Curiosity isn't even a game: it's a child's toy, stripped of depth and without an ounce of respect for its audience's intelligence.

As sad as it sounds, it's rare these days to find a free-to-play game that offers a good balance between actual gameplay and having to pay for extras via freemium elements. For the most part, Zombiewood does a great job hitting that balance.

There is a pervasive familiarity to the game, a sense that 'we've seen it all before', something that could be partially attributed to the now iconic art style. It plays well, but it's a song that we've all heard before.

Simplicity isn't a dirty word, it's the core of Pixld's vocabulary.

For anyone kvetching, Heads Up! Hot Dogs's chiptunes soundtrack alone is worth the price of entry, and it happens to come packaged with a sharp, charming, and funny game about putting beef franks on people's domes.

It all sounds incredibly straightforward, but there really is something special here in Polyroll. And, well, it is no faint praise to say this about an iOS platformer: Polyroll is damn near effortless and a joy because of it.

Even when its story temporarily devolves into a series of extremely dull fetch quests, it's kind of a blast. For a game about such a particular hobby, it does a good job of being a crowd pleaser with well-designed RPG elements and odd little sim touches.

If Dexter were out there hunting for gaming transgressions, Dexter the Game 2 would never have made it onto the App Store. It would have disappeared without a trace, woken up strapped to a desk with rolls of plastic, and made to answer for its crimes in blood and dismemberment.

There are better auto-running platformers out there, but Totem Runner does a good job of keeping up. The experience is well-balanced between twitchy button handling and careful planning-it's just a touch cerebral, and never too frustrating.

And as much as I enjoy a challenge, rage mode is the most enjoyable because it allows you to kerplode large clusters of dots at will after you've picked up the requisite powerups.

In theory, it should be awesome, but in practice nothing works like it should. Legends is a sloppy, unimaginative game that isn't ready for primetime.

I'm having an absolutely fabulous time playing Need For Speed Most Wanted. It's not the deepest racer in the world, but I've never felt that arcade racers need to come with loads of depth as they're all about just driving cars you'll never be able to afford, going fast as you can, and rapid-firing "that was awesome" moments: Three things Most Wanted totally nails in my book.

Episode 3 is an awesome iOS RPG and a wondrous melding of classic and not-so-classic mechanics.

The lackluster story mode isn't a deal breaker, as this isn't a game style that really lends itself to storytelling, but neither is it a particularly strong selling point.

Beautifully presented, a little campy but oh-so-worth that walk down memory lane, Blood of the Zombies will not go amiss in your library of interactive iOS-based tales.

What I will say, is that you need to download this game now. Punch Quest needs to be on every iOS device you own. It's totally free, the only way the IAP could be less obtrusive is if they removed it entirely, and you'll fall in love with the game inside of the first minute of play. What's not to like about that?

By casually lampooning itself, He-Man: The Most Powerful Game in the Universe is entirely accessible to both the young and old alike. It's a celebration not only of He-Man and Eternia, but a respectful bow to the type of gaming that became so popular when Price Adam was still a boyish whelp, and you'd be mad to miss it.

Hairy Tales is still an enjoyable puzzler and a great example of how to integrate a variety of puzzle elements with real-time action, all in a title wrapped in a fantastical weird shell. Suffice to say, puzzle fans should take heed at this latest addition, as I don't think you'll be disappointed.

It's a fantastic asynchronous online word game and nothing more. It's also a fantastic example of how design can enhance the experience of playing a game, as Letterpress is a joy to look at and to use.

For now, players have over 100 levels and a way to create an infinite amount more to play locally solo or with friends for $1. If you want a fast-paced game that demands digital dexterity, Finger Tied is an easy recommendation.

Funky Smugglers is a stylish game that's a lot of fun to play, and absolutely miserable to compete in. If that doesn't concern you, you'll be in great hands.

In a time when consumable IAP is king, Polara stands out for its stand-alone offering. If you find yourself asking for more games that are sold complete, then this is most definitely one that deserves-or requires-your love.

It feels like the kind of game that our touchscreen devices were made for, and looks gorgeous to boot.

Ultimately this is one for diehard Monopoly fans only, who are in the market for a quick and dirty arcade version of the app they've undoubtedly already got on their iPhone or iPad. For anyone interested in a digitized board game, this is just too anemic and pandering to satisfy.

A worthy debut on the iOS app store, Reversion: The Escape is unlikely to be crowned 'Adventure Game of the Year' but it's certainly still worth escaping to.

Simply put, it's a great, fast-paced platformer with excellent balance in terms of level design, controls, and replayability.

It's hard to make anything out of these minor complaints considering how good the game actually is. I only hope that the other games in the series eventually make it to iOS so we experience the complete saga of Avernum.

Because many of the levels are basic, it turns the game overall into an abstracted version of Olympic ice skating. You could take the most boring route and skate in a complete circle. Or you can opt for something stylish, showcase your moves and fling Ivy about to take home the gold. The decision is yours.

Kniza's games tend to be elegantly simple rather than rule-heavy and complex, but Card Buster is straight-up and uncomplicated even by that standard, and content to be that way.

Five bucks is a bit steep for yet another re-release, but Crazy Taxi's iPhone-sized package presents the perfect time-killer while you're waiting for a table, bustling along on the commute to work, or looking for a fun pass-and-play style game with friends. Check it out.

A difficult game to evaluate. Its challenging gameplay and numerous options in terms of power-ups and vehicles doesn't make it a particularly approachable game. Yet it's those exact features that make it a delight for fans of trial-and-error score-chasers. In that regard, assuming you know what you're getting into, Stunt Star is well worth a recommendation.

It's certainly not the most interesting revival we've ever seen, and neither does it forge any new ground in terms of a standalone iOS title. I'd never accuse it of being a bad game -- far from it -- but it's simply too pedestrian to get remotely excited about.

Let me be blunt: this game is a joy to play. Making these adorable little fellows happy is a delightful experience.

The Catch-22 here is a game that is paradoxically fun, despite a few flaws and a lack of modes that would otherwise cripple less creative games. If the developer commits to its future growth and repair (functional achievements and a co-op mode), Catch-22 will become a score-chasing game that players and their friends will have even more reasons for which to return.

Load it up, go mental with a machine gun during your coffee break, turn it off and forget. Sounds like pretty good escapism to me.

Like Capcom's courtroom drama, Devil's Attorney is an addictive puzzler whose courtroom metaphor for battle makes for one of the most unique and absorbing games you'll find on mobile or any other platform.

It's a journey worth taking, as much as it exposes the horrors of our depths.

It does everything you would expect from such a title. No more, no less. If there are any complaints that I have about the game, it's probably the occasional sluggishness and the fact that Burrito Bison seems to have a habit of periodically crashing on my iPhone 4S. That said, it's still a pretty sweet port.

The game is cute and its fun lasts about as long as a pack of gum's flavor, so, maybe it's a blessing that it's so gosh-darned hard.

As difficult as LiquidSketch becomes later on, it remains an easy recommendation for puzzle fans.

It's not that it's a thoroughly bad game. In its own right it could have been a decent endless runner, as the visuals are sharp and the concept is sound. Yet it unequivocally fails to earn a place in the Zaxxon canon, and with only one game mode and a greedy in-app store, it struggles to demonstrate its value as a standalone title.

The Last Express is a game I want my toddler to play in about a decade, and I have renewed hope that he'll get the chance.

Cool Pizza is a bit sized unique and kookya reminder of where iPhone games could and in my opinion should be going: Not porting yesterday's console hits or draining your battery to render super-colorful 3D warriors that take up the entire screen trying to emulate a similar "console-like" experience.

While the implementation isn't perfect, and the visuals (partially due to the near copying) are lackluster, there's enough here to check out.

All in all, this is a great compendium with lashings more style than any of its closest rivals. But there's a snag: these are the only two games included, and two games do not a compendium make. There's a placeholder for a third mini-game, but as yet the digital cupboard is bare.

