Lory Gil

Writer of all things app related, traveler of the space-time continuum, baker of really great cookies. Follow me @appaholik

Kahuna review: play your way to paradise islands

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

This whole “board games ported to iOS” thing is a huge money saver for me. My favorite types of games average $40 and can cost upwards of $80, not taking into account expansions. So, whenever there is version ported to the iPad, I jump at the chance to play it. If it’s one I’ve never heard of, it gives me the opportunity to see if I like the mechanics before dropping a few “twomps” on the physical version (which I usually do).

Kahuna is a port of the land grab strategy game of the same name by Rio Grande Games. This is one of those titles I’ve seen at my local board game store, but had not invested in yet because I wasn’t sure if I’d like it. Guess I’ll be heading to the game shop this week…

Box It! is a relaxing but challenging puzzle game

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

When my world starts to spin out of control, one thing I like to do to calm down is play simple casual games. The more Zen-like, the better. These games help distract me from the issue at hand, while giving me a moment to collect my thoughts.

Box It! is a casual game that includes all of the calming themes I like. The game isn’t too hard. The design is simple and the colors are muted. The music is relaxing. The puzzles offer a challenge, but won’t make you pull your hair out…

Blaze&Graze will turn you into a machine of destruction

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

With all this news about Flappy Bird, I almost forgot that there are new, exciting, and fun games in the App Store with good quality graphics and smooth game mechanics.

Blaze&Graze is an endless runner game that lets you blast away your enemies with machine guns, lasers, and whatever else you can get your hands on. You won’t be stuck between two pipes with this fast-paced game…

Family fun night can now be played on iOS with Qwirkle

Lory Gil ∙ February 12, 2014

Fans of board games might know about the award-wining family friendly tile game Qwirkle. The game is a lot like a mix between dominoes and rummy tile. It is simple enough to be played by kindergarteners, but challenging enough to be enjoyed by adults.

Qwirkle has just launched in the App Store for the iPhone and iPad. So, now you can bring the fun of tabletop gaming to your digital device. Don’t worry about cleaning off the coffee table. You won’t need any extra room to play this game…

realMyst: Masterpiece Edition now available on Mac OS X

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Twenty years ago, a mysterious and complex puzzle adventure game won the hearts and minds of PC gamers. The wickedly complex puzzles and deeply involving storyline created millions of fans and spawned a few remakes and an equally complex sequel, Riven.

realMyst was one of the remakes, and features free-roaming 3-D graphics and a few awesome features that make it more game-like and less two-dimensional. The 20th anniversary version of the original game has recently been launched in the Mac App Store under the title realMyst: Masterpiece Edition…

Apps of the Week: Final Fantasy VI, Paper, Modern Command, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

February has begun, which means it is no longer the start of the New Year. Are you sticking to your resolutions? So far, I’m doing pretty good with mine. Not great, but pretty good. Hey, we’ve got 11 more months to get it together, right?

This weekend, if you are planning on staying in with epic video games sessions on your iPhone, want to catch up on your Facebook news reading, or forgot to order flowers for you mom because you were playing videos games too long, we’ve got a list of apps and game to give you something to do this weekend…

On the Line review: let your fingers do the running

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

There are hundreds, if not thousands of “endless runner” games in the App Store. So many now that, when I see the term, I usually groan and pass it by. However, from time to time, a unique take on the game will come along and surprise me.

On the Line is one of those little surprises. It is called an endless runner, and I suppose in its most technical terms, it is, but this game is anything but typical. There are no coins, no bonus items, and no character. Your finger is the runner…

Rocket Robo review: help a lonely robot reach the stars

Lory Gil ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Gaming on mobile devices has gotten better over the past few years. Things have really heated up since the launch of the iPhone 5s and the iPad Air. Graphics and performance have improved greatly, making it possible for mobile game makers to create some fairly incredible titles.

Rocket Robo is a puzzle game that features great graphics, unique movement mechanics and a sprinkling of arcade action...

Threes mixes matching and math for a minimalistic strategy game

Lory Gil ∙ February 6, 2014

Sudoku intimidates me. It’s not that I don’t like math. It’s just that puzzle games based on numbers reminds me of middle school. I feel like some unseen teacher is hovering over me, judging my abilities.

Threes is a minimalistic matching game that doesn’t require you to solve any kind of puzzle, so you can get your math fix without feeling like you have to show your work…

Track your progress as you learn something new with Better Every Time app

Lory Gil ∙ February 6, 2014

I am big on crafting and do-it-yourself projects. If there is one think I’ve learned from my many attempts to create handmade stuff, it is that practice is the key to getting better. I fail nearly every time I try something new. However, by the third or fourth attempt, I’ve improved greatly.

Better Every Time is a journaling app that makes it easy for you to track your progress when attempting to get better at something. As you work at it, record what happens so that you will know what not to do the next time around…

CARROT Fit review: get weight loss support that will make you cry

Lory Gil ∙ February 4, 2014

The CARROT series of apps will either make you giggle or angry. Personally, I am part of the former category. I laugh all the time when that smarmy lady tells me what to do every morning.

CARROT Fit is the weight loss version of the verbally abusive personal assistant. Not only will she call you “flabby,” no matter how skinny you are, but she will also berate you for keeping or gaining any weight. Think about that the next time you eat a Twinkie after 9 o'clock…

Help Sherlock Holmes solve his latest case in this iOS game

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Two weeks ago, the most popular show on PBS launched the first episode of its third season. The 90-minute episodes are possibly the most popular versions of Sherlock Holmes since Robert Downey Junior donned the cap. Frankly, I think the television show is better.

Sherlock: The Network HD is a puzzle game that stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Holmes) and Martin Freeman (Watson). Join the detecting duo as they solve crimes, stir up trouble, and act like smarty pants…