A gem, and a nice change of pace for those who don't think of catapulting birds or slashing ropes as true puzzles.

An addictive little package. It might have much in common with Flight Control but it's also its own game. The single player mode is acutely designed to ensure plenty of fun and the multiplayer functionality is the icing on the cake.

Poker Pals is an interesting take on asynchronous multiplayer games, is easy enough to get into with the core rules of poker, though the rules take a bit of acclimating to.

An extremely playable game that looks and sound great, and with 64 levels on offer it won't be conquered too quickly either.

The graphics are flawless and the controls are almost perfect, offering intuitive touchscreen options. The physics can seem less than precise, with wildly fortuitous shots happening often several times on a single board, but that was true of all previous releases of the game and it's part of the appeal.

Addictive gameplay and gorgeous level design are the real strengths of the game. Paper Munchers HD has just the right blend of style and originality to make it a physic-puzzler standout.

Monster Island's premise is not new, it is nice twist with unusual challenges, and there is a lot of content here – unlocked content – to keep gamers busy solving for many hours.

It's worth playing through Masters of Mystery: Crime of Fashion that once though as it offers some of the finest Hidden Object gaming I've seen in a while. It mixes things up nicely.

Masters of Mystery: Blood of Betrayal might not be particularly innovative but it's a fun evolution for a series that has already demonstrated what can be done so well within the Hidden Object genre.

For the physics based puzzle fan, Little Lost Chick is an ideal purchase. The adorable visuals will keep many happy but just because it looks innocent doesn't mean that it's a pushover. Underneath the surface is enough challenge to ensure that players will keep returning to Little Lost Chick until they reach the conclusion.

The demo is pretty brief, but it does well to immediately make life sim fans keen to hit the buy button even if it is ultimately a quite simple game to complete.

Hardcore gamers may tire of the game fairly quickly, but those looking for a quick casual fix should definitely take it for a test dive.

Whether you know the games that inspired Kickin Momma or not, it stands on its own ugly workbooks as a wonderful addictive monster-kickin' good time.

Hunger Calls requires quick thinking, lots of dexterity and is compulsively replayable. There's also something oddly satisfying about watching the greedy kids explode. The game is well worth the price of admission.

Don't look to Hamlet to fulfill your needs for an educational game. This just isn't the game you're looking for. But, for those of us always jonesing for a new point-and-click adventure, Hamlet fits the bill nicely.

There's certainly plenty of challenge and enjoyment to be gained, but pricing is something to consider for those who prefer a trickle effect of spending, especially as it's not an Universal build.

When a game looks this beautiful, there is an impulse to just purchase it immediately, but when there is solid gameplay to back it up, the purchase is all the more appealing.

Fruit Roll HD's graphics are bright and clever-cute, the controls work flawlessly, even the music is catchy and pleasant.

cleverer than most of what's on TV and at its current price of $1.99 costs the same as a one-episode rental. The comic value along with great arrangements and solid gameplay makes this a worthy investment.

This sense of imagination that flourishes throughout Forever Lost: Episode 1 ensures that it's a fascinating title. Its puzzles have been carefully designed so that they might always be one step away from frustrating, but they sidestep it just about, instead teasing the brain appropriately. Forever Lost: Episode 1 might not be the longest of titles but it leaves me keen to see what happens next.

The gameplay isn't deep, but it isn't meant to be. In the pure flick games, I would have liked a little more sensitivity to the strength of the flick – most of mine seemed to go the same distance and have the same impact regardless of my intended velocity – otherwise, the games worked as expected.

If there is a game equivalent to a beach book, Finger Shoes is it. It's not going to tax the mind, but it does make a terrific light summer diversion for those who love fast-tapping action games.

For the casual time management fan, this is an ideal purchase. It's quite inexpensive for what it offers and as compelling as many others. Being able to breed animals is a particular delight and the whole thing feels relaxed yet gripping.

