Above all else though, The Hacker does a great job at making you feel like a bad ass international hacker, which is what it should really all be about anyway.

It's a heck of a game, gorgeous, challenging and long-lived in turn. I've hardly been able to put it down, and listening to music without the game just doesn't feel as cool right now.

All of this builds up into a feeling of sincerity rarely encountered in games. There is no hint of irony in Lume's message, and that makes it hard to disagree: self-sufficiency is admirable, and why shouldn't it be?

My favorite thing about Ziggurat is that it dismantles the hardcore-casual myth that has so long plagued videogame culture generally, and iOS gaming specifically. An "endless" shooter with Peggle controls doesn't make for good advertising, but Ziggurat is a game that forces its players to pay attention, to process and react to constantly shifting situations, to do the (literally) impossible.

A very tense game. I found myself gripping my phone tightly, jerking it out of the way of this oncoming girder or that platform I hadn't noticed. A prayer under the breath seemed suitable after some tight escapes. It was more than enough to convince me I'm not cut out for BASE jumping, but I sure enjoy the facsimile.

Tinkering and experimenting is rewarded- it's a joy to see every moving part a half-moment from lining up. The elegance of the later levels, as each piece takes its part in a grander pattern-that's something worth experiencing. Assuming, of course, you can get that far.

Incoboto is elegant and subdued, unafraid to juxtapose the vastness of the cosmos and the terror of inevitable burning out with the intimacy and charm of a small boy befriending a star.

If you have a new iPad, this is clearly one of THE games to get, as its boasting some of the best 3D, high resolution visuals at the moment. If you dig explode-y things and moving really fast, you'll probably want to give this a look, too. Smart design bolsters both of these aspects. Check it out.

So while there are frustrations and a handful of small bugs, they're blips in a solid eight hours of entertainment.

It's immersive, it's expansive (I've been playing it for a week), it's simple, it's something you can teach to your grandparents and your three-year old niece. As long as you're OK with some minor quirks, Battleloot Adventure is one that you don't want to miss.

On the whole, I think Kairosoft has done a good job dressing up the basic formula. It's still fun, and the fighting is a welcome addition. I admit I would like to see the company do something completely different in the future, but as far as this goes, it's my favorite title of theirs yet.

Kitten Sanctuary is a very sweet game, but beyond that it's well-crafted, and the attention to detail shows.

In many ways, Chaos Rings II is the quintessential JRPG. You will spend a lot of time grinding. You will be gently but firmly led along the story's path to its inevitable end. You will see all of the familiar JRPG tropes. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing, but your decision in regards to whether or not you actually want to purchase the game is going to be dependent on this. For all of its flaws, Chaos Rings II has done more than ample justice to the formula. It's refined, it's meaty, and it's definitely worth the high price of entry.

There might be an end somewhere in sight, a time where the grind outweighs the entertainment, but the hours of fun to be had in the meantime are well worth the initial purchase. Don't miss this one.

If you love platformers, you have to pick this beauty up. It really is a standout in all categories. The only possible turn off I can see is the difficulty, but maybe that's just a fine excuse to bone up on your skills. Get that itchy trigger finger ready and come out of the gate with guns blazing, and you should do just fine.

The storytelling, customization, and sheer amount of content make this RPG a true powerhouse on iOS.

With some elbow grease and a good once over, Spellsword could easily earn a permanent spot on my iPhone. It's really that good.

Brainnsss strategy and action feel pretty unique in a space that's been done to undeath, and they probably really pop outside of this vacuum. I can dig it, at least.

Bug Princess 2 shares a ton in common with the original Bug Princess, but thanks to some key differences in scoring and completely new stages it really stands out on its own. And like Bug Princess it's also not overly complex like some later Cave titles, so for shooter newbies it remains a strong entry point to the genre.

LostWinds2: Winter of the Melodias is a beautifully presented bit of childlike magic and irrefutable proof that wholesomeness does not necessarily have to be boring.

The whole package is a visual treat with a real knack for design, and it's also a fun, fresh game.

But this sequel takes what was already an excellent game and cleans it up in all the ways that count.

