For me, part of the reason I consider Minecraft one of my favorite games is because it moves beyond the usual sword-swinging of other games and lets players be creative in a number of ways. And yet, the writers of this season insist on reducing that universe into a story where the hero has to constantly fight his way through his troubles. Add to that how the fighting mechanics are by far the weakest parts of this season, and you'll understand why I'm puzzled by the decision to move them to the forefront. Let's hope (beyond hope, I think) that episode 4 will do away with this emphasis on fighting and bring back a bit more of the spirit of Minecraft.

All in all, this is a good return to form for a series that has been struggling with where to go since it attempted a protagonist switch. It hopefully goes without saying that if you enjoyed all of the other Ace Attorney games, you will enjoy this one. If you're new to the series, I definitely would not recommend starting here as it's somewhat steeped in its own lore. If, like me, you found Dual Destinies to be somewhat wanting, you might find Spirit of Justice scratches your itch a little better. The pacing is improved, there's a bit more challenge, and the characters make a lot more sense. If nothing else, its pun game is certainly on point. A good turn for Ace Attorney overall, and a smooth handling of what was becoming some very messy loose narrative threads.

As much as I want to give Aka to Blue my highest recommendation, online leaderboards are a major feature for score attack games and they really ought to have been included here. That may not matter to some of you, of course, and if that's you, then you can feel free to jump in head-first. Even if you do care about leaderboards, Aka to Blue is good enough in every other respect that anyone who enjoys a good shoot-em-up needs to pick this up. I find it amazing that the former Cave staff could slide so seemingly effortlessly into producing Cave-quality shooters, and I greatly look forward to whatever they're working on next.

Another Lost Phone is worth playing because it does broach the kinds of topics we don't usually see in mobile games but we see and hear about every day. Some may disagree about the potential of mobile games as a tool for social awareness, but since these devices are usually implicated in all kinds of unpleasantness, I think it's appropriate that they also be used as a way to remedy the issues they can often create.

The fact that The Witness can bring out such extreme emotions of both exasperation and astonishment is undoubtedly an achievement in itself. So many modern puzzle games strive to be as inoffensive and straightforward as possible, in an attempt to be accessible to a large and increasingly impatient audience of potential buyers - The Witness boldly shuns such expectations to simply do its own thing. As a result, The Witness can be relentlessly unwelcoming, but also invites and rewards intrigue, as paradoxical as that may seem. Similarly, The Witness is an essential experience for any enthusiastic gamer (especially at a bargain price of $9.99), although can occasionally feel like an ostentatious chore that is more hopelessly unaware than socially insightful. However, amidst its many annoyances lies a technologically impressive milestone of the modern gaming industry, arguably in its best form yet.

Pigeon Wings is the epitome of what makes games on the mobile platform so unique and one-of-a-kind. It has tight controls, smooth gameplay, an attractive art style, and great music. Do not hesitate on letting this one "land" on your device.

You can play the whole game for free (if you don't mind ads every 3 levels or so), but with $1.99, you turn it into a premium game, and it's a steal for that amount. It will take you some time to get through all 50 levels—especially if you're trying to get every single coin and take out every single enemy. So, if you want to see how the Khaleesi of Game of Thrones felt while riding Drogon to battle, Drag'n'Boom is for you.

I couldn't put Thimbleweed Park down until I finished the whole thing, and while I have some issues with pieces of its narrative and a puzzle or two, I'd still highly recommend the game. Thanks to its difficulty options, I don't even have to add a qualifier on there, but you'll get the most from the game if you have some adventure game experience already. Thimbleweed Park isn't exactly a 1990s LucasArts game in 2017, but it is what a 2017 game would look like from the people that made those games, and I think that's a lot more interesting than just diving for happy memories.

Iron Marines is a very, very good game. It seems like some sort of checkpoint or save system that makes failure feel a little less brutal would be a simple modification, but even without it, the game just forces you to be careful with your decisions. I really doubt StarCraft, in any form, will ever come to the App Store, so provided you can put up with the slightly cartoony art style of Iron Marines, this is definitely the next best thing.

It's that constant tension, that split-second decision-making between risky and riskier, that makes Danmaku Unlimited 3 so much fun to play. While it's probably a little too challenging for those who aren't experienced with bullet hell shooters, fans of the genre are going to be mooning over it like a kitty with a bag of catnip. Add in the fact that it's Doragon's best-looking and -sounding game yet, and you've got a real genre champion on your hands. This game is no longer imitation nor homage; Danmaku Unlimited 3 is now the mobile bullet hell shoot-em-up to beat. All interested pilots should sign up immediately.

So many times you play an RPG on mobile and you think to yourself, oh I need to spend several minutes organizing my inventory or I need a few minutes to stop what I am doing. You never get that feeling playing Cat Quest and while it is simple and it feels like it could be generic, it's exactly what an RPG on the go should be. At $4.99 you're buying a game that we'll be telling people "this is how you make a mobile RPG" next year, the year after that, maybe for a really long time.

