A very special update: Gameloft's My Little Pony Game Review.

Beginning Transmission

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night, followers. Unlike other updates, this time I will personally give the news. First things first: This is not exactly a story update; I still haven't made enough progress on any story to update it online... And no, my gaming console is still broken. Piece of sh**.

Anyway, you may know that Gameloft announced an official My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic videogame for mobiles. It was first released in Australia and New Zealand's App stores for iPod and iPad (I guess it's on iPhone too, but I don't own it so I'm not sure).

I downloaded it yesterday and played for almost a day. Now, let's check the diverse thematics from the game:

Storyline

The intro storyline is a revamp from the show's first episodes. The antagonist is Nightmare Moon and she returned to bring eternal night. However, she succeds and most of Equestria is now under her corrupted and evil powers (like surely adding brothels, night clubs and 24-hour stores).

And now, Twilight Sparkle, along with Spike, escapes from her evil influence and tavels to a land that somehow the day is present. It's odd though, the borders between the day and the night are squared.

Graphics

It is obviously expected that an official game would have good graphics and no glitches (*cough* MLP Online *cough*). Although most 2D models and drawings were drawn a long ago (and present in several products like toys before), the 3D models are not bad at all. However, the models could've been better and more polished, but I forgive that since ponies actually interact with each other rather than just walking like zombies (I'm not joking, some MMO games are like that).

The ponies are accurate (about time), the buildings are nicely made (although not scaled properly) and the enviroment in general is smooth. In therms of graphics, this game came out better than expected (although the loading screen looks craptastic).

Sounds

What I first noticed from the game is that the Backgroung music is mostly revamps from known songs (like the "Smile Song" or "find a pet"). However, it has some new tunes for the background. Remember the "instrumental" versions of the songs (that were actually the same exact songs, with the vocals still being heard like echoes or voices of instanity)? Those are much better.

About the sound effects and stuff, there's not much to say. They're accurate at least.

Game features

(Re)Building Ponyville.

There's no much difference from other "free 2 play" games. Buildings are categorized in houses and shops (it'd be too obvious to say what they're for). And also, the new ponies have a cost before "welcoming" them to the new town. (As usual, there are premium items... Trixie and Lyra among them... Well played, greedy Hasbro).

And for the land, you can expand it by spending the usual gold or gems. (Yes, gems is the premium currency). And also, there are pedestals scaterred around "Ponyville", each one representing an element of Harmony. I'm not sure what they're exactly for, but you need "elements" to activate them.

Game Currency

There are several currencies in the game, each one gotten in a different way:

Gold: The most common currency, used to build pretty much everything non-premium in the game. And, as usual, you can buy extra gold. (and trust me, it's not cheap at all.... At least not in the mexican store).

Gems: The premium currency, used to speed up timers, buy premium items (still pisses me off that Lyra is premium), expand the land if there's not enough gold, use an extra multiplier during the mini-games, and even for a chance to get rare items.

(gem) Hearts: The "social" currency: Used only for the mini game with a chance of getting special and rare items (Trixie among them). Fun Fact: They're shaped after the heart gem given to Spike during the episode "Secret of my Excess".

Elements of Harmony: A very special currency. So far I've seen it's used to activate the Harmonic pedestals, fend off parasprites and get a bit more gold when "sacrificed" to the coresponding pedestal. Those are earned ocassionally each time you collect the gold and exp. from the shops.

Mini-games and pony ranking system

Everypony has a ranking system that allows them to be used on shops as the game progresses. Each one can achieve a five-star status by playing mini games and "promoting" them.
Sadly, there are only three mini games in total:

1) Swipe the ball to the pony: Easy game, easy rules, and a time limit of 20 secs. Just play with the pony by swiping the ball with your finger while trying to be accurate and return the ball at the right moment (marked by a ring that encloses the ball.)

2) Collect the apples: Self-explanatory and same time limit.

3) The flight (There's no exact game, just a comic where Celestia gives the pony butterfly-like wings... the same wings Rarity had during the episode "Sonic Rainboom"): It's a 2D scroller where the pony flies, collect coins, hit clouds to charge the Rainbow meter (turbo) and avoid the stormy clouds and the shadowbolts. Note: This game is played each time a pony gets "promoted".

Also, every game has the option of increasing the multiplier score: 1X score for 100 coins, 2X score for 1000 coins, and finally 4X score for 5 gems.

