Mines of Mars is in truth a simple platformer with basic mining and crafting mechanics. However, the story, wonderful atmosphere and genuine surprises suck you in. Before you know it, you’re role-playing well beyond the facade of a simple 2D platformer. [Episode 3, April 2014]

Mines of Mars is in truth a simple platformer with basic mining and crafting mechanics. However, the story, wonderful atmosphere and genuine surprises suck you in. Before you know it, you’re role-playing well beyond the facade of a simple 2D platformer. [Episode 3, April 2014]

Dandelions is a welcome change of pace and a deeply satisfying experience. It’s obvious that developer Thumbr gets the fact we live in an incredibly time poor, always on the go society. The resulting experience is a simplified, streamlined and humble title that will challenge you to stop and smell the flowers, rather than bustle on by them. [Episode 3, April 2014]

Only One is a fantastic arcade title on iOS that’s easy to pick up and hard to put down. It may not be the biggest thing to hit the App Store, but its charming pixelated graphics and diabolically tuned gameplay will see you striving for that next high score. [Episode 3, April 2014]

A game so enchanting you’ll curse the fact it has to end. I thought the best way to sum up Tengami is via a haiku poem: Journey through paper; Origami zen garden; A brief distraction. [Episode 3, April 2014]

A truly beautiful gaming experience perfectly suited to touchscreens. I love how its level design constantly rewards you, letting you in on illusion’s secrets. I just wish it didn’t have to end so soon – a criticism one only cares acknowledge on a quality game. [Episode 3, April 2014]

Archangel brings some fresh ideas to the well-worn action-RPG genre, enabling it to mark out some territory all of its own while remaining good fun. Black Tower Studios should be commended for taking a risk and trying something new.

Boom Beach is an excellent follow up to Supercell’s hugely successful Clash of Clans and is at its best when you’re up against other human players - their constantly evolving strategies create uncertainty around every beachhead. The IAPs border on intrusive, but do not ultimately bring down a game that is otherwise thoroughly engaging and addictive.

Rovio deserves kudos for bashing down the casual wall and inviting RPG and Angry Birds fans alike into the same space without alienating either camp. This is a polished, fun, long and satisfying experience that resists the temptation to sling IAPs at your face.

A unique down-scroller that experiments with the humble platform genre and succeeds on charm and challenge. Freedom Fall might be a brief tale, but it’s one well worth checking out.

Despite occasional frustrations, Castle of Illusion is a fun and visually impressive rework of a true classic. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d played this experience in too many different guises over the years to fully enjoy it.

Toast Time is a charming, imaginative, challenging slice of retro action. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Force of Habit’s iOS debut become a cult favourite.

Isle of Bxnes is unrepentant in its brutality and challenge, and its inaccessibility will be a turn off for many people. But if you’re willing to dig in and master the fiddly controls, you will unearth the bones of a very solid roguelike.

An impressive debut from developer Flat Earth Games, TownCraft is a robust package that will have you happily sinking countless hours into building your own world without ever realising it.

Formula Legend is already a fun experience, but more importantly, it’s also a solid foundation from which BeerMogul Games can build a truly comprehensive and great F1 management sim. [Issue 0, January 2014]

Trouserheart doesn’t try and bring anything new to the action-adventure table, and that’s ok. Dicework Games has crafted a simple and incredibly fun experience that’ll charm the pants off you. [Issue 0, January 2014]

Fans of endless runners will feel right at home here. There’s a slight sense of repetition, but the surreal art direction and high intensity gameplay provides a good level of difficulty, which helps Boson X stand out.

The way Simogo weaves the player and Anna into the same mystery is fascinating. It might not be for everyone, but the richly complex puzzles and intriguing neo-noir mystery are sure to make Device 6 a cult hit. [Issue 0, January 2014]

A great example of how the infectious indie scene is facilitating a gaming revolution. So much more than forgettable, popcorn entertainment, it manages to be a deep and enriching without sacrificing fun. [Issue 0, January 2014]

Context and memory play powerful roles in all the truly great gaming moments in one's life. When I look back on 2013, Drei will always be at the forefront of my mind. [Issue 1, February 2014]

This is an excellent game for a quick fix during an ad break, although don’t be surprised if it sinks its hooks into you for longer stints. Be careful too – you may actually learn something useful about science! [Issue 1, February 2014]