A must-own, Score! Classic Goals is a love letter to the game of soccer.

Slingshot Racing is a fresh take on racing games and is a shining example of a game that's well-suited to the touch screen and the mobile nature of iOS devices.

This is one of the few iOS titles that really does not skimp on any of the features that make RTS games exciting. When you add in the beautiful visuals and multiplayer, it's a no brainer that anyone with even a remote interest in strategy games needs to pick up.

Mega Run is an engrossing, vibrant game that has a fantastic presentation, controls and art direction. At its core, the action is pretty standard, but the execution is near flawless. Give it a spin.

So despite the crushing sense of familiarity, Zombie Carnaval is a game you really need to own. Running with a pack, devouring humans to add them to your crew-this is good stuff.

It's sexy, fast-paced fun.

It's a smart variation on the dual-stick shooter theme, and one that's strangely reminiscent of my most recent obsession, Diablo III.

Cartoony, easy on the eyes and smoothly animated, Velocirapture looks like some twisted children's television show's iOS game spin-off. While hardly the deepest gaming experience around, Velocirapture remains one of those engaging sort of titles that are perfect for the long minutes in someone's waiting room.

It's deeply absorbing, and a strategy treat that fans of the genre should not miss.

I just can't recommend Dynamite Jack enough. It isn't the prettiest game on the platform, but it's a shining example of a port done right.

I would have unequivocally recommended Darkside if it cost any reasonable amount. However, considering you can download it for free, you have no excuse not to check out this most excellent arcade shooter.

Nihilumbra is a must-play game, whether you're in it for the story or the art, the puzzles or the platforming.

Squids Wild West isn't fundamentally different from its predecessor, but it's a great follow-up. It's also an excellent chapter in the story of Squids, one with dramatic tension, clever dialogue and all those kinds of good things.

If you're a fan of board games, you kinda owe it to yourself to pick this one up. I'm usually adverse to the idea of playing a board game on my iPhone but this actually went swimmingly well. It's a solid package and one that will keep your inner entrepreneur happy for hours on end.

The more I play Outwitters, the more I become convinced that it's a heck of a game.

My only regret was that it didn't go on longer (but sequel maybe, please?)

If you're fond of The Walking Dead and want to play something that takes that source material seriously, and tells a great story while it does it, this game is definitely it. If you're looking for something much more involving from a joystick perspective, you might want to look elsewhere.

The folks at Digital Application Design have done a great job of bringing this shooter classic to a modern platform, and those who enjoyed Alien Breed so many years ago will be pleased to see that the feel of the original has been well preserved in its journey 20 years forward in time.

While Gasketball may stumble with some of its level design, it's a stunningly fresh game that actually shares something original. It's a game with a vision, and all of its constituent parts come together into a cohesive, groovy whole.

A weird, wonderful and almost surprisingly expansive experience that will both infuriate and enchant.

Great touch controls, fast action, amazing AI, intelligent level design, and an overall simplicity are all the reasons Trigger Fist has caused such a lapse in my productivity as of late.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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'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.

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.

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.

This isn't called Virtual Boxing, or Street Boxer, or Extreme Boxing. It's called Real Boxing for a very good reason, and it lives up to its name impeccably well.

The only potential flaws or suggestions I have for Dream of Pixels would be to allow players to switch out their tetromino or see upcoming tetrominoes for tactical strategies. Maybe it's not necessary, but seeing multiple pieces only in the puzzle mode's HUD made me miss them when they weren't in the others.

Arranger isn't one of those things you should play if you like adventure games, or music game, it's one you should play if you like games, period, and the interesting things they can achieve.

This not your average, micro-stage mobile game. Thankfully, only a handful of stages made me wish there were checkpoints.

Depth, strategy, and looks, all wrapped around tried-and-testing word-building mechanics-that's QatQi for you.

There's always been something satisfying about match-3 mechanics, but after enough years playing them over and over they're bound to start feeling stale. Pixel Defenders Puzzle steps beyond that by taking something from a game that was already an excellent evolution of the genre and moving it forward to another, even-more satisfying level.

