Archive for the ‘2.99’ tag
TouchArcade Game of the Year 2011: ‘Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP’
We’ve mentioned in the past how difficult it was deciding on Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor [99¢] as our game of the year in 2009, along with Space Miner [99¢ / HD] in 2010. It shouldn’t come as much as much of a surprise that as the App Store has gained even more momentum, making these picks has become much more challenging. Interestingly enough, this year all of the games that we had in consideration for game of the year were also universal, which made the decision to drop the differentiation between the iPhone game of the year and iPad game of the year that we did in 2010 incredibly easy.
In 2011, we’re looking at iOS games as exactly that, games for iOS devices. We might prefer playing some of these games on the iPad (or in some cases, even the smaller screens of the iPhone or iPod touch) but they’re all fantastic experiences regardless of what device you’re playing it on. With the advent of iCloud, we’re hoping in 2012 developers take universal compatibility to new levels, and create games that are not only great on all devices, but can be seamlessly played on as many devices as you own.
Also, if you’d like to get some more insight on the TouchArcade game of the year process, check out the most recent episode of The TouchArcade Show. We discuss what we each liked about all of these games and more.
TouchArcade Game of the Year
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, $4.99 – [Review] – [] – Our minds were blown at GDC 2010 when we first got our hands on Sword & Sworcery. The initial experience of playing the game is so powerful that it gave me chills. I really can’t think of any other mobile game that has invoked a similar emotional response that I’ve played in my entire life. Sworcery is an absolute flawless combination of an entirely original soundtrack by , pixel art that is easily among the best I’ve ever seen by , and the creative genius of along with the proverbial behind-the-scenes glue provided by to bring the whole project together.
Sword & Sworcery is universal, and while we ever-so-slightly prefer the overall experience on our iPads, it’s still just as incredible on the smaller screens of the rest of the iOS device family. In fact, if all you have is an iPhone or iPod touch, you might want to just opt for Superbrother: Sword & Sworcery EP Micro [$2.99], which is a couple bucks cheaper at the expense of losing universal compatibility. Regardless of what device you play it on, S&S is a game you simply must play, from start to finish, with a great pair of headphones on if at all possible.
TouchArcade Game of the Year Runner Up
Anomaly Warzone Earth, $1.99 – [Review] – [] – Tower defense games have always been an App Store staple. It just seems to be a genre that perfectly meshes with both the touch controls of iOS devices, as well as providing an overall gameplay experience that works really well for playing on the go. Unfortunately, it seems there’s only so much you can do in a tower defense game, and even though the past few years have brought some great entries into the genre, they all felt sort of the same. Then, from out of nowhere, comes Anomaly Warzone Earth. In essence, took the traditional tower defense formula, and flipped it around, offering a whole new take on an otherwise stale section of the App Store.
They didn’t stop there though, as especially when played with headphones, Anomaly Warzone Earth is ridiculously immersive. Incredible amounts of effort went into creating a game that looks and sounds as good as it plays, and the game feels fresh the whole way through, as 11 bit studios constantly throws new challenges and gameplay elements at you all the way up to the last level. Similar to Sword & Sworcery, Anomaly Warzone Earth [99¢] is also available as a slightly cheaper although non-universal version as well.
Honorable Mentions
We also wanted to honor three other stand-out iOS titles that were among all of our best-of lists for the year. Like our game of the year and runner up, they’re all universal and should be on every iOS device that you own if you’re even remotely interested in iOS gaming.
Infinity Blade II, $6.99 – [Review] – [] – A great sequel to Infinity Blade [$5.99] by , Infinity Blade II expands upon the original in every way possible. It’s by far the best looking game on the App Store, and we suspect it will likely serve as the graphical benchmark of what iOS devices are capable of throughout 2012. If you want to stretch the legs of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and see what its truly capable of, Infinity Blade II is the game to do it with.
Mage Gauntlet, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – has had a fabulous track record for releasing phenomenal iOS titles with its Hook series of games, and Mage Gauntlet continues that tradition by being its best game yet. Flawless controls combine with all the retro trimmings to make us warm with nostalgia while feeling modern enough that even people who weren’t around for the great action RPGs of the 16-bit era can appreciate it. Recent updates have improved gameplay even further, and have added universal compatibility. We can’t wait to see what Rocketcat does in 2012.
SpellTower, $1.99 – [Review] – [] – The App Store is home to a plethora of clever puzzle games, and SpellTower is our favorite of the year. Gage elegantly combines the simplicity of a word game with the complexity of a strategy game, and its multiple game modes provide something for everyone regardless of whether you like to take your time and hunt for the best words, or be on the clock and racking up points as quickly as possible. We prefer SpellTower on our iPads, but it’s just as much fun on the iPhone and iPod touch as well.
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The TouchArcade Show – 31 – Game of the Year Edition
This week on The TouchArcade Show we kinda forget to talk about things like, say, using our iPads on the toilet. Instead, the first half of our show is dedicated solely to our internal Game of the Year debate. We go through all five of our finalists in detail, and then we reveal specifically what game won and why.