A lot has been done with both colors and shapes in puzzle games and it's easy to say there's nothing new to be had there. Glowish, however, has found a core mechanic that is unique and interesting without being needlessly complex. In fact, the game progresses without throwing in additional mechanics to spice things up, it's the same simple gameplay from level 1 to 100. This simplicity feels right and makes for an enjoyable experience. If you're a fan of the puzzle-game genre I wholeheartedly recommend you pick up Glowish today.

All in all, Nobleman: 1896 has an extremely unique blend of ideas and mechanics that show their potential at the beginning of the game but don't quite hit their stride until the latter half of the game. However, if you learn the game's various mechanics and press forward through its slightly repetitive beginnings, there is a unique and strategic experience to be had. Remember, it's free and you have nothing to lose by trying it out.

Darkest Dungeon is a superb game and is well suited for the iPad. It's the kind of game you can drop almost any amount of time into and have fun. I've played both quick, twenty-minute spurts to tackle a single quest as well as some hours-long play sessions where I settled into the couch to really dig in and make some progress. Combat is fun and challenging and rewards good planning—picking the right mix of characters to go in—as well as good turn-by-turn decision making. The ability to upgrade and improve your town as you go adds a nice sense of permanence to what is otherwise a constantly shifting mix of characters. The bottom line is that if you enjoy role-playing games centered on smart, tactical combat Darkest Dungeon is a must-buy.

Overall, Bottom of the 9th is a very well designed and enjoyable game that does an excellent job capturing the strategy and fun of baseball. Games are quick, unlike baseball itself, and can be very short indeed if the home team scores early. Fans of the sport will certainly enjoy this one, as will competitive gamers of any stripe. Check it out and make sure to visit our forums for more on the game.

Ultimately, if you approach Egglia on its own terms, you'll find a fun, fresh take on the social RPG genre, one whose premium price tag means you can expect things to be a little fairer than we usually see with this sort of model. Certain design choices may chafe, but the overall experience is well worth the price of admission. Just keep in mind that you will need internet access at all times while playing the game. That could be a legitimate deal-breaker for some of you. Otherwise, I'd recommend gritting your teeth through the timers and the occasional difficulty spike, because the juice is assuredly worth the squeeze.

The natural human desire to see sets completed meant iOS gamers waited five long years to see the Ray series come to a close on the platform. Only now in the end do I realize the sheer absurdity of waiting five years for RayCrisis, of all games. You could probably do worse than RayCrisis when looking for an iOS shooter. Taito on their worst day is still better than most, after all. Be aware, however, that this is a very short game that will only give up its last bit of content to those who punish themselves to the game's satisfaction. I suspect most players will likely just die their way through the game's credits in 20 minutes using endless continues and the hearty smart bomb attack, and never look back.

If you are looking for a Pokemon clone for your mobile device, this is as good as it gets. Trust me, I have tried 'em all. Just be ready for an unnecessarily long grind ahead of you if you want to catch... *clears throat* tame 'em all without forking over a bit more money in the process. Don't forget to check out other people's impressions of Nexomon in our forums, where the developers have been quite active and receptive to feedback, and leave impressions of your own.

Of all the games newly released on iOS through SEGA Forever, I think Ristar has come out the best. Granted, a big part of that is the improved emulator, but I also think that its mechanics and difficulty level suit the platform and its input methods better than something like The Revenge of Shinobi [Free]. The game itself is, in my opinion, an underappreciated classic from the Genesis library, the kind of game that could have been a big hit if it had only released a year or two earlier. In short, this is exactly the kind of game I'd like to see more of if SEGA means to stick to mainly Genesis games with the SEGA Forever initiative.

I struggled with this game, despite being attracted to it. Your mileage may vary, of course, but I wonder if the concept is just a little too abstract for the average puzzle player. If geometric puzzle games are your thing—or you're a big-time puzzle aficionado looking for a challenge—noded will provide you with plenty of challenging levels for a very low price.

I found myself a little blindsided by how much I enjoyed Fighting Fantasy Legends. Nomad's Talisman port is good, but this game is on another level for them. It's a treat to get to explore these places and characters from yet another interesting perspective, and I really appreciated the way the mechanics went their own way while still being quite faithful to the basic idea of a gamebook. Long-time fans will have a lot of fun stomping around the familiar places, while newcomers might just find this the most approachable of all of these excellent twists on the Fighting Fantasy brand. It isn't the flashiest of games, but don't let it slip by you just because of that. This is a quality adventure that brings out the best of some genuinely classic adventures.

I wish those middle sections were strong enough for me to recommend Demon Mark in spite of its slow beginning and disappointing end, because I absolutely love the idea of this one. When the story is reveling in its source material, it was almost enough to push the needle in that direction. But when a game's interactivity depends entirely on player choice, it's the rare game that can gracefully handle disregarding said choices. Outsmarting Baba Yaga might be a lot of fun, but that lack of proper agency, especially in the ending, is why Demon Mark misses its own mark.

