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.

Despite the lack of story, Dark Avenger is fun and satisfying in short bursts.

Regardless, there’s no denying Earn to Die 2 is still tons of zombie-smashing fun.

With a real lack of twists to the formulaic gameplay, not to mention a lack of real content overall besides that which is simply repeated to feign substance, Jelly Splash ends up being an unfortunate sticky mess that you’ll want to clean off your kitchen counter, rather than a delicious experience that you’ll want to eat between two slices of bread.

Almost everything about Back to Bed seems designed with the player in mind, from the quirky narration to its speed-up button to the minimal punishment for failure. The re-purposed Surrealist objects create a unique dreamscape that is a treat to wander, and Nightmare mode provides a surprising amount of replay value.

If you’re a fan of the franchise, you’ll get a kick out of seeing your favourite Pokémon and trainers in such stunning detail. The writing is also a joy, providing a genuinely engaging story that we didn’t feel the need to skip. Core Pokémon RPG fans will find the battle system too easy, with little challenge. Heck, even gacha RPG fans might find the poor AI baffling, as their Pokémon don’t use the elemental strengths to their advantage often.

There are so many things you could buy for $2.99 – a candy bar, a couple of lottery tickets, or most of a bottle of Charles Shaw wine. Any of those would be a more sound investment than Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame. For a company like Ubisoft—one that usually releases fantastic games on multiple platforms—to drop the ball like this can only mean they’re cashing in on a fairly renowned series as quick as they can, leaving Prince of Persia fans feeling burned hotter than the Persian sands.

Like any drinking game, Max Gentlemen is good for a few rounds but should be shelved before it comes to fisticuffs.

With great level design and some unique twists, Blade Guardian is an absolute must-play for fans of tower defense. It's not a flawless game by any stretch, but with so many competitors on the market, Blade Guardian does more than enough to set itself apart from the crowd.

Simply put, Batman: Arkham Origins is the definitive example of a console tie-in game done right, with a shining presentation, rewarding touchscreen controls and combat, a refreshing amount of variety, and a free-to-play model that accentuates the overall experience, rather than takes away from it.

What's really a shame is that Kingdoms & Lords would be an easy recommendation if it was a complete game with a $4.99 price tag. The genre mash-up makes for a playful and memorable game. If you have the patience to endure long waits and panhandling for diamonds, go ahead and pick this one up. Otherwise, leave it in the Dark Ages.

If you like rhythm games, Demons' Score is a must buy because, well… iNiS. Fans of iNiS have been clamouring for this moment ever since the App Store first opened its doors.

It’s a shame, really, because with a proper interface a board game should work as well if not better on a mobile device than on a PC. And if they’d taken more care over the port, then Space Hulk would have been one the finest board game adaptations to grace the iPad: tense, demanding, and frequently thrilling.

Touch Detective is really going to be hit or miss with people. The characters and stories are totally weird and nonsensical, which I found charming but I could see how they'd turn some off. The crux of the game revolves around you tap-tap-tapping all over the screen trying to find objects that do god knows what. I enjoyed the game for the most part, but it's bound to be polarizing – so it's a good thing you get to play a good chunk for free first.

A lot of fun, providing two great minigames and one that's just okay (though, admittedly, it's far from bad). On top of that, there's a ton of style to appreciate and replay value to take advantage of.

Little Masters is free, and if you're desperate for a game that simply looks like Pokémon, you can give it a spin without damaging your bank account. But with Outernauts for Facebook out there, you can get much deeper experiences at the ripe cost of zero dollars. Now if only they'd let us put that in our pockets.

Artificial Superintelligence could have been much better than it is, and who knows, maybe with a few tweaks down the line it’ll be worth a second look. As it stands it’s a very cautious recommendation. There’s definitely enjoyment to be sucked out of the game, but just be prepared for that enjoyment to be tempered with annoyance.

For a game so brimming with potential, dream:scape couldn't have been less fun. Don't let the trailers and the screenshots fool you – this one has stinkeroo written all over it. You'd have more fun using your favourite iOS device as a paperweight.

Hungry Chicks has some decent ideas and a fine presentation, but it's borderline fun without ever really crossing that border.

Though fairly fun when it comes to Survival mode, Clash of Puppets probably won't sate gamers looking for a deep experience. The lack of microtransactions is definitely a high point, and it's a wonderful introduction to the world of 3D platform titles for kids. But when it comes down to questions about why exactly everyone is a puppet and why objectives are so repetitive and limited, it's hard to justify picking this one up.

In time I am certain that I’d become just as good as these conquerors, but Galcon 2 just doesn’t present me with enough motivation to play long enough to get good. If you’re not already a Galcon fan, there’s a slim chance you’ll stick around long enough to become one.

Altogether, Tempo is a well-designed game that presents players with an experience that demands precision. Because of its demands, Tempo isn’t a game that I can recommend to everyone, but if you enjoy quick-time events and action games that involve more watching than playing, then Tempo is the game for you.

RoboCop might be a great time-killer, but even its eerily addictive upgrade system can’t save it from the sheer mediocrity at play. Checking out the upcoming film might be something fun to do; playing the game, however, is not.

Poker with Bob is a competent game, but I was bored after about 40 minutes and absolutely done about 40 minutes after that. If you're a fan of poker, there are better mobile options out there.

Unfortunately, an innovative and well done approach to movement is only one part of the puzzle to making a good game, and Brandnew Boy is missing almost every other element. If you want a Dynasty Warriors style mindless action game, perhaps you should give it a go. Otherwise, just be on the lookout for other games that implement this movement scheme with a better game behind it.

Despite its shaky start and less-than-precise controls, Death Golf manages to turn itself into an entertaining game. Simple on most fronts and without many frills to contribute to the wow-factor, it's still an interesting experience that blends something ordinary (golf) with something fascinating (jumping over alligators) to produce a game that's several steps outside the norm.

Its combat is unique and extremely satisfying, its 52 levels offer plenty of challenge, and while long-term players will be putting down the $4.99 for unlimited energy, you can easily get a free taste of it is enough to know if it’s worth the money.

Nakama's issue is with its unbalanced gameplay and awful controls. It may well be possible to turn this title around and fashion it into something enjoyable, but that would require massive overhauls to a number of the game's core mechanics. As it stands, Nakama isn't an experience I can recommend.