If you haven’t noticed, this little bit of information isn’t on the main page just yet, so this is EXCLUSIVE content exclusively for our exclusive listeners. Exclusive, exclusive, exclusive.
iTunes Link: The TouchArcade Show
Zune Marketplace: TouchArcade.com Podcasts
RSS Feed: The TouchArcade Show
Direct Link: TouchArcadeShow-031.mp3, 41MB
At the back-end, we do fit in a Kitty Korner for all your earholes. In the second half, we tackle some of this week’s less-than-awesome news and then fly straight into your user questions. Speaking of which, we need more so feel free to fire us an e-mail. Podcast@toucharcade.com is where to send ‘em.
Here are you show notes:
GAMES
- Infinity Blade 2 [$6.99]
- Mage Gauntlet [$2.99]
- Sword & Sworcery [$4.99]
- LostWinds [$3.99]
- Anomaly: Warzone Earth [$.99 / UHD]
- SpellTower [$.99]
JARED’S KITTY KORNER
- Longcat Love Adventure [$.99]
NEWS
- ‘Final Fantasy Tactics’ Gets Retina Update
- iMAME Appears On The App Store / iDOS Returns
- Remedy Open To Doing Another Game / ‘Death Rally’ Multiplayer Update Is Go
We won’t see you again until next week, so we wanted to take the chance to say happy holidays and we wish you the best in the coming year. Thanks for tuning in and being awesome, by the way, and know this: we’re going to rock 2012, dawgs.
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Best iOS Games: 2011 Buyer’s Guide
Each year before Christmas we’ve put up a buyer’s guide listing the best iOS titles of the year. Looking back at the 2009 Buyer’s Guide and the 2010 Buyer’s Guide, we’ve come a long way. Below you’ll find all of 5 star rated iOS titles, as well as the standout 4.5 star games.
If you just opened an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad for Christmas, this is a great place to get started. To make this list a little easier to digest, we’ve broken these games into a few very vague categories. Oh, and if you also opened an iCade this Christmas, don’t forget to check out our list of iCade supported games.
Casual
Tiny Wings, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – It’s not every day that Angry Birds gets knocked to the #2 position on the top sales charts, but Tiny Wings did it. It comes packed with delightfully simple single button gameplay that even kids could enjoy along with increasingly difficult goals that even hardcore gamers will find challenging. Get this game, now.
Angry Birds Rio, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – As easy as it is to groan at Angry Birds Rio getting a 5 star rating, it’s a fantastic game. It obviously takes the original Angry Birds formula and builds on top of it with the Rio tie in, boss battles, and some spruced up interface elements. There’s also a few extra layers of parallax scrolling that really make this version of Angry Birds look much better than the others as well.
Bumpy Road, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – It’s not often that a game comes along in the App Store that makes you think, “Wow, why didn’t someone think of this sooner?”. Bumpy Road is just that kind of game. The control system to control the game world rather than the car is remarkably clever, and since its initial release it’s even seen some update love from the developers.
Tiny Tower, Free – [Review] – [] – NimbleBit set some sky high expectations with Pocket Frogs [Free], their previous (and first) foray into the free to play world. I’d go as far as to say that Tiny Tower is even better, as it has completely taken over my household.
Temple Run, Free – [Review] – [] – Imangi Studios doesn’t release games all that often, but when they do, they sure are good. Temple Run takes the endless runner formula, adds a third person chase viewpoint, some tilt mechanics, and heaps of power ups to cheat death. Additionally, Temple Run was voted the when it was first released.
Platformer
EDGE Extended, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – We thought the original Edge was incredible, and Extended somehow takes that same game formula, applies a substantial layer of awesome, then knocks it out of the park. Clever platforming mechanics combined with fantastic music really just create an experience that you can’t miss.
Bring Me Sandwiches!!, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – Adult Swim is batting 1000 lately with fabulous iOS games, and Bring Me Sandwiches!! keeps that tradition going strong. It’s a cross between the collect-everything-you-see gameplay of Katamari Damacy with a platformer game. Additionally, tons of control schemes make the game great to play no matter what your control preference might be.
Sonic CD, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – Here we have the best installment of one of the greatest gaming franchises, which received both flawless review scores and game of the year awards when it was originally released ported with complete perfection to iOS. This is a game you flat out need to buy if you even vaguely consider yourself an iOS gamer. Not only because it’s such an impeccable port of an important piece of gaming history, but because we need to vote with our wallets to tell Sega (and anyone else who might be watching) that this is the quality we demand out of retro games brought to the App Store.
Whale Trail, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – Most games you can plot along a line graph with “gameplay” on one end and “presentation” on the other. The best games wind up somewhere in the middle, and Whale Trail definitely sits deep into the “presentation” side of things. Still, the game looks fantastic, and the incredibly vibrant graphics almost make you forget the gameplay is so simple.
Wind-up Knight, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – Picture Super Mario Bros. Got a nice image in your head? Good. Now imagine Mario could never stop moving and would only change direction if he hit a wall. A little tougher. And what if absolutely everything could kill him in one hit, and there was no such thing as a checkpoint? That sounds like the sort of game that would have you cursing, spitting, and contemplating throwing your controller, and it also sounds a lot like Wind-up Knight.
