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1112 Episode 3 [$4.99/HD] is the latest addition to the graphical mystery adventure game series from Agharta Studio. It's also the best of this ongoing series, as it delivers more: More game-play, more puzzles, more characters, more locations and a whole lot more mystery.

We first meet the games protagonist, Louis Everett the antiques dealer, in Episode 1 [$4.99/Lite/HD]. Louis bears a striking resemblance to Johnny Depp, but he's having bad dreams, marital issues and work stresses. As you help him complete his daily tasks, it becomes apparent that something weird and mysterious is going on. There's a gap in his memory which Louis can't explain, and the number '1112' seems to keep recurring in his life. This game is about solving that mystery, but don't expect a final outcome yet, as each episode concludes with a cliff-hanger ending, to entice you into the next release.

After a long wait, Episode 2 [$4.99/HD] was released in 2010. It resumed the same storyline and continued in a similar fashion, but with a few more characters, locations, and puzzles, including the addition of three suduko puzzles as mini-games, which sent some players off to find online sudoku solvers.

Episode 3 opens with a brief recap of the first two episodes, which is a useful reminder if you played it years ago, but wouldn't really enlighten a newcomer about the storyline and atmosphere of this game. You could easily play this series starting with Episode 3, but that would be like starting with the third Harry Potter book. If you want the full experience, we recommend starting at the beginning.

Episode 3 features the same high-quality graphics and music that we've come to expect. Each object in your inventory is presented as a 3D rendering, which you can rotate or zoom with your fingers to examine more closely.  Like any graphical adventure game, the goal is to find, use, give and combine objects to solve problems and progress the storyline.

You also need to converse with various characters, for clues or to reveal the next objective. This involves tapping on any green words in their (unspoken) subtitles to collect "conversation starters". Alternatively, you can use a keyboard interface to enter certain words manually, such as answering riddles, or just try entering "1112" to see what various characters think of the games mysterous title.

Prior to release, we were told Episode 3 would contain a longer campaign than the first two episodes combined; and that has eventuated. It's considerably longer and more involved and could easily take 10+ hours to complete. Despite the longer storyline, the English translations are much improved this time around.

One of the main changes from earlier episodes is that specific objectives are now listed and ticked off once accomplished, which prevents players from getting lost within the longer plot and larger game-world. Fourteen Game Center achievements have also been added and are listed without descriptions, to avoid spoilers.

This game will be a challenge for most people to complete without some assistance. There's a lot of returning to previous places and people, even though you may think you've already covered them off, which requires patience. But don't fret, as there's plenty of hints from the developer in our forums, plus step-by-step walk-thrus for each episode are easily located via Google, so you won't get stuck for long.

If you're not ready to purchase this game, consider checking out the lite version of the first episode, as 1112 is easily one of the better quality adventure games on the App Store. This series is getting better, but since it takes the small development team at least a year to produce an episode, this intriguing mystery may not be resolved for a few more years; but we'll be waiting.

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Love it or hate it, Mountain Sheep's Minigore [99¢ / HD] has left an undeniable mark in TouchArcade forum history. The thread in our upcoming games forum is still among the most popular threads of all time, and as Minigore's cult status grew, the pre-release excitement reached never before seen levels. It's even spawned some potentially cringe-worthy memes such as the "Minigore dog" to the right here. Whether a fairly simple, although admittedly dripping with character, dual stick shooter actually lived up to the "pre-launch hype" was debated for years after the game was initially released– And likely still will be debated in the comments of this very article.

After a series of updates and a iPad version, Mountain Sheep announced the upcoming Minigore Zombies earlier today. Details are vague, and the only hints come from developer Timo Vihola's thread on our forums.

The features mentioned so far include tons of zombies, and even 15 zombie bosses. Enemies will be a little smarter, with attack patterns. In addition to more firepower and pickups, objects not have collision detection so you can do things like bounce grenades off walls. It'll launch as a universal app, and Egoraptor is even making a return for more voice work.

Also, curiously enough, the teaser image specifically makes mention that Minigore Zombies is for iOS 5. Equip your tin foil hat and this could mean a few different things: First off, they could just be targeting iOS 5 because it potentially means better graphics since they don't need to worry about older devices. Alternatively, Mountain Sheep could be using some cool iOS 5 specific features, with some kind of next-generation Game Center integration seeming the most likely if that's the case.

What will actually be included? Well, we'll just have to wait and see.

