fun!)
Fitword (boring)
Codeword (tough, not so fun)
Silhouette (suitable for little kids, but also fun for adults)

Mini puzzles
Hangman (nice)
Picture Quiz (trains memory, ack)
Missing Piece (a bit tough and blah)
Jigsaw (fun)
Equate (simple math equations for now, dunno about later)
Chain Letters (not bad)

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Master of Alchemy HD ($2.99)

This reminds me of The Incredible Machine series I played a long time ago. It’s something like that, except you’re an alchemist and you’re working with elements, gases, liquids and solids, transforming them. You’re supposed to manage the flow of precious elements, collecting them and preventing wastage by using the tools provided at each stage.

I’ve only played about 10 minutes’ worth so far. It’s challenging from the start and I can see it getting harder and harder. I wouldn’t say it’s incredibly fun, but I enjoy the brainwork the game exacts.

The graphics, music and philosophical quotes make the experience quite immersive. You feel like a real alchemist!

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Supermarket Mania HD (US$4.99)

I caved in and bought this time management game even though time management games have a tendency to drive me crazy. It’s because the product screenshots has a page showing comics and I got curious.

The comics tell the story between missions. You’re a young girl starting work at a supermarket and your boss is supposedly competing against some robotic conglomerate that’s taking over the world by replacing human workers with robots.

But the main game is just like any other time management game. You stock shelves as fast as possible.

The frame of the game is appealing. I mean, I like the comics and the storyline. But the gameplay might need some work. Gets a bit repetitive after a while.

I played another time management game called Are You Alright? on the iPhone where you manage a hospital and patients, and that one seems a bit more fun, although it’s just as irritating.

But 9.7″ HD still beats everything.

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Midnight Mysteries: Salem Witch Trials (US$9.99)

I love this!!! I’ve only played 10 minutes of it and already I think it’s worth every bit of my S$15!

It’s like an adventure game combined with a hidden objects game. I love both genres so this is like, epic.

Mind-blowing, stunning graphics, good music, great special effects, intriguing storyline, fun touchscreen gameplay, etc, etc, etc.

I love how you never know what to expect next as the game unfolds. You could be asked to find 10 hidden objects, or you might need to pick up objects and combine them and use them to interact with other objects in the scene.

Or you might get to talk to ghosts.

Well, okay, since I’ve only played 10 minutes of it, I can’t for sure say the whole thing is going to be great, but it’s got good reviews all over the place so I know it won’t disappoint me!

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Um… that’s all the games for now.

I’m tempted to buy more (shopping in App Store has never been more fun) but I think I should finish up my current ones first. I have so many ongoing games at the moment I can’t decide what to play at any time!

I actually bought all these games without reading full reviews. I just saw the product descriptions, screenshots and user comments in the app store. I guess I just couldn’t resist the beautiful graphics. They really make a difference in gameplay.

Plus I feel that the prices are very affordable. Seriously, I spend a lot more money an evening at the arcade centre and I don’t think that’s as fun as cuddling the iPad. Haha.

Okay, enough talking about the iPad. I need to get back to my gaming. =P

Let me end with some photos I wanted to share last week but couldn’t because I was in China.

From the Rappelz launch party!

My three winners and one guest enjoyed a private gaming room with refreshments. Well, only two winners turned up because the third one couldn’t make it last minute, so I made Nanny Wen come, instead. Yes, it was very last minute so she came 1.5 hours late. Unker Kell was my guest!

Nanny Wen was playing Rappelz and she got a crab for a pet in her newbie gift pack. She named the crab after me. So mean!

So I took a photo of her eating in retaliation. Heheh!

I was guest-of-honour at the event. They made me play the PvP deathmatch against all other veteran players. T_T

But I think everyone had fun. There was quite a big crowd and I got to help draw the winners for the lucky draw at the end of the event.

One of the winners:

Great event! Thanks, Eaglegame, for organising it!

After a somewhat mysterious disappearance, Gamer Girl Friday seems to have returned. That is just like her to pull a stunt like that. We think she deserves to be smacked by a rather big fish.

But not too hard. She still needs some of her brains in order to play games.

(Hidden message there: Gamers are smart because they have to use their brains to play games.)

