In trying to place one foot on each side of the line, the game ends up falling into the divide between the two. In a genre that is among the most fiercely competitive on the platform, it's a fatal mistake.

I really appreciate 1-bit Ninja Remix Rush for what it is. It takes a concept established by the original 1-bit Ninja and makes it into something new just by changing how the game is structured.

As it is, it's a game that's definitely a solid way to spend some time, if not a bit disappointing because it could be so much more.

I would have gladly paid for a premium version of Go!Go!Go! Racer and still deal with nominal IAP. I hope that the developers one day see the light, because they have an addictive, colorful, and unique endless game on their hands.

From a mechanical point of view, this is just another run-of-the-mill JRPG, so if you're looking for fresh gameplay, Revenant Saga isn't likely to do a whole lot for you.

While the game suffers from an extremely weak visual presentation, the gameplay scratches a similar itch as the recently popular clicker genre of games while still requiring a bit of meaningful interaction those games tend to lack.

Neutronized has just made a remarkably clever game that could have just coasted on its pixel art. That they also nailed a really cool take on retro-style gameplay along with the aesthetic makes this the first must-have of 2015.

If you don't mind games that are very rough around the edges, this is an action-RPG roguelike to check out. But it's not the best experience.

When I actually play the game, I find a remarkably enjoyable soccer sim. And the Ultimate Team parts, upon reflection, aren't that horrible.

Give It Up! is a few updates away from being a very solid game.

Tap Titans is a fascinating deconstruction of RPGs, and it's something that perhaps fits my tastes to a comical T.

The ramping difficulty unnecessarily lengthens all but the shortest duration games, but the overall gameplay gives you just enough control over random elements that most board gamers won't lose focus.

I think that for what it does, which is being a smaller, casual arcade game, it does a good job at being something fun to sit back and play again and again, while also trying to be retro, not just use the pixel art aesthetic.

Volt probably won't shock you all that much, but you can definitely get a good buzz going while you play through it.

Dojo Slash is just plain fun, and for a nominal fee and hardly any IAP involved you can have a good old arcadey time.

All in all, this game gave me a great kick back to the days that got me into gaming on the go, and provided a nice challenge, all for a buck. I do say, gentlemen, this is a rollicking good time.

But as the bard said, the play's the thing, and in that regard, Docking Sequence is quite sturdy for its asking price.

If you can fit comfortably inside a sandbox with an itty bitty living space, you're going to be happy picking up Star Nomad Elite.

The lack of brawler variety, combined with the shortfalls in controls simply outweigh the potential merits of robot collection and power-up exploration.

If you’re in the mood for a crafting freemium title, you can do a lot worse than checking out BuildIt.

It might seem like I'm being overly harsh on Shelterra The Skyworld, but with all of the decent-to-great RPGs available on the App Store, weak efforts like these are really unnecessary.

Annoying Cab could have been a lot more than the finished product shows. It has a great art style and I can't get enough typing games -- it just needs a lot more time in the oven, and maybe an editor.

If you're looking for a Marvel-flavored version of the DC brawler, this is probably close enough to satisfy you, and it might even pleasantly surprise you in some ways.

Tomb Raider 2 is a great game, probably the best of Core's Tomb Raider titles. From a technical standpoint, this is an excellent port, and it includes all of the official content ever released for the game.

I still think the underlying game in Brother in Arms 3 is worth playing, but there are a lot of potential players that will be instantly turned off by all the freemium aspects. Sadly, I can’t say I particularly blame them in this case.

BattleLore: Command's gameplay design is outstanding, and its solid presentation helps it deliver on it in stylish fashion.

The Borderlands series definitely has a unique feel to it from its setting, dialogue, and characters that can be easily screwed up by a developer not quite in tune with the way the series operates. The good news is that Telltale Games are experts at story, so the idea that they could approach and do justice to this universe while also expanding on it in a way that isn't just a loot-filled first-person shooter is an interesting proposition.