If you enjoy tactical, loot-centric, RPGs Rogue Wizards is a no-brainer. There are ample opportunities to optimize your character with different gear and spells and head off on a dungeon delve. Combat is fun and almost endless thanks to gauntlet mode. The graphics are appealing and the game’s monetization is smart and respectful of players.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed Time Crash, despite its few hiccups. The single-player levels provided serious challenge and diversity, while the daily challenges and endless mode kept me coming back for more. It's also beautiful to look at and has a unique combination of visual (and gameplay) styles that set it apart just enough from other games in the genre. If you enjoy runners, you should definitely give this one a look. It stole my time while I was simultaneously saving time within the game. Simply put, it's a good price for a good game.

The core design of Galaxy of Pen & Paper represents a solid improvement over the original game. It has more new ideas and executes on them better than Knights of Pen & Paper 2 did. The production values feel a lot higher, too. Overall, you can feel the years of gained experience between the game that made Behold's name and their return to the brand. I just wish they would allocate more points into their bug-busting and difficulty balancing skills. I suppose it says something that even with its flaws, I still think RPG fans definitely ought to check this one out.

The Elder Scrolls: Legends is really good CCG that cleverly milks the Elder Scrolls universe and turns it into an entertaining card game. Legends feels quite different from Hearthstone both because of the Lane mechanics but also the two-attribute deck building that brings more variety to the game. The game's Magicka (the equivalent of Mana) doesn't stop at 10 like it does at Hearthstone, so decks that play for the long game can get to play more expensive cards more easily, which can be a lot of fun. I've been enjoying playing through the campaign and (being a Skyrim fan) playing with all the Shouts and the Dragons. While I'm not going to desert Hearthstone for Legends, I like jumping from one to the other since they give me different kinds of challenges and tickle different parts of the brain. Overall, Elder Scrolls: Legends is a card game definitely worth your time and one that has a lot of potential to get even better.

Miracle Merchant is quick and easy to play one-handed, which makes it perfect for those short gaming sessions while out and about. It's also a great deal of fun and just the right level of challenge to engage but not frustrate. The art is also worth mentioning, the various characters and chemical concoctions are bright and attractive and add to the enjoyment of the game. If you're a fan of card games on your iPhone I strongly recommend picking this one up.

Ultimately, the occasional frustration within Linelight is born out of its uncompromising dedication to its core principles, which is a necessary evil considering how effective the execution the game's concept is. With audio and graphical excellence throughout, both of which are intrinsically linked, Linelight ends up being far more than the sum of its parts, all the while not sacrificing its entertaining puzzle gameplay for some greater sanctimonious goal. Through being a game that embraces accessibility at its very core, Linelight becomes a game that anyone can play, and everyone should play.

Avatar of the Wolf is a tough one to nail down. It has a lot of weak points, but I still found myself in its thrall for the duration of the story. I really appreciate its speedy pace and nearly single-minded focus on the main plot. I also feel like the character had really good reasons to treat others like they were expendable or unimportant, a convenient bit of cover-up for an element many ChoiceScript authors struggle with. I'm not sure I'll remember Avatar of the Wolf for a long time, but I certainly had a lot of fun with it in the moment.

Overall, Hero in Residence didn't deliver the same kind of entertainment Season 1 did, and I'm hoping the rest of the episodes give us a stronger narrative and fewer fight scenes. Telltale games are at their strongest when they give us entertaining and challenging narratives rather than puzzle and fight scenes, so I'm hoping to see more of that kind of a Telltale game in the next episodes.

I find Layton's Mystery Journey to be a must-have adventure. It makes so much sense as a mobile game that I can't believe it took more than ten years for this to happen. The puzzles are good, the story is interesting, and the presentation is outstanding. Even without buying any of the DLC, the game is stuffed to the gills with content. If this is the level of commitment we can expect from Level 5 on mobile going forward, I'm pretty excited for their future releases. I'll tip my top hat to this kind of quality any day of the week.

Alexander is yet another excellent offering and worthy addition to the franchise. Fans of the base game and Barbarian Invasion expansion will find a new and compelling scenario to explore, though it is worth noting once more that, thanks to the turn limit, the campaign is focused on Alexander's military expedition more than the economic and cultural stabilization of his growing kingdom. It's also worth noting that there's been no improvements or chances made to the original source code - warts and all, this is a straight up port of the original PC experience. If you haven't tried Rome: Total War, I'd suggest starting there and working your way up to the expansions if you want more content.

If you're a fan of management games, Motorsport Manager Mobile 2 should be a no-brainer purchase for you. The game offers ton of content to play through—3 different championships, 16 tracks—and enough depth to keep you playing longer and coming back to it often. And there's a pretty good tutorial too if you aren't a racing fan. The game costs $3.99, and there are two IAPS, a Game Editor for $6.99 (lets you edit the drivers, teams, and tinker with the rules) and a Chairman's Payment for $6.99, which gives you more money per race (making the game easier to play). The editor is quite fun to have if you like the game since you can turn MMM 2 into a more faithful Formula 1 management game. Motorsport Manager Mobile 2 is a blast to play, and you should go grab it.