Now that we’ve gotten the introduction out of the way, let’s switch to first-person because writing in third-person is rather idiotic if you’re writing about yourself, although that never seems to stop me.

Okay.

I stopped publishing Gamer Girl Friday because:

(Choose one of the following:)

1. It’s very time-consuming.
2. It was less popular than my other blogs.
3. It wasn’t giving me much income.
4. I went back to EverQuest II and stopped playing other games.
5. All of the above.

The answer is, of course, 6. Nobody cares.

So, why am I bringing GGF back?

I just felt like it. I suddenly found myself missing it.

It’s probably like if you have a child who drives you nuts on a daily basis and you can’t wait for him to move out when he’s 18 so when he finally ups and leaves, you breathe a sigh of relief for five seconds, and then you start missing him already.

Except it took me a considerably longer time to miss GGF.

(And that is an example of a rather bad analogy because I probably don’t have many readers who actually have 18-year-old children so they won’t be able to empathise.)

I don’t have to have a logical reason to do anything, anyway. My philosophy is: Just Do It.

Oh, wait. I think someone has already trademarked that. But it’s a good philosophy, is it not?

The new GGF will have a slightly different style in order to preserve my sanity. No more newsletter-style and weekly contests (because people were cheating by posting multiple entries which is annoying).

It will just be a random “If I have something to talk about, I will” thing.

I would have talked about Rappelz but then I’ve already talked about it so I will end today’s post with a mention of a newish iPhone game that I tried.

It’s called Fastar! (Exclamation mark included.) It’s short for Fight Angry Squares: The Action RPG, although it’s not really an RPG. It’s more like an action game that parodies RPGs.

I downloaded it for USD0.99 without knowing much about it because the screenshots in iTunes sold me the game right away. I love the humour.

It has deliberate bad spelling, deliberate childish language (“You got 103 money!” is just so funny) and cute graphics.

Well, the game was fun for 20 minutes but after that, it was pretty much the same thing even though there are 24 game modes because the aim is roughly the same — to get to the end as fast as possible and rise to the top of the leaderboards.

But I still think it was worth my USD0.99 for that 20 minutes. After all, when we go to the arcade centre, we put down $1-$2 for a game that lasts anything from 20 seconds (if we really suck) to, I dunno, 20 minutes, depending on the game.

I’m sure gamers who like action games and beating high scores will get a lot more game time out of it. It has rave reviews all over the place.

Okay, that’s all for today! But before I zip off, Gamer Girl Friday would like to wish Nanny Wen a very happy fulfilling birthday because today is her birthday!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to Nanny Wen,
Happy Birthday to youuuuuu!

I was dressed and ready to go out (to get my iPhone 4) but the Goonfather wasn’t ready. He was still busy playing EQ2. So I decided to log in to Rappelz and do some levelling up.

And then, before I even started the game, I couldn’t stop admiring my new armor, so I decided to take screenshots and share it.

My Holy Warrior! So chio right the armor?

And then I decided to take a photo my myself because I said I would try wear red to commemorate National Day so I wanted to show that!

I don’t have many red clothes. Only three, actually. This t-shirt, a sweater and a dress. Don’t think red is really my colour. I always feel funny in red.

Okay, back to Rappelz! :D

Okay, I don’t know why anyone would want to read about where I like to go shopping or which malls I hate.

But I’ve written it and it’s there for the reading. It’s this week’s Star Blog topic!

Read: Name five of your best and five of the worst malls and shopping places in Singapore

I’ve been truly busy the past week. Tons of advertorial and proposal deadlines, meetings, events, blogs, etc. I hardly slept all weekend and I woke up at 9 am today to rush some more work.

Finally finshed all my deadlines, though. I should be able to breathe easier this week and write some decent posts. No major deadlines and only two events!

One of the events is the Rappelz game launch. I am still accepting entries to be a VIP guest at the launch. I have a private gaming room for five people, with a terminal each for free gaming. And free food and drinks!

Want to join me there? Read the bottom of this post for details. Don’t forget you can also attend the party as a regular guest. It’s open to everyone. Just register at the Rappelz website!

Oh, yes, I’ll be collecting my iPhone 4 later.

YES IT’S MINE TONIGHT! YES YES!

Okay, I’ll try and wear something red today to celebrate National Day. =D