For this issue, I tried to select games that were different from my usual selections. Stuntcar Extreme is a racing game with some unusual characters and race modes. Fish Tycoon is probably the first game I've ever seen that's based on a tropical fish store. By far the strangest of the bunch, though, is Rats and Spears, which features rats competing in an Olympic event.
Shattered Worlds: Planet Assault (A-)
This second in a series of space games from Skwork Studios is action at its best. Fly your ship around an alien planet, taking out enemy ships and ground targets. What makes Planet Assault fun is the great controls, the perfect smoothness of the ship's flight, and the great weapon effects and explosions. Although this game isn't as well known as PDAMill's Antelion, it's still a good title and worth looking into if you like space shooters.
For more information on this game, visit the Skwork Studios Web site (http://www..sympatico.ca/ssavchenko000/skwork/swpa.html). Shattered Worlds: Planet Assault supports all Pocket PCs. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $11.99.
Shattered World: Planet Assault has a very smooth game engine and plays very well.
Stuntcar Extreme (A-)
Based on the FatHammer gaming engine, Stuntcar Extreme has good graphics, very workable controls, and plays very smoothly. Stuntcar offers four unique race modes: Quick Race, Stunt Cup, Friday Night Event, and Challenge (where you race other drivers for cars and points). Although it still doesn't play as a well as your average desktop PC racing game, Stuntcar is an impressive effort. I look forward to seeing future versions of this game.
For more information on this game, visit Fathammer's Stuntcar Extreme Web site (http://www.stuntcarextreme.com). Stuntcar Extreme supports all Pocket PCs. A demo is not available, and the full version can be purchased for $19.95.
Stuntcar Extreme is an offbeat racer that's an evolutionary step forward in the genre.
Bejeweled 2 (B+)
Bejeweled and its various clones are all over the Web and on mobile devices, so what could an official sequel offer? Bejeweled 2 has better graphics, better sound, four all-new game play modes (Classic, Action, Puzzle, and Endless) and five additional modes you can unlock. If you're addicted to the original version or one of its clones, you'll love this new version.
For more information on this game, visit the Astraware Web site (http://www.astraware.com/ppc/). Bejeweled 2 supports Pocket PC 2002 and newer devices. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $19.95.
Bejeweled 2 gives those addicted to the first in the series better graphics and some new game modes.
Fish Tycoon (B+)
LDW's last game was Plant Tycoon, which was a business simulation based on genetic engineering. Fish Tycoon is similar, but this time you're cross-breeding and selling fish in order to find eight magical breeds. Those who have kept aquariums will notice that there's very little realism in the game. But that doesn't stop it from being fun and addictive. Since the game runs in real time and has to be monitored daily, casual gamers might want to avoid it.
For more information on this game, visit the LDW Web site (http://www.ldw.com/ft_Ppc/index.html). Fish Tycoon supports Pocket PC 2000 (StrongARM CPU only) and newer devices. A demo is available, and the full version can be purchased for $19.95.
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