Complaints aside, this is a great-looking game with a compelling storyline, good voice acting and intriguing puzzles. It may not be Monkey Island, but it certainly points the way for iPhone/iPad developers to embrace the best parts of old-school game design.

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.

Fans of the original arcade game will find even more to love with the updated version of Plunder!. I enjoyed playing it and I think it has a lot to offer with its strategic gameplay that can be played for short or long periods of time.

There are far better ways to spend $3.99 on the App Store.

It's not even like Pilot Brothers is a particularly long game, weighing in at a couple of hours, but such repetition grates quickly. Such problems leave Pilot Brothers feeling like a relic of the obtuse 1990s adventure genre, something that no one really wants to go back 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.

It's just unfortunate that the harder difficulty level really doesn't feel that much harder than the standard level. It's a worthy game for fans of the genre and benefits greatly from some nice original touches. Just don't expect to be challenged.

The game can be great fun if you have the patience for strategy. I really appreciated the PC gaming vibe of Monster Trouble, but I was left longing for a more engaging story.

Hardcore pinball fanatics need not apply.

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.

A decent game, but there's just nothing too special about it, sadly. Fans of combat racing games might enjoy this one, but this is hardly the best game in its genre, either.

It's never overly gripping or challenging but that genteel pace keeps things enjoyable for those not fussed about being challenged.

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.

It's an enjoyable enough romp that made time go quickly but one that doesn't fully show what works so well in the genre.

Everything about Letters From Nowhere 2's design suggests keeping the player happy but to the detriment of any real challenge. Consistently, there's that sense that we've been here before.

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.

There's a lot to play through in Jane's Zoo with 39 levels in all, but admittedly it is all a little too simple and easy to complete. I did quite enjoy my time playing it but there was still that sense that the game was almost playing itself.

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.

The game is eye pleasing, but middling controls, annoying – rather than challenging – obstacles, and an utter lack of adventure makes for a frustrating experience.

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.

It has a lot of content to offer and is well designed.

The best Fix-It-Up Time Management game yet.

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.

Waiting is incredibly common in Eufloria and that likely won't sit well with many players.

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.

I had some fun completing the Hidden Object scenes but it wasn't substantial enough to recommend Epic Adventures: Cursed Onboard.

Empire Builder is a city builder with some interesting features but don't expect anything akin to other desktop city builders.

DvO is functional and beautiful, but it's also generic and infuriating.

Dragon's Lair HD brings the classic arcade game to the iPad in high-resolution glory, but the gameplay is very primitive and unappealing unless you're a longtime fan of the game.

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.

DOFUS: Battles 2 HD simply isn't as fun as the original. But it's definitely an interesting take on tower defense games and is worth playing for major fans of the original and, of course, fans of the MMORPG, DOFUS.

For those not sick of the running genre yet, Demolition Dash in both HD form for iPad and iPhone/iPod touch variations (the only difference between the two versions is price) is not a must-have by any means, but is interesting use of time. It doesn't stand with the best of the genre at all, though.

It might not be revolutionary but it is pleasantly fun.

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.

Cowboy Guns is a game that has a good heart, but it feels like it's missing a lot of that, if I may be cliche, polish that the best games have. If it had a lot more of it, this could be worthwhile. Otherwise, it just doesn't feel worth it.

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.

It's pretty to look at, and the puzzles are so-so (some are patently obvious; others require the fortunately-included help system to EVER figure out). Just don't expect too much out of it. There may yet be room in America for Rex the Dog and Mr. Moles, but City of Secret wasn't the best way to introduce them.

The game is aggravating and fun at the same time thanks to what seems like an easy task quickly escalates into a frenzy of herding chickens and foxes. Don't let the cutesy setting fool you, this is a challenging game and obtaining three stars on every level is not an easy task.

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.

The lack of a strong storyline is unfortunate but thanks to its well paced nature, there's still some suitably entertaining fun to be had as one travels round Europe buying up everything possible.

Gameplay also gets quite tedious after a while with nothing really changing. Every few levels, a special mission kicks in requiring players to build a specific structure out of the blocks but this is just a race against time rather than anything challenging. With arcade games, players are used to relatively short bursts but on a system like this, longevity would have been nice.

Borderlands Legends struggles to stand on its own two feet.

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.

There's very little wrong with Blockolicious. Despite a wealth of similar titles, the game is bright and cheerful and, more importantly, entertaining.

