Turns out iTunes re-downloads ARE free
I said last week that I was totally bummed because I wouldn't be able to re-download a whole mess of iPhone applications that I lost during an unavoidable system-restore.
Well, I've never been happier to regret an error, because when I tried to buy the sublime ROLANDO 2 (Ngmoco, $5) again this morning, my phone asked me if I'd like to download it again for free.
Yes, yes I would. And the phone somehow retained my save data, which means I'm right back where I'm started!
So, mea culpa. I don't know when they made this change, as it certainly hasn't always been this way. It's commendable policy.
A tale of two portables. And four games.
The PSP and the PlayStation Network have come a terribly long way in the last year, and if their progress keeps pace, the PSP might supplant the DS as my favorite portable. I submit the following as evidence by way of anecdote:
Calamity befell me last week. And by "calamity," I mean a minor annoyance that almost ruined my Thanksgiving Eve.
Giant Bomb posts a new Giant Bombcast each and every Tuesday. It's one of the highlights of my week and something against which I compare our podcast often.
So you can imagine my disappointment when I noticed Wednesday, Nov. 25, that my iPhone hadn't traded the Nov. 17 episode of the Bombcast for the Nov. 24 episode. Maybe I forgot to sync it Tuesday night, I thought, or maybe I synced before the episode downloaded, in which case the podcast wouldn't have transferred unless I manually synced afterward.
When I tried again Wednesday night, I learned the awful truth: my iPhone wouldn't sync at all, despite multiple reboots of the device and my computer. I would have to restore, a mostly simple process that involves wiping your iPhone's hard disk, reloading the OS and reinstalling all of your applications and personal data. If all of your apps are backed up on your computer, it's a no-loss scenario.
No, but what choice do I have?
But not all of my apps had been backed up. Based on the 38 that did make it, I'd say my phone stopped syncing apps with the computer in September or so. Which means I lost ROLANDO 2, the two GEODEFENSE games and a handful of other portable treasures for good. If I want them back, I'll have to buy and download them again, and even then, I won't have the save data and high scores I had logged beforehand. In a nutshell, that means I'll probably never play those games again, let alone finish them.
See what I mean? Calamity! But the drama throws into sharp relief the wonderful (if expensive) experience I've had downloading games to my PSP over the last few days.
Review It Like It's Hot: "Droplitz"
Question: What's the best way to tell that a game has really hooked you?
Answer: When, every time you sit down to write about the game, you instead decide to go play it some more. (okay, maybe that only happens to people who review games on a regular basis...)
Such has been my experience with DROPLITZ. I had only heard about this new puzzle game because it was published by Atlus. Normally I go to them to get my RPG fix, but it seems they have a knack for publishing good games regardless of genre.
The developers, Blitz Arcade, have essentially merged Pipe Dream and Tetris. I'm not going to heavy on the details of the game's mechanics. For that, I give you the following tutorial video.
With that out of the way, let's talk about why I love playing this game, and why I can keep playing it for hours on end without throwing my controller across the room.
I am jealous of your massive multiplier, sir.
You see, the game is quite challenging. There are four different modes of play, and most of them offer varying board sizes and difficulty levels. I cannot unlock most of the larger board sizes for any of the types of play, either because the game is too hard or I am too stupid. But that hasn't stopped me. For weeks now, I keep playing. Why? The atmosphere, that's why.
The colors are cool. The graphics are smooth. The musical themes, though changing from level to level slightly, are all based on the same theme and blend quite nicely. And when you lose? The words "Droplitz Depleted" appear on your screen rather calmly, and the "game over" jingle has a nice tone of completion to it. It doesn't sound like a bad thing at all, really. So why not give it another go? Most puzzle games make me angry when I lose. This one just keeps me coming back for more, always smiling.
A 720p disco party? Count me in!
My only gripe about the game is that you really have to be careful when you finish connecting a path. Because once you do, those pieces are set into place. Nevermind that rotating one piece in that set could allow you to connect three more paths, giving you some sweet multipliers. Somehow, you'll have to plan that in advance. I guess that's what separates the noobs from the masters. I guess I should stop rotating with just the one button (clockwise) and use the other (counter-clockwise) button to save time as well.
Droplitz was launched in late June for almost every modern platform: PC, Xbox 360, PS3, and even iPod Touch / iPhone. It recently had a 50% off sale for most of those platforms ($5 instead of $10, kthx!), which is when I took advantage of a full purchase (instead of relying on an all-too-brief free demo version). Seriously kids? Screw Bejeweled. There's a new king of casual puzzle games in town.
"Droplitz like it's hot," indeed.
