What NFL Kicker 13 is screaming out for is a little more. The gameplay is fun for a while, but the lack of additional game modes seem like they will hurt long term replay value.

Pretty much everything about Armed Beasts feels middle of the road.

Rail Rush is a blast to play, and the first endless runner that has threatened Temple Run's placement in my favorite games folder. The winner? I'll let the evil monkeys and giant spiders battle it out; I'm too busy playing.

There's a catharsis here that the seminal arcade classic didn't - couldn't - provide...a knowing freedom from the era of dwindling bags of quarters.

In either mode, the game looks good, with attention to detail that shows in things like trees casting little shadows. It sounds even better, which is impressive for a small studio, though you may tire of the soundtrack after extended play sessions.

The technical issues will make it a struggle to stay engaged. For everyone else, there's just no reason to bother.

My Dragon isn't freemium done right: it's a money-earning engine with limited gameplay.

But it does what it does with such skill and enthusiasm that it'd be churlish of me to criticise it too much. Give children the chance to become robot engineers in the Toca Labs, and see what they create.

Yet it's not hard to see plenty of people attempting to help Crimson cut a path of destruction all the way to the emperor, because the production values and action are really good hooks. Blood & Glory: Legend doesn't deviate much from a tried-and-true formula, but that's because it's one that works.

The clunky interface makes it difficult to get things done, and in spite of the Final Fantasy connection, it's really not very much to look at. The added gameplay elements do give it a certain unique appeal, but as collectible card games go, there are better options out there.

Whoowasit? is an endearing and engaging game, which offers a lot of charm, a lot of narrative and a lot of excitement for primary school age children. It's let down slightly by a few poor interface choices, and by the fact that it's a little too long and complex for the age group that's likely to enjoy it most.

What's My IQ? admittedly looks good. The game's anime mascots all wear a look of perpetual low-key terror that will make you recall long classroom hours spent on your worst subject. But while What's My IQ? may get a smile or two out of you, the appeal doesn't last long-and neither do your cheats.

Wipeout also tries to get you to pony up for premium currency, but it's not a free game to begin with. Most of the game is open to you regardless, but panhandling in a paid app is always a little off-putting.

Huebrix's sins are far from great enough to sink it, as its original gameplay, bold difficulty, long term expansion potential, and dedication to hardcore puzzling help it rise above not only its poorer decisions, but feel like a great one for any fan of the genre. Especially those in need of a little humility.

An experience caught perpetually somewhere between hypnotic and infuriating, which teaches you to appreciate all the "little wins" that occur as you game.

The trouble is that while it offers everything, and to a high standard of quality, it just doesn't offer quite enough variety for real long-term value.

Sometimes a three-minute pop tune can dethrone a ten-minute power ballad. My Singing Monsters' toe-tapping charm and gravelly songs are worthy of endless encores.

Unfortunately, it lacks depth.

On the subject of feeling dated, Wild Blood's multiplayer mode reminds me of a PC game called Rune. This is a high compliment. Rune's multiplayer was sweet and I have tasted nothing like it for years, and while I wouldn't call Wild Blood a spiritual successor, I will say its multiplayer mode was a very pleasant surprise.

I wish I could say that Bombshells: Hell's Belles soared to - and past - its potential. The game has more than serviceable graphics, really tight controls, and some high-flying action that is really tough to match. Unfortunately, the action isn't different enough when weighed against the fact that you have to keep playing the same levels over and over to get your upgrades.

A mixed goodie bag. A largely adorable game with lots to love about the zany world it offers you, which makes some unfortunate missteps in the way it values your time and money - or perhaps, doesn't.

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.

At this stage in mobile gaming, "freemium" has become a derogatory term, and for good reason. Though a scarce few publishers have managed to construct a model that can pay the bills and still be fun for players, most other game makers settle for digital sweat shops that yield precious little entertainment for their customers. Offworld is the grand prize hidden behind the glass that players are never meant to win. The goal here is to get players to sink their time and money into the game without ever truly reaping any rewards.

Time Geeks & Friends's otherwise entertaining, polished veneer begins to crumble at times under the weight of its seeming greed.

Full of variety, truly innovative, and uncompromisingly willing to mix things up, The World Ends With You: Solo Remix is a game every iOS RPG fan should have, and one every fan of the series should have all over again.

Tap Campus Life is kind of inane and empty-headed, as none of the girls exhibit anything close to a personality. Still, it's harmless enough if you're interested in the novelty of running your own sorority. Just be warned, you're in for long waits unless you want to cough up a lot of extra dues.

Even with the control issues, I had a permanent grin during my time with Blast-A-Way. It builds up to more difficult elements -- like portals -- with an incredible level of tact, and it respects the player's intelligence in a way you don't always see in the puzzle genre.

It isn't ahead of its time, or working on the cutting edge of its genre, but for some gamers, it may just do you one better: illustrate the joys of something completely quaint.