Honestly, I can't really say that Lowlander 2 is much better than the first game. It's bigger, longer, and more confident, to be sure. But where Lord British was spurred on by his competition to make the sequel to Ultima 2 a real game changer, Flat Black seems to have been content with making Lowlander 2 the very best Lowlander it could be. This certainly isn't a worse game than the original either, mind you. It's of very similar quality all-around, which means Lowlander 2 should be of interest to anyone looking for a great RPG to play on their mobile device. Like its predecessor it's deliberately trying to evoke an RPG of the early 80s, but if you can deal with that, Lowlander 2 is a great way to spend your money and your time.

If you're expecting a brand new Street Fighter that's pushing the limits of the latest iOS hardware, then you'll probably be disappointed. If Capcom were to go all out and create all new sprites and a full new game from the ground up, it'd likely need to be a free to play casual swipe-fighter like Injustice or Marvel Contest of Champions just to justify its cost. Not that I wouldn't play the crap out of something like that, but it's still not a replacement for a traditional fighter. However, if you loved the older Street Fighter IV games on mobile then I think you'll love Champion Edition. It's all of the improvements I've been wanting for years, and its excellent online modes will ensure it lives a long, happy life. Or at least until the next iOS update breaks it.

Castleparts stops short of greatness in some ways, but has enough depth to keep you busy even if you never play against another human. It doesn't even need more modes or characters per se, just slight expansions on the foundation that's already been created.

Overall, Prison Architect is a pretty deep simulation and management game that offers ton of things to do and ways to play. Don't let its cartoony looks deceive you; this is a pretty hardcore and demanding game. If you like classic PC management games, you're going to love Prison Architect. If you don't care to dive deep into a game and are simply looking for a light game to pass the time, Prison Architect might not be for you. Personally, I had a blast playing the game, and I certainly recommend it. I've heard some users complain about bugs, but personally I had no issues playing the game. So, if you don't find the theme disagreeable and want to play one of the most complex—but still accessible—management games on iOS, go grab Prison Architect.

Epic Little War Game retains the superb balance between complexity and accessibility that made the series such a hit to begin with. Whether you're new to the genre or a veteran, you'll find something to like in this game. It's probably not going to change your mind if you don't like this genre, but anyone who does have an interest really ought to check this one out. It's over-stuffed with content and polished shinier than the General's boots.

Flipping Legend is just an astounding take on a well-trodden genre, of the free-to-play action-y runner. The work that Hiding Spot Games put into this along with Noodlecake's help has been spectacular. The reports from GDC were that this was coming together really nicely, and after playing a ton of this one before and after release, Flipping Legend is a must-download in my book.

Add a couple of level packs that crank up the difficulty, and bring some additional complexity to the solid mechanics at hand, and Mr. Future Ninja becomes a must-have. Granted, we live in the launch-well-or-die App Store, but what's here might be enough to encourage the game to be a sustained hit, as is also true for those who succeed in mobile gaming. I wouldn't buy Mr. Future Ninja on the promise that it will get future content – I don't know anything about that yet – but it's easy to see where it could, and perhaps buying it will be the key to making that happen. The core of Mr. Future Ninja is quite solid, it just needs to be more filling before it's a strong recommendation.

The feeling is once again like that of a puzzle toy along the lines of a Rubik's Cube. There's little pressure involved here, with no timers, an endless supply of undos, and not one piece of IAP to be found. You will probably run into levels that completely stump you when you first approach them. You might even get frustrated enough to put the game down for a while. The next time you pick it up, you may have a break-through. Even if you don't, you can always try another level. Until you run out of those, anyway. Yankai's Peak is a quality puzzle game that feels alien and familiar all at once, and it's well-worth fidgeting around with until you make it to the end.

I am seriously, seriously impressed by how much better Framed 2 is compared to the original game. You're talking about a title that left me surpremely disappointed. I specifically said it felt like the first half of what should be a really good game. There were clever ideas, but they went underutilized. And a lot of ideas that didn't work out took up too much prominence. And the twist in Framed 1 just didn't land as well as I think Loveshack intended; even on a recent replay, it was still just confusing instead of clever. I stand by that game as a 3 out of 5 mobile experience. Framed 2 chucks almost everything that was bad about the original Framed out the window, emphasizing what is strong about the concept, and then building on it. This is exactly what a sequel should do.

If you want a puzzle game that will test you, this isn't for you. If you just want something that you can interact with in order to get rewarded with interesting themes and gorgeous artwork, Monument Valley 2 succeeds at that. But if Ustwo ever explores this world again, I think there's a gap between the gameplay and the art that could be crossed to make this the masterful experience these games have just barely fallen short of being in my eyes.

Beholder is definitely a great addition to games that examine life in oppressive States, and I was glad to see that it manages to be a fun game to play despite its grim theme. With great art and music and plenty of choices, which lead to different endings, Beholder is definitely a game you should be playing.

Subdivision Infinity is a slick-looking shooter that offers excellent action and accessible, arcade-style gameplay. It's a straightforward game that has a few nasty difficulty spikes here and there, and it will definitely test both your skills and patience at times. That said, the pure thrill of zipping around and shooting down a pack of enemies more than balances out those frustrating moments. It isn't much more than a weekend's worth of joy, but it's a weekend well-spent, to be sure.