Adventure
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, $4.99 – [Review] – [] – This is the closest thing to what we’d call a “system seller” of a video game since the iPad was originally released. Sword & Sworcery is an absolutely incredible experience, a thought that has not only been shared by the gaming press, but also the mainstream media as well. If you have an iOS device and $5 to your name, there’s no excuse not to spend it on this game. If you don’t want to fork over a couple bucks more for the universal version, Sword & Sworcery Micro [$2.99] is just what the doctor ordered.
Machinarium, $4.99 – [Review] – [] – This game generated a heck of a lot of controversy when it was revealed that it’d only run on the iPad 2 only, which had us more than a little worried about its performance if it requires top-end hardware. It turns out, Machinarium runs fantastically, despite its Adobe Air-based innards. If you’ve got the hardware, don’t miss this remarkably clever adventure.
Aquaria, $4.99 – [Review] – [] – Imagine if a Metroidvania went underwater with a fantastic touch-based control scheme. That’s what Aquaria is in a nutshell, but you’ve got to appreciate its fine touches and vision even if its formula doesn’t jive with you.
Retro
Forget-Me-Not, $1.99 – [Review] – [] – In our review we called Forget-Me-Not the “retrolicious lovechild of PAC-MAN and Rogue,” and I’m really struggling with a better way to describe the game. An amazing scoring system combines with fantastic retro graphics that only bolster how much fun Forget-Me-Not is to play. If the thought of PAC-MAN combined with dungeon crawling at all piques your interest, stop what you’re doing and download Forget-Me-Not immediately.
The Last Rocket, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – Retro-inspired games are fairly common on the App Store, but The Last Rocket is one of the best examples we’ve seen of a modern-day title that could have easily passed as an absolutely fabulous NES game. The Graphics and music are all delightfully 8-bit, but even without all these retro trimmings the gameplay could stand on its own.
Velocispider, $1.99 – [Review] – [] – This fantastic tilt-controlled shooter has sucked up entirely too much of our time. With nods to retro shooters like Space Invaders, awesome pixel art, and universal compatibility Velocispider is simply fantastic.
Another World – 20th Anniversary, $4.99 – [Review] – [] – It’s hard to find a game on the App Store with more history behind it than Another World. Touch-based controls (as well as an optional virtual D-pad) along with both original and remastered graphics make for an outstanding port of this classic adventure game.
Role Playing
Infinity Blade II, $6.99 – [Review] – [] – We put incredibly powerful devices in our pockets and on our laps daily, but rarely do we see games that utterly embrace this like Infinity Blade 2 has. It’s a showcase piece; a technically and visually gifted game that consistently delivers eye-popping stuff. The gameplay is great, too.
Mage Gauntlet, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – Almost too many games lean on pixel art and chip tunes just because it’s in style, but Mage Gauntlet draws inspiration from that era and allows it to permeate every aspect of the game. If you have any fond memories of Super Nintendo-era action RPGs, don’t miss this game.
Pocket RPG, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – Crescent Moon Games’ latest is this awesome spin on entirely randomized Roguelike gameplay mixed with the action-packed style of a dual stick shooter. It’s a combination that works incredibly well, and being entirely randomized, is infinitely replayable. If you don’t feel like springing for the universal version, there’s also a cheaper Pocket RPG iPhone Edition [99¢].
Strategy / Sim
King of Dragon Pass, $7.99 – [Review] – [] – No lie, I’ve spent more time playing this game than all the other games that we reviewed in September combined. If my exhaustive review wasn’t clear enough, here’s all you need to know: If you like simulation games, you needed King of Dragon Pass on your iPhone yesterday. I’ve still got my fingers crossed for an iPad version, but I’m more than happy managing my clan whenever I’ve got a few seconds to spare on my iPhone.
Great Little War Game, $1.99 – [Review] – [] – As mentioned in our review, this game is anything but little. Great Little War Game is a turn-based strategy game that we consider a must have for anyone even vaguely interested in the genre. The developers are remarkably active in our community, and thus far GLWG’s updates have been fantastic, both in implementing new features as well as forum feedback.
Pocket Academy, $1.99 – [Review] – [] – It seems like ever since Game Dev Story [$1.99 we just can't get enough of Kairosoft simulations. This one in particular puts you in charge of a school, and while many of the mechanics might not be immediately apparent, once the game grabs you, it doesn't let go.
Tiny Heroes, $1.99 - [Review] – [] – geoDefense and geoDefense Swarm cranked tower defense on the App Store up to 11, and, dare I say it, Tiny Heroes makes a great attempt to crank it to 12. Or, at least, 11 and a half. This fantasy-based tower defense title should not be missed by anyone who even vaguely fancies the genre.
Sid Meier’s Pirates! for iPad, $1.99 – [Review] – [] – This pirate sim is a game with a ton of history behind it, and 2K Games did a marvelous job of porting it to the iPad. It has depth on top of depth, and will keep you busy for quite some time if it manages to suck you in. We’ve got our fingers crossed for more ports like this of incredible games that work phenomenally on the iPad.
Anomaly Warzone Earth, $0.99 / HD – [Review] – [] – Who knew that turning tower defense in reverse would make for such an incredible game? If you’re even vaguely interested in anything to do to tower defense, Anomaly: Warzone Earth needs to be on your iOS device. The mechanics are solid, the atmosphere is cool, and it’ll leave you wanting for a sequel.
