Filed under: Gaming, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Fieldrunners updated to 1.3, offers two new maps as in-app purchases
Touch Arcade has word that one of 2008's best iPhone games (our 2009 list is coming out this week), Fieldrunners [iTunes link, $2.99], has released an update (1.3), in which they've released two new maps available as in-app purchases, and they've included OpenFeint 2.4 functionality, with messaging, chat, and everything else the in-game social network portends.
The two new maps are called Skyway and Frostbite. Skyway boasts a metal floor with a few holes in it, which limit where you can place your units in the tower defense classic. Frostbite is a snowfield with a base in the middle to defend from attackers on all sides. Seems like both offer up some interesting twists on the gameplay -- they're 99 cents each (a fact that has the most recent iTunes reviews up in arms), but if you ask us, two bucks for new content is cheap, especially if you're a big Fieldrunners fan already.
The update itself is a free download for paid users, though, so if you want that OpenFeint functionality, hit up the App Store and load the game up yet again.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
d0rk4l said 3:48PM on 12-30-2009
Ever since this update, the game was rendered unplayable to me without paying more money.
The two "original" maps show up as Locked when I start a new game, so my only option is to pay for one of the in-app purchasable maps. Before the update, I had all the original maps open for play.
The OpenFeint system is a terrible addition, it's sluggish and doesn't add much. I have yet to see one of these in-app "social" systems that works well.
So, to try and fix my first problem, I went to reinstall the app. I've owned Fieldrunners for well over 6 months, I purchased it way back on my iPhone 2G and it installed just fine on my 3GS. But now it wants me to pay another $3 just to install the app after uninstalling it to try and fix my problem.
Recent reviews on the App Store echo the same issue. Either this is a MAJOR bug with the patch or the developer(s) really want to push for a second wave of income from the app. Either way, it's hurt the reputation of this app.
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Chris said 4:56PM on 12-30-2009
I bought this game the day it was first released, and have enjoyed it quite a bit. However, I just browsed through the last few pages of recent reviews, and I must say that I agree with most of them. I have no desire/need for OpenFeint.
This is a beautiful game, and well designed, but by comparison to other TD apps available now, it is sorely lacking. Many other TD apps now have more levels, variation, options, upgrades, etc.
Also, the opening screen that asks to either enable OpenFeint or "I don't want these awesome features" is nearly insulting to loyal customers and fans of this game, IMO. How about I don't want to or need to chat while playing the game...I just want to play the game. And, new maps for a game that has become somewhat stale due to the lack of an update for some time would be awesome. But, paying $1/each for two new maps isn't the solution. I'm deleting this application and taking my $2 to put toward another TD application.
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Lorey said 11:01AM on 12-31-2009
The new update 1.3.1 seems to have fixed the bug with the initial maps being locked.... it's pretty awesome now!
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