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Last month we posted news that DotEmu would soon be bringing retro classic Rod Land: A Fairy Tale [link] to the App Store as the fifth game in their Jaleco series. The game has just been released and we've got a closer look to share.

Originally released to the arcade in 1990, Rod Land is a colorful platformer that challenges you to help a fairy rescue her mother who has been trapped in a tower by an evil force that's building a mobile fortress with which to wreak havoc upon the land. Gameplay involves clearing each screen of baddies using your magic wand (or rod), collecting bonus items along the way for points. Your wand captures an enemy in a magic field that merely stuns them if released, or can be used to destroy them by bashing them to and fro against the ground, resulting in a power-up that can be used against other enemies. You also have the ability to place one ladder (only one at any time) on the platforms to help access different areas. A level is complete when all enemies have been wiped out, but you'll want to collect every bonus item along the way, in order to get the max three-star rating for any level.

As mentioned in our earlier preview, I had no experience with the original Rod Land two decades ago, so I grabbed the Amiga version and spent some time with it — several hours, it turned into… The game is a whole lot of fun and really draws you in. The various arrangements of the platforms and enemies roaming about them makes for some challenging timing puzzles that have you spending quite some time perfecting each level in order to get those three stars, which is an added feature of the iOS version. Another difference between the arcade and Amiga versions and the iOS release is the use of a virtual D-pad with two action buttons, which is, of course, never as nice as a physical stick, but at least the control positions can be adjusted. Support for the iCade / iControlPad would be a nice update addition.

Rod Land features 60 levels in all, with three different game endings. There is a Story mode which is progressive play, unlocking level after level, while a Survival mode gives you just five lives and straight play from beginning to end. Game Center, OpenFeint, and Facebook are integrated, with scoreboards and trophies to unlock along the way.

Rod Land for iOS is a universal application (for iPod and iPhone) and runs the original arcade game under modified emulation and is localized in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. It's the fifth release in what will ultimately be the 17-game Jaleco series of arcade conversions. The game follows Avenging Spirit [link], Earth Defense Force [link], 64th Street: A Detective Story [link] and P-47: The Phantom Fighter [link] into the App Store (and in celebration of its release, the existing Jaleco titles are on sale for $0.99).

See the arcade version of Rod Land in action:

While the lovely pixel art graphics and bouncy '90s soundtrack are retro, and no mistake, the unique platform gameplay is anything but dusty and faded and should appeal to the typical platform gamer, not just those dreamy-eyed sorts longing for yesteryear. The only real negative to speak of is the virtual D-pad, which is hard to get around in retro titles such as this, but it's been implemented here as well as anywhere. Earlier versions of Rod Land were well reviewed and the game has gathered a dedicated following, and with good reason. I urge readers to have a look at this enjoyable title.

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9 to 5 Mac is reporting that GameStop, the US-based video game retailer famed for its glut of “used” goods, is set to begin carrying the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and the iPad in all of its storefronts soon. The company has been testing the tablet and other iDevice waters in at least 20 stores since earlier this summer, while its online arm has been been advertising trade-ins of used iOS devices — including old scroll-wheel iPods — for a good clip, so this decision isn't totally out of left field. Company president Tony Bartel has also stated in the past that a nationwide roll-out of the initiative was set to happen in 2011.

9 to 5 was hearing these tidings from various sources coming from the company’s recent function in Las Vegas, Nevada where this announcement was supposedly made. No information regarding timing, trade-in values, or how it’ll handle the sell of used iPhones — which you know, are phones — has slipped out, unfortunately.

To my knowledge, only the messier, much uglier cousins to GameStop like Play N’ Trade accept and sell pre-owned iOS devices on a universal level. Provided this report is accurate, this initiative will put GameStop in some… special company.

At this point, I’m more interested in what this actually signals. Will we start seeing “game” download cards for App Store titles in the store? Pre-order bonuses or incentives? A section dedicated to our favorite platform? I don’t know, but I guess time will tell.

[Via 9 to 5 Mac]

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Perhaps we can all agree on something: bird games are getting a little old. I know there were a couple really popular bird games at one point or another, but certain developers have been wielding birds, pigs and rolling hills like they're some sort of winning game talisman. It's cool, guys. We like other animals too.

I'll make an exception from this little tirade for Booyah's Early Bird ($0.99 / HD). Yeah, it stars a (completely adorable) bird. And sure, it may occasionally give you flashbacks to other games with avian stars. But given the game's classic Disneyesque art and solid swipe-controlled platforming, I'd feel like a bit of a monster for telling this little birdie to fly on by.