There's an extra game, but that one is based on chance an can be played for free only once a day: After you buy Flim and Flam's ballon shop, you can play a game of popping ballons and get rewards (coins, elements, gems and even rare ponies). Good thing Heart Gems can be also used, making this game less money-whore.

This feature still needs work. It gets repetitive fast.

Questing and earning exp. points

Throughout the game, there are several quests that will guide you and learn how to play and get used to the interface. There's not much to say about the quests: It's just the usual "build this", "do that", "collect from X shop", etc. Each quest rewards you with exp., gold and sometimes gems.

Leveling up, obvsiously, unlocks new items in the shop (although premium items are avaliable from the beginning and there's no way to unlock any item earlier... I said that because there are games that allow you that).

Like any other "free 2 play" game, quests are self explanatory and easy to fulfill (except Pinkie's Quest to find Derpy... She's tougher to find than Waldo).

This feature lacks originality so far. I've been through the same process in almost every other MMO

Veredict

In conclussion, this game had a good headstart and it's enjoyable to play. For the brony and for the target audience, this game is pretty nice and it's good enough. Although the playability still needs work and much more variety, I'm pretty sure the updates are coming.

I rank this game: 8/10.

Other stuff

You may be wondering which ponies are included upon the release date. Do not worry, as I'll post the list so far of them and the shops, as well as their status (normal, premium or rare):

- Twilight Sparkle. (Starting pony)
- Cheerilee (Normal)
- Bon Bon (Normal)
- Lyra Heartstrings (Premium)
- Pinkie Pie (Normal)
- Ms. Cake (Normal)
- Snails. (Rare)
- Time Turner (Rare.)
- Zecora (special. Costs 30 Heart Gems)
- Braeburn (Normal)
- Princess Celestia (Premium OR very slim chance at Rare)
- Mr. Carrot Cake (Normal)
- Applebloom (Normal)
- Scootaloo (Special: Costs 50 Heart Gems)
- Snips (Normal)
- Applejack (Normal)
- Hoity Toity (Special: Costs 70 Heart Gems)
- Photo Finish (Rare)
- Octavia (Normal)
- Spitfire (Normal)
- Diamon Tiara (Premium)
- Trixie Lulamoon (the game states "Trixie the Magnificent") (Rare)
- Flim (normal)
- Sweetie Belle (Premium)
- Rarity (Normal)
- DJ Pon-3 (Normal)
- Fancypants (Premium)
- Flam (Premium)
- Cherry Jubilee (Normal)
- Caramel (Rare)
- Twist (Normal)
- Daring Do (Rare)
- Royal Guard (Normal)
- Fluttershy (Normal)
- Filthy rich (Premium)
- Jeff Letrotsky (The fanservice is strong in this one) (Normal)
- Soarin (Premium)
- Mayor Mare (Normal)
- Jesús Pezuña (no, not Jesus Christ) (Normal)
- Fleetfoot (The Wonderbolt with white mane) (Normal)
- Magnum (Rarity's father) (Rare)
- Rainbow Dash (Normal)
- Prince Blueblood (Premium)
- Sapphire shores (Normal)
- Silver Spoon (Premium)
- Princess Luna's Royal Guard (wonder why this one exists. Princess Luna is still Nightmare moon)(Premium)
- Shining Armor (Normal)
- Princess Cadence (Normal)

And for the shops:

- Windmill (Normal)
- Cherry Stand (Normal)
- Lemon Stand (Normal)
- Balloon Shop (Normal)
- Bookstore (Normal)
- Carrot Farm (Normal)
- House of Hats (Normal)
- Day Spa (They have the spa, but not the spa ponies... fu**ers) (Normal)
- Flower Shop (Same thing, but with Rose) (Normal)
- Mane Salon (Normal)
- Toy Shop (Premium)
- Asparagus Stand (srsly) (Normal)
- Antique Shop (Normal)
- Restaurant (Normal)
- Bowlin Alley (Normal)
- Schoolhouse (Normal)
- Café (Normal)
- Joke Shop (Normal)
- Quills and Sofas (Still waiting for the quill resupply) (Normal)
- Hospital (Is that even a shop?) (Normal)
- Town Hall (In Equestria, politics and administration count as a shop) (Normal)

And last but not least: If you're playing this game, then add meon Gameloft Live: Xfiles90210. Follow me, or I'll follow you... In real life.