The visuals in Run-A-Whale are downright exquisite, especially all of the realistic effects such as the water rippling and affecting what you see below the surface, as well as the dynamic day, night, and weather cycles. The music and nature sound effects will bring you pure zen, and the controls work out well for the touch screen. The goals keep you coming back for more, and some of them are rather hard to do, which just means you’ll just keep trying until you get them, and the addition of bosses is a nice touch. And to top everything off, Run-A-Whale has zero in-app purchases — you pay the dollar and get everything in the game! The only way to get enough coins for everything is to play the game.

If you grew up with Crazy Taxi, you won't be disappointed with this iOS port. It plays well and the controls are almost as responsive as you want them to be.

As a fan of Slayaway Camp, it's not surprising that I also love Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle. It has the same puzzle mechanics, obstacles, and graphics, except it focuses solely on Jason Voorhees seeking to avenge his mother's death. It's more for Friday the 13th fans, or horror lovers, but it's packed with a ton of good puzzles that everyone can enjoy. It's hard to believe how much content you can play in this one without paying a dime.

I recommend checking out Devouring Stars if you are a fan of RTS games or just want to relax while controlling pure chaos.

If you enjoy turn-based puzzle games that are as challenging as life itself, then Road Not Taken will be right up your alley. Don’t be fooled by the cute fairy tale style — this game won’t be easy.

Quite an enchanting game, and it's a pretty remarkable combination of adventure, music, puzzles, and mini-games.

If you're a fan of old-school Final Fantasy games, then you definitely won't want to miss Dimensions.

The graphics and animation make it seem almost like a regular video game.

Lili is truly a one-of-a-kind game. It's one of those titles that you just have to have, and though it's on the higher end of iOS game pricing at $4.99, it's well worth the cost. If you only buy one game this week, make it Lili.

You will feel the urge to beat your rival quite often, so you end up replaying levels until you can obtain all of the apples and maybe beat your previous score. The routes are always a challenge, and I assure you that there will be multiple attempts involved. I love a good trial, and Granny Smith provides just that.

Overall, the game is fast-paced, challenging, and there is enough action to keep you entertained for a long time.

With its simple gameplay, engaging storyline, and neat visual style, WarGames is a blast to play.

If you enjoy zen-like games with a dash of reflex skill testing, such as Alto’s Adventure or even Super Hexagon, then you’ll get a kick out of Polyforge.

Overall, Morphite is an excellent game that is worth a download for any iOS gamer. The graphics are stunning, the music is delightful, and the game world is immersive. Controls do take some time to get used to, but can definitely be streamlined in a future update. At least there is support for physical MFi controllers, which always end up being the better option for a FPS game like this anyway. Morphite is jam-packed with procedurally generated content, so there's a huge assortment of life forms, landscapes, and bosses to tackle. Plus, many upgrades are available to make you stronger.

The thing that stands out the most about this game is the beautiful artwork.

The game is a fantastic follow-up to the original, which I adored. The visuals make the game look and feel like genuine origami, the sound is amazing, the puzzles are challenging enough without being too overwhelming, and the wide variety of included levels as well as daily challenges and user-made stages keeps everything fresh and interesting, even if you beat the main game. This is another fantastic puzzle game from State of Play Games that I will be keeping on my device for some time.

It's ultra simple with only one game mode, though there are leaderboards and achievements that add some depth.

Hidden Folks is a wonderful hidden object game that is suitable for everyone and worth checking out.

If you enjoyed Nano Panda, or if you're simply looking for a an action-packed casual game that's impossible to put down, check out Electric Tentacle.

An excellent take on catapult-style gameplay. While the 3-D twist might seem daunting or alienating to fans of the 2-D style, it's safe to say that the gameplay is just as engaging as ever.

Warp Shift by FISHLABS is a gorgeous puzzle game that forces you to think outside the box, at least just a little bit. If you’re a fan of puzzles, then this one is definitely a must-have in your game collection.

I highly recommend checking out Sproggiwood on iOS whether you’re a roguelike fan or not, or just want a challenging little turn-based strategy game.

I really love this game. Not only was it entertaining, but the graphics make it one of the most visually appealing games I have played in a long time.

I highly recommend checking out 8-Bit Waterslide if you are a fan of endless runners or arcade games but want something unlike anything you’ve tried before.

The visuals are stunning, the funky disco music adds charm and personality to the game, and the controls are easy to learn (but difficult to master). The unique gameplay concept also makes this title stand out above the rest of the competition.

I highly recommend giving #breakforcist a try if you’re in the mood for a cute and tasty brick-breaker arcade game.

I recommend giving Sword of Xolan a try if you’re a fan of retro action platformer games.

The graphics are beautiful and incredibly detailed, the music is soothing with whimsical sound effects, the controls feel natural and let you play it with one hand, and the gameplay is challenging.

My only complaint is that it is a bit short, but that is easily overlooked when you consider its low price point ($4.99) and its innovative graphic style.

I highly recommend checking out King Rabbit for yourself if you’re a fan of action puzzles and like cute rabbits.

I recommend giving Chased By The Sun a try if you enjoy hectic arcade puzzle games.

The graphics look amazing on Retina screens, the artwork for characters and battle sprites is well-done, the music and voice acting is incredible, and the controls for combat feel much more intuitive on touch screens. The game is also pretty generous with giving you the premium currency at a steady pace, but you can also purchase more if need be. The story is fairly captivating and there are plenty of other modes to keep you busy for a while, and overall the game is great for both newbies and veterans alike.

I highly recommend giving Stagehand a try if you like fresh platformers with a modernized twist. There are no in-app purchases, but as a bonus, there are iMessage stickers included with every copy.

If you are looking for a game that has a fresh and distinctive take on the monster-collecting genre, then Combo Critters is just what you need.

If you enjoy card games like Sage Solitaire and Pair Solitaire, then you will love what Politaire brings to the table.

Overall, I recommend checking out Go Surf if you are into infinite runners and prefer a beach setting over snow and mountains. Or if you just want a game that captures the joy of surfing when you’re not hitting the waves at the moment.

This game is a lot of fun. The graphics are cute and there are plenty of power ups to increase your point score. Stars are easily collected and, even though you can buy them through in-app purchases it is not necessary at all.

If recent releases like Dots & Co, Quell Zen, and klocki weren’t enough to whet your appetite, then Blyss is a fine addition to any puzzle game collection.

Seriously, give this game a try and blast the limbs off of the undead.

Outfolded by 3 Sprockets is an infinite, minimalistic puzzle game that is all about unfolding shapes to get to your goal. If you enjoyed titles like Blyss and Flipominos, then you will like what Outfolded offers.

I recommend FRAMED 2 if you were a fan of the original game or just love a unique puzzle game with a storyline that follows the show, don’t tell technique.

The price is perfect for something so simple and fun. If you like matching games, give this one your full attention.

I recommend giving Sequence – Connecting Numbers a try if you are a fan of puzzle games and don’t mind numbers thrown into the mix.

I’ve only started Zombie Gunship Survival, but so far it’s an enjoyable way to pass the time. I love how realistic the graphics are because it is truly immersive and unique, unlike some other zombie shooter games that I’ve seen. The controls are easy enough to understand, and you can easily change the y-axis and x-axis to have inverted movement. I’m usually not a fan of freemium base building games, but the distinctive combat system of Zombie Gunship Survival is interesting enough to keep me coming back for more. I don’t like the timers for opening crates though, but I suppose I can live with it.

An incredibly addictive tower defense game. Its star-based upgrade system, paired with crisp artwork and butter smooth gameplay, will definitely have you soaking hour after hour into the game.

All-in-all, Evergrow is a wonderfully cute arcade game that deserves a spot on your iOS device.

I recommend checking out Chesh if you enjoy turn-based strategy games like chess, but want something with a bit more pizazz.

This game is simply fantastic. There are 200 puzzles, many with multiple solutions. There are even more ways to play by checking out the Community section and playing a user-created tangram. Fans of the classic dissection puzzle game will really enjoy this app.

I highly recommend checking out Futurama: Game of Drones if you’re a fan of matching puzzles and love Futurama and need your fix.

I highly recommend checking out Potion Explosion if you’re a fan of the physical board game, or just enjoy digital versions of board games or match-three puzzles.

I highly recommend checking out Love You To Bits if you like cute stories and love a good point-and-click adventure with challenging puzzles.

I highly recommend checking out Swap Sword if you’re a fan of match-three puzzle games and love a dash of roguelike RPG action.

As someone who's never played The Talos Principle before, I'm in love with the game. It looks amazing and has great sound design. The controls work okay, but could be better optimized, but at least there is controller support. The story is intriguing from the get-go, and I do love a good existential crisis kind of plot. The puzzles are challenging and there's just a ton of content for the money.

I'm definitely enjoying Wreck-It Ralph so far, and I think that it's a great price for three games (one dollar gets you three games that would probably cost a dollar each). The graphics are great, and all of the games are simple, pick-up-and-play games that you can easily kill a few minutes with.

It's a great little platformer, and I'd highly recommend it to those of you who are looking for a unique game this week.

I highly recommend giving Red’s Kingdom a try if you’re looking for a great little action adventure puzzle game for your iOS device.

I highly recommend grabbing The Sequence if you are a fan of sequential and logical puzzle games.

I’m always a sucker for classic arcade game homages, and this is definitely one of them. I love the vintage pixelated graphics and authentic chiptune soundtrack of Mr. Particle-Man, and the controls are easy to get used to. There are a ton of challenging levels for the price, and like any real arcade game, there’s a lot of reasons to keep playing.

The graphics are top-notch, the chiptunes are awesome, the controls are intuitive and optimized for the platform, and the gameplay itself is insanely challenging while being fun.

If you enjoyed other games by Devolver Digital, which includes the awesome Downwell, then you don’t want to miss out on Reigns.

I highly recommend checking out Pokaboo if you are in the mood for a haunting little puzzle that is friendly enough for the entire family.

If you’re a fan of difficult platformers, then I highly recommend picking this one up and giving it a spin for yourself.

While Galaxy of Pen & Paper does have some flaws in terms of customization options, it’s still an enjoyable game. I love the pixel art style and the chiptunes are fantastic. There is plenty of content in the game to go through, so this is a title I’ll be playing for a while. The dialogue is humorous, the battle system is fairly streamlined, and it’s overall quite challenging. I’d recommend giving Galaxy of Pen & Paper a try if you’re into D&D or role-playing games in general.

The graphics are stunning and take me back to my childhood days, and the circus theme music is both dastardly and charming at the same time, somehow. It’s also hard to find platformer style games that nail down the controls, but Penarium did a great job with them, because they feel like perfection as it is, though you can customize them in the settings. The gameplay mechanic itself is rather fun and frantic, so it’s a great way to test your skills, and there are no in-app purchases or extras. On top of it all, the game is fairly humorous thanks to the wacky ways that Willy can die for the audience, and the ringmaster has some funny bits of dialogue as well. Overall, Penarium is just a fantastic game that should not be missed.

The graphics are fantastic for a mobile version of a console game, the roster is expansive, the fights are challenging but fun at the same time, and the controls work well for what it’s worth. I do wish that it wasn’t such a pain to get hero shards to get more characters, because of course the good ones are always super expensive and costly, and I could do without the energy system, but hey, I suppose that’s a good reason for me to pick up the PlayStation 4 version eventually. I recommend checking out Injustice 2 if you’re a fan of the original game, love DC, or just want a fun fighting game.

I recommend giving Rainmaker – The Beautiful Flood if you like challenging puzzles with a bit of depth to them.

I recommend checking out King Tongue if you are looking for a fun, action-packed arcade-style beat-em-up game to check out over the long weekend.

I recommend giving Powerpuff Girls: Flipped Out a try if you’re a fan of the franchise, enjoy innovative new games, or just like a challenging match-three or brawler game.

Despite the flaws, I'm finding Dice Mage 2 incredibly fun to play. I always love pixel art, so the graphics are delightful to see. The music and sound effects are also fun to hear, and the combination of luck and planning makes for a distinctive gameplay mechanic. I can see myself coming back to this one for a long time — it's perfect for short burst gaming sessions.

If you enjoy puzzle platformer games, then this one is definitely worth taking a look, especially if you’ve never played it before.

If you are a fan of adventure puzzles with a thrilling spy aspect to it, then this is a game for you.

If you are a fan of reflex arcade games, then I recommend giving this one a try.

As a big fan of word games, Sidewords is one I’m truly enjoying so far. I love the simple and clean aesthetic, and the sound effects are fun to listen to while playing. The word and logic elements mashed together create a special experience that I’ve never seen before in a word game, which is refreshing. Sidewords is definitely one game that should be in everyone’s game collection. I recommend giving Sidewords a try if you’re into either word or logic puzzles.

I highly recommend checking out Hue Ball if you’re a fan of arcade games that involve pinball, shuffleboard, and bubble shooters. Plus, if you liked the classic Orbital, then this is a natural shoo-in.

Glitchskier is an action-packed arcade shooter bullet hell game that is just about as retro as it can possibly get. If you enjoy vintage skeuomorphism in your games, such as with Her Story and Telepaint, and you want to shoot stuff up, then Glitchskier is definitely the game for you.

The visuals are breathtaking like the original, but with much more vibrant tones. The soundtrack is engrossing and adds to the experience, and the controls are easy enough for anyone. The original Monument Valley was a monumental experience for me, and this sequel only reinforces that.

Overall, Stack & Crack is an enjoyable treat for any puzzle fan. The game has a distinctive and appealing graphical style, the music and sounds are charming and delightful, and the gameplay is simple yet complex at the same time. The controls work out well with no fuss, and the difficulty ramps up gradually so you don't feel overwhelmed too soon. This is definitely a game that any puzzle fan should have in their collection.

Despite the flaws, I'm seriously having a great time with Battlejack. I'm a big Blackjack and RPG fan, so this is a mashup that I fell in love with immediately. I'm enjoying the fun art style, and the game mechanics are easy enough for anyone to understand. The difficulty does pick up once you hit the third area, but that just adds to the challenge. I wish that the game menus weren't so cluttered, though, and I'm not the biggest fan about the timers, but I'm willing to put up with it for now.

As a lover of word games, Supertype is one that did not disappoint. The gameplay is interesting and makes me think about letters from a different perspective now, and it's just downright fun to watch and hear them get juggled around. The graphics are gorgeous, and everything runs pretty smoothly, aside from the glitch with the menu button. I'd recommend giving Supertype a try if you're in search of a word and puzzle game.

As a Portal fan who will probably never see a Portal 3, I think Bridge Constructor Portal will have to do. It's a fine mashup, really, but don't come in to this expecting a full on Portal game, because that's not what this is. It's a challenging puzzler that will test your problem-solving skills, with a Portal theme, essentially. As a newcomer to Bridge Constructor, this is fine by me. The game itself looks great, the music is delightful, and I'm just happy to hear GLaDOS' voice once again.

Art of Conquest features wonderful graphics and animations, and it plays nicely. I actually prefer it over other similar titles, and love amassing hundreds of units that I can deploy in battle. Its only drawback is the freemium nature of the game, using in-app purchases to help feed your army and speed up your troop recruitment and training.

As a fan of platformer games, Cat Bird! is definitely one to try out. The game offers up cute visuals, great music, and is simple to play while offering up a challenge. I do wish that there was an option for customizing the button positioning, as I believe that would help me be more accurate. Regardless, the game is fun and delightful, even with the occasional ad.

Even though this is one big promotional release, it's Stranger Things, and it's a top-notch free game that has no strings attached, which is rare these days. The graphics are amazing and smooth. The eerie chiptune soundtrack is fun to listen to, and the sound effects make you feel like you're watching the show. The game lasts for about 10 hours, and each character has their part to play when it comes to solving the puzzles. For the true dedicated fans, a secret trailer for Stranger Things 2 awaits you if you complete enough puzzles.

Overall, REKT! is proving to be a nice distraction throughout the day. It takes skateboard style tricks and applies them to rad looking vehicles for a unique gameplay concept that ends up being fun and hard to put down. Controls are simple enough for anyone to pick the game up and play it, but mastering the tricks takes time and practice. It's also rewarding to watch the points rack up as you hang in the air and spin or flip (or both), and the unlock-able cars just provide more motivation for players. My only complaint is the lack of arenas, but the developers have said that more are coming in the future, according to their app description. Hopefully these come sooner rather than later, and I look forward to checking them out.

Overall, Beat Street is a fun little game that is perfect for taking out the day's frustrations in. I'm taken back to my childhood with the fantastic pixel art graphics (like other Lucky Kat games), and the music and sounds are fun to listen to as you play. The controls work out well, and being able to play with just one hand is especially nice. The levels are challenging and there is plenty of stuff to unlock to keep the game fresh and interesting.

I’m in love with the remarkable geometric visuals and the music is perfect for me. I’ve gone through a lot of puzzle games during my time here at AppAdvice, and YANKAI’S PEAK is one that stands out from the crowd, which just seems to get harder and harder these days. If you are looking for a fantastic puzzle experience to get you through the weekend, and you already finished Monument Valley 2, then YANKAI’S PEAK is worth a download.

As a big Sonic fan from the golden age of gaming, I think Sonic Runners Adventure does a lot of things right. The visuals and music take me back to my childhood, and the controls work well for what it's worth. It's also great that you have a wide variety of characters to choose from, including older ones. However, I think the game gets a bit too difficult at times, especially the desert area. I've been stuck there for a while (I tried maybe almost 50 times) because one level was way too lengthy, the yellow of the desert made it hard to see some obstacles and enemies, and everything moving super fast doesn't help when you can't see clearly. I had to get help from my fiancé, who's much better at games in general, and even that took a few tries. The developer should do some balance tweaking, in my opinion, to make it a less frustrating experience.

