Charming and refreshing.

It does have the typical repetitiveness of free games, and the app feels like it actually punishes players for not making purchases. It also doesn't help that the number of tracks are unacceptably limited. All things considered, Rogue Racing feels about average at best.

Dream Pethouse is one of the more interesting releases so far on the mobile space from Zynga, being that it isn't just another Ville clone and actually tries something that hasn't been attempted too many times before it. The gameplay isn't exactly as exciting as we could have hoped, but Dream Pethouse is still a competent social game that could be played for months if you have enough friends keeping up with you.

Despite the bizarre combination of baseball and anime, the game works well and has a nice amount of content. If sports fans can look past the anime style, there is a surprisingly good game of baseball here. It is not going to replace MLB: The Show on consoles, but it's good enough for baseball junkies to play on the bus ride to work.

Give me good solid gameplay mechanics combined with witty writing any day of the week. To be honest, the game really only has a few tiny drawbacks to it. It seems to make poor decisions when you tap where you want to move your guys, and you need to really zoom the camera around so you can really zero in on your targets.

Beneath the issues, Speed Blazers has the fundamentals of a great game in place. As it stands, though, this is a title that feels like it's still in beta, thanks to the bugs and the obviously incomplete content.

There are probably plenty of people who will skip over this game simply because of its name. After all, it's hard to imagine a title that sounds like more of a generic cash-in than Margaritaville Online. But those people will be missing out. With so much to do and see, Margaritaville Online is easily one of the biggest and most enjoyable games on Facebook.

It's certainly fun. But without much of a game there and no way to enjoy it single player, you really need to know what you're getting into less you be disappointed in what you find. That being said if your gaming does meet these criteria, Fingle is truly unique and definitely worth giving a try.

Paper Monsters is one of those rare games that come along once in a blue moon. It's more fun than a night out with friends, and as flawless as diamonds. For lack of a better word, it's perfect. Everyone should play this.

Raising a race horse in Derby Days is definitely fun, unfortunately the rest of the experience feels underdeveloped.

A bit more interesting than the original Facebook rendition, but still feels fairly formulaic.

For those looking for a game that does tower defense differently, look no further. The combination of theme, gameplay and challenge should satisfy just about anyone who's interested in the genre. Though the high difficulty will be a deterrent for some I found it's definitely rewarding to build up your Gorg-smashing skills.

Order Up!! To Go is not a bad game. Everything in the game works from a functional standpoint, but could have used a little bit more cooking in planning out player progression.

For its outlandish storyline, there are a few chuckles to be found while playing The Princess Case: A Royal Scoop, but you'll unfortunately likely laugh for all of the wrong reasons. Even though the gameplay is fairly varied (all things considered), the issues here are simply too numerous to overcome.

RoboHero is great, no question about it. It manages to get just about everything right, which is no easy feat considering that the gameplay feels incredibly fresh for the iOS platform, and the interface is so well-done.

If you're a fan of both puzzle and word games, there's a whole lot to like about Puzzlejuice. It takes two well-known styles of gameplay and combines them into something new. And it even manages to wrap the whole thing up in an incredibly stylish package, including one of the best iOS soundtracks we've come across so far.

If you bite at this app, you're merely getting hooked by another bait and switch.

Smash Cops offers a fantastic new control scheme and plenty of polish, making Hutch a developer that's definitely worth keeping an eye on in 2012. But their debut has left us with mixed feelings. We love the originality that's here – we just wish it could have gone a little further into the style of missions on offer.

The play style of Jazz: Trump's Journey is wonderfully enjoyable for fans of the platforming genre. While the title does make use of rather common game mechanics, it also has a handful of interesting ones, and at least makes an attempt to use the commonplace in more unique manners. Additionally, the game's style is just fantastic, with any flaws being nothing more than picking nits.

Sweet Shop isn't a bad game, but it's absolutely nothing original.