If you're adamantly opposed to IAP or ad support, Soldier vs. Aliens isn't going to change your opinion on the matter, but its quick-fire action is quirky enough and intense enough to give shooter fans plenty to do on their coffee breaks.

The fundamentals are sound, and the game has enough personality to differentiate itself from the pack. I imagine that genre fans that love a challenge should check it out, as the last two-thirds of the game offer enough difficulty to keep any veteran happy.

If you enjoyed the first Monsters Ate My Condo, I think this is an upgrade that's worth your time and dollar. It looks better, it sounds better, and it still has that completely wacky style that's almost impossible not to love.

Ultimately, this is a one-note game. The RPG mechanics stay interesting for longer than they ought to, but you'll probably burn out on human hunting sooner or later. On the other hand, there's a fun hour or two to be found before that point.

Like so many games these days, Lunar: Silver Star Story Touch hit the App Store with some some obvious flaws. The ultimate question isn't what it might become, but whether it can be recommended as-is. The short answer is "yes."

The distinctive sights and sounds are worth the effort.

Bad Piggies is awesome, and needs to be a part of your iOS game collection just as much as the rest of the Angry Birds series. Rovio nails the same accessibility of the Angry Birds games while taking the franchise in a direction that feels both totally fresh and entirely appropriate.

Granny Smith is a fun, high-speed platformer. It's nice to take a break from the endless types and still keep up the inertia that goes with them.

While it lasts it's an elegant and engaging game, one that builds an atmosphere of dark experimentation. You don't know quite where your search will take you, but it seems it won't be good.

The control issues mentioned above, while frustrating, don't detract greatly from the rest of the game. Apocalypse Max is still a great hybrid of platforming and shoot-em-up elements.

Give it a whirl-the Olympics may be over and done with, but if you relieve them with Best of British: Summer Sports, they'll be a lot more fun to remember.

It's hard not to love Lili. Like the character, the game can be obnoxious at times. But it's so pretty, so well-written, so cleverly designed on the whole that complaining feels a lot like nitpicking.

Guardian Cross has little beyond the illustrious name of it's developer going for it.

I really, really like Mad Skills BMX, and keeping in mind its challenge and somewhat steep learning curve, I still totally recommend giving it a try.

For people who've never experienced Rayman or those who have strayed from the series, this is an excellent (re)introduction. For those who've played Origins, this may feel a bit mechanically and aesthetically familiar.

If the premise appeals to you, download it and give it half an hour. At that point, if you're jazzed and really rockin' it, you've just made a friend. On the other hand, if you're feeling irritable or frustrated at that point, you should just delete the game and move on.

Yes, if you loved the original, you will undoubtedly enjoy Vs Racing 2. As far as being an arcade racer, the experience is about as smooth as one can expect for a game that focuses more on fundamentals. However, improvements over the original feel relatively minor, and the missing online multiplayer means Vs Racing 2 lacks that big ticket feature that sequels usually try and include.

It's something that grognards, history buffs, and casual strategy gamers alike should be able to get into, and that's quite an accomplishment.

If you're the guy or gal with the fancy iPad 2 or 3, Wonderputt is one of those sharp apps you just have to show everyone and will definitely earn a few cool points in doing so.

This seems to be the perpetual theme of Wild Blood: every positive seems to be counter-balanced by an unnecessary negative. The controls, story, gameplay -- even the visual engine itself, all seem to work against the elements that Gameloft do succeed in implementing. It's a shame because Wild Blood has the potential to be a must-have iOS title. Unfortunately, as it stands now, it's a mixed bag.

Final Fantasy: Dimensions is exactly what it wants to be: a new story in a familiar setting and system. For gamers who want to return to those long hours they spent with old-school Final Fantasy games, it will be like discovering a new book by their favorite author.

Dwarf Quest mostly succeeds at being a breezy, casual Roguelike, but it isn't very long (about as long as a single complete playthrough of 100 Rogues) and it feels like the first chapter of a longer story (the game's website promises a final confrontation with an undead wizard that is nowhere to be seen).

While Illusion Labs doesn't particularly offer anything innovative, Blast-a-Way proves that there is still room in the overcrowded puzzle arena for games that excel in pure execution.