It's not a bad game, and I think that you again get quite a lot of gameplay for your money here, but I'd caution any prospective buyer to consider if that's really what they're looking for. It's not quite the game that the first Agarest was, so I'd recommend that one first, and after that, if you truly want more, you'll likely enjoy what Zero has to offer.

As something fun and challenging to chew on over the course of a weekend or so, it does its job admirably, if not altogether surprisingly.

Papers, Please may not be what you'd typically describe as a fun video game, but it's an incredibly clever experiment in storytelling that succeeds in what it sets out to do in ways you won't expect.

This is a fantastic game that other developers of platformers need to take heed of, and that you need to play.

Seabeard isn’t the magically universal game that I wish it could be, but for those that can work within its system, the rewards have the potential to be truly great.

Proun+ is an interesting game for many reasons, and racing fans, as well as anyone who likes tube-racers, tube-runners, whatever you want to call them, ought to give it a a shot.

It might seem a little pricey given its 8-bit origins, but I can promise you that when you're coming out the other end of Dragon Quest 3, you'll feel like every penny was well-spent.

If I had a wish list for Wars and Battles, I would say the top item would be increased UI functionality. There is no reason a mobile app should include a syllabus of required reading in order to play.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath is one of those wonderful little gems that too many people missed when it first came out. It was an amazing game then as a full-priced retail console game, and it's every bit as awesome now on a mobile device.

Since the first chapter costs nothing to try out, there's really no good reason not to download Trouble With Robots if you like the look of it. It's simple, clever, and funny, albeit a bit slow in the beginning and over far too quickly.

There are two groups of players that should quickly fall in love with Call of Duty: Heroes. Obviously, series fans will enjoy the fan service that Heroes has, but I think fans of Clash-style PvP combat will also be intrigued enough with the heroes aspect to want to check it out.

I can't praise Checkpoint Champion enough. It's a fun game on its own, with plenty of challenge on its own. But the social features, gorgeous design, and clever features all push it to a level that should leave other developers jealous: this game is just plain sleek.

I think that if you enjoyed Warhammer Quest and you're looking for something somewhat related, you will probably find something to like here. I think it does a good job of capturing the unique flavor of HeroQuest while still advancing the rules in a satisfying way.

The biggest complaints I can levy against Swords Of Anima are that it's a bit on the easy side, characters move too slowly in battles, and it's not doing anything overly special or unique with its gameplay. The translation could use a bit of a clean-up from a native English speaker, too, I suppose. If none of those things sound like a dealbreaker to you, then I can solidly recommend Swords Of Anima to you.

With the advance we've seen from E2D 1 to E2D 2, I think the future looks pretty bright for this game franchise, and there are some areas they could pretty smoothly transition into. In the mean time I'm gonna go back to mashing up some zombies(and boxes).

It's a very basic take on things that doesn't strive to do anything more than give you a fun take on the game itself. For its meager price, though, I'm not sure it has to be much more than that.

It does well in scratching my occasional, admittedly paradoxical itch for pick-up and play RPGs with a bit of substance to them.

It's an imperfect game, but it's one that does a magnificent job overall at straddling a difficult line between its bleak and macabre objective, while being charming and a little humorous.

I found Zengrams to be a satisfying puzzle game, albeit sometimes a very frustrating one. It worked better for me as something I would play for a few minutes and then put away for a while so that I could come back to it with a fresh brain, but each and every victory was a sweet one.

The blend of RPG elements with tower defense makes for a fantastic combination, one that feels rather involved.

If you are even slightly interested in turn based games, this is not one to miss.

Necklace Of Skulls is an enjoyable adventure with an interesting theme and sharp writing.

Crossy Road is a simple game, but there's clearly a lot of work that went into making it one of the best 'simple' experiences that can be enjoyed.