By and large, Planet Buster is incredibly well done. It looks and sounds great, the gameplay is addictive and fast-paced, and the general setting is charmingly ridiculous. Pick this up: You won't be sorry you did.

While I may hate using the word so soon, Caylus really is a classic, and it's wonderful to see it brought to life digitally to expose it to a whole new audience.

An incredibly deep game that's full of epic storytelling and excellent strategy mechanics… it just might take a little while to appreciate all of this.

While the game has a very respectable amount of content included, the underlying game is simply not good enough to justify dropping cash on. You'll get some neat puzzles, but you'll have to work for the solutions-not because you do not understand what needs to be done, but rather you aren't given enough feedback from the game to properly complete the levels with any sort of accuracy. The premise is fine, but the execution is flawed.

Definitely one of the best games on iOS. You should expect everyone to be talking about this game soon enough – this one is as platform defining as games get on the App Store.

It's funny to me that a genre like text adventure could be resurrected and brought to a full color tablet device like the iPad or iPhone. Adding the high-res graphics and fantastic music/sound add a lot to the game, and make it much easier to feel the theme like a weight around your neck than back in the day when it was all just text. ZDay Survival Simulator may not hold your attention for more than a few sittings, but what's there is fantastic and deserves to be seen.

Zombie Wonderland 2: Outta Time! is surprisingly fun, but it's still got some stuff that needs to be addressed by the QA team over at Chilingo. Still, it's been a while since we had a truly good zombie game released for iOS devices, and this is a title that - with a little work - could easily meet this goal.

But it's frustrating to know that this management game loses its sheen once you reach a point where you feel like you should either spend money or delete the app.

I really did like Woody Woodpecker, which probably has a lot to do with how much I love Tiny Wings. I don't think this game surpasses or meets Wings, but it's a lot of fun on its own.

Charadium II is fun in the right hands. At worst, it can be difficult to draw, but the overall concept is as simple and solid as it was in the original.

Tiki Kart 3D is pretty close to being a really fun, nearly must-have game for your smartphone. If some of the problems I addressed above were to be patched, than I'd definitely be willing to sing the game's praises from on high.

Hero Academy feels like the start of something special that's only half-finished right now. The gameplay is great, as are the graphics, but it still needs some additional content before it's something to recommend to all gamers (like a single-player campaign and a real training mode). Still, if you're patient and can get past these quirks, you're in for a great strategy experience.

All told, if this game isn't on your phone, you're doing yourself a huge disservice.

At its core, Legendary Heroes seems like it could be something truly great. Unfortunately, it's held back by the lack of polish, general bugginess, a missing multiplayer mode, and the fact that it falls into the freemium trap of having content that's essentially off limits unless you're willing to spend cash.

Ends up feeling average in every respect.

Elegant in its simplicity yet challenging in its execution, Super Crate Box is a game that should easily satisfy fans of classic gaming.

Offers what might be the most ideal word game in the series yet. The rounds are long enough to be engaging but short enough that you can play them in between other things. This coupled with the refined and accessible "With Friends" structure makes Scramble With Friends one of the better asynchronous mobile games available today.

Azarashi isn't bad for what it is, but ends up feeling like a mini-game that belongs in a larger game rather than a standalone game itself.

Kingdom Rush deserves a lot of goodwill, simply because it's able to make tower defense gameplay feel fresh and fun. In addition to the deep, challenging gameplay, the game's production values are simply outstanding. This is easily one of the best tower defense games currently in the App Store.

Overall, Lunar Racer is a decent mobile game, but its simplicity stretches so much that it comes off as absurdly easy most of the time.

It's a well produced narrative filled with interesting dialogue options that really makes you feel like you're investigating.

A game that young children will enjoy. Zooming in on your pet can giving it a nice rub under the chin and hearing it purr is just a heart-warming activity, even for my black, cynical soul. There's plenty of content on offer here, and while some of it is repetitive and there are some accuracy issues with some of the motions, this is the perfect game for young children and for anyone that needs some more cuteness in their lives.

While this version of LostWinds fails to live up to the lofty heights set by the 2008 WiiWare version, the game is all here and is just as visually pleasing on iOS.

Mega Man X definitely deserved a more faithful transition to iOS than what Capcom has delivered this time. If you want an excellent example of how to bring a classic game to modern platforms, check out Sonic CD, because it's exactly what should have been done here. I wouldn't call this port lazy, just a misguided attempt at upgrading a game that didn't need it.

Unfortunately for Yeti Town, the only substantial difference between it and Facebook's Triple Town is the platform it's on. Otherwise it's the exact same game, only this time with snow.

Zenonia 4 is a lot of fun (despite its horrible storyline and dialogue) thanks in large part to the solid mechanics, great graphics and fast-paced combat. It doesn't exactly break the mold, and it's still got some issues, but it manages to provide an entertaining action RPG experience that is both epic and enjoyable.

If I had my druthers, Dungeon Hunter 3 would be more like its predecessors, offering meaty exploration and loot to lust after. Nonetheless, Gameloft's new approach comes together admirably, even if the gameplay requires some tightening up.

Some talented people made this game – that much is very obvious. Control issues are the game's main problem, and really prevent me from giving this one an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Sure some elements, like the happy-go-lucky soundtrack that sounds like C&C Music Factory for Kids, feel a little dated – but Sonic CD delivers everywhere that it counts. If you're a fan of the Hedgehog from way back, but have had your heart broken by other mobile ports, fret not – Sonic CD is the game you've been waiting for.

The fact of the matter is that while Zoo Story 2 is not a bad game. Truthfully, it is well presented for the type of game that it is, has a decent sound design, and its cute aesthetic works well for the demographic it is targeting.

The physics feel dull and droopy, and the level design does little to break new ground. Monkey Quest: Thunderbow makes a decent first impression, but its true value is only skin deep.

For the price, you'll be getting a very competent city-building simulator. There are hours of gameplay and a number of different maps to choose from for building multiple cities, so the value is unquestionable.

Trenches II is an incredible letdown. It's not stable, it shows a serious lack of polish, and, most important of all, it's boring. What's really bizarre is that several of these issues are major steps backwards from previous titles in the series by the same developer. As of right now, there's still a good game beneath all these issues, but it's going to take a lot of polish to uncover it.

Rebuild started life as a flash game, and can still be played in browser. I will say, though, that they did a great job of translating the game to the touch screen, and it's a much better experience there. Rebuild isn't especially deep or long winded, but it's pretty engaging and will easily provide zombie fans with a taste for simulation a satisfying experience.

Seal Force is simply a joy to play. The gameplay is incredibly well-done, but it's the overall feel here that makes this such a winning title. It's just almost impossible not to find yourself grinning while you play it, which is pretty much the only appropriate reaction when it comes to watching commando seals take on armies of mutant shellfish.

Tiny Places is a fine, if unoriginal take on a fairly well-worn mobile genre. There's a nice visual polish to the package, but ultimately, this feels like ground we've tread countless times before.

If you're a fan of brick-breaking games, there are countless better options out there than Breakout: Boost. Here's to hoping this is just a single unpleasant blip in Atari's future mobile plans.

Perhaps in the right hands, Stardom: The A-List would be enjoyable, but for most of the game, nothing happens. All it really consists of is moving about to different locations and tapping objects the game says players can tap.

As tempting as "side-scrolling mech warrior action" sounds, it's probably best if you give iDamaged a wide berth. The gameplay isn't intuitive, the mechanics are way too frustrating, and the inability to aim behind you is maddening. Just fire up Robotech on Netflix Instant instead. Trust me, you'll have a much better time.

FreePlay takes everything that's great about The Sims 3 and twists it into a new freemium shape, without relying on the changes to the formula that took place in the series earlier freemium iteration. Kudos to EA. This is one of the best games of its kind.