We all know that the early bird gets the worm, and it's truer here than anywhere. Through deserts, meadows and icy peaks, you'll guide this cheerful bluebird to his morning meal. The worm is easy to find, all nestled away beneath a clearly marked target, but reaching him can be a challenge — the early bird can't fly very well. To get him from A to B, you'll need to give him a shove with carefully aimed swipes. Quick swipes lead to little hops, and he'll fly his heart out for a long swipe. You'll only have a handful in each level, so conservation is key.

This control method is a bit of a mixed bag. Swiping isn't a precision art, but that's not often a problem. Most of the time you'll have no problem flitting your way over the platforms and through the wind gusts of most levels. Some levels are a bigger pain, requiring you to swipe extremely carefully if you want to get your little bird caught up in all the necessary bouncing, dodging and gusting. With no way to track your previous shots, retrying a tricky level can be a nightmare of trial and error.

Early Bird uses a three-star ranking system to track your progress, basing your end result for each level on a combination of factors. There are the points you earn in the level for things like collecting bugs and landing precisely. Then there are the points you're awarded for finishing with remaining swipes. Finally, a time bonus is added to the rest to come up with your final star rank. I'll take that over the more literal alternative of earning stars for collecting stars — at least this way, replays require some experimentation.

Lush, cheery cartoon art and music are Early Bird's best features, and you'll get to enjoy them over the course of 72 levels. If you're still hooked, there are plenty of Game Center/OpenFeint achievements to satisfy your inner completionist. Personally, though, the game never rose to the heights of compulsion. I'm satisfied with my time with Early Bird, and it's more than just another also-ran bird game. I just don't know if we'll see it soaring up the charts for long.

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Don't ask me how this is even a possibility, but before I got my hands on Food Chain [Free], I had never played a single moment of Tetris Attack. Not even a second. Which is basically a crime, since I do love Tetris, but I guess I was sleeping under a rock at the time or something.

Anyway, after I went back and got schooled on what Tetris Attack actually was, I got down to playing Food Chain so it could see how well they used the same formula. For those of you who have never played either title, both are puzzle games that share a few common mechanics: falling block puzzles, and the ability to only move them in two directions. Unlike a puzzler that allows you to scoot blocks up and down, Food Chain will only allow them to be moved side to side to make combos of three or more matching pieces.

Food Chain's story mode will pit you against six different opponents, each with varying levels of difficulty. For each of their fights, your puzzles will have their own type of food, so at least you get a change of scenery as you go from one baddie to the next. In the actual match, you'll see your opponent in the bottom right of the screen, and you even get a peek at his board so you can see what you're doing to it as you make matches and score combos. Controls are accurate here, and you should be able to swipe your way through each level with no problems.

I wasn't crazy about the dialogue each of these bosses spit at you before the levels started, but hey, you didn't come here for the world's finest banter, right? The levels themselves are fun to play and a bit of a challenge for beginners, although I don't think a Tetris Attack master would get much out of it (ahem). Since I didn't have experience with this style of puzzler before this, I found later bosses to be a real challenge and was forced to improve my game to beat them, which made the overall experience of playing Food Chain that much more enjoyable.

Once you knock out Story Mode, you can also check out a timed mode and a multiplayer, which gives the game plenty of replay value. Considering it's free in the first place, you're kind of getting a deal there. It's also Game Center compatible, and considering how I couldn't stop replaying the levels to try to beat certain bosses, I feel sure people will get a lot out of checking out each other's high scores.

There's something about Food Chain that's a little rough around the edges, but that doesn't keep it from being fun. The restricted movement gives it a twist that makes it more challenging than average puzzlers, and I found myself going back again and again when I had a tough time beating the bosses in Story Mode rather than giving up. I suspect that puzzle fans will get a lot of fun out of this one … not to mention, free is free!

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Back in the Summer of 2009, Flight Control [99¢/Lite/HD] had just sparked off the line drawing craze in the App Store. But before the market was completely flooded with “me too” clones that brought nothing new to the formula, Imangi Studios had released Harbor Master [Free/HD], a line drawing game very similar to Flight Control but with its own unique twists.

Obviously, the premise in Harbor Master differed by having the player direct boats into docks rather than planes onto landing strips, but it went a bit deeper than that. Boats that were destined for particular docks came in various sizes and speeds, and you’d need to wait for the ship to unload its cargo before directing it out of the dock to make room for a new ship. This small change added a whole new level of strategy and frantic gameplay, and Harbor Master has remained a favorite in the line drawing genre around the TouchArcade headquarters since its release.

Over the past couple of years, Harbor Master has received a good amount of update love from the developers, adding in Retina Display graphics, a separate iPad version, Game Center integration, and a novel rewind feature that let you back things up if you made a mistake.

Now, for the first time ever, the price of Harbor Master has dropped to free for the day. If you’ve somehow managed never to pick up the title yet, now is your chance to jump on it for zero dollars. There’s also the iPad version Harbor Master HD which has always been initially free and is supported with additional premium features through in-app purchase. No matter which version you end up with, make sure not to miss out on one of the best line drawing games in the App Store during this limited free promotion of Harbor Master.

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One of my most favorite puzzle games that I played while growing up was Lemmings. Sure, there were plenty of games before that required thinking and coordination, but there was something about being in charge of a group of characters and having to lead them across maps of perilous obstacles that I loved.

BridgeTheGap [$0.99], a pirate-themed puzzle game, attempts to recreate a portion of the classic Lemmings formula while infusing it with even more strategy and precision than its spiritual predecessor. While BridgeTheGap certainly brings some good ideas to the mix through its bridge building mechanics, atrocious controls and poor execution prevent it from being little more than a subpar puzzler.

Your mission in BridgeTheGap is simple: a group of pirates need to get from one end of the level to the other. In your way are a variety of gaping chasms that require bridges to be built over them. The only tools you have at your disposal to build said bridges are barrels, which act as your weights, and bamboo rods, which allow your pirate buddies to cross those gaps. In addition, littered throughout each level are gold coins which can be collected by your pirate crew and typically require more complicated bridges in order to reach them. As you get towards later levels, you will also encounter ‘natives’ which will attack your pirate companions unless you take them out first with your pistols.

BridgeTheGap can be separated into two different phases. In the building phase, you have twenty building supplies (either rods or barrels) to work with. Once you feel you have a legitimate path to the end goal, you activate the movement phase which has your pirates start moving forward indiscriminately (a la Lemmings). The only commands you can give them are to jump or shoot their pistol. Otherwise, they’re going to keep moving forward. I would have really preferred the option to continue building during the movement phase, as it would allow players to make on the fly adjustments and possibly bring more excitement to the overall game.

Initially, levels are extremely easy to get through. However, they quickly become harder and more complicated, especially if you’re trying to get to the gold coins. Considering that those gold coins are necessary in order to unlock future levels, you quickly learn that they’re less of an optional quest and more of something you have to take into consideration if you want to be able to play through the whole game.

Overall, BridgeTheGap manages to create a decent bridge building game. The later levels require some pretty complicated designs in order to collect all the coins. Thankfully, there’s an adequate tutorial, along with some instructional screens showing some recommended bridge designs (although I hate the fact that you can’t access these designs in-game). There’s definitely a feeling of accomplishment once you manage to get all your pirates safely across all obstacles in a level.

Unfortunately, what little enjoyment BridgeTheGap provides is outweighed by a multitude of design blunders throughout the game. First off is the use of a virtual gamepad for moving about the level during the build phase. I would have much rather have seen a two-finger scroll or some other multi-touch gesture, as the virtual pad definitely gets in the way when you’re trying to do some precise bridge placement. Relatedly, the button placements during the build phase just seem to get in the way of the action. I can’t count how many times I was trying to place a bridge and then I accidentally hit the ‘Ready’ button in the bottom corner. Since there’s no confirmation dialog, my pirates would just start moving and I’d have no choice but to reset the entire level and try again, which becomes increasingly annoying due to load times that really shouldn’t exist in a game like this.

There are also a few other annoying minor issues, such as the main menu being a blob of selection choices without much organization and the fact that the game won’t even automatically reset once all your pirates are physically unable to reach the finish line.

These design issues are really a shame, considering how much potential the underlying game actually has. Unfortunately, in its current state, I can’t recommend BridgeTheGap for anyone other than the most diehard of puzzle fans that are willing to look past all the problems. For everyone else, it’s best you steer clear.

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Our ratings for games we reviewed in August 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 3 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.

5 Stars

Jetpack Joyride, $0.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – 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.

SPY mouse, $0.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – 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.

EDGE Extended, $0.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – 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.

iBlast Moki 2, $0.99 / Universal HD – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – 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.

The Last Rocket, $2.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – 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.

Anomaly Warzone Earth, $1.99 / HD – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – 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.

4.5 Stars

Contre Jour, $0.99 / Universal HD – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – If you take the environmental modification mechanic found in Bumpy Road and combine it with a stupidly cool amount of style, you've got Contre Jour. Chillingo is on a serious streak of releasing incredible games, and Contre Jour fits that description in every way.

Sprinkle: Water splashing fire fighting fun!, $0.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – Who knew that putting out fires could be so much fun? In Sprinkle, you've got to control a crazy fire hose to complete various physics-centric water puzzles. As an added bonus, the water looks and behaves beautifully and how well this mechanic is done makes Sprinkle worth picking up even if you're not normally that crazy about physics games.

Rogue Sky, $0.99 / HD – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – This balloon flying and fighting game has fantastically simple controls, both for flying as well as firing your cannons. Great graphics and a cool mood greatly add to the overall experience, and collectable in-game coins do a good job of making the game as difficult as you want it to be. Collectables can be ignored, or hunted down for an additional challenge.

Fractal: Make Blooms Not War, $1.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – It seems that the best puzzle games evoke an argument amongst our community as to whether the game is fun or frustrating, and Fractal certainly has spurred that kind of discussion. We had a great time with it, and loved the ambient soundtrack. This is definitely one game you'll want to play with the sound on.

Mega Mall Story, $3.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – Kairosoft's winning simulation formula, this time applied to a crazy multi-level shopping mall. This both seems significantly deeper, and comes packed with a building mechanic that seems to make significantly more sense to us Americans than previous offerings.

Silverfish MAX, $2.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – We had a great time with the pocket-sized iPhone version of Silverfish in our review, but the game really comes alive on the iPad especially when paired with the iCade. A real joystick turns this game into an action-packed arcade experience that makes us glad that the coin slot on our iCades doesn't actually require quarters.

Kickin Momma, $1.99 / Universal HD – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – Many developers have tried to duplicate the Peggle formula, but it seems like few if any have had much success. Somehow Hothead Games seems to have broken this trend, and created a game that feels just Peggle-y enough to seem familiar, but different enough to be totally enjoyable on its own.

Special Mention

Pocket RPG iPhone Edition, $0.99 / HD – [iPad Review] – [Forum Thread] – Launching last month as an iPad exclusive that we had a great time with, Pocket RPG iPhone Edition brings the same entirely randomized dungeon-crawling gameplay to the smaller screen of the iPhone and iPod touch.

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS, $15.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – After a wait that felt like an eternity with how fast the App Store moves, Final Fantasy Tactics landed with a bang. Hardcore fans will likely overlook all of the game's shortcomings, but the fact remains that this is an incredibly lackluster port with many technical issues that prevented us from having anywhere near as much fun as we wanted to with it.

Full Deck Hold’Em, $0.99 – [Review] – [Forum Thread] – While it's a little difficult to get excited for another poker game, Full Deck Hold'Em feels like a game that should come pre-loaded on every iPad 2. Sporting in-game video chat with up to four friends in real-time multiplayer, it makes playing games without video feel archaic in comparison. Alternatively, if you don't have an iPad 2, you can give Word Chat [99¢] a spin with any iPhone 4 or 4th generation iPod touch to see similar video chat magic.

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 a Verizon iPhone… Let's Get You Up To Speed!
• So You Just Got an iPhone 4 – 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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There's oodles of sales this weekend, and we've cherry picked some of the noteworthy ones, but there's tons more out there. I figure this is as good of a time as any to post a little guide on how to find good deals on the App Store.

First off, you could stop by our Price Drops, Must-Have Freebies, and Deals Forum where we've got an army of dudes combing the App Store to find cool games on the cheap (or free). If you want to get a little more proactive, you can go scoping for deals yourself. How we do this when we post about sales is by utilizing our sister site, AppShopper.

Here are some handy links:

• All games with price drops.
• Popular games with price drops.
• All previously paid games that have been made free.
• Popular games that were previously paid that are now free

Watching the previous two freebie links can yield some particularly great results, as you can often find games that go free before whatever freebie promotions those particular games might be doing even technically start. Similarly, I've heard tales of some people being able to snag great games that were accidentally marked to free.

As far as the differences between "all" games and "popular" games, that all has to do with a top secret algorithm that attempts to determine what kind of games people are interested in. Personally, I tend to lean towards just wading through all games as sometimes you find some really crazy stuff in there.

Alternatively, you could just download the AppShopper App [Free] which also is pretty great for finding deals.

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