Grinding out coins and unlocking the crazy cast and cool arsenal is an okay way to pass the time, but there's still a certain bland taste to the whole affair that keeps Random Heroes 3 from being anything more exciting than that.

Simply put, you owe it to yourself to check out Super Evil Megacorp’s latest masterpiece.

This is a great slice of game from top to bottom, but it truly feels like only a slice.

Muertitos offers an interesting gameplay spin on a very well-worn sub-genre, and when combined with its unique and well-realized theme, it does distinguish the game from the pack a bit.

The highs of Space Age are really high, and I appreciate the ambition and the beauty. But this game is disappointingly flawed; not irredeemably so, but I felt a bit let down after my high expectations.

If I try to view this game without regard to the history behind it, I THINK I can still say its an amazing game. Couple that with the fantastic edit job with a bunch of new features and this is a fantastic app for anyone looking for a fantasy RPG adventure that works best in long unbroken stints.

There's not much to Cosmic DJ, as its five scenarios can be beaten in short order if so desired. But that's really not the point of the game, it's to make some rad music, enjoy the story and its outlandish visuals, and to have a good time doing so. If that sounds appealing, play Cosmic DJ. Those who play games for the challenge and to have some resistance to progression, look elsewhere.

Hopefully, Deep Silver will release the other two Secret Files games on iOS so that mobile gamers can experience the series the way it was meant to roll out. In the meantime, this one, like many spin-offs, is for the die-hards only.

I do really dig what this game does, though, with its mobile-friendly gameplay and great balance of challenge and playability. At least give the ad-supported version a shot.

With more games this could be a must-buy for those of you have a friend to play with. Just temper your expectations.

I'm personally very happy with this extra set of levels, though I still see a lot of possibilities waiting to be explored should Ustwo decide to follow up Monument Valley with a stand-alone sequel in the future.

It's an easy game to dismiss as "just another match three," much like the original. Hell, I even did that with Candy Crush Saga, as the initial out of the proverbial box experience isn't all that different from any other matching game. If this sounds like you, I seriously suggest giving Soda Saga a fair shake as it's an incredibly good game. Once you give it a chance to grab you, it won't let go.

Monkey Racing sits more in the shallow end of the pool gameplay-wise with things like Angry Birds Go! [Free], with its main bullet points being that it's a complete, IAP-free experience, and it has monkeys.

With so much content, story, replayability and generally fun gameplay this game would benefit massively from just a little bit of love from the developer to tighten up a few weak spots.

As long as you have an abundance of patience and a good sense of humor about setbacks, there's no reason you shouldn't adorn your finest fake mustache and give this game some of your time.

So if you want faster progression without setbacks, well, Noodlecake is happy to take your money.

Ultimately, it's still sticking fairly close to JRPG conventions, but I could say that about dozens of RPGs that are well-worth playing, so as long as you're not totally disenfranchised with the genre, I recommend giving this one a go.

I’m a huge fan of both Star Wars and Tower Defense, so a game like this seemed like a slam dunk in my mind. Unfortunately, the game feels more like a cash grab of a true TD game in the Star Wars universe that actually focused on gameplay or story.

This feels like a game primed for time attacking, but there are no systems in place to support that kind of long-term mastery. At the very minimum, though, you'll get a couple of hours of fun out of it, and if you get into its meta-goals, you might find quite a bit more.

I love the idea of it, I love the way that Simogo makes games, I love the art that went into this, I highly recommend playing this regardless of the score or my opinion because creative experiences like this need to exist.

You probably won't want to set down roots in Twisty Hollow, but it's a heck of a good place to visit for an afternoon.

If you haven't picked this game up, and you can stomach some bad dice results, it's time you rolled into this one full speed.

Overall, though, this is a great take on that spicy combination of burst gameplay and long-term team development that has captured the attention of Japan's players and developers alike.