Swingworm is well-made and good-looking, but it's not really all that interesting or fun to play. What will likely make it appealing for some gamers, though, is how easy it is to play. That makes it a great choice for younger children. As a result, you might want to pick it up so your kid relatives have something to play the next time you're all together.

Overall, Tap Zoo 2: World Tour is really more an official upgrade to Tap Zoo rather than a true sequel. Other than a few new features, the core play isn't different at all and the visuals, though higher quality, are still relatively similar. That said, the design is still solid, but the game loses points with its collection of bugs.

Along with the classic mechanics that made the first game popular, the new rendition comes with several new modes to offer both veterans and newcomers greater variety and challenge. More polished and expansive than the original, Paper Toss 2.0 is a great new free game for wasting time and procrastinating real work.

ForestVille looks great and plays well enough, but it's not the "Ville" game many of us were hoping for.

Six-Guns manages to snatch mediocrity out of the jaws of greatness. It's by no means a terrible title, but it is remarkably shallow, unpolished, and repetitive. That's heartbreaking, honestly, because no one should ever have to use that last sentence when describing a game about cowboys fighting vampires.

It's easy to let Mini Motor Racing get its hooks into you, since it comes with quality from so many places at once. It's a well polished racer with fantastic visuals, lots of varied tracks and cars, multiple control options to please all comers and oozes style. Minor issues keep it from being perfect, sure, but this one is an easy one to give two thumbs up.

Another solid, yet standard, game from TeamLava. It has all the fixings of its predecessors and as such is likely a game that will do very well. If nothing else, it offers the same type of play that its fans have come to know and love and does so in a new visual style. In fact, Pet Shop Story tends to look a lot better than the past games in terms of overall art quality and animation (even if many of the avatar assets are reused constantly). All that said, if you are a fan of the TeamLava Story games, then this is an app you'll probably enjoy as well.

The biggest complaint I can level against Space Frontier is more about what it's not rather than what it is. It would have been much more enjoyable if I was playing "Space City", where I was building up and eventually managing a thriving space metropolis. However, for what Space Frontier is; a quest-based game with some elements of city-building, it is not a half bad way to spend a couple of hours.

MinoMonsters is good as an introductory game, but for anyone that's ever played a Pokemon game before it will feel very lacking.

The game begs for greater strategy components in the battle system, or perhaps a means to customize the stats of one's avatar better. All in all though, the game is different than the majority of freemium releases and is still enjoyable to play, and is certainly worth checking out.

Michael Jackson: The Experience is a game that manages to get most everything right. The gameplay is uniquely suited to the touch screen, the visuals are top notch, and the spirit of the game captures the fun of Jackson's music videos flawlessly. It's a shame, then, that there's so little of it to go around – and that you're only getting about half the package with your initial purchase.

Yes it's a little too easy, too short, and completely devoid of a story – but Batman Arkham City Lockdown is also a fast-paced, finger-swiping good time that looks stunning, keeps you hooked, and lets you be Batman. What more could you ask for in a video game?

I can honestly say I was saddened by this release, as a simple port of the original would have been much better. Instead, this release is a stain on an otherwise great classic game. Let's just hope that if RollerCoaster Tycoon ever comes to the App Store, it'll receive more care than Theme Park did.

The simple to understand game mechanic of delays and time kept leading me down more and more paths of strategy the longer I played. This is definitely one of those "minute to learn, lifetime to master" games. You can burst out of the gate as a beginner and feel like you understand the game and do pretty well, but the longer you play the more the game reveals itself to you – and that's the mark of a great experience.

Inertia: Escape Velocity isn't quite like anything else you'll find in the App Store. It manages to take a fairly simple and familiar concept and craft an entirely new experience that's -generally- pretty fun and challenging, in spite of a couple of issues that keep it from being truly exceptional.