It's hard to recommend Bug Invasion for anyone but the most diehard of tower defense fans looking for their next fix (and even then, I'm sure there are some classics you may have missed). For everyone else, it's probably best to avoid this infestation.

The controls are perfect: a precise accelerometer control that leaves the screen free for touch-and-hold to slow down time (but not your own movement). The look, sound and mechanics combine to create a calming, zen-like experience, which mitigates the game's only real weakness: having to play through the game's easy start every time.

While it doesn't exactly innovate on the genre, it's still something I find myself coming back to, forever intent on nudging my menagerie over the next performance plateau.

Granted, Initiative is a perfectly capable Infinity Blade clone for folks that are fans of the Marvel universe. However, for everyone else there's really nothing here from a gameplay perspective that hasn't been seen before or implemented better.

Considering its graphics, sound, and gameplay, few apps offer the elegance that is Splice: Tree of Life. Four dollars is a small price to pay to expand one's way of thinking.

Inexpensive, innovative, and sensory-spinning thrills of this caliber are rare.

An excellent hidden object game and is a great evolution of the original.

None of those marks detract from Plight of the Zombie's satisfying and strategic experience that offers a fresh take on the zombie formula. Puzzle fans shouldn't hesitate to devour this one.

You have to give the devs credit: they really tried to make it work.

Infinite Warrior isn't subtle or deep, it's a game about being being being badass and making it look easy... and a little campy.

Huebrix has great puzzles, but the game that surrounds them needs serious work.

Minor control issues notwithstanding, Bastion for iPad is just as good, if not better than its console brethren. Every element that made the game so amazing and fascinating returns and the subtle refinements to various features in making the jump to iOS simply add to the experience.

One Epic Knight just doesn't stand out enough in a growing field of Temple Run inspired games.

No matter how different the results, every game feels pretty much the same, and that really cripples its long-term appeal.

It's just too bad it suffers for design decisions that have nothing to do with the puzzles themselves.

Yes, the price tag is rather astronomical when compared to bargain-bin, $0.99 titles but there's a reason for that. The World Ends With You: Solo Remix is not a game built for five-minute diversions; it's a solid game, one meant to leave a permanent impression.

The lack of multiplayer is really the only issue keeping this game from perfection.

Angel Salvation seems needlessly complex on the outset, but none of the mechanics or currencies are particularly deep once you get the hang of them.

Takes iOS platforming and "one button" gaming in a direction I'm amazed no-one tries to do more often in touch screen gaming.

I'm not sure I needed a game in my life with the same hooks used by both Dungeon Raid and Triple Town-each of those alone ate hours and hours of my life. Now that I have it, though, there's no giving Puzzle Craft up.

There are a lot of reasons to love a game. Great challenge, fun with friends, gorgeous design-all good reasons. Despite its rough edges, Mikey Shorts gets to me because it brings me to a place where I can play and have a great time, without hitting walls, without getting frustrated, without having to pass it on to the next kid in line. It's a good feeling, one I don't particularly want to give up.

Elevate Entertainment's twist on the classic brick-breaker is good. What makes it special, though, is the way the studio extends that creativity throughout the game.

As it is, it's not a bad little platform shooter, and there is something awesome about Honest Abe toting a flamethrower, but it's not Ravenous and Wobblyware's best work.

Despite the control issues described above, the tilt controls do work -- just not as well as I'd personally like. Tread of the Dead still offers an interesting, if simple, gameplay premise buttressed by an ample amount of content.

It's not bad, it's just okay.

While Wrrr is a perfectly acceptable platformer and may be fun to pass the time, it's not one I would keep on my phone to replay over and over.

Accompanied by gorgeous art and a great soundtrack, you'll discover all the skills it takes to save the multiverse.

Heroes Rise is a real step forward for Choice of Games. Their next step should be to improve the visual appeal of their apps and add a few basic options.

Super Mole Escape knows what it does well, and exploits it to its fullest.

In some ways, the sheer depth of Cafeteria Nipponica acts as both a blessing and a curse.