If there is one thing that really holds Bardbarian back from being a truly perfect iOS game, it’s the fact that it’s so challenging. While the difficulty may be fun for fans of the genre and people like me who just generally enjoy a challenge, it kind of hampers the story a bit and may cause other gamers to lose interest.

I really loved Castle Doombad’s deft mixture of intricate and addictive game play. It’s a slam-bang journey that does so much good that sometimes breaking bad is the only way to go. Especially if a beautiful princess is your unwilling companion.

It’s a decent title, but unfortunately, it never reaches the angelic heights of fun that were promised.

While it feels and plays nicely, it somehow doesn’t live up to the legacy that should be Duke Nukem.

Rhythm Thief & the Paris Caper has a couple of kinks in the program but it’s still a delightful little game to play, which will definitely eat up many hours of your time.

In creating a title which gives us a diverse array of racing experiences, the developers were on the right track. Unfortunately, this racer falls off the rails with a third rate control system. Variety may be the spice of life, but sans the proper navigation, those hot wheels will continue to spin in the wrong direction.

If you’re on the go and looking to flex those mental muscles, and don’t mind a game that’s not all that flashy, look no further than this wonderful puzzler.

Joe Danger Infinity is perhaps one of my favorite kids iPhone games that I’ve played so far. It’s got a lot of action, a cute little score and some sweet graphics to boot.

Battle Supremacy falls quite short of the standards set by World of Tanks.

An intriguing trip into the unknown, simian.interface is a puzzler filled with delicious colors, sounds, and three dimensional shapes. Brain twisters come in all shapes and sizes, and this app will stay on my mind, at least until the next batch of simians come along.

But without those minor gripes, RoboCop is a pretty fun game to play.

I love tilting and tapping my iOS devices just like any other gamer, but occasionally I’d rather let the action do most of the work. Loot Hero doesn’t offer a lot of chills and spills, and maybe I’ll grow tired of this title in the coming weeks. But for now, I prefer life on easy street, and as long as I have enough loot and a sharp enough sword, those dragons won’t be touching my kingdom anytime soon.

Sonic All-Stars Racing Transformed hangs its hat on the variety of its game play and also tugs on our respective heart strings.

If you’re a Where’s My Water? fan, but crave a richer and grander experience, just open up your iOS device and strike a little oil.

Lara Croft: Reflections, after its initial speed bumps, is a diverting enough app that, if you love card games, is worth a peek.

This is a full-fledged RPG that you can take with you, just in case you want to escape to another world and become an epic badass.

Along with such titles as Year Walk, Hero of Many, and Infinity Blade III, Republique is proof that you don’t need a PC or a high end console to enjoy a visually arresting storyline.

Disney Hidden Worlds may not be as hidden as it wants to be, as this app is a complete cinch to play. But visiting these lands with the touch and tap of a finger will always be a sublime experience.

Colossatron: Massive World Threat is an immensely fun game that features action that almost never stops.

The only other negatives i can point out are that you might grow bored of it after playing for too long, so keep in mind that Ridge Racer Slipstream, like the use of nitrous, is best enjoyed in short bursts.

There’s a lot of junk out there that isn’t worth the time of day, but Fightback delivers a few more punches than expected.

Cut The Rope 2 is a great time waster, but in the best way possible.

For its cheap price and the ability to revisit one of video game’s most celebrated heroines, Tomb Raider is a decent enough download.

Big Win Racing has the worst elements of every free social game out there and offers nothing new, fun, or original in return. If you value your time or have any self-respect, you should avoid this at all costs.

If you’ve got a younger sibling who’s into the show, they’ll probably have a blast with Ski Safari Adventure Time… for a little while. Its repetitive gameplay and the prohibitive costs to its in-game shop will deter players for playing it too long, which is a shame given how fun-loving and imaginative the source material is.

There is a direct niche of RPG fans who the iOS version of The After Years is perfectly tailored for — fans of the DS remake of Final Fantasy IV. If you enjoyed the 3D models of the DS remake, and never played The After Years, then this steep price tag of $15.99 is justified.

As a game that is inspired by the experiences of someone who’s actually lived it, Circus Life is wonderful. But as a game itself, it is somewhat lacking in the fun factor department, mainly because the games are too simple and easy.

From an RTS perspective, there are too many small details and nuances to keep track of for AntiSquad to be enjoyable for gamers.

There is no denying that Sensei Wars still has enough virtual stimulation to keep your attention for a fixed amount of time, but the screen viewer hiccup and lack of real difficulty makes it tough for me to keep this game on my phone for much longer.

While we recommend the free version of Gregg to most people looking for a solid game on the go that most people could enjoy, paying the extra amount to unlock the other levels should only be for puzzle enthusiasts, those looking for a challenge or to support an excellent gaming craftsman.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is Rockstar Games’s best port yet.

While LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga might be a pretty beefy game packed with content, the biggest downside is that you’ll have to spend $14.99 to unlock all of it. As it stands, you only get Episode 1: A Phantom Menace with this 800 MB download. If you decide to get each episode, then you’ll have to shell out $2.99 per episode.

After beating the game, the was one puzzle I couldn’t solve — why the The Room Two was such a disappointment.

Assassin’s Creed Pirates isn’t some cash in on Assassin’s Creed 4, it is a damn good game that stands right up on its own. It is epic, engaging, and most of all fun. It doesn’t wear out its welcome with bloated mechanics or unnecessary plot. It distills the essence of what we loved about the naval battles and puts it at your fingertips.

Aside from the control kinks, Cutiebots succeeds as a diverting enough app which, thanks to an intriguing tone and variety of game play, doesn’t disappoint. After several hours in this shadowy world, I’m still ready for a few more rounds, even if these killer ‘bots are about as cute as a bullet to the head.

If you’re looking for an ass-beating, ’80s-infused good time that’s playable on your iOS device, however, look no further.

With its multitude of tasks and upgrades, Band Stars should keep you busy and interested for at least a couple of hours.

If you want to have fun with a smart little platform-puzzler, it’d definitely be worth your while to give this a go.

Like a sloth ninja assassin, Space Hulk is slow, methodical, and brutal, but offers plenty of rewards for those with patience.

Zya is a fine platform for young-ish people who are trying to get a better grasp of how music is being made. I’m not a big fan about the price system, along with how quickly you run into the possibility of paying so shortly after you start playing, but it’s still a good time waster.

With three different worlds as well as the ability to unlock survival mode, Clash of Puppets definitely offers up your money’s worth. The absolute lack of in-app purchases are also a huge plus, and it’s great to see a developer put gaming first over creating a manipulative, cash grabbing app.

Considering the Disney source material, it could do with an injection of magic, originality, and amazement. But, it did make me want to check out the movie, so in that sense, I might consider it a success.

If you’re a huge Anchorman fan, throwing some coins to spend time with the mustachioed San Diegan shouldn’t be a problem. But after 15 minutes of ice tossing, you’ll be clamoring for more Burgundy in your mix, and a little less of that same old Scotchy Scotch.

Angry Birds Go! is a first rate kart racer which delivers the goods.

Icycle: On Thin Ice is a steal for just $0.99 thanks to its outside the box creative execution and perfectly realized physics quests. It’s a great one two punch of fun that carries much more heat than its moniker suggests.

With its role playing game structure, intermixed with card and MOBA elements, Demon Tribe gives us a first rate venture into this heart of darkness.

Though there is a bit of inspired madness behind Coaster Crazy Deluxe, I was left a tad uninspired with my roller coaster experience.

Lords of Waterdeep provides an intense, strategic experience that’s best played with friends, and though it can occasionally lean on the rules to the point of becoming convoluted, the varied gameplay and great potential for inter-personal interactions make for an awesome experience.

Now, despite its numerous flaws, at heart Steam Punks could be a pretty good time. There’s a reason the universe has seen so much of Mega Man and his various reincarnations and spin-offs — its because those games are damn fun. Steam Punks wants you to have the same kind of fun, but lacks the polish or the technical power to elevate itself above the rabble.

If you can get past the occasionally finicky controls and lack of things to do, and if you’re really into just wheeling around and mastering this two-fingered skate system, you may find that Touchgrind Skate 2 shreds gnarlier than most; other gamers, however, will probably find more fun digging back through the huge library of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater titles.

At the end of the day, Super Hammer is simple, moderately fun game that can get pretty addictive depending on how you feel about endless runners.

Mickey may have a few illusions in store, but he’s got the right kind of magic to get him by.

For under a dollar, you can buy an addicting endless runner filled with physics infused action.

Overall, The Rivers of Alice is a beautifully made adventure title that is ham-stringed by the lack of logic that plagues a lot of adventure titles.

Overall, Chicken Boy is a good time that is marred by its repetitive nature. It features some clever gameplay wrapped up in an adorable chicken costume and that is something we can all come to appreciate.

Even if this game is triggered for the mandatory use of IAPs, I’m giving Let Me Loose a pass. It gave me enough bang for my buck, and if I scrape a few more nickels together, I’ll head back to the lab for some quality amoeba time.

Neon Shadow also contains a first rate cyber punk score from Abducted by Sharks, giving the game an added layer of luster. Even if Neon Shadow didn’t have all the online and audio trimmings, it would still exist as a solid FPS app. With these additions, it really turns the game into a first rate journey.

Halos Fun is an enjoyable enough experience that should appeal to physics puzzler lovers.

Gamers who crave for a difficult epic should definitely check out Stellar Wars.

Stealth Inc.’s tiny graphics aren’t for the faint-of-eyes, and its playfully punishing gameplay isn’t for the impatient. But if you don’t mind taking your time and working your way through problems as they’re presented to you, what you’ll find is a charming, but devilishly clever, stealth title more than worthy of your time.

Even if you only get up to three iOS games a year, make sure this is one of them. There are hours upon hours of content to play, plenty of islands to explore and monsters to fight.

Even with the freemium distraction, Beetle Breaker succeeds is a solid puzzler whose entertainment value amplifies if you dig the game’s slingshot mechanic.

Despite its flaws, though, Epoch 2 has plenty to offer. Lots of missions, lots of replay value, and lots of loot to unlock. Its twitchy controls, shallow gameplay, and brutally greedy in-game shop, however, detract from what could have otherwise been a solid gaming experience.