Slipping and sliding around areas is more fun than smashing walls down, but Escape from Age of Monsters makes up for any potential tedium with its beautiful art style and varied selection of power-ups. It's a fun ride that will keep players coming back for more for a while to come.

The style of the game is very appealing and the gameplay is fast and addictive. It's an ideal combination.

A great mixture of some of my favorite strategy genres. Hopefully in future updates, Ankama will increase the level cap and add more levels and mini-games.

Cut the Rope is ingenious, following a similar formula to Angry Birds – charming graphics, simple gameplay that gets complexity steadily layered on top of it in a way that feels natural, almost without even feeling like it's getting more difficult.

It may not be the most inventive title in their catalog, but Color Bandits redesigns the dual-stick shooter in such a friendly and accessible way, it should amuse devotees of the genre and win over those looking for a quick shooting fix.

Despite the different worlds, Civiballs lacks the usual vibrancy of similar Chillingo titles. The art is pale and washed out and the characters are lacking any charm or apparent function. That said, the mechanics are so simple and true to life I found myself making a lot more progress than I usually do on brain-benders.

Chicken Balls does a great job setting itself apart even though it has some stiff competition from Angry Birds. The graphics and humor give the game a great vibe, and the added gameplay elements really make for a deep experience.

The 68 levels in all provide great value.

Blosics is yet another of those great "just one more level" games; the kind that incite the sort of conditioning that leaves us hopelessly tapping at the screen like lab rats pushing buttons for a food reward.

One of the rare games, much less one of this breadth, that I have completed. No challenge is overly daunting, but most do require at least some minimal thought. The game should make lovers of time management strategy games tap happily for hours.

While the omnipresent theme song may get a bit grating and it sadly lacks the multiplayer modes of the original Xbox version, Rocket Riot still serves up plenty of good, mindless, destructive fun and bizarre quirky charm. Warm up those jet-butts and check it out.

That level of ingenuity ensures that Rope Rescue HD is well worth playing. It's an interesting title that's enjoyable to play for gamers of all age and skill levels. What more could anyone want?

5th Cell have been known for their inventive ideas on handheld systems for a while now, and with this fun micro-platformer and great idea for adding extra content, their legacy continues. Fans of endless runners looking for something new and willing to experiment with a game with set levels will definitely want to check this out.

The Tiny Bang Story HD is a charming, engaging puzzle game that is as good to play as it is to look at. Once it's done there is very little reason to return, but the initial play through is a most enjoyable experience.

While incredibly similar to a favorite of mine, Tentacle Wars HD simply wasn't quite as fun. I enjoyed the first set of levels, but, after a while, I just got bored.

Having played it on both iPhone and iPad, the game never falters to draw me in and understandably so. Can I go back to playing it now? Good.

The Lighthouse Mystery isn't the longest of games, lasting around 3-4 hours, but it's a fun package of puzzles and object hunting.

As an introduction to the strategy genre, however, Totem Tribe Gold does the job well. Fans of Civilization will be underwhelmed by the relative ease in which things can be completed but those casual gamers in need of a new genre will enjoy it.

If anything, Tweens HD might be a little too easy. However, annihilating its stages as quickly as possible is empowering to a degree not too often felt in puzzle games. Anyone looking for a more caffeinated brain teaser should check it out.

It's a fun way to get your brain thinking, and to test your vocabulary. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the much-hyped "bee" design – it's a little too heavy for my tastes – but games should be about gameplay first. And WordsWorth HD has that down.

A decent tower defense with a unique twist.

The game may be easy and inaccurate, sure, but I still couldn't stop.

Avernum: Escape from the Pit HD will be quite an epic experience for anyone who enjoys this older style of RPG. The storyline is interesting, combat system is complex and enjoyable, and the graphics and music fit this type of game well.

This retro revisit is well worth its price of admission. Players will be able to play around 100 different levels across a standard story and two extra stories.

