= 4 stars

Reduce stress using this iPhone app featuring mind-body healing expert Deepak Chopra.

The Good

• Pretty much everyone would benefit from less stress in their lives.
• Deepak Chopra (authority in the field of mind-body healing), makes regular appearances in the form of videos, audio narration, writings, and even email — you receive daily advice and reminders of your progress, and Chopra himself promises to regularly answer selected questions sent from app users. Although Chopra’s presence is an illusion of technology, it feels like a direct conversation, which is a big help toward sticking with the program.
• A path consisting of six keys is unlocked through sequential activities. I personally found this linear approach more satisfying than the circular, do-what-you-like method of the Live Happy app (also made by Signal Patterns).
• I believe the exercises contained within (relaxation, music therapy, yoga, meditation, savoring good things) can work to reduce stress. They are well thought out and the makers of the app seem sincere in their intent to help people — this isn’t a quick fix. The biggest barrier is the user’s discipline over time, which is no fault of the app.

The Bad

• Different volume levels between videos and audio files; I found myself regularly adjusting the iPhone volume to compensate.
• The interface could use a little more polish. Some scrolling text areas are draggable while they’re scrolling along with audio narration, resulting in a tug-of-war. The navigation is sometimes confusing, as I’ve had trouble revisiting some of the videos (hint: tap the “i” icon in the upper right).
• Relieving stress may be priceless, but $9.99 feels a little high.

Conclusion

Stress Free With Deepak Chopra is an improvement over the Live Happy app because of a more linear approach, plus it has the persuasive power of Chopra’s calming personality to help one stick to the program. And did I feel less stress while testing the app? Well, let’s just say I’ve gotten through both Thanksgiving, a winter holiday, and a blizzard without any weight gain. Namaste.

iTunes App Store Link:

(Disclosure: This review requested by developer, and I received a free review copy of  the iPhone app)

= 5 stars

Kill as many horrific monsters as possible during an escape from a destroyed Mars research base.

The Good

• From the very first scenes, it’s clear a lot of work has gone into this game. There’s thought and polish, from the way chararcter dialogue is displayed, to detailed animation of dying monsters and gun reloads. The end result is a genuinely spooky mood of scary monsters hiding in shadows with you on the edge of death; just what you’d expect from Doom.
• Amusingly varied controls: Use the iPhone tilt to move crosshairs around the screen. Tap items on screen to pick them up. Tap in the lower right corner to fire. Tap in the lower left corner to dodge oncoming fireballs. Tap in the upper left corner to change weapons. There’s a particular zombie that grabs a hold of you, requiring a shake of the iPhone. Some monsters fire at different rates and from different distances, requiring different dodge timing, and others fire guns like yours that take some time to lock on you as a target. Juggling all these tasks involves a bit of memory, speed, strategic timing, and luck. Yes, it’s fun.
• Must mention the 3D graphics which are a step above other iPhone games. You’ll soon realize this when baddies come toward you in gory detail.

The Bad

• Your path is on “rails” — guided with lots of narration and pre-determined scenarios, meaning you can’t run all over, exploring wherever you like. In this one sense, it’s not very Doom-like.
• Pricey at ten bucks.
• Ending left something to be desired — no big surprise like a brain with robot legs.

Conclusion

Despite its limiting scenario-based gameplay, Doom Resurrection’s great graphics, attention to detail, variety of controls, and satisfying plot make this the best first person shooter I’ve yet played on the iPhone. It’s a serious game that takes the iPhone gaming platform seriously.

Then the other issue: is it worth the relatively pricey $9.99? I played all the way to the end to find out, and with that knowledge, I’ll say “yes.” My trip was on “easy,” a return trip to hell on a harder level is in order.

iTunes App Store Link:

= 5 stars

Crosswords is an iPhone app that has proved well worth the $9.99 price. Puzzles come from several websites (Houston Chronicle, Thinks.com, New York Sun, NY Times Classic, Wall Street Journal, Sydney Morning Herald, The Onion, Village Voice, Sydney Morning Cryptic, Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday, and the Chronicle of Higher Education) and a keyboard and clue interface lets you solve them by tapping on the iPhone screen.

The Good

• New puzzles are available through the Internet, and are free.
• A good amount of thought in regards to usability, making the puzzles workable on the small iPhone screen. You can flip through clues using the right and left arrows, and switch between across to down by tapping on the clue. There’s also a master list of all the puzzles with a progress indicator.
• There are several “views” giving many options to tackle a puzzle. Tilting the iPhone to its side displays clues in a column on the right that you can scroll through. There’s also a “clue” view in which you can just see all the clues in a list without the puzzle.
• Various hint types are available, easing frustration.

The Bad

• The small screen ocasionally feels rather cramped, especially with long words. It’s hard to get an overview of an entire puzzle at a glance.

Conclusion

If you’re used to doing crosswords in the traditional manner, this app takes some getting used to, but I’ve found it well worth the effort, as it provides an unlimited amount of puzzles in a pocket without the crumpled-up newpaper and pencil mess. I’ve gotten comfortable enough that I can fiddle with a crossword using one hand and my thumb to page through clues and poke at the keyboard. All in all, it’s easily worth the $10.

Note: There’s also a free version called “Crosswords Lite” that you can try out before ponying up for the $10 version.

iTunes App Store Link: