Featured Application: iMafia

One of the applications I've been addicted to is a game called iMafia, one of the first MMOs for the iPhone that lets you go head to head against other players. When you first start the game, you're a lowly thug, trying to work your way up. First you follow the tutorial, which takes you through purchasing a weapon, pulling a "job," fighting another player, depositing money in a bank, and healing yourself in the hospital. While that may seem like a lot at first, it is actually quite easy to get the hang of.

Walkthrough - Left Side:

• Hospital: At the hospital you can heal yourself after fights with other players. The price to heal yourself increases with each level you increase. However, you can only heal yourself with "clean money," deposited through the bank.
  
• Bank: This is where you can deposit money to use at the Hospital, or to protect from being stolen during fights. Beware, the bank takes a 10% cut of everything you deposit.
  
• Pawn: At the pawn store, you can outfit your mafia with guns, armor, and vehicles. Individual mafia members can only possess one of each. You will need these items not only to protect yourself or to fight, but to do "jobs."


• Bar: This is where you do jobs. Each job requires energy, but returns back cash and experience points, which you can use to level up. The cash allows you to purchase items at the Pawn store, Mafia members from the Godfather, and Real Estate.

Walkthrough - Right Side:

• Godfather: One of the really interesting aspects of iMafia is its in-game store. iMafia rewards you with PlayMesh points if you purchase one of its other games in the iTunes Application store. You can use these points towards cash, mafia members, or other rewards. Also in this store, you can purchase additional mafia members.
  


• Real Estate: Here you can purchase Real Estate, which allows you to have a recurring hourly income whether or not you are playing the game. This is the key to any winning strategy.
  


• Police: If someone is being a big pest, you can "Hitlist" them, which essentially places a bounty on their head. You put up the cash and the stamina and someone else will do the dirty work for you. Also, you can check the leaderboards.
  
• Cafe: This is one of the elements that seems to be lacking. The cafe allows you to keep track of friends, but the functionality is pretty limited.
  
• Fights: If you feel the need for blood, take your Mafia to fight other live players. If you have the upper hand, you'll get some cash and experience (but you'll lose some health). If you are the weaker player, you'll just lose health.

Tips to Advancing Quickly:

1. Real Estate: Most of the income you'll generate as you get towards the top is derived from your Real Estate - malls, casinos, etc. You'll receive money every hour, whether or not you're actively playing. Build a strong Real Estate income so you can finance other purchases.
2. Energy: When you level up, make sure to invest your skill points in energy. There are two ways to get experience points which allow you to level up - fighting, and pulling jobs at the bar. While fighting may or may not get you experience points (you get 0 if you lose), pulling a job will definitely get you points. The larger the jobs get, the more energy you need.
3. Mafia Size: In order to make yourself stronger and better protected, you need to increase the size of your Mafia (by going to the Godfather) and equip yourself with weapons, armor, and vehicles (at the Pawn Store). You will also need a larger Mafia in order to pull bigger jobs at the bar. Steadily increase your Mafia size.
4. The Bank: While it may make sense to deposit money in the bank if you have less than $10 million, once you get past that amount, it doesn't matter. People attacking you can only take 1% of your cash, upto $100,000.

Pros:

1. Easy to learn and play.
2. Can play against other people.
3. Doesn't require too much time per day to keep current.
4. New content as you reach certain levels
5. Purchasing other games gives you certain benefits.

Cons:

1. Gets boring/repetitive between new content.
2. While you can play against other people, this feature is pretty limited. The social aspect is severely lacking. Adding certain functionality such as teaming up with other Mafia leaders would be a welcome benefit.
3. It is near impossible to reach the leaderboard if you are severely behind.

All in all, I think this game is a ton of fun. If you have any questions feel free to leave comments!