A very good-looking game, and one that is well-designed. The levels can be daunting at times, but it really just takes some strategic planning in order to solve the game's challenges. For those who have played one too many tower defense games and want a new perspective on things, this is worth checking out.

Angry Birds feels like it's getting a bit old, but it doesn't feel like it's Rovio's fault. There may only be so much that they can do with the core gameplay and formula, but they're at least showing that even when they could get away with a quick cash-in, they're actually trying to continue to iterate.

I can't recommend World of Goo enough. If you are a fan of physics puzzlers or just a good games in general, this is a must have. While it's not a new game, it's good to have it finally on a platform that it seems to have been designed for.

Put together, Youda Survivor sounds incredibly intense. It's actually not. It's a relaxing yet satisfying time management experience that eases the player in gently. With branching paths within the campaign and some keen times set to acheive gold medals, there's a lot of fun to be had here for fans of the genre.

From the moment DarkGate begins, players will be transported back to an era long before such things as particle effects or extensive dialog trees existed. The game's retro, yet modern sensibilities make it accessible for players of all ages and experience levels, while not alienating the grizzled veterans. Boot the game up and take a trip down memory lane. This is an adventure well worth embarking on.

For fans of fighting games that want some new portable pugilism with projectiles, Street Fighter X Tekken is a great choice, if only because it's the best looking entry yet, and it supports the iPad! Hallelujah!

The game does have tons of content, varying gameplay, and some interesting level design. It's not wholly original, but it's a fun, lengthy trip.

That's Abyss: The Wraiths of Eden's main strength: its ability to keep the player interested with such choice. It's a fine example of what works so well for the genre, even if it doesn't quite revolutionize.

If the biggest issue with Pig's Dreams is repetition, when the "fun level" is this high, there could be much worse problems to have. Plus, the "dream" world structure leaves plenty of room for expansion later on down the road. Clocking in at only ninety-nine cents, this is the kind of game that will certainly give you more than enough bang for the buck to justify an instant purchase.

RiseToFameHD doesn't integrate the work of recognizable musicians, and it provides no microphone for singing a Red Hot Chili Peppers song poorly and comes without a faux drum set for drunkenly accompanying a tone deaf lead singer/roommate. This alone sort of kills the party atmosphere of group, frat boy fun, but the animation is slick, the music is lively, and the interactive features are good fun.

An inspiring title that through artistic flair, innovative wind physics and particle effects creates an intricate world that is a pleasure to visit every time.

Spell Rift makes finding words feel like playing Myst.

Of all the Hitman games available on iOS, Absolution provides the best overall experience despite being a somewhat idiosyncratic chapter for the series.

Management gameplay takes a back seat to this sharp and compelling interactive fiction experience that has aged remarkably well.

Enter the Gungeon is an uncompromising challenge that will keep on surprising you as you as you try to learn all of its tricks.

Cat Quest III all but perfects the charm, creativity, and sleekness that has come to define this delightful action rpg series.

Although at times it can feel like asks players to create their own fun, there's enough hidden surprises and unique features in this tower defense game that it provides a solid and specific experience.

This somewhat shaky port does a great job of capturing the spirit of Prince of Persia games to the point that some of the changes introduced feel pretty weak or unnecessary by comparison, but its core is sound and enjoyable nonetheless.

Resident Evil 3 probably isn't my favorite of the remakes, but it is the best mobile port of them by a mile. For that reason alone, I hope Capcom keeps pumping out console titles onto the App Store. And, uh, Capcom--if you're reading this--how about Monster Hunter next?

Sometimes you don't have to reinvent the wheel (or ski, rather) to make a satisfying sequel. What Grand Mountain Adventure 2 lacks in innovation is compensates by just sticking to its strengths.

I have a hard time thinking of a more compelling action experience than I Am Your Beast, on mobile or elsewhere. Every aspect of it is so tightly wound and propulsive that it makes you want to churn through it just as quickly as Alphonse kills people, and--trust me--that is a good thing.

