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.

Relics is a very clunky game by modern standards, but if you’re patient with it there’s definitely something here to enjoy. The combat is terrible but you should be trying to avoid getting in fights anyway. Exploring the game world and trying to solve the various mysteries you’ll come across are fairly compelling, and the visuals have a real vibe to them that I’m into. I really appreciate the pre-set save states in this game, because it gives curious players a way to experience various parts of the game without having to deal with the cumbersome controls. Not bad on the whole.

This Could Hurt isn't quite what we'd been hoping for when it comes to the next generation of iOS platformers. That said, the game still plays great and you could still get at least several hours of enjoyment out of it, just set your expectations accordingly.

Ultimately you are going to buy the game for the barcode gimmick. It's fun and how much fun you derive from it will almost directly translate into how fun you will have with the game on the whole. For me it was worth an hour or two of entertainment and the game got tired pretty quickly after that.

In terms of gameplay, this is a rail shooter that takes a couple of hours to play through and somehow feels like twenty. It’s too easy, and far too repetitive. Some may say that is the nature of the genre, but I’ve played plenty of rail shooters with more engaging mechanics than Gal*Gun Double Peace. If you do happen to get into it, there’s a lot here to do with multiple endings and extras to explore. But even with its goofy sense of humor and out-there premise carrying it forward, the flame flickers out on this game well before the candle melts down.

It's a winning formula that is as simple as it is effective.

Think of Always Sometimes Monsters as a visual novel with justifiably tedious gameplay sequences binding everything together, and you'll be in the right frame of mind to accept its strengths.

The mad-cap energy of Bang-On Balls: Chronicles and its sprawling, jam-packed playgrounds make it a 3D platforming experience that would be easy to love were it not for the severe technical issues that plague its Nintendo Switch incarnation. I highly recommend checking this game out, but I would do it on another platform if it’s at all possible. If the Switch is all you have, then all I can say is that you should proceed with the utmost caution.

There’s a certain compelling quality to Hydlide, but I think it comes down to whether or not you enjoy the grind. It’s kind of fun to wander around the world and see what there is to see, but you’ll find yourself in trouble very quickly if you aren’t adequately leveled. Still, I think this is a game that a person could jump into and have a decent enough time with. It’s tedious and finishing it can feel like a chore, but there’s a lot of satisfaction in climbing the rungs of power and taking on stronger and tougher monsters.

It’s unfortunate that a niche series has finally made a return after so many years in a market that should be more receptive to its charms, only to make some big changes that significantly weaken the overall package. There’s still something to Endless Ocean Luminous, things you can’t find in this exact form anywhere else, but the loss of a properly designed world to explore and the sometimes tedious nature of the tasks it requires of you make this a difficult game to recommend with much vigor.

All up, Kirby’s Dream Buffet feels more like an extra mode you would find in a mainline Kirby game than something that can stand on its own. It’s amusing enough in short bursts with other players, but you’ll likely have seen all that’s worth seeing in a single session. Even as a party game, the lack of support for more than two players on one system makes it a little tough to recommend. The core idea isn’t bad and it’s certainly a polished experience, but it ends up being just a light snack rather than a filling meal.

While Radia isn't setting any new trends it's certainly not a bad title.

It's fine that Redemption Season is less a game about superheroes and more a game about contemporary social issues, but it doesn't handle either of those subjects with the sophistication or care they merit.

One of the goals of Pachinko is to feed the addiction of possible reward by playing a game based mostly on random chance. If you're looking for a time-waster that accomplishes that, or you're a fan of Pachinko, you can't go wrong with Pachinko Frenzy. However, don't think you're going to be unlocking new boards any time soon, unless you put in a good deal of time or money (once IAP goes live).

Yes, there are some tactical decisions to be made like which card to play where and when to play a new card or combo an already-played one, but overall you won't be playing Animation Throwdown to scratch your CCG itch; instead, you'll play it for the fan service and for the giggles. That's what I did, and overall I had fun. And then I hit the paywalls.

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

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.

The basic gameplay is fast, enjoyable, and nicely side-steps some of the problems with trying to do an action-RPG on touch devices. It's just in need of some balancing and a bit more care given to the other elements built around it.

Like many of this publisher’s other offerings, Shapeshooter is a fun action game that can occupy a lazy hour or two. You control a tank that moves along the rails of each stage, taking out the enemies that you meet along the way and avoiding various traps. You have two different colors of shots, and you’ll need to match them to the appropriate enemies. There are power-ups that will give you extra weapons, and rings you can pick up to buy permanent upgrades for your tank. It’s not the most exciting of affairs, but for the meager asking price it delivers well enough.

As I’ve mentioned several times, Oil Rush is a gorgeous game. Combine this with established gameplay elements and there should have been a lot of love. However, it just felt like the various aspects of Oil Rush just didn’t mesh well together

Hard to recommend, especially as your first foray in to the Rayman universe.

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.

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.

Fluxe could be prettier, but don't let that turn you off-it's the brains that count in this game. It's a cruel taskmaster, but that's why it's fun. But me, I like a little more variety in my puzzle games.

If Mafia Rush sounds a little basic, that's because it is. However, it's still a solid dual stick shooter that's currently being offered for free. At that price, it's certainly an offer you shouldn't refuse, at least for fans of dual stick shooters.

I think Helvetii could have been a pretty good action game, and to an extent it can still be enjoyed that way. Its visuals and basic gameplay mechanics are well-done and fit together in a pleasing way. Its roguelite elements are less satisfying, with insufficient variety and a balance that leads to a fair bit of unpleasant grinding, putting undue pressure on the combat system that it simply can’t carry to that extent. There are things to appreciate here though, and I can see folks who are more forgiving of the game’s weak points having a nicer time than I did.

Apart from the watermelon theme, there’s nothing particularly fresh or unusual about Watermelon Blocks. Its 46 stages take a little too long to heat up, and the difficulty really only picks up in the last quarter of them. That last stretch has some decent level designs, and the game’s controls and collision detection work the way you would want them to. It’s a functional platformer, albeit a short and somewhat plain one.

The presentation is nice, and it’s fun to see what kind of minigames will pop up at first. The bowling is functional and simple enough to enjoy for players of a variety of skill levels, and the game is indeed most enjoyable when played with a partner. Those flying solo will likely find there’s just not enough on the bone here. Even with unlockable characters and a variety of dialogues, Date Night Bowling starts to feel a little tired after a few games. There are no grand stories or longer goals to reach towards, making this game best suited for the occasional romp with a like-minded player.