Action / Shooter
Dead Space™, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – “Console quality” is a phrase that’s thrown around a lot to describe portable games, and really, it’s a fitting title for this iOS-exclusive version of Dead Space. We tend to prefer Dead Space for iPad [$9.99] over its iPhone counterpart, but both are fantastic games that should be a part of your collection.
Battleheart, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – This single player game perfectly combines everything that’s good about complex party-based realtime battles found in MMO-style games with wonderfully simple and intuitive touch controls. Multiple character classes are included, as well as equipment upgrades. It’s incredible just how much flexibility there is for tweaking your party and how you play the game. Battleheart is fantastic on the iPhone, but you can’t miss it if you own an iPad.
THE KING OF FIGHTERS-i-, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – Back in the day of the arcade fighter arms wars, it was Street Fighter versus The King of Fighters with as fierce of a rivalry among gamers as arguing Nintendo vs. Sega. KoF has arrived on the App Store, and it’s every bit as good as its Street Fighter, although it remains to be seen if they’ll match the online play found in Volt.
Jetpack Joyride, Free – [Review] – [] – This is our favorite game of the month, as this endless power-up packed single-button flying game is responsible for sapping days of productivity across the entire TouchArcade staff. There are so many hooks to keep you playing that you can do “one more game” for hours through achievements, missions, unlockables, and all sorts of cosmetic customizations.
Bug Heroes, Free – [Review] – [] – Much like how Dungeon Raid took typical match three gameplay and made it awesome, Bug Heroes takes the dual stick shooter to the next level. The core of the game is based around the typical dual stick shooter formula, but multiple playable characters (each with strengths and weaknesses) as well as elements of both castle and tower defense make this a game that everyone needs to check out. Just keep in mind, it will be very difficult to go back to your basic survival-mode dual stick shooter after this.
Zombieville USA 2, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – Tightly-constructed, well-executed, charming, different and entertaining are all words we freely use when describing Zombieville 2. It’s a near perfect iterative entry to the franchise, as it artfully hones in on and turns up the volume on the two best parts of the original: the shooting and upgrade models.
Grand Theft Auto 3, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – Even though GTA 3 wasn’t designed for virtual controls, you’ll have a great time with it, even if all you do is drive around Liberty City listening to the fantastic in-game radio stations. (My favorite is the talk station.) As you become more accustomed with the splattering of virtual buttons all over the screen, you’ll find hours upon hours of content to plow through. Having played GTA3 to completion many times in the past, I’m incredibly happy to be able to take it anywhere with me on my phone of all things.
Bug Princess, $4.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – Aside from a few small quibbles, Bug Princess offers yet another stellar entry in CAVE’s series of iOS shooters. It’s probably the most straight forward and least complex out of them all, which makes it a great starting point for bullet hell newbies, but it does have its share of depth for those looking to master its strategies.
STREET FIGHTER IV VOLT, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – Capcom is following their time honored tradition of relentlessly re-releasing Street Fighter with Street Fighter IV Volt. This time around there are three new characters as well as online multiplayer.
Dark Meadow, $5.99 – [Review] – [] – Atmospheric horror is a game genre that never really seems to translates to portable devices very well, but Phosphor Games did a great job of it with Dark Meadow. Set in a creepy hospital, and utilizing the Unreal Engine, the game looks and sounds great. A repetitive combat system drags down this otherwise fantastic title.
Puzzle
Where’s My Water?, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – This super-fun liquid-centric physics game puts you in the driver seat of helping an alligator take a shower. Sure, it’s hard to come up with a more ridiculous premise, but maybe that’s part of this game’s charm. A wacky scrolling mechanic on some levels is the only thing we have to complain about, otherwise Where’s My Water is fabulous.
Dungeon Raid, $1.99 – [Review] – [] – As mentioned in our review of the game, with the number of fish in the match three sea, it takes a lot to make one that’s just as fun (if not more so) than the match three staples like Bejeweled 2 and other classics. Dungeon Raid accomplishes this by distilling the Puzzle Quest formula down to its basics, and providing match three gameplay that retains its simple nature while offering a shocking amount of depth via random equipment and character upgrades. Also, there’s much more to matching than just high scoring, clearing each type of block has a purpose, and the order you clear them in can mean life or death. This game has stolen hours of my time, I can’t recommend it enough.
Casey’s Contraptions HD, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – There are tons of contraption-building games on the App Store, but few are as good as Casey’s Contraptions. The theme of the game is gloriously whimsical, and you can spend hours delving through the clever and convoluted solutions your friends post via Game Center.
Gesundheit!, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – This stealth-centric sneeze-powered puzzle game comes with fantastic controls, some of the best hand-drawn art we’ve seen in action on the App Store, and details like shadows moving relative to your iOS device’s gyroscope readings. We prefer the iPad version, but only because you’ll want as much screen real estate as possible to enjoy this game’s incredible art.
Wooords, $1.99 – [Review] – [] – Games where you search for words within a pre-defined set of letters have some serious roots, heck, this kind of puzzle was published in newspapers before video games even existed, and there’s a zillion variations on the App Store. Words totally impressed us with its slick presentation that feels less like playing a word game and more like moving magnetic letters around on a refrigerator.