As a TRPG, Chroma Squad is decent but lacking the depth to give complete satisfaction. As a vehicle for Ranger fans looking to live out all sorts of fantasies, on the other hand, it's fantastic. It jabs without being mean-spirited. It gives you the options you want. It tells a big, silly story with melodramatic twists and turns, and it never misses a cue when it comes to the fanservice-style elements you might want to see. I've played a lot of games based on Super Sentai/Rangers, and this is far and away my favorite. A great deal of the enjoyment comes from my affection for the theme and the goofy yet earnest approach Behold took in presenting it, however, so make sure you account for that. At the very least, as a game, it's overall more well-designed than Knights of Pen & Paper. It applies much of what made that game good to a new genre, and it is unmistakably crafted from the same hands.

Onigo Hunter has a couple of new pins affixed to its lapels, but in most respects, the experience is barely distinguishable from the other assorted EXE-Create games released by Kemco this year. It's okay on its own merits. If you just want another traditional-style JRPG to stuff in your gob, it has a decent enough taste to it and will keep you chewing for a little while. Even the most tolerant of Kemco followers has got to be getting tired of this particular flavor by now, though. I know I am.

Squeenix could've very easily released Arkanoid vs Space Invaders as a freemium game, loaded with ads and coins to buy. They likely would've made tons more money too. Arkanoid vs Space Invaders is a fantastic refresher of what arcade style iOS games used to be like it, and I'm more than happy to celebrate that.

It's a weird complaint that One Stick Shooter is too action packed, but it just isn't really for me. I fully admit that there's tons (and tons) of people who love games that are just a brutal onslaught of never-ending swarms of enemies to blast. If that describes you, chances are you'll be super into No Stick Shooter. Better yet, it's a paid game with no freemium hijinks- Always a welcome thing to see on the App Store.

I hope this also serves as a good reminder to developers that if you can fit your game on mobile, it's probably worth it! A title like this is an amazing fit on the go, and while I missed it early on (and I imagine I'm not alone), it's getting a great second wind on mobile. With a great mobile port like this, Steredenn is an absolute must-have for anyone who has any positive feelings toward roguelikes and/or shoot 'em ups. It's challenging, as you would hope, but such a fun, rewarding, and replayable game.

Penarium is an entertaining enough arena platformer. It will test you and frustrate you, but keeps things from being overly complex for better or worse. It's entertaining, I like the art and sound work, and the dual aspect of campaign and arcade modes though I would like more of a link between the two for progress. If you like arena platformers, you can get a lot of fun out of Penarium, though it's a game I have a few misgivings with. But still, I find myself compelled to come back again and again. And hey, with Super Crate Box's time limited thanks to it not being updated to 64-bit yet, what else are you gonna play?!

Miles & Kilo is everything you could want from a follow-up to Kid Tripp. I love the sensible improvements it makes to the Wonder Boy formula, and the level designs are spot on. The new moves and additional character help keep things fresh, and the amount of content feels just about right. The game's rather adorable retro-style presentation is also a winner, lending it the image of a console "big brother" title to the original's handheld game. Those who love a good platformer will want to add this one to their collections immediately.

It's a game that will last you a couple of hours, and there's not a whole lot in terms of replay value. If your gaming money is limited and and you need something with replayability, this isn't the game for you (though hey, you could always buy this and sink some time into a free-to-play game). But considering the profound effect it had on me, and the beauty of the experience, I definitely recommend Old Man's Journey, as it is quite the experience.

To The Moon doesn't offer much in the way of mechanical depth, and there's really only one way to experience the story, so its replay value is not great in theory. It's certainly one of the jobs of a review to inform readers of things like that. But the ultimate goal of a review is to tell you if something is worth your time and money, and in that capacity, I can't recommend To The Moon enough. The mobile version has some issues with fiddly controls, but don't let that stop you from playing this superb adventure. It's beautiful in the most human way possible.

Citadel 1986 is unremarkable at first glance and shines the more you experience it. While playing through many zones I had a visible smile on my face, wading through water for the next key, not wanting to put it down, and being positively reinforced after a death with a quick restart. But only the most dedicated of retro enthusiasts will get anything out of it compared to some of the more inspired work being released on mobile devices today.

While Spaceplan was only in my life for a few days, it was a major part of my life for those few days. It's a really cool and engaging experience, and a unique take on the clicker that even skeptics of the genre should check out. Also, it has more potatoes that you could ever imagine.

I don't think it will take a lot of hammering to make this into a more challenging game, and it will be all the better for it. That will just leave Ms. Spell with the problem of being a rather ordinary example of its genre on a platform positively drowning in more interesting ideas. I suppose if you like the idea of a roguelite but find the general difficulty of the genre intimidating, you might enjoy Ms. Spell. Otherwise, this is a hard game to recommend in its current form.