Bug Wings continues the gaming trend of chucking small animals great distances for our own enjoyment. It's a good download for those who enjoy catapult/target games, and offers addictive gameplay in a simple, six-legged package.

find the One-Touch mode to be a real game changer for Tetris on touch based devices. It'll never replace good and true Tetris, but it's truly awesome and a blast to play.

With its paltry presentation and discombobulated gameplay, Last War not only fails to deliver an entertaining strategy adventure, it suggests that Gamevil may be having a bit of an identity crisis.

For everything Infinity Blade II has added to the formula, Chair seems to have been just as quick to take something away. It's a sizable adventure to be sure, and there's no doubt it's an absolute must play – but at the same time, it feels like they're holding back content simply so they'll have something to offer as an update down the road. And when that "something" could be content that was in your last game... well... that just feels like cheating.

Though the title of the game is perhaps a bit deceptive, Modern War is still a great social gaming option for folks who dig war themes. The game can be a little slow going until you've built up a base that yields a steady cash flow, and the multiplayer is pretty lackluster. But in short spurts, Modern War is a fun way to pass the time.

With no crutch system in place, you know without a doubt that you've earned every point you got, and that's a pretty good feeling.

A quality game from a play stand point, but it doesn't offer anything truly new.

Aside from the lack of attention to detail, NFL Pro 2012 is more an indictment on the platform itself rather than the ability of the developers. The freemium model, however, makes the game as vanilla as it is broken.

Saving Yello doesn't really do anything new or exciting as a physics puzzler. That said, what it does, it does very well. It's charming and fun and challenging and it looks absolutely magnificent.

Between the interface issues and the unusual approach to gameplay, I can't bring myself to give Girl With a Heart Of a full-on recommendation.

Overall, though, Act of Fury: Kraine's Revenge proves that revenge doesn't always have to be served cold. Sometimes, when vengeance is all sound and fury and hot-blooded madness, the results can still be a pretty tasty dish.

The initial fun just isn't worth the frustration when you start losing online matches because your opponents are willing to spend way more cash than you are.

The Show Must Go On will set you back $1 in the App Store, and there is nothing in the game that justifies the price. Cute art style aside, save your dollar for some pool at the local pub and turn off the lights on this game.

Whether you're a fan of the game and are always in want of an opponent, or you've never played and want a cheaper way to learn it and check it out, it's hard to beat this version. Kudos to Codito – they're quickly proving themselves to be among the masters of digital board game adaptations.

When Zynga released Mafia Wars 2 it felt significantly more modern than its predecessor. Mafia Farm, by comparison, feels ancient.

If Toy Village is guilty of anything as a game, it's guilty of not being very interesting.

A fantastic game for the iOS platform. It is refreshingly different than most of the other puzzle titles currently on the market, and challenging at that. Moreover, with 80 or so levels, there is plenty of longevity to be had. Visually pleasing, and gratifying in almost every way, Dekovir's crystal-destroying app is one that comes highly recommended.

Heroic Legends, for all its simplicity, is still an oddly enjoyable companion. I hesitate to call it a complete game, but as a sort of virtual pet with RPG trappings, it's something mobile gamers might still want to take a look at. The price is right, and the community seems to be thriving.

By making Holidaytown a standalone app rather than an update to the existing Hometown, Zynga was able to re-envision their entire offering with a Christmas twist without upsetting the status quo.

If you used to love zoo games but grew tired of their repetitive nature long ago, Dream Zoo offers plenty of reason to get you feeding the giraffes again.

It doesn't have the deepest city building mechanic, and the simplified combat leaves something to be desired, but when put together the two halves make for a largely enjoyable experience.

It may not be the most original game on the market, but Blood & Glory is plenty of fun, and takes a huge step forward in defying our pre-conceived notions about what freemium gaming can be.

If you are one that likes history and learning, Road Trippin' is worth looking at. If not, you'll probably be quite bored.