SPY mouse, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – Firemint has managed to de-throne Angry Birds from the #1 position on the App Store with this line-drawing-powered stealth game. Collect cheese, evade cats, use various tricks, and even fight bosses. All the gameplay elements go together incredibly well, and Firemint even managed to remove a lot of things that have historically annoyed us about stealth games in the process.
SpellTower, $1.99 – [Review] – [] – Word games can still be fun. Elegant, clever and fun, SpellTower a complete package, brought together by Gage’s trademark use of cheerful colors, simple patterns and elegant typography.
iBlast Moki 2, $2.99 / Universal HD – [Review] – [] – This game sets the standard of what gamers should expect of sequels. It’s got familiar puzzle-centric physics mechanics of the original with tons of new features that add complexity and all kinds of new ways to solve puzzles. Additionally, a perfectly integrated solution system can show you how your friends completed a level if you get stuck.
Monsters Ate My Condo, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – Adult Swim and Pik Pok joined forces to bring us one of the craziest matching games we’ve ever seen on the App Store. The game requires matching similarly colored floors while appeasing nearby color-coded monsters, each with a more ridiculous super-power than the last. Also, you can score billions if you’re good. Billions!
Scribblenauts Remix, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – Originally released on the Nintendo DS, Scribblenauts is a game that’s so unique that you simply must play it. Remix combines the best elements from both of the DS games along with 10 iOS-exclusive levels. In addition, it’s even universal and boasts complete iCloud save syncing support.
Bejeweled Blitz, Free – [Review] – [] – Popcap takes the glorious match-three mechanic of the classic puzzle franchise, pumps up the volume on the jewel and match bonuses, and then condenses it all down into frantic, one-minute bursts of eye-gasmic, point-laden play.
Sports
NBA JAM by EA SPORTS™, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – iOS gamers really couldn’t ask for much more when it comes to EA’s port of NBA Jam… Multiplayer was even added in an update! All of the massive dunks and secret modes are intact, making this a surprisingly faithful port. EA even recently updated the game’s roster, bringing it in line with this NBA season.
Pocket HalfPipe, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – This incredibly awesome skateboarding game is highly reminiscent of the halfpipe in the classic NES series Skate or Die, but with much better graphics and crazy dual stick controls that allow you to pull off all kinds of moves. The game could easily be described as basic, but it’s so much fun that we don’t care. The tricks you’ll be able to pull off after a bit of practice are cool, and stringing a massive chain together is hugely rewarding.
Fight Night Champion by EA Sports™, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – A surprisingly competent boxing game that feels like an equal to its console counterpart instead of a typical watered-down mobile version. Great touch screen controls combine with different game modes to create a boxing experience that is among the best that the App Store has to offer.
Music
Groove Coaster, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – There have been a ton of rhythm games released on the App Store, but none have the amazing presentation of Groove Coaster that almost makes it less of a game and more of an experience– And this is one experience you really can’t miss especially if you enjoyed its creator’s other game, Space Invaders Infinity Gene.
Radballs, Free – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – We fell in love with RadBalls inside of the first few seconds of , and by the time it was over we were ready to yield our first born to its creator. Oh, yeah, the game is fun as hell too. It’s a music-centric matching game that even allows you to use your own tracks. Check it out.
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Best iOS Games December 2011
Our ratings for games we reviewed in December are now in place, and we now present to you the ones that are on the top of the heap. Each game reviewed receives a 1-5 star rating relative to the other games from that month. Generally, a three-star or higher is considered a “good” rating.
Our final scores are not the product of any traditionally objective measures such as graphics or sound, but simply reflect the games we would most recommend to others. Keep in mind, this listing is comprised of games we reviewed in December, and not necessarily games that were specifically released in December.
5 Stars
Bejeweled Blitz, Free – [Review] – [] – Popcap takes the glorious match-three mechanic of the classic puzzle franchise, pumps up the volume on the jewel and match bonuses, and then condenses it all down into frantic, one-minute bursts of eye-gasmic, point-laden play.
Sonic CD, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – Here we have the best installment of one of the greatest gaming franchises, which received both flawless review scores and game of the year awards when it was originally released ported with complete perfection to iOS. This is a game you flat out need to buy if you even vaguely consider yourself an iOS gamer. Not only because it’s such an impeccable port of an important piece of gaming history, but because we need to vote with our wallets to tell Sega (and anyone else who might be watching) that this is the quality we demand out of retro games brought to the App Store.
Wind-up Knight, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – Picture Super Mario Bros. Got a nice image in your head? Good. Now imagine Mario could never stop moving and would only change direction if he hit a wall. A little tougher. And what if absolutely everything could kill him in one hit, and there was no such thing as a checkpoint? That sounds like the sort of game that would have you cursing, spitting, and contemplating throwing your controller, and it also sounds a lot like Wind-up Knight.
4.5 Stars
Bag It!, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – It’s rare to find a puzzle game that feels so fresh but also so obvious. I’ve never played a game about bagging groceries before, but why not? It should be mandatory training for everyone who moves out on their own, never mind the folks who work at grocers.
