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]

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.

Hitman GO is a really great example of what a seasoned developer like Square Enix can do to reinvent an established franchise for a new platform. Rather than shoe-horn some clumsy 3D world onto a screen the size of a deck of cards, Square Enix took the clever route and crafted a unique Hitman experience built on the strengths of iOS.

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]

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]

Too often my victories felt like strokes of luck instead of skilled management. Yet there is an obvious heart to Armstrong’s David that carries it over the line, delivering a beautifully depicted and high-concept arcade experience that you can enjoy for free. [Episode 6, July 2014]

Modern Combat 5 has the chops to go toe-to-toe with any big budget FPS. Well implemented touch control assists, deep customisation and heart-pumping action set Modern Combat 5 into the elite company of the best first-person shooters on iPad. [Episode 7, September 2014]

I can’t see Dudeski setting the iOS world on fire, but it does provide enough warmth to make it worth stopping by for a pleasant downhill session every now and then. [Episode 4, April 2014]

For a first outing, Satellina is an incredibly solid effort from developer Moon Kid. It’s a game that has the potential to appeal to a wide audience and one that could easily eat up a large portion of your time if you do get sucked into competing with other people via the leaderboards.

First Strike is an exceptionally well-presented real-time strategy game only marred by a weak tutorial and a tendency for over micromanagement. I enjoyed the surprising depth in its gameplay and its message for humankind, which will linger with you well after you’ve fired off your last missile. [Episode 6, July 2014]

There may be two Acts remaining, but Lone Wolf: Blood on the Snow is already one of the best gamebook adventures on the market. Forge Reply has achieved the perfect balance of an old-school gamebook feel while breathing new-life into an otherwise aging genre. [Episode 5, June 2014]

It’s not without room for improvement, but this is a genuine iteration of the digital Magic: The Gathering experience. The effort that has gone into bringing the game closer to the beloved real-world duelling pays-off, delivering far greater strategic depth and universe engagement. [Episode 6, July 2014]

Adding light RPG mechanics and a medieval setting to Ravenous Games’ tight control scheme and penchant for retro visuals makes for a great gaming experience.

Unpossible is a fantastic piece of bite-sized puzzle action that will have you glued to your screen fighting the need to blink. It could have more levels, but you’re not likely to get through the half a dozen or so on offer anytime soon. [Episode 5, June 2014]

Lastronaut won’t gain points for originality, but the end package has all its disparate influences tied together so charmingly, it's a compliment to this auto-running love-letter, and Henein and Leroux should be proud of their accomplishment.

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]

This cheerfully harmless platforming shooter is so much fun it actually hurts your sides. [Episode 4, April 2014]

Yet I remain super impressed with Blowfish Meets Meteor. The instantly likeable visuals and unique presentation are evidence of a game given lots of love. Furthermore, there is a true sense of satisfaction at beating some of the trickier levels and bosses.

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]

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]

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]

Broken Age is yet another piece of evidence that the vibrant screens and touch interfaces of the iPad were made to showcase the point-and-click genre. Tim Schafer’s return to the genre he once commanded is well worth playing, as long as you can cop the break between acts. [Episode 6, July 2014]

This main mechanic alone results in some wonderful gameplay, but it’s packaged with such highly polished production values and gorgeous cartoony visuals, that it would be a shame if Mighty Adventure flew under the radar. [Episode 7, September 2014]

Prime World: Defenders is one of the most well-rounded and fun tower defence titles available on the App Store. Not only has Nival nailed the basics of what we have come to expect from the genre’s best, but it goes a step further by introducing new, meaningful and fun mechanics. [Episode 6, July 2014]

When you can and can't swipe isn't really explained either. I learnt purely through some frustrating trial and error that you can swipe horizontally during a vertical dash, but not vertically mid-horizontal dash. Asides from these minor issues, Duke Dashington is a pithy if busy puzzler that will leave you wanting more. I finished the four temples in just over an hour, which for a game where each level lasts no more than ten seconds, means a whole lot of gameplay in such a tiny package.

I’m not sure if Instantion was already well into development when The Swapper came out or not, but its interesting premise is weakened by the fact the idea has already been done, and more effectively (albeit on other platforms), too. It makes Instantion a hard sell. It delivers on enough of what it sets out to do to provide some mild entertainment, but if I did have an army of clones at my dispersal, I might choose to cook dinner and hand Instantion over to one of them.

For a mobile title the visuals are quite stunning, on par with some console and PC games that I’ve come across. Each dungeon is intricately detailed with macabre little items, like blood splatter, skeletons twisted in agony and grotesque monsters. It makes me all the more sadder that we may never see more of this twisted universe given that Techland has shelved plans for the console experience.

A core philosophy of Tin Man Games is to give nostalgic readers of choose-your-own adventure novels something new and fresh, and to bring an exciting experience to those unfamiliar with the genre. On all fronts, Tin Man Games has knocked this one out of the park.