In short, Khaba is a self contained adventure that, though seemingly simple in concept, is thoroughly sublime in execution.

A few more levels may have placed Mr. Montgomery’s Debonair Facial Hair on a different creative stratosphere, but it’s still a bargain as a $0.99 download. In-app purchases are also not needed to complete the game, so credit the developers for not going for the all too frequent cash grab.

Everyday Spelunker ruined its promising start with its unsatisfactory control mechanic which led to more deaths than I could handle.

All of its parts add up to something that is a ton of fun and is well worthy of a spot on your phone.

If this turn-based strategy title can get its hooks in you, you’ll probably find yourself getting sucked deeper and deeper into its many intricacies. But, thanks to its unappealing aesthetics and focus on subtle game mechanics, getting in isn’t easy.

Its simplicity and design make it engaging, addictive, and fun. It is challenging, but in that teasingly attainable way.

Monsters Rising’s heart seems to be in the right place, at first, but the sloppy crafstmanship, uninspired combat, and aggressive microtransactions in a game that already has an upfront cost all lead to this being a dissatisfying experience.

The addition of online multiplayer and vehicular customization could give players who really love bike racing a reason to try out Extreme Bike Trip. However, as it sits now, it’s just another drop in the mediocre, free-to-play hat.

Quotation forthcoming.

Sorcery! 2 certainly isn’t for everyone, but, as a text adventure for the digital age, it’s an experience that’s second-to-none.

If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced action puzzle game from the creator of Tetris, look no further.

It’s an intricate balance with breathing new life into a seemingly perfect franchise, but leave it to Lego to put all of the pieces together.

Rayman Fiesta brings exactly what its name promises: a fiesta! It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s smartly made, perfect for anyone who wants to do a little high-speed, high-energy gaming on the go.

This app may have its drawbacks, but it scores enough points to keep me kicking in the right direction.

That is the problem with Ooga Jump, it doesn’t have the staying power. The gameplay isn’t varied enough to be the full experience it wants to be.

Thor: The Dark World is definitely a pretty game, and a fun one at that. Though the graphics never approach anything like Infinity Blade’s gorgeous visuals, it’s still a graphically-impressive title that stays true to the aesthetics of its source material and is a treat on Retina displays.

Star Wars Pinball 2 is an engaging journey that should please fans of the sci-fi epic as well as tablet gamers looking to throw a few balls around.

Go grab a cup of overpriced coffee instead. You’ll still get ripped off, but at least you’ll have more fun and actually feel something other than seething anger.

Papa Sangre II has 18 levels for you to tackle, giving you a relatively lengthy and immersive experience unlike anything you might have come across before.

On a pure visceral aspect, Anomaly 2 is just pure, unadulterated fun.

Stack Rabbit’s freemium mechanic is a necessary evil to enjoying the app. Although you will probably sail by the first 10 levels without a hitch, you will lose energy and will have to wait a half hour to replenish one carrot.

If you have no care for kicking a ball on grass and only care for puzzle titles, Soccer Moves is still an excellent free-to-play iOS title worthy of your time.

Juice Cubes is another winning release from Rovio, and if it motivates you to put a few healthy slices of fruit in your freezer, all the better.

As a distraction while on public transportation, Infinity Danger is good for a few minutes. But any more than that and it will begin to frustrate you because of its squandered potential.

With a variety of cards for you to assemble and test against the masses, Combat Monsters is a great title for players to unleash the strategist within.

Fright Heights feels like a money grab from the get go, thanks to its game of chance mechanic and the frequent reminders of upgrade options. I would have shelled out a few coins if this app really gave chills up and down my spine. But currently I feel nothing but indifference, and that’s really nothing to be scared about.

Is Optical Inquisitor a great game? I’d be hard pressed to label it as such. But it’s certainly memorable. And for only a dollar, I would say it is definitely worth a look. If for no other reason than to see the crazy mishmash of inappropriate hilarity that is collected here.

Its slow pace, lack of complexity and lack of micro control options may not appeal to everyone, but if you’re looking for something that makes decent use of your brain while moving things gently along, Oil Rush: 3D Naval Strategy may be the thing for you.

With tight controls, beautiful graphics and insane bosses, Dead Trigger 2 is a must have for anyone that has ever taken delight in anything zombie-related.

Greedy Grub is fun until this free game tricks you into opening up your wallet.

Although it’s a simplistic app in scope, it definitely flies in the right direction.

Ghost Toasters is a well made game with a ton of character, but it doesn’t make up for its repetitive nature.

Arc Squadron Redux is the pinnacle of this genre and well worth a play if you’ve ever fancied yourself an X-Wing pilot or other hero of the stars.

Even with its online flaws, Mr. Ludo is an engaging, free to play app which caters to board game lovers.

I had fun with this, but I could also see how it could get under the skin of some who are growing tired with hipster pixel art games. Case in point: developer I Fight Bears makes “Games For People With Beards.” Granted, that’s a joke. But I can’t tell whether or not there’s a line in Fist of Awesome that divides between satire or pandering.