This action game makes a triumphant return to the App Store and feels just great as it did 15 years ago.

Of all the Resident Evil mobile ports, this is the most definitive survival-horror experience you can get.

Although Balatro looks great and is clearly very well designed, I do in fact wish there were some more options to make this mobile version friendlier for the small screen. There are other games that do Balatro's thing with enough of the same kind of flair while also adapting better, and if I'm going out of my way to play the mobile version, that is more important to me. Outside of the hype surrounding this game--which will fade--it shakes out to feeling like another great game to add to a pile of similarly great games.

Hoyoverse’s new action rpg continues to serve up the same brand of approachable gacha gaming in a more self-contained and stylish package.

This peaceful puzzle game is at its best when you can establish your own flow.

This game pulls out all the stops to make a game that is essentially about research and plant identification a compelling adventure.

In the loops of time since release, this novel dungeon-crawler has lost some shine.

This roguelite deckbuilder isn’t perfect on mobile but it has enough charm and novelty to make it worth playing.

Ghost Trick is a charming and unique puzzle adventure experience, and I'm not sure there's anything else out there quite like it. It's certainly not the smoothest play (especially these days), but this remaster definitely adds enough shine to make it worth picking up on iOS.

This dice-based dungeon crawler has no shortage of design ingenuity and distinct identity, making it a standout roguelike experience.

This quirky detective visual novel is the charming start to a lengthy adventure.

This rpg is so exceptionally paced and designed that its poor storytelling doesn’t play a factor.

This kingdom management game stands out by prioritizing its intentional and personal narrative.

When Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal is behaving the way that it should, it's an amazing port of a pretty great game. The technical issues are obviously a problem, but--generally speaking--they did not sour me on the experience. The fact that the stealth-action of Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal works so well on mobile despite the rough parts almost makes Feral Interactive's work on this version even more impressive.

Despite its problems, Coromon seems to be the best classic Pokémon experience you can hope for on iOS right now. It is certainly far from perfect, but there's a lot of love and ambition behind this project that is plain to see, and this makes putting up with some of its rougher edges relatively easy to do.

This roguelite shooter is straightforward and generic, but that works in its favor more often than not.

Yet another great Apple Arcade title is now available on the App Store, and it is still a refreshing game years after its debut.

This game is nothing new in more ways than one, but it is now bursting with variety and is perhaps the most mobile friendly way to deckbuild around.

The latest game from A Sharp takes its unique blend of strategy and narrative elements to new heights.

This adventure game finally puts an appropriate end cap on Guybrush Threepwood’s story while also finding creative ways to keep an old style of game feeling fresh and modern.

This game wedges compelling roguelike and deck-building systems into a slot machine to create a surprisingly strategic experience that feels perfect for mobile play.

This arcade-style sports game is still in its early stages, but already shows a great deal of promise.

This multiplayer game’s unique blend of sports and MOBA concepts is both extremely entertaining and free-to-play friendly.

This puzzle-y, arcade-y roguelite makes dungeon-crawling a relaxing but surprisingly deep experience.

This game doesn’t really try anything new or flashy, but it’s built well upon a tried and true foundation.

This storytelling game is blunt and to the point in a way that’s pretty refreshing.

I was not expecting to enjoy the story of a mobile game that ties into a universe I have no frame of reference this much. Gomorrah is a well told crime drama that is reasonably paced and enjoyable to make your way through, provided you can take your time to read through it carefully.

Overall though, Ten Dates is a quality follow up to a game that I already enjoyed the first iteration of. It's an enjoyable and lightly humorous exploration of the dating world and is full of charm without feeling too cringe or awkward.

By the time I finished Madness/Endless, I wasn't interested in playing through its endless mode or exploring an alternative ending. I was satisfied that I had conquered its challenge despite what felt like occasionally faulty controls. I only stuck it out because--when working--Madness/Endless feels like one of the best action titles you can find on mobile.

This mech combat game is stylish and cool, but has some pacing and difficulty issues.