Software:M.U.L.E. Returns
| M.U.L.E. Returns | |
|---|---|
 M.U.L.E. Returns logo | |
| Developer(s) | Comma 8 Studios |
| Designer(s) | Dani Bunten |
| Platform(s) | iOS, Android |
| Release | 25 November 2013 (iOS) |
| Genre(s) | Turn-based strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
M.U.L.E. Returns was a strategy mobile game by Toronto-based developer Comma 8 Studios. It was a licensed iOS remake of the 1983 classic M.U.L.E.
Gameplay
The gameplay of M.U.L.E. Returns closely follows that of the original M.U.L.E., though the controls are adapted for mobile device touchscreens.[1] Improvements over the original include a pause feature, three difficulty modes, social media integration, and the ability to apply custom skins.[1][2][3]
Development
In 2012, Electronic Arts was in licensing negotiations with M.U.L.E.'s original developers, Ozark Softscape, though these were unsuccessful and Ozark ultimately awarded mobile platform rights to Comma 8 Studios.[1] Comma 8 began developing the game simultaneously for iOS and Android, using C++ and a framework middleware.[1] To create as faithful a reproduction as possible, the developers traced and reimplemented the original 8-bit code.[1]
Release
Comma 8 released an official trailer for the game on 27 June 2012,[4][5] and discussed the game's development at World of Commodore 2012 in December.[1] The game was originally slated to be released in mid-2012,[3] though this was pushed back repeatedly, first to the end of the year,[6] then to early 2013,[1] and finally to late 2013. The game was eventually released for iOS on 25 November 2013[7] and was presented the following week at the 2013 World of Commodore in Toronto.[8] However, (As of 2019) further development on the game has been discontinued.[9]
Reception
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Reviewers' attitudes to M.U.L.E. Returns were split.[10] Matt Thrower of Gamezebo appreciated the game's "unique and enthralling mixture of strategic concerns propelled forward by real-time pressures" but criticized its patchy tutorial, sloppy artificial intelligence, and showstopping bugs.[12] Pocket Gamer's Harry Slater, who is not a fan of the original M.U.L.E., criticized the remake as "outdated, with sloppy touch controls and far-from impressive backdrops".[13] 148Apps had a more positive opinion of the game, awarding it four out of five stars and praising its sophisticated supply-and-demand economics. Like Gamezebo, however, they bemoaned its failure to implement the original's multiplayer mode.[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Brudzynski, Matt (presenter) (3 January 2013). World of Commodore 2012 – M.U.L.E. Returns. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Toronto PET Users Group. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ Diener, Matthew (29 June 2012). "Original strategy simulator M.U.L.E. receives an iOS remake and teaser trailer". http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Multiformat/MULE+Returns/news.asp?c=42586. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cox, Kate (18 June 2012). "Iconic Game M.U.L.E. Is Back, and It's Coming to a Phone Near You". http://kotaku.com/5919357/iconic-game-mule-is-back-and-its-coming-to-a-phone-near-you?tag=mule. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ Nelson, Jared (29 June 2012). "First Trailer for Official 'M.U.L.E.' Remake, Coming to iOS this Year". http://toucharcade.com/2012/06/29/first-trailer-for-official-m-u-l-e-remake-coming-to-ios-this-year/. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ Comma 8 Studios (27 June 2012). "M.U.L.E. Returns Original (2012) Trailer". Comma 8 Studios. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkzDJnSaZ3Y. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ Fahey, Mike (17 October 2012). "The iOS Revival of M.U.L.E. is Coming Along Nicely". http://kotaku.com/5952685/the-ios-revival-of-mule-is-coming-along-nicely?post=53622997. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ "New Trailer". Comma 8 Studios. 22 November 2013. http://mulereturns.com/new-trailer/. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ "World of Commodore 2013". Toronto PET Users Group. 9 September 2013. http://www.tpug.ca/2013/09/world-of-commodore-2013/.
- ↑ "M.U.L.E. Returns". Comma 8 Studios. http://mulereturns.com/. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "MULE Returns". http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/739729-mule-returns/index.html. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Dotson, Carter (9 December 2013). "M.U.L.E. Returns Review". http://www.148apps.com/reviews/mule-returns-review/. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ Thrower, Matt (2 December 2013). "MULE Returns Review". http://www.gamezebo.com/2013/12/02/mule-returns-review/. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ Slater, Harry (4 December 2013). "M.U.L.E. Returns". http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/MULE+Returns/review.asp?c=55726. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
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