The controls work well, and the game remains a gorgeous rainbow explosion of color. And blasting endless hordes of enemies, occasionally hopping into a robot to do even more effective blasting, is a lot of fun. Those core aspects are so good, that maybe it doesn't matter so much if the game is repetitive or there's a few flaws here and there. The experience itself is enjoyable enough, that while this is nowhere near a perfect game, it's worth a download. Just, somebody help out with the translation. And I hope that in the coming weeks and months, Guns of Mercy becomes an even more fun and expansive experience.

Get Me Outta Here has a little bit of jankiness and rough edges to it, but they don't diminish the overall experience to a great degree. This is a rather fun arena shooter, and well worth a download at the very least, though you'll get a ton of fun out of the full game unlock if you indulge in it.

The fine folks at Donut Games really know how to put together accessible games with a lot of hidden depth, and Footy Golf is another excellent example of that. As with many of Donut's titles, you can probably get the gist of what this game is about from its name. You have to kick a ball across a stage into a goal in as few moves as possible, collecting coins and diamonds along the way. Fans of this publisher will probably recognize it as a cousin of the classic Cat Physics, but it brings a few tricks of its own to the table, not the least of which being a new pay model. Worry not, however, friends. Footy Golf is as gentle with its monetization as it could possibly be, allowing you enjoy the game with only a minimum of friction. Most importantly, the game itself is challenging and fun.

What Tempest does well it does really well. If you ignore the loose ends and missed opportunities, you have a five star must play game. Even in its current incarnation, a few patches and an update could bring this game to the forefront of the app store. As it is, I have hope that we can see updates that could bring a real introduction, a fix to intermittent camera/graphical lag and a difficulty indicator per each fight or maybe some balance tweaks for certain fights(or boarding for that matter). With a number of tech updates already released, my hopes are high. If you keep in mind that the seas can be a little rough, you are going to have a whole lot of fun playing Tempest . This game is worth the investment.

If you're a fan of Trailer Park Boys, Greasy Money is an effortless recommendation. If you're not into the show, it's still an incredibly competent idle game that mixes up enough of the standard mechanics in a way that somehow manages to feel fresh- Particularly with the boss battles and the way the prestige system works. However, it's difficult to say if you'll appreciate it as much as someone who is picking up every tiny reference the game drops. Personally, I love Trailer Park Boys, and idle clicker games are a guilty pleasure, so this is the perfect game for me. I could definitely see how it might not be for everyone though, particularly with the (censored) swearing and drug themes which pop up.

Bottom line, if you memorize the location of the "skip dialogue" button for every game, you may want to give this one a pass. Planescape: Torment still stands tall as a landmark masterpeice that can continue to age gracefully, now on your phone or tablet. Make sure you pack your reading glasses if you grab it!

Sunless Sea is easily one of the best narrative-based games on the App Store, and I would easily venture to say that it's one of a kind. The sailing and exploration parts combine almost seamlessly with the narrative part and help to deliver a fantastic game that you shouldn't miss out on. And this time around, we also have an app that works great, which is definitely a plus. Hopefully, we'll get the Zubmariner expansion soon for more madness and terror, but until then, there's more than plenty to do in Sunless Sea, including go mad and eat your friends.

I can definitely see Realteach VR returning to the world of Quantum Revenge in the future and building on the foundation they've already set. Although battling the evil Rokuseya was a blast while it lasted, I'd love to see some of the cast get fleshed out in the sequel, and see some brasher and more bold mech designs. If you're still the type of person who's rooting for a Zoids reboot you'll probably have a great time here, but otherwise you can likely hang on for more updates and improvements -- some of which the developer has already acquiesced.

There's a lot of little frustrations that I have with Full of Stars, especially as the charm of the concept of space chaser meets interactive fiction wears off after you continue to fail against the difficulty presented. Still, it's a game that compelled me to sit down and fight against it to try and beat it. And with the promise of future content teased with additional pilots, and a long-term meta-game as you upgrade Blue Sector, along with the rewarding feeling of beating a tough level, there's a lot to like about Full of Stars, even if this game wants to beat you down to the core of your soul, too.

Ragging on freemium elements aside, this game is super cool. I’ve really enjoyed my time with it. It’s a bit of a slow burn title, and it’s a little grindy in the leveling, but as you learn and explore the mechanics it only gets better.

While it gets the core gist of the Spelunky formula right, and does some rather cool things, the game suffers from its short development time, leading to a lack of variation in level designs. Also, the game just doesn't have the tight platformer feel necessary for what the demanding difficulty requires to give the player a good shot at succeeding.

I didn't expect much from Ellie & Max, and got quite a bit back in return. There's a lot of heart in the game's duo, and even though you probably won't recognize them until you've played a few rounds, the developer definitely has my attention going forward.

Kami 2 is a gorgeous puzzle game packed with challenging content, but it allows its sense of style to get in the way of a smooth experience for the player. It's fine that the game throws out difficult and complex puzzles, but the game seemingly goes out of its way to make the process of solving those challenges as tedious as possible. Between its generous pay model, stunning presentation, and heaps of puzzles to solve, Kami 2 is probably worth taking at least a few swings at. It's at least a few folds away from the gameplay living up to the slick visual designs, however, and there are clearly some kinks to work out with the online modes.