If you just want a bit of fun, it's certainly very much worth the $0.99 asking price. The gameplay is good fun and the upgrades and economy sides of the game add something new to this genre, and it works very well. But, the more competitive players may get a little frustrated by the in-app purchases. It seems a subject that iOS game developers still haven't quite got their heads completely around, yet.

BIT.TRIP BEAT feels like a divisive game – creative, right brain types will likely appreciate the game for its art and can look past the flaws. Logical, left brain types will struggle with the game's flaws to enjoy the core product. I find myself in the latter crowd, struggling to enjoy a game that is alternately brilliant and frustrating.

Priced with an in-app $6.99, Redrum: Dead Diary is a bit too expensive for most players' taste, even despite the compelling story.

The main problem that lies with Righteous Kill is that it just isn't as good as other Hidden Object games, most notably, the Masters of Mystery series. It's all just a little too safe and average.

Take to the streets and perform quick time events in this port of an 80s laserdisc game.

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.

Roll In The Hole may not usurp Chillingo's other top puzzlers, but it's a nice return to their roots that is well worth picking up.

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.

Running Wild HD is entertaining enough to warrant a play through, but it doesn't offer much of an incentive to return to it after beating the initial 50 stages.

There's nothing crucially wrong with Secret Journeys: Cities of the World HD exactly, it's just all too uninteresting to really grab players away from the likes of Big Fish Games' selection.

That's some of the problem with Shards of Time. It's a little too easy, even for a Hidden Object game. It's also too predictable and safe, offering precious little that hasn't been done before. At its current introductory price, it's decent enough value for fans of the genre but anything higher and it's a tough one to recommend. It's a little too average for comfort.

Shiver: Vanishing Hitchhiker isn't going to be a game that taxes old hands at the adventure gaming genre, but it is a decent example of what publisher Big Fish Games can offer. It'll only take around 3-4 hours to complete but it's a fun experience with the option of two difficulty levels, affecting play.

The puzzles might not have any guidance, but are at least simple enough to figure out with a focus on jigsaws and matching up games. They won't really excite though. Throw in the weak and dated graphics, and the very short game length and Sinister City: Vampire Adventure isn't one of G5′s best titles. There's always a better Hidden Object game to play than this unless you're a true vampire obsessive.

Angry Birds is still a fun enough game that Snappy Dragons' blatant use of its concept, even down to the way certain menu buttons look, doesn't make it a bad game. It just makes it a redundant one. Most would agree, though, that dragons are at least cooler than birds.

There are maybe two little problems that could make the gameplay better if they were fixed. The employee doesn't bounce consistently. It's sort of hit or miss; he either bounces at his max power or does a tiny bounce. Also, the lines disappear quickly.

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.

It's all quite fine and pleasant enough but I struggled to really get involved in the storyline of The Magician's Handbook II: Blacklore.

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.

At least Strange Cases: The Tarot Card Mystery lasts for a while and because of its low impact one can easily play it while doing various other things. However, as a game meant to hold one's attention by itself it comes up a little short. There is a reason why games like these are meant for magazines typically found in the dentist office.

Not the prettiest of racing games but a fun way of completing some ridiculous stunts.

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.

A disjointed experience. I'd never criticize a game for being too hard, but a confusing game feels unfair, both to the player and the quality of the creepy storyline.

One of the only problems that I experienced when playing Wild Defense HD was that I didn't realize I'd unlocked the ability to upgrade my units (for more damage and other stats) until a few levels after I had done so.

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.

Outside of a few unique game modes, Bird's the Word HD isn't doing anything we haven't seen in a game like this before. But it is doing those same things in a perfectly competent way that will certainly make it a satisfying distraction for plenty of wordsmiths.

The appeal of Billy the Painter might be relatively short lived but its charm resides for a while afterwards.

Bigfoot: Hidden Giant isn't the finest of examples when it comes to Hidden Object gaming. I'd have appreciated more thought provoking puzzles and more responsive controls, but there's still some fun to be had within that flawed exterior.

A decent tower defense with a unique twist.

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

Rolling through Ball Towers HD is a pretty, pleasant diversion. It just doesn't leave that much of a lasting impression.

The gameplay is varied, thanks to the many different types of items to bag and players will have a challenging time completing all the game's levels. Bag It! HD is a nice, quirky little departure form the stacking puzzle norm.