Click to enlarge

Simon Härtel's Quinn, a falling block puzzle game in the familiar style of Tetris, was recently updated. The update brings the game to version 3.5.2 and a fixes several Leopard related issues.

the logo reflection in the main window looks right again under Leopard

replaced the implementation for Base 64 encoding, which may solve some connection issues

added a high-resolution application icon for Leopard

fixed a bug in the play time calculation, which caused wrong LPM values in some situations

fixed a display bug after deleting a player from the highscore overview view

fixed the selection highlight color in the highscore table under Leopard

some refinements of the window appearance under Leopard

MGF: Quinn 3.5.2

Quinn

Click to enlarge

Inside Mac Games has posted a review for XTracPads Zoom v2 mouse pad. Here's a clip from the review:

The Zoom v2 is thin. Measuring 8.5 x 11" and thinner than a credit card, this semi-hard mouse pad is an attractive option for those who want to lose the damaging and inconsistent surface of their desk without feeling as if they've subjugated it with a thick layer of rubber. Such diminutive proportions might be especially useful to users that are constantly on the go, since the size of the Zoom v2 makes it possible to fit between the halves of a closed notebook during transit.

IMG Review of the Zoom v2

Zoom v2 (add to watch list)

XTracPads (add to watch list)

Click to enlarge

Pocket Gamer is now offering a new review of Peggle for Apple's iPod multimedia device. The game combines elements of pachinko, pinball, and even Breakout to create a unique mix of action and strategy. Pocket Gamer gave Peggle a score of 9 out of 10.

From the review:

An enormously popular web-based title from PopCap's casual stable, Peggle is a version of the equally popular Japanese game pachinko. Both consist of a falling ball, a set of pegs for it to bounce off and an incongruous riot of noise and colour to accompany the otherwise unmoving spectacle of uncontrolled descent.

To be fair, some skill is involved in Peggle. As the pegs thin out, you'll need to be able to roughly judge trajectories, consider rebounds and calculate angles, but these moments take up the least time and give, by and large, the least pleasure. Really, Peggle is all about randomness, and watching your ball cascade by sheer fluke onto the right peg is every bit as satisfying as pulling off a skilful shot.

Indeed, your input is limited to an opening moment. You control a turret at the top of the screen, and at the bottom is a lidless drum that sweeps rhythmically back and forth. Between turret and drum is an arrangement of pegs and tiles varying in complexity from simple grids to elaborate designs following the contours of the zany, beautifully-drawn backdrops.

Pocket Gamer: Peggle iPod Review

Click to enlarge

Gameplay Monthly has posted a new review of the Windows version of Aquaria. Created by Bit Blot, the side-scrolling underwater action adventure game follows the adventures of Naija as she embarks on a quest to reveal the history of the the underwater land of Aquaria. Gameplay Monthly gave the game a grade of A-.

From the review:

The main adventure is pretty long. You're looking at about a 12 hour game, which is if you don't explore the entire world and see what the rest of Aquaria has to offer. You can gain new abilities to help you on your quest, get objects to decorate your home, find recipes and ingredients, get pets to help you in fights, and more. Some things you find be entering certain areas of Aquaria will also unlock more ending cut-scenes, providing more incentive to explore the vast underwater world. All of these things can be done by swimming through the massive world, bigger than anything you've seen in a Metroid or Castlevania game.

If that isn't enough, the game has a mode that allows you to create your own levels. You can place plants, creatures, and more across your levels, save them, and play them. The fact that it's fun just to swim around the beautiful world of Aquaria makes me see a lot of people wasting time with this. For those who want to go the extra step, you can make mods for the games. Title screens, enemies, entire levels, tile-sets, animation, graphics, sound, music, and more. You can completely customize the game to your liking, and even download mods and install them to try out ones made by other people. I myself haven't done anything with modding because I don't know much is anything at all about it, but those who are willing to invest some time here have a promising time waster.

Gameplay Monthly: Aquaria Review

Ambrosia Software (add to watch list)

Aquaria (add to watch list)

Click to enlarge

Several new screenshots from the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King, Blizzard Entertainment's second expansion for the popular World of Warcraft, are now available on the game's official site. Lich King will include an increased Level 80 cap for characters, the new area of Northrend to explore, and the Death Knight, the first hero class in the game.

Features of Wrath of the Lich King:

Master the necromantic powers of the Death Knight - World of Warcraft's first Hero class.

Quest to level 80, gaining potent new abilities and talents along the way.

Learn the craft of spell augmentation with the new Inscription profession.

Brave the harsh new continent of Northrend, the icy domain of the Lich King.

Engage in epic siege warfare, deploying mighty siege engines to lay waste to destructible buildings in your path.

Transform your hero's look with new character-customization options, including new hairstyles and dances.

Explore perilous new dungeons filled with some of the deadliest creatures -- and greatest treasures -- on Azeroth.

Wrath of the Lich King Screenshots

Blizzard Entertainment (add to watch list)

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (add to watch list)

Search for other Mac games news stories or browse our Mac Games News Archive.