This is the only way to get a good, deep, baseball simulator on mobile, and it is a good way to get a taste of what it might be like in comparison to a full-fledged game. If it's your first time, I'm sorry about the rest of your life that you will no longer have because you're stuck managing a bases loaded, one-out situation in an August 2023 game. It could be the most value you get out of a $4.99 game. If the little annoyances got to be too much in earlier years, well, unfortunately, many of them are still here. But whether you can see the forest for the trees is a question you'll have to consider for yourself.

While it might seem like a subjective thing, and it probably is, Versus: The Elite Trials reflected my choices back at me in such a way that I saw a slightly new side of myself. That alone makes it a great gamebook, in my opinion. Even setting aside personal epiphanies, the improved pacing, more nuanced tone, and the smaller cast of more fully fleshed-out characters make this a far better effort than the first book. As I said at the beginning of the review, though, you're going to want to play through The Lost Ones before you touch this to get the full effect. But you can now do that knowing that it's worth the effort of pushing through some of that book's rougher spots. Versus: The Elite Trials is an excellent gamebook, and I will wait with great anticipation for the next part of the story.

Death Road to Canada is another masterpiece from a partnership that keeps cranking out the hits.

I really like TypeShift. I think it's an awfully fun game, and I always found myself coming back to it not long after putting it down over some irritating puzzle or another. But its various parts don't quite lock together as well as smoothly as you might hope, leaving the overall experience a little wanting. It's also a bit of a battery hog, surprisingly enough. If you enjoy word games, you'll almost certainly want to check this one out in spite of the little problems I've mentioned. There are tons of free puzzles to try out that should give you a solid idea of whether this is your thing or not. TypeShift might not have the accessible charms of SpellTower, but it does quite well in carving out a different sort of enjoyment all to itself.

The extremely reasonable price makes it hard for me to say you shouldn't even consider buying Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando Mobile. If you think you can deal with the control quirks, this is a good technical conversion of the arcade game. Provided that's all you're looking for, I can think of worse ways to spend a couple of bucks. Between the control issues, the relatively low amount of content, and the inconsistent difficulty settings, Commando Mobile is probably the hardest one of these releases to recommend so far, however.

My chief complaint about Golf Zero is that there isn't more of it. This is the kind of game I could play for hundreds of levels at a time, and although there is more content in the pipeline it couldn't come soon enough. The 40 standard levels won't take you that long to blaze through, but that's because they're so addicting to knock out in rapid succession. With a more forgiving ad system and some extra levels it would be even easier to recommend.

This is a game that becomes a real battery-killer if you give it a shot. Also, because on my (shockingly old!) iPhone 6 Plus, the game drains battery quickly. It might not click right away, but it will click eventually, and there's so much of a rewarding experience here, with new content to unlock. I do wish there was iCloud, so that I could keep my progress going on my iPad and maybe not kill my battery so fast. However you play it, this is a must-play, and a game I don't see leaving my iPhone any time soon. Just be patient.

Those who love first-person dungeon crawlers should check it out, though. It's no Grimrock, but I think there's plenty of room in the pool for decent efforts along with that giant.

Ghosts 'n Goblins Mobile is a technically-sound port of a good, classic game that really isn't well-suited for touch-based controls. There are some quirks with the options that are likely to be addressed in a future update, but the biggest problem with the game is that it probably shouldn't have been picked as a candidate for a mobile port to begin with. It's already a severely difficult game, and adding even a little frustration on top makes it too much. That said, for the price of it, it's hard to tell anyone not to buy it if they're interested, but just be aware that you're probably not going to get too far unless you're incredibly stubborn or a virtuoso with virtual controls.

Platformers on iOS need to have something very interesting about them in order to get noticed. To make matters more difficult, they also need to execute the basics without issue. The Big Journey succeeds on all these fronts with a gorgeous adventure about a colorful kitty. I had a great time leading Mr. Whiskers on his journey and I'm sure you will too.

This is an interesting game that I had a good time with. Also, there's a lot of whacking stuff with a stick, which is especially satisfying. Heck, the joy of whacking stuff with a stick justifies much of the experience. I recommend Pan-Pan, and hope Spelkraft has more mobile titles planned in the future!

I wish there was a little more to Incidence, but I had a great time learning its rulesets and mastering them. By the time I hit level 100 I felt like a pro, but there wasn't anything left to conquer. I have a feeling that any updates probably won't incrementally increase the difficulty or expand upon the concept (as the complete onboard set doesn't either, it's more of a moderate slow build). Right now Incidence simply is what it is, but puzzle fiends should have a grand old time picking it up while it lasts.

If you've never played the game and are wondering if it's worth picking up, I can say that it's alright but it certainly feels like a game from its era in most ways. For the low asking price it's fine, but don't set your expectations too high just because it's a big name.

