Squigs Free: New arcade version of Squigs iOS puzzle game – free for 2012

Retro match-three puzzle game now compatible with all iOS devices in new six-level free version-

Squigs, the popular revamp of the classic 1990s Amiga puzzle game ported to Apple iOS in 2011, now has a fresh 2012 release in the shape of Squigs Free - an all-action arcade-style free version of the game for the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Squigs Free features the addictive game play of the original Squigs game, plus quick progression to harder levels, high-score targets for rapid gameplay and six all-new levels leading to the dark Squigs.

Squigs, originally released for the Amiga 500 computer in 1993, challenges players to align characters of the same colour vertically, horizontally and diagonally. Players must manoeuvre and rearrange the falling Squigs to eliminate them and avoid overflowing the play well while taking advantage of power-ups and achievement awards to gain the highest score.

Jon Hibbins, head of the modern Squigs development team and original game creator said: “We’ve seen a great response to the full iOS version of Squigs and decided to include a taste of all the best aspects in a new, free, arcade style version of the game.

"Squigs Free allows players to experience all the addictive gameplay of the full game in a rapid, fast-paced, six-level high-score challenge. Together, Squigs and Squigs Free offer the perfect combination of gaming styles for all Apple iOS device owners.”

Squigs for iOS was released in November 2011 as an iOS iPhone application. The new version of the full-featured paid game, available from January 2012, is a universal iOS application for iPad and iPhone devices available in the Apple App Store for £0.69 / $0.99.

For up-to-date game news and updates, go to Squigs.com and read the blog, or follow @SquigsGame on Twitter.

The company’s survey of iPhone user opinions and user behaviour can be accessed at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/squigs-survey.

Can You Become a True Knight in The Last Story?

Nintendo announces the upcoming release of The Last Story, the action-packed RPG from Final Fantasy developer Hironobu Sakaguchi.

The Last Story™ is the latest action-packed RPG to come from Hironobu Sakaguchi, available in Europe exclusively on Wii from February 24th 2012. The Last Story features time-honoured RPG gameplay and story elements but also adds modern twists to the traditional RPG formula. Customise your items and character and master the innovative combat system to succeed in this epic new RPG universe.

During The Last Story you take control of Zael and from time to time his partners, a band of mercenaries in search of their fortune. You undertake a series of missions and explore Lazulis Island and its sprawling medieval capital Lazulis City, while trying to help Zael achieve his ultimate goal of leaving his life as a mercenary behind and becoming a true knight.

The Last Story features a high level of customisation for both items and characters appearance. There are two main ways of customising your party’s equipment including visiting blacksmiths to increase their abilities and using dyes to change their colour. By visiting the various blacksmiths who are situated within Lazulis City and within some dungeons gamers can upgrade weapons and armour.

Unlike many other RPGs, The Last Story not only features a thrilling single player campaign with an engaging story, but also Online Multiplayer options including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Co-Op modes. Now you can battle against or alongside up to five other RPG fans from across Europe using your own customised character from the Single Player game.

Master the innovative combat system, customise characters and gather items discovered throughout the game, and by utilising new features in The Last Story take on the many enemies and bosses that can be found across Lazulis Island. Combat mixes traditional melee, ranged and magic attacks that are often found in RPGs with an innovative cover system and unique magical abilities. Gamers will have to master a mysterious ability called The Gathering to help Zael and his band of mercenaries complete their missions and battle vast bosses by discovering their weak spots, picking a suitable strategy and using team work to bring them down.

The Last Story, the latest action based RPG from Hironobu Sakaguchi launches across Europe exclusively for Wii on 24th February 2012.

For further information, please visit:

Nintendo UK: http://www.nintendo.co.uk
Club Nintendo: http://www.club-nintendo.com
Iwata Asks: http://www.iwataasks.co.uk

OMG! A free Zombie game!

A new game to promote Phones4U alongside their ‘Missing Our Deals Will Haunt You’ advertising campaign has been played more than two million times since its launch.

The Zombies Ate My Phone game, created by viral game specialists Koko Digital, was launched on October 19th and has become a massive hit, with more than 1m plays in its first week alone. It has now been played 2.25 million times.

Set in a shopping centre, players can choose from a range of weapons including water balloons, fire extinguishers and vinyl records to fight off their undead foes and rescue their friends, too!

Director Chris Steele said: “The game has been one of the most enjoyable we’ve worked on, and is probably the funniest we’ve created, taking comedic elements from Shaun of the Dead and other zombie films.

“The Facebook version gives players the option to choose which friends they rescue and which friends they don't, which has gone down really well.

“It was designed to tie in with Phones4U’s current TV ad campaign and printed marketing materials, and has been a great success so far, helping them build a huge database of potential customers and diverting lots of traffic to their website.”

Players can enter a competition to win an iPhone 4S, by providing their email address when their game is over.

The stand-alone version of the game is available now, while the Facebook version is here.

Koko Digital was formed in 2006, and specialises in viral advergames and social media applications. Previous clients include Microsoft, Currys and the BBC.

Further information is available at the company website.

A New Desert Adventure Awaits Link in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii

Nintendo has revealed more details about the captivating areas, items and gameplay in the The Legend of Zelda™: Skyward Sword, launching across Europe exclusively for Wii™ on 18th November 2011. This week, Link journeys through the Lanayru Desert where he must find his way through the puzzles in the Lanayru Mining Facility, sail across a sea of sand and discover new items to add to his collection. Newly revealed game elements include the following:

• Lanayru Desert and the Lanayru Mining Facility: In this vast area, surrounded in all directions by a sea of sand, Link must search for the Lanayru Mining Facility. As strange a place as this is, Link will encounter characters both new and familiar, such as Gorons. Inside the Lanayru Mining Facility, Link will encounter mine carts which contain Timeshift Stones through this expansive area, experiencing new puzzles and challenges. He must also face the dungeon boss Moldarach, a fearsome giant scorpion.

•Sandship: Later in his quest, Link returns to a different area of the Lanayru Desert as he sails across a sea of sand in search of a ship.

• New Items: In the desert, Link will receive two new items – the Clawshots and the Gust Bellows. The Clawshots allow players to grapple and pull themselves towards otherwise unreachable areas. The Gust Bellows can blow out a burst of air which can stun enemies and clear paths through piles of sand. Players will find the Gust Bellows essential to solving the puzzles in the Lanayru Mining Facility.

Nintendo will continue to provide fans with select details and information about the Wii game prior to its launch across Europe on 18th November.

This week Nintendo 3DS owners will also have the chance to receive via SpotPass™ a special 3D video of The Legend of Zelda Main Theme Melody which was performed as part of tThe Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony performances. Keep an eye out as additional special clips will be made available via SpotPass in the near future.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be available as a limited edition bundle, featuring a copy of the game, a CD featuring selected orchestral arrangements from the The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony performance and a rare gold-coloured Wii Remote™ Plus controller bearing the Hylian Crest. Pre-order now to avoid disappointment and to secure your copy.

For more information and videos about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword visit http://www.nintendo.co.uk/skywardsword

For more information about The Legend of Zelda™ visit http://www.thelegendofzelda.co.uk

For more information on The Legend of Zelda 25thAnniversary visit http://www.zelda25th.co.uk