As a cat fan, Purrfect Date is a nice surprise on the App Store. I didn't know about the game before this week, but it's certainly a fun, interactive visual novel experience. Plus, dating the cats (crazy cat lady style) is fun and silly, which is to be expected from the same people who developed Surgeon Simulator. And honestly, the visuals are charming and appealing to everyone, and the sound is great.

I'm always up for a challenge, so AZ Rockets is a gem in my mobile game collection. I enjoy the minimalism behind it all, and the music is great to listen to. Controls are simple enough for anyone to pick up and play, but this is truly a game that takes time and practice to fully master. I just hope to see some balancing tweaks made in the future so it's a bit less frustrating. Otherwise, this is a great little gem to test your skills.

I'm having a lot of fun with JYDGE so far. I know real dystopias are no fun, but JYDGE makes it so when you're armed with a super weapon and a ton of enhancements to take out the baddies. The graphics are great and a nice homage to sci-fi series like Blade Runner, and the music is well done. The controls work out nicely and the objectives prove to be rather challenging, so you'll definitely be spending some time with this game.

Brew Town is an entertaining simulation clicker style game that is keeping me busy whenever I sit down and check in. I found the tutorial to be a bit unclear, but the game is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of things. And it's easy to just lose yourself in for a few hours at a time here, especially when you've become super efficient at brewing and filling orders. The graphics are great, and the sounds are nicely done.

As a fan of Brough's other games, I think Cinco Paus is another great hidden gem from him that I'm happy to have in my collection. The distinctive art style makes me think of obscure adult swim cartoons, and I think the experimental approach with Portuguese is a fascinating perspective on language barriers in games. The gameplay itself is easy to pick up and learn after a few tries, and I enjoy the fact that each staff has a new set of properties in each game. It keeps you on your toes and you must try them all out in the first level to know and understand what their properties are. On top of that, there are a lot of other things in the game to learn as you play, such as enemy behaviors and what items do.

MU Origin 2 is not revolutionary, but it’s worthy of the MU license. While there’s plenty to keep you busy, and all the staples of the mobile RPG genre are here, you’ll enjoy it most if you like your RPGs fairly lightweight.

Swing King & The Temple of Bling is a cute and fun little action puzzle game that is sure to captivate many. I love the modernized pixelated style, and the chiptunes are downright fun. The controls are clearly designed for touch screens, and that means that this game can be played anywhere, even while you’re waiting in line at the store. I’m not a big fan of the checkpoint system, but at least the coins are plentiful and it’s not that hard to get at least 10, so it’s not a big deal.

As a fan of puzzle games, I'm enjoying Motif so far, even though I've only downloaded it this morning. I love simply designed games, and Motif falls under that category well. The gameplay is also fun and challenging, though things start out easy enough. Controls are responsive as well, so there's no issue there. I just wish more hints were available, but it's not a deal breaker. I recommend giving Motif a try if you're in the mood for a relaxing and artistic puzzler.

Overall, I'm liking Final Fantasy Dimensions II, but not sure if it's worth the high price tag compared to other Final Fantasy games on iOS. The art style is lovely, the music and sound brings back memories, and the turn-based battle system is easy to follow. I'm a bit annoyed that it takes away the free-roaming exploration aspect of the long-established franchise, as that was one of my favorite elements. The game itself is good, but I'm not sure if it's worth $15. Perhaps if this was a bit lower, considering that it's a watered-down Final Fantasy.

While I'm not usually big into interactive visual novels, Wheels of Aurelia is an exception. I'm loving the visual style of the game, and the music is delightful. Controls are simple enough for everyone to enjoy, and the character development and endings are done well. The game's all about the journey rather than the destination, and I think that's a great outlook on life in general. I may not have been on an actual road trip yet, but this game gives me a sample taste of it.

As a sucker for puzzle games, I'm really enjoying Bombarika so far. I'm not done with the game yet, since it's taking me a few tries on some stages. However, I love the graphic style, the music is charming, and the controls are simple. I just wish that there was a bit more detail when it comes to depth perception here, and not too happy about a premium title still having in-app purchases. Still, it's a fun and challenging game that is sure to delight many puzzle fans.