I like this game, and it’s fun in short bursts, but it doesn’t scratch that itch like it should. There’s no zing. Progression is slow and upgrades often have minimal impact. Despite the huge variety of weapons, new runs don’t usually feel that varied. For some reason the shops almost always have duplicates of the weapons in your hand. Sometimes you’ll find or buy a super awesome gun, but that’s rare. I don’t know if they need to tweak their algorithms or what, but It all becomes a bit too repetitive. If you do manage to beat the game, you’ll gain access to hard mode. All that said, a solid, free, gameplay focused mobile game with no price gouging? I want to hug the developer. Definitely pick this up and try it.

All in all, it’s a lot of fun. I wish the monster energy worked differently, but otherwise it’s the same kind of timer based freemium stuff you’re either OK with or you’re not at this point. There are some visual bugs that are annoying, like not displaying the amount something costs, or always showing you a “new” upgrade to a building every single time you log in. Minor stuff, mostly, just annoying. Re-organizing your town as it grows can be very satisfying. If it sounds like you’d enjoy this game, you probably will.

Despite the deduction problems, Miss Fisher is a very entertaining interactive novel for everyone but especially fans of the show. The game even lets you collect costume pieces to change Phryne Fisher's looks; completely unnecessary but great fun. The plot is fun, the visuals and music are great, and the jokes and double entendres land well. And since the ending twist breathed new life into the case, I'm interested in playing the upcoming episodes too. And it even comes with iMessage stickers; what more could anyone ask for?

If you want to spend a little bit of time in an interesting world, play Milkmaid of the Milky Way. Developer Mattis Folkestad has put forth a tremendous solo effort here into a charming game that's worth your time.

I ended up having more fun with Djinn Caster than I expected to ever have with a game published by Kemco in its current form. I don't know if it's going to be to everyone's tastes, but if you've ever found yourself pining for the days where you could get a good, solid Eastern-style ARPG without getting a free-to-play shakedown, you'll probably want to give this one a look. The story and cast are memorable, the gameplay is enjoyable, and I really like the style of its presentation. It feels completely unlike anything else in this publisher's line-up, and if you ask me, it's about time.

While Dungeon Rushers offers a lot of fun for at least a few hours, some balance issues see it turn into something of a party guest that just doesn't know when to go home. Even when it hits that point, it's not as though it becomes actively unpleasant. It's just a bit wearisome and out of new topics. If you don't mind the idea of making slow progress through a game through a ton of shorter sessions, you'll probably have a blast with Dungeon Rushers.

Essentially, what Tin Man has done with The Warlock of Firetop Mountain is to transform the classic gamebook into a single-player role-playing board game, one that comes with its own colorful storyteller and several modules to vary the experience on multiple playthroughs. The presentation is sublime, the considerable amount of new content has been implemented carefully and respectfully, and the mechanical changes sand off some of the original gamebook's harsher edges. I would have been quite happy had Tin Man done their usual fine work on a straight conversion of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain (and that is indeed on its way), but this is something altogether different and more special.

Once I start playing this game, even lamenting how I can't keep the multiball going for as long as I want, I can easily lose a lot of time to this game. Hours disappear. Anything Rivverman Media is insta-buy at this point, and MUL.MASH.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL is another winner from the studio. And I hope the game does well: future updates should bring new levels and paddles, and I'm interested to see what Riverman's got in store for the future of this game.

The game itself is just OK, but the One Piece wrapping makes it quite enjoyable.

I don't really know what to do with this game. I think it's mysterious in a good way, and I'd love to recommend everyone to try probing at its weird secrets. But it's also not a very strong game in the mechanical sense. In fact, it's downright hostile in some ways. If you happen to have played Yume Nikki and enjoyed it, you might find something to like here. Otherwise, it's hard to endorse Strange Telephone for much other than its well-crafted visuals and audio.

You could do a whole lot worse than Realm Grinder when it comes to picking up a time waster, but the developers could do a lot better in turn. With some tweaks, it could be one of the more compelling clickers on the market.

If you haven't played the first game yet, I'd recommend going and doing that before you even consider this one. You will be utterly lost without it. After that, I'm not sure what to say. You could jump in on this admittedly good version of a decent sequel knowing that you're going to have to sort out the confusion of the missing plot elements from Corpse Party: Book of Shadows and completely spoil the plot of that game should it ever come.

Overall, Voyageur is an ambitious attempt at a procedurally generated sci-fi interactive fiction whose lengthy playthroughs end up hurting it rather than helping it. There's plenty to explore and plenty to do, so it's worth at least one trip down the galaxy; unfortunately, you might not feel like going through it again after it's done.

Play Hidden Folks. It's just so charming and fun to tap around in this world that feels alive. It's such a simple idea at its core of being a hidden object game, yes. But the artwork, sound design, and the realization of the ambition to create puzzles where you have to find specific folks in the middle of busy, bustling scenes, are all at their peak. Check this game out.

The issues I have with Missileman preclude it from being an exceptional must-have in my eyes in the way that I'd say Downwell is a game you have to play. But, I love the core idea, and keep coming back to Missileman in order to keep trying to do better at it. The queasiness of the backgrounds is a huge turn-off, and I suggest watching some video of the game in order to see if it might be for you or not. If you can stomach it, give Missileman a shot, as it's a cool indie gem from Japan with a lot going for it.