When it works, it works unbelievably well - and with no asking price for those early, heart-pounding moments, there's absolutely no reason not to get this game.

The new Karateka legitimately feels like it might be what Mechner's original idea would have been, if then were now. And that's a win. For those who remember the original, the new Karateka must not be missed.

There's also the simple fact that Vice City is an amazing game in most regards. In this regard, the high points far outweigh the control issues, making Vice City for iOS a no brainer for most gamers.

It might take a little adjustment to get into the interactive fiction swing, but it's well worth learning the language.

Repulze is refreshing in its straightforwardness and execution, preferring to be excellent at one simple thing -- visually and mechanically -- than mediocre at several.

I get something new and different from playing Time Surfer, a rush that proves there was untapped potential in the formula. The game is vicious, it's ridiculous, and it looks like something that came off a Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper.

If you weren't a huge fan of the first Temple Run then I doubt the sequel will drastically change your mind.

Momonga's Pinball Adventures is already a winner. In part for its impressive look, certainly, but the charm and challenge of the game are a big part of what makes it so loveable.

Foursaken's Heroes and Castles does a great job of not only successfully melding third-person combat with tower/castle defense, but also creating a game with a great deal of replaybility via its heroes, upgrade system and online multiplay.

For those who like lovely things, for those who like music generation games, for those who like flyers, Lucky Frame has made something special.

The controls are responsive and well-suited to touch devices, but more importantly, Kairo brings something fresh and unique to the platform -- there's nothing like it, to the best of my knowledge, on the App Store. We need more games like it.

A note on in-app purchases: the free, ad-supported version of Beastie Bay is robust and enjoyable and, as far as I can tell, in no way different than the paid version. $4.99 strips the game of advertisements and lets players use their iDevice's portrait mode. Portrait mode is, admittedly, the superior way to play Beastie Bay, but there's an inordinate amount of well-designed, well-executed fun to be had for free.

Finding Teddy is a delight and a surprise. It's a game that could easily languish as a hidden gem of the platform, but it's just as sure to be evangelized by those that play it. It's an easy game to love, particularly if you're a fan of point-and-click adventure. The story of a girl and her teddy bear may not seem like the must-play hit of the moment, but it has so much love to give. A little of your time isn't much to ask in return.

Rather than judge a book by its publisher, pick this up today: it'll be a delight for your left and right brain alike.

Where the original at times felt like a nicely implemented tech demo, King Cashing 2 is an excellent game in its own right, improving on nearly every facet over the original and well worth checking out.

The world of Penumbear might not be one you'd want to explore on your own, dark as it is. Navigating a friendly little bear through, on the other hand? Well, that works quite well.

Of course, Bobbing isn't for everyone—you need to have the patience and mild masochism that constant failure and repetition requires—but if you can dig its viciousness, don't be surprised if you start forgetting to put it down for less important stuff, like breaks. And meals.

With plenty of depth, replayability and a great melding of genres, there's plenty to check out and enjoy.

IAP grievances aside, Super Stickman Golf 2 is a fun and compelling puzzler, and a steal at only a buck.

That type of versatility and richness speaks to the strength of the core ideas behind Badland. In a marketplace lousy with them, Badland is a well-considered and well-executed physics-based puzzle-platformer, tetchy controls notwithstanding.

For just a dollar, Worm Run almost sells itself. Its lightning-on-ice movement speed and motivation to keep on trucking in the form of a gigantic carnivorous beast make for a nice alternative to the droves of autopilot runners available on the App Store.

Suffice to say, Tiny Troopers 2 is just as enjoyable as its predecessor and comes highly recommended as a simplified RTS that just gets it done right.

Whether or not you've got a friend (or toddler) to play Crabitron with in this unintentional co-op mode, you really need to check the game out as Crabitron is a perfect example of how to intelligently craft a game for the iPad that really could only exist on the iPad.

TMNT Rooftop Run makes for a rollicking good time, especially if you enjoy runners but crave a recipe with some spice.

You might be tempted to skip Cut the Rope: Time Travel. It's just another sequel, right? Nope. Time Travel offers a unique twist on an already solid formula. It's an excellent time waster, one that every member of your family should enjoy.