Zombitsu’s yo-yo controls – undulating between unresponsive or oversensitive – and frustrating map design could do with some tweaks… but the addictive formula of an endless runner feels like a natural fit with the slaying of undead minions. [Issue 1, February 2014]

It’s very much a blink and you’ll die situation and what starts out at a leisurely pace rapidly escalates to a screen filled with fearsome foes. If you’ve got a spare few minutes, this is a great game to fill in time. It may be dark, but all is not quite hopeless. [Issue 1, February 2014]

It really needs more content and some storytelling to link the stages together, which will hopefully come in the form of updates down the track. As it stands, however, The Lawless will certainly give you a few minutes of fun, even if it leaves you thinking about how much potential there is in the concept. [Issue 1, February 2014]

With an intuitive interface, a thoughtful premise and engaging gameplay, Magnetized is about as close to iOS perfection as you can get. [Issue 1, February 2014]

As an exercise in getting a big console game working on a touchscreen, République is a stunning success that delivers on story and gameplay. I was left desperately wanting more, which can only be a good thing for this episodic venture. [Issue 1, February 2014]

With so many tracks and cars to unlock, times to beat and a tough AI, Rail Racing is hard to put down and even harder to master. It’s the many near-wins that keep you coming back, driving you to learn the skills needed to beat this deceptively toyish racer. [Issue 1, February 2014]

A long and enjoyable experience that launches a promising new series while raising the bar for 3D adventure games on iOS. It might be overly nostalgic, but Oceanhorn still provides some of the richest gaming to be found on the App Store. [Issue 1, February 2014]

A great game only let down by its inability to encourage replayability. If you’re up for a puzzle experience that goes bump in the night, you should definitely pick it up. Well done to Fireproof for satisfying its fans’ anticipation. [Issue 1, February 2014]

Fiz is worth a look for both beer lovers and players after a fun management game. After all, there’s a pixelated universe of thirsty people out there: it’s your duty to ensure they are well hydrated with the yeasty elixir of kings. [Issue 1, February 2014]

Tiny Death Star doesn’t radically shake up the excellent formula of Tiny Tower. If you’re not a Star Wars buff, the shallow management experience won’t keep you interested for long. But for Star Wars aficionados, the wonderful fan service makes it a no brainer. [Issue 1, February 2014]

I can guarantee you that once you’ve played through Icycle: On Thin Ice, you’ll be jumping at the opportunity to share your experience with friends. It’s a must-play video game that’s worth every single one of its 99 cents. [Issue 1, February 2014]

This unique aural-adventure-horror hybrid mash of genre and media does ask for a committed investment from the player, but if you’re game, you’ll be rewarded. Kudos to Somethin’ Else for trying something so cool! [Issue 1, February 2014]

Kumobius has tapped into something special with Duet. Underneath the minimal exterior is a game that’s complex, challenging and wonderfully rewarding. A must have for anyone looking to broaden their iOS horizons. [Issue 1, February 2014]

A solid game that offers plenty of fun while making the most of what iOS has to offer. A sharp difficulty spike and the lure of in-game purchases puts only a small dent in this ambitious and largely successful offering. [Issue 1, February 2014]

Shadow Blade is a competent and accessible platforming experience that offers a little bit for everyone. The ninja theme is used well, with gorgeous visuals and a solid soundtrack, but skilled gamers will want to battle through to the later stages. [Issue 1, February 2014]

The shadowy art style and haunting soundtrack will pull at your heartstrings as damaged toys burst back to life, but a few practical problems cause Lost Toys to fall short of its potential and the standard set by the likes of The Room. [Issue 1, February 2014]

Soon we will no longer be amazed that games can offer us this sort of deeper, artful experience. They will just be there and will not require preamble. Continue?9876543210 is another glimmering beacon guiding us towards that future. [Issue 1, February 2014]

Across Age 2 acts as a nice bridge for gamers wanting to dabble in old-school JRPG gaming without tackling old-dated mechanics, but the likeable characters and fun party mechanic can’t gloss over some of the slumps in engagement. [Issue 1, February 2014]

This is a beautifully detailed and nuanced strategy game, made with so much love that I foresee players using it as a landmark title to define how deep, full and complete iOS strategy games can be. [Issue 1, February 2014]