Sky is the limit

Skyline Skaters

Skyline Skaters by Tactile Entertainment was recently launched on iOS as a free-to-play endless skateboarder game, joining the ranks of other popular games from the same genre like Subway Surfers and Jetpack Joyride among others. The main task for this game is to hold fort and grab the attention of game lovers, since the above mentioned games have already set a good base in the gaming world. Fortunately for Tactile, the game has earned some fans already, but it looks like the forced advertisements, part of the freemium model, will ensure that they lose them.
If you are someone who has never played a game from this genre, then things might get a little tough since you land up straight into the gaming arena, without any introduction, story line or a menu. Here, the player (as the skater) is seen jumping, double jumping and moving ahead in order to collect coins and avoid obstacles. Keep an eye out for the bonus letters on the way to spell words highlighted above, in order to unlock power ups like the super skater mode (where the player starts skateboarding in the air). The player is constantly chased by a helicopter owned by a cop, so you must keep an eye on him and keep running without getting caught.
The controls are simple, as the player has to tap to jump and double tap to take a bigger leap. The right jump and timing will ensure that you collect a good amount of coins. But as soon as you get comfortable with the game, your chances of staying alive becomes extremely difficult. You have to overcome dangerous hurdles like missiles, bigger gaps between rooftops, drones among others. There are also mini missions within the game that will ensure that your skater rank goes up. In case you are too bored for such missions, you can skip them by using the rare green bucks earned during the game.
Coins collected on the way unlock additional power-ups, boards and new skaters; which have their own unique pros. Like most games, in case you fall short of coins or are unable to collect enough number of them, you can always pay real money. Now that is where the disadvantages start to roll in. Even before you start playing, you are asked to buy a boost using coins, prompted to watch a video or link the game to your social media accounts to get some free money every day. Social integration is good, but not when you are lured into it for freebies. A hardcore game lover would begin to wonder, is this a money market or what?
If you look at the brighter side, we loved the set up, which is full of visually appealing 3D effects, vibrant buildings and colourful surroundings. The music is entertaining and keeps you on your toes. The range of characters and skaters are very good. Still, the gamer might feel the pinch of trying out their own tricks as a skater, rather than just sticking to the computer designed ones. Overall, Skyline Skaters is a refreshing break from the other popular games from the genre, but entertains only till the point freemium ads begin to annoy.

Shahid Kapoor: @shahidkapoor on Instagram

Although Shahid Kapoor celebrated his  birthday in February, the actor preferred to upload a rather edgy selfie of himself clicked during his birthday trip. The photograph, which was uploaded on his official instagram account, was captured on a sunny day out on the beaches of Goa. One can see the actor sporting his latest look from Haider, as the palm trees and sun rays in the background reflect on his wayfarers. The actor posted this picture only recently with a line, “View to kill.” Kapoor also posed this picture on his Twitter account, which was liked by several fans.

 

Sony DADC releases

The Hobbit on home video

Home entertainment by Sony DADC launched the fantasy adventure film, The Hobbit: The desolation of Smaug, across all home video platforms.The film explores the adventure of Bilbo Baggins, as he embarks upon a journey with the Wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves, led by ThorinOakenshield, to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. The film is available on 3D Blu ray, Blu ray and DVD for Rs. 1499, Rs.1299 and Rs. 599 respectively. A 4 disc steel book 3D blu ray is also available with special features for Rs.1999.