Don’t Run With a Plasma Sword, $0.99 – [Review] – [] – From presentation to gameplay to overall fun factor, Don’t Run With a Plasma Sword simply shines. It’s got distinctive character and a great sense of humor. It’s also a treat to look at — great design, excellent color.
Zen Pinball, Free – [Review] – [] – Pinball games have been great on iOS devices, and Zen Pinball is one of the best ones we’ve seen so far. It’s totally free to try, and if you like the game engine and the pinball physics (which you will), you can buy additional tables via IAP.
Containment: The Zombie Puzzler, $4.99 – [Review] – [] – Containment: The Zombie Puzzler for the iPad from Bootsnake Games is definitely not your typical match-3 game. In fact, you don’t even need to match three of anything. Instead, the goal is to surround zombies with cops, soldiers, scientists or punks.
Grand Theft Auto 3, $2.99 – [Review] – [] – Even though GTA 3 wasn’t designed for virtual controls, you’ll have a great time with it, even if all you do is drive around Liberty City listening to the fantastic in-game radio stations. (My favorite is the talk station.) As you become more accustomed with the splattering of virtual buttons all over the screen, you’ll find hours upon hours of content to plow through. Having played GTA3 to completion many times in the past, I’m incredibly happy to be able to take it anywhere with me on my phone of all things.
Bug Princess, $4.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – Aside from a few small quibbles, Bug Princess offers yet another stellar entry in CAVE’s series of iOS shooters. It’s probably the most straight forward and least complex out of them all, which makes it a great starting point for bullet hell newbies, but it does have its share of depth for those looking to master its strategies.
Snow Fight, Free – [Review] – [] – Snow Fight is a really fresh-feeling real-time strategy game, a fun re-imagining of Capture the Flag that engages you in wintry warfare against scrappy neighborhood kids in a kind of snow battle royale.
The rest of the game ratings can be seen in their respective rating categories (also found in the sidebar navigation): 5 Stars, 4.5 Stars, 4 Stars, 3.5 Stars, 3 Stars, and 2 Stars.
As always, we expect there will be some debate about relative scores, but keep in mind that everyone’s personal ratings may vary based on individual tastes.
For more of our favorite iOS games, check out our “Best iPhone Games” category which includes all of these monthly posts as well as other special compilations of the greatest games the App Store has to offer:
- So You Just Got an iPhone 4S… Here’s What You Need to Know!
- So You Just Got a Verizon iPhone… Let’s Get You Up To Speed!
- – An App Store Gaming Guide
- Best iPod Touch and iPhone Games: 2010 Buyer’s Guide
- 2010: TouchArcade Staff Favorites – Eli
- 2010: TouchArcade Staff Favorites – Blake
- 2010: TouchArcade Staff Favorites – Brad
- 2010: TouchArcade Staff Favorites – Jared
- Best iPod Touch and iPhone Games: 2009 Buyer’s Guide
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‘Grand Theft Auto 3′ And Other Rockstar Games On Sale
Surprise! Grand Theft Auto 3, which saw a release this December 14 at $4.99, is now just $2.99 in celebration of the holidays. If you were one of those day-one guys saying he’d wait until a price drop before taking the plunge… well, here you go.
This is part of a larger Rockstar holiday sale, by the way. Until the after New Years, you can also grab the studio’s decidedly more mobile-friendly Grand Theft Auto joint, Chinatown Wars, at $5.99 instead of its usual $9.99. Beaterator, a music creation game, is also on sale. It’s now $1.99 rather than its everyday $2.99. Deals!
Since Grand Theft Auto 3 is so fresh and all, swing by our review if you’re on the fence. Spoiler: it’s GTA 3 — a fun, exciting open-world game that brimming with all the things we take for granted in a GTA — but with virtual controls.
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Christmas Sale – Square Enix Edition
A lot of people don’t like Square Enix’s App Store prices mainly because they’re so much higher than the norm. Good thing about the holidays, we guess, is that all of these prices tend to fall. And they have. Again. This year. Starting now and extending until after New Years Day, you can grab just about every Square Enix title at a much lower price. For example, Final Fantasy Tactics is $11.99 instead of $15.99. Another example: Chaos Rings Omega is $5.99 rather than $11.99.
Here’s a full list of what we’ve seen. Do note that Square is also offering up a bunch of actual apps at a lower cost, too. Just hit up its publisher page on iTunes to see those:
- Chaos Rings – $12.99 → $6.99
- Chaos Rings for iPad – $15.99 → $7.99
- Chaos Rings Omega – $11.99 → $5.99
- Chaos Rings Omega for iPad – $14.99 → $6.99
- Chocobo Panic – $3.99 → $1.99
- Cooking Mama – $6.99 → $3.99
- Crystal Defenders – $7.99 → $3.99
- Crystal Defenders for iPad – $7.99 → $3.99
- Final Fantasy I – $8.99 → $4.99
- Final Fantasy II – $8.99 → $4.99
- Final Fantasy III – $15.99 → $11.99
- Final Fantasy III for iPad – $16.99 → $12.99
- Final Fantasy Tactics – $15.99 → $11.99
- Groove Coaster – $2.99 → $.99
- Hills and Rivers Remain – $4.99 – $2.99
- Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light – $2.99 → $.99
- Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light for iPad – $4.99 → $.99
- Secret of Mana – $8.99 → $4.99
- Sliding Heroes – $.99 → Free
- Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes – Encore – $9.99 → $4.99
- Space Invaders Infinity Gene – $4.99 → $2.99
- Summer Story – $8.99 → $3.99
- Vanguard Storm – $3.99 → $1.99
- Victorian Mysteries: The Moonstone – $1.99 → $.99
- Victorian Mysteries: The Moonstone for iPad – $2.99 → $.99
- Voice Fantasy – $2.99 → $.99
All the Taito stuff on sale are must-have kind of games, as we’ve mentioned many times before. Forced to pick a straight-up Square game, we’d say Final Fantasy III is probably the best value on the list. It’s a great game on iPad especially, and has enough touch hooks to feel decidedly less port-y than its other stuff.