Did you like Partia? If so, hop on board. You've got 22 more missions and some story resolution, and it's a marginally better game if only in subtle ways. Did you find Partia lacking? Then you're going to want to skip this one, because everything Partia did badly is still an issue here. If you haven't played Partia and are curious about this game, then go pick up the first one for a lower price, as it's not substantially different and will give you a perfectly good taste of what to expect from its sequel.

If you're just a pinball fan, go ahead and load up Haunted House again. There's not enough new here to make it worth dealing with the hassle of the token system and its absurd wait times.

If you're a fan of digging down into the depths and testing your mind with clever puzzles, this is a no-brainer.

I loved my time with Drift'n'Drive, and while it especially stands out in this week's batch of releases, it holds up pretty well overall. I highly recommend it, though I hope more circuits are in tow.

From a small dev team, we can hope to see big features like PVP and further adjustments to campaign difficulty, but I think there is more beyond just those things that will keep Hero Craft from pulling off a flawless game.

For those who enjoy arcade-style games, and I'm talking original Mario Bros. style, Woah Dave is a must, it's a great game to sink a lot of time into again and again.

Given the lack of competition, hockey fans looking for a mobile fix have little choice but to skate up for this one, and the core gameplay makes it more than worth your time and money. Still, I'd love to see less second period slacking and more third period hustle from these boys in the future.

Rime Berta isn't a terrible game, but it's a pretty poor example of a strategy RPG, and really only merits attention if you've exhausted every other interesting choice.

If by some weird quirk of fate you haven't played a tower defense game, Sleep Attack TD is a fantastic introduction.

Simply put, if you enjoyed Glyph Quest but found there wasn't enough substance to satisfy, you're going to love Super Glyph Quest.

I definitely recommend that Tilt to Live fans check out Gauntlet's Revenge: it's really quite different from even the Gauntlet mode you know from the original Tilt to Live, but for fans of the series' style and tilting gameplay, this is a fresh way of enjoying things that will prove to be a real test.

Ghost Blade is without question the finest example of stylish action available on iOS to date, and an essential pick-up for any fan of action games.

It's amazing how well the controls have translated to touch, but the actual game needs a bit of work before every skating fan needs to pick it up.

Although its Korean, you can tell the developer has a real affection for classic Japanese SRPGs, and as a result, we've got something that feels like it dropped out of a 1992 SEGA Genesis catalog, right down to its translation.

Crystareino is another solid effort from the hardest-working team Kemco publishes for.

It’s certainly worth checking out but at this point, I don’t think it has enough for long-term viability.

This is the most fun I've had racing boats in a video game in quite a long time, and I'd strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys side-scrolling arcade games or can appreciate a different angle on the racing genre.

All in all, it's a very solid gamebook, and if you've enjoyed any of Tin Man's other conversions of Livingstone's work, it's a journey worth embarking on.

It's easy to get your money's worth out of this one, and it's perfect to just pick up and play whenever.

While I do take issue with some of the difficulty that pops up, otherwise Wavefront does a solid job at managing to balance out relaxing and forgiving gameplay while also rewarding skilled players. And hey, it's a puzzle-type game that isn't a match-3!

While I have high hopes that the developers can eventually optimize and patch in improvements to make it truly playable, at this point it’s really hard to recommend NBA 2K15 in its current form.

Despite my misgivings, Sentinels of the Multiverse is entertaining. It has an aura of desperation in fighting a superior enemy and really drives home the threat level of the 4 included bosses.

If you love Transformers or Angry Birds, or best of all both, you'll probably get an hour or two of fun out of Angry Birds Transformers. Beyond that, you're going to have to have a lot of patience for timers and grinding coins.

You'll assuredly get your money's worth in fun out of its unusual premise and tight controls, but after you've run through the short list of events, there's not much to keep you coming back.

The torture is part of the fun, and afterward you can say, with just enough regret and maybe a little heartburn, that what you just did was very hard, you could have done something much more pleasant, but it was totally worth it in the end.