M.U.L.E. Returns
M.U.L.E. Returns logo
Developer(s)Comma 8 Studios
Designer(s)Dani Bunten
Platform(s)iOS, Android
Release25 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 16 February 2019 further development on the game has been discontinued.[9]

Reception

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bugs.[12] Pocket Gamer's Harry Slater, who is not a fan of the original M.U.L.E., criticized the remake as "outdated, with sloppy touch controls and far-from impressive backdrops".[13] 148Apps had a more positive opinion of the game, awarding it four out of five stars and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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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.
  2. ↑ Diener, Matthew (29 June 2012). "Original strategy simulator M.U.L.E. receives an iOS remake and teaser trailer". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  3. 1 2 Cox, Kate (18 June 2012). "Iconic Game M.U.L.E. Is Back, and It's Coming to a Phone Near You". Kotaku. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  4. ↑ Nelson, Jared (29 June 2012). "First Trailer for Official 'M.U.L.E.' Remake, Coming to iOS this Year". Touch Arcade. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  5. ↑ Comma 8 Studios (27 June 2012). "M.U.L.E. Returns Original (2012) Trailer". YouTube. Comma 8 Studios. Retrieved 26 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ Fahey, Mike (17 October 2012). "The iOS Revival of M.U.L.E. is Coming Along Nicely". Kotaku. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "New Trailer". M.U.L.E. Returns. Comma 8 Studios. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "World of Commodore 2013". Toronto PET Users Group. 9 September 2013.
  9. ↑ "M.U.L.E. Returns". M.U.L.E. Returns. Comma 8 Studios. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  10. 1 2 "MULE Returns". Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  11. 1 2 Dotson, Carter (9 December 2013). "M.U.L.E. Returns Review". 148Apps. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  12. ↑ Thrower, Matt (2 December 2013). "MULE Returns Review". Gamezebo. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  13. ↑ Slater, Harry (4 December 2013). "M.U.L.E. Returns". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
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