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‘Shadowgun’ Expansion Hits
Hey, Shadowgun [$2.99] now has more content via an update. has added an “expansion” to the overall package that directly follows the events in the core game. Overall, this new expansion contains a total of four new levels, as well as new little visual tweaks, a new gun, new collectibles, and a new enemy type. All for free, of course.
The update this was rolled in with also includes some fresh improvements for the same price: free. According to Madfinger, Shadowgun now sports improved “effects,” like, say, bullet trails and camera shakes. You can now also roll and apparently face freshly tuned enemies with freshly tuned guns courtesy of this thing, too.
We weren’t so hot on Shadowgun and this update doesn’t really change that viewpoint, but we’re pretty stoked for the pre-existing fans. This is the kind of update they wanted, and they totally got it.
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‘Junk Jack’ Update Adds Tons of Tweaks, New Content
Want more Junk Jack [$2.99 / Lite]? You got it. Approaching the game as if it were Notch’s own, the team behind Junk Jack have consistently added to and improved upon Junk Jack since its release this November. The latest two updates for example — which will see the game through until at least New Years Day — are incredibly focused, addressing a myriad of technical and mechanical oddities users have been experiencing.
Now you can hold to break blocks, stop worrying about consuming healing items when at maximum health, fight mobs that spawn properly according to their light and dark values, spruce trees, forget about vine glitches, and climb spiderwebs.
On the flip-side, the game now has three new looks for its cold dirt, cobblestone, and its clay blocks. Several new mobs, including chicken, birds, skulls, and even rabbits, have been introduced. And you can now rock out with a Mithril Sword, use healing potions and place Christmas balls on trees.
These are just a taste of what’s been added — we’ve got a huge list from the game’s prior update included in the text below. The latest update, which addresses some saving and loading woes, has text that can be seen .
Chances are that we’re not done covering Junk Jack in the very least, and that’s a good thing considering the tremendous value the game is — and presumably will continue to be as the team keeps piling on layers of new mechanics and tune-ups.
- Hold to break option
- New cold dirt block
- New cobblestone texture
- New clay look and sound
- New mob: chicken
- New mob: birds
- New mob: boar
- New mob: medium spider
- New mob: huge spider
- New mob: huge skull
- New mob: mother slime
- New mob: white rabbit
- New mob: snail
- New mob: bear
- New drops for every mob
- New Meat loots, everything can be cooked now
- Healing Potions
- Mithril Sword
- Consumable items cannot be consumed at maximum health anymore
- Mobs can now spawn according to depth
- Mobs now should properly spawn according to their min/max light values allowed
- Christmas balls that can be placed on spruce trees
- Wrapped box with Christmas goodies around the world!
- New rare componible treasure
- Climbable spiderwebs
- Christmas tree statue
- Snow balls that can be crafted into snow blocks or used as half blocks to decorate
- Snow blocks and snow bricks
- Cold biome
- Spruce trees (can be replanted like normal trees)
- Planting and regrowing of trees/cacti
- Restored stars for damage (blood was unnecessary and quite cruel!)
- Back layer correctly checks the tool that is used to break blocks
- Bone ladders and bone bridges
- Bone torch and purple goo torch
- Durability bars on some items that were unnecessary are not present anymore
- Version number in the title screen
- It’s now possible to hold craft button to keep crafting items
- Automatic version check to warn if an update is available
- Trapdoors
- Tapping a reachable addon will open inventory
- Fixed a bug that allowed items to be placed in X of inventory
- Fixed minor glitches with climbable vines
- Fixed crashes around the edges of the map
- Fixed crash while destroying ladders at the top of the world
- Fixed crash while placing items at the top/bottom of the world
- Fixed crash while opening inventory at the top/bottom of the world
- Inverted position of map button and craftbook button
- Restored timer for throwing items to an higher value
- Added reinforced door
- Changed wood chest craft
- Changed wood door craft
- Apple grows also on blue leaves
- Wood doors now have a chance to break when used
If you haven’t noticed, by the way, a new “Lite” version of the game is also now available. Knock yourself out!
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Christmas Sale: Gameloft Doing The $.99 Thing
We don’t celebrate a single holiday at TouchArcade Tower unless Gameloft throws a sale in celebration of it. And, guys, it looks like we’re going to have Christmas and New Years in 2011. Starting now, you can grab, uh, a bunch, of the publisher’s better games for that price, including the startlingly good NOVA 2.
We’ve got the list, so check it out if below if you’re interested about what Gameloft is selling. Also, as we kinda mentioned already, NOVA 2 is our pick out of this list. If you’re a fan of the Assassin’s Creed fiction, Altair’s Chronicles isn’t all THAT bad at $.99, either.
- 9mm – $6.99 → $.99
- Assassin’s Creed – Altair’s Chronicles – $4.99 → $.99
- Assassin’s Creed – Altair’s Chronicles for iPad – $6.99 → $.99
- BackStab – $6.99 → $.99
- Driver - $2.99 → $.99
- Fast Five the Movie: Official Game – $4.99 → $.99
- Fast Five the Movie: Official Game for iPad – $4.99 → $.99
- Gameloft Action Pack – $4.99 → $.99
- Gameloft Sports Pack – $4.99 – $.99
- Gangstar Rio: City of Saints – $6.99 → $.99
- Iron Man 2 – $4.99 → $.99
- Iron Man 2 for iPad – $4.99 → $.99
- James Cameron’s Avatar - $4.99 → $.99
- James Cameron’s Avatar for iPad – $4.99 → $.99
- NOVA 2 – $6.99 → $.99
- NOVA 2 for iPad – $6.99 → $.99
- Rayman 2: The Great Escape – $4.99 → $.99
- The Settlers – $4.99 → $.99
- Silent Ops – $6.99 → $.99
- Spider-Man: Total Mayhem – $6.99 → $.99
- Spider-Man: Total Mayhem for iPad – $6.99 → $.99
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Shadow Vanguard – $ → $.99
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Shadow Vanguard for iPad – $ → $.99
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Christmas Sale: Every EA Published Game $.99 or Free
We’ve come to expect EA to never mess around with its sales, and we’re pleased to report that it certainly isn’t messing around with its latest. From now, and presumably until shortly after New Years Day, all of the publisher’s gargantuan premium catalogue is an agreeable $.99. That means games like Madden 12, Trenches II, and many others have been reduced up to 90-percent off the original asking price. Whoa, right?
This same sale happened last year around this time, too. You probably know the story, but EA managed to choke the App Store’s charts with its titles and pushed everyone out of its way. It was a powerful move that set the yuletide savings tone moving forward.
We’ve got a list, but just as a note, we haven’t listed every single EA game, just the ones in this “holiday sale.”
- Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – $2.99 → $.99
- Battlefield: Bad Company 2 HD – $9.99 → $.99
- Battleship HD – $2.99 → $.99
- Bop it! for iPad – $ → $.99
- Coconut Dodge HD – $1.99 → $.99
- Command & Conquer: Red Alert HD – $4.99 → $.99
- Dead Space – $6.99 → $.99
- Dead Space HD – $9.99 → $.99
- Draw Jump HD – $2.99 → $.99
- Dragon’s Lair 2: Time Warp – $2.99 → $.99
- FIFA 12 – $4.99 → $.99
- FIFA 12 for iPad – $9.99 → $.99
- Fight Night Champion – $4.99 → $.99
- The Game of Life for iPad – $6.99 → $.99
- High Caliber Hunting - $2.99 – $.99
- Madden NFL 12 – $4.99 → $.99
- Madden NFL 12 for iPad – $12.99 → $.99
- Max And the Magic Marker HD – $2.99 → $.99
- Mirror’s Edge HD – $9.99 → $.99
- Monopoly for iPad – $9.99 → $.99
- Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition – $2.99 → $.99
- Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition for iPad – $ → $.99
- NBA Jam HD – $4.99 → $.99
- NCAA Football – $2.99 → $.99
- Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit – $4.99 → $.99
- Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit HD – $9.99 → $.99
- Need For Speed Shift 2 Unleashed – $2.99 → $.99
- Need For Speed Shift 2 Unleashed for iPad – $4.99 → $.99
- Need for Speed Undercover – $2.99 → $.99
- PICTUREKA! HD – $4.99 → $.99
- Reckless Racing HD – $4.99 → $.99
- RISK -$2.99 → $.99
- RISK HD -$6.99 → $.99
- Scrabble -$2.99 → $.99
- Scrabble HD – $9.99 → $.99
- SimCity Deluxe HD – $6.99 → $.99
- Snood HD – $4.99 → $.99
- Spy Mouse HD – $2.99 → $.99
- TETRIS HD – $7.99 → $.99
- Trenches II – $1.99 → $.99
- Trenches II for iPad – $2.99 → $.99
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 – $4.99 → $.99
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 for iPad – $6.99 → $.99
- Trivial Pursuit Master Edition for iPad – $ – $.99
- The Sims 3 -$6.99 → $.99
- The Sims 3: Ambitions – $4.99 → $.99
- The Sims Medieval – $4.99 – $.99
- The Sims 3: World Adventures – $2.99 → $.99
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon – $2.99 → $.99
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon HD – $4.99 → $.99
- Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 HD – $4.99 → $.99
If you’re looking for something else, hit up EA’s publisher page on the App Store. You’ll see its entire selection, including games that were already $.99 courtesy its Daily Deals seasonal program.
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