But the core idea, the thrill of pinning a captain's badge to your chest and piloting your own ship through the starry depths, remains intact in the form of an addictive and brilliantly chaotic experience.

When the four-book work is finished, Sorcery! is likely to be one heck of an impressive gamebook experience. Inkle's groundwork is fantastic, making for an unusually vibrant piece of interactive fiction. It's a bit like a prologue at the moment, but every journey has to start somewhere. This one gets off on the right foot.

Angry Birds successfully captures the spirit of Boom Blox using a 2D viewpoint, a compliment that should make this game an automatic purchase for many.

If Pixelocity can find a way to streamline matchmaking and add a friends list, and possibly even a single-player component for offline play, then Disc Drivin' could be really huge.

Perfect Cell blends all these different elements together seamlessly, and creates an experience that feels like its own.

Halcyon is one of those games that's something of a Zen experience to play, but is also downright maddening, both due to the difficulty in the latter levels as well as the "Ok, just one more time!" spell it casts upon you.

If you're looking for a nice take on the Asteroids formula, don't hesitate to give Red Nova a look.

It's hard not to love Corpse Craft for solely for its slick character, so it's really nice that it sits on such a solid foundation.

If you're looking for some arcade-style action that's deviates from the norm, I would definitely recommend checking out Wispin.

The one minor gripe that I have with Rat On A Skateboard, and with all Donut games actually, is that accessing the online high scores pulls you out of the game and opens up the leaderboards in Safari. In an age where Game Center is readily available to developers, this sort of action doesn't quite fly anymore, and I'd love to see their entire catalog updated with proper in-game leaderboards in the future.

Astronut looks fantastic visually, with charming character designs and Retina Display support for 4th generation devices.

It's the game I've continually been coming back to.

Phoenix is one of those games that really grows on you the more you play it. I love how it's different each time you play and it captures that same type of magic of classic arcade-style high score games.

All of these elements come together really well in Axe in Face providing a simple concept with just enough depth and strategy to keep things interesting.

With 80 levels to play through plus the added replayability of obtaining gold medals for each one, Beyond Ynth will keep you busy for a long time.

Solomon's Boneyard doesn't claim to be anything but what it is, an endless survival-style version of Solomon's Keep.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed playing, and there is a strong "one more try" factor when aiming to get the most equal segment proportions possible.

It wouldn't be hard for NHL 2K11 to claim the title of best ice hockey game on the iPhone, since the competition is sorely lacking. But it surprisingly goes above and beyond and offers a truly full-fledged NHL experience on a mobile platform.

This is the first dual stick shooter in a while that's been entertaining enough to hold my interest, as the gameplay is fast-paced and the style is the most absurd I've seen since MUST.EAT.BIRDS.

What's really nice about The War of Eustrath is that the UI has been built lovingly around the touch interface.

As we said, it's not necessarily the best rhythm game or best fighting game, but if you're interested in something that's quite a bit different than your traditional game, and contains really high quality music and presentation, then check out Rhythm Spirit .

That pedigree shows from the start– particularly where the artwork is concerned– an outstanding PvZ-stylized canvass of highly detailed, inked environments and characters make up the world of Pro Zombie Soccer.

There is a solid amount of content on offer here. While there are some things in Assassin's Creed II that make the game feel like it could have been left in the oven a little bit longer, it's still easily one of the better platformers on the App Store.

A great game to pick up if you are bored of other match three games but don't want to give up on the genre.

I know it's not the same sort of game, but if you like Angry Birds and its ilk, I think Cover Orange will be worth your while - there's just a spiritual similarity of sorts going on there.

I know it's not the same sort of game, but if you like Angry Birds and its ilk, I think Cover Orange will be worth your while - there's just a spiritual similarity of sorts going on there.

A smart, simple, and endearing platformer. The core mechanic might sound a little abstract, but don't let that get in your way.

Cave Bowling is a fun physics game that comes packed with everything we've come to expect of Donut Games. My only real nitpick is I wish it came loaded with Game Center, as Donut Games' web-based scoring system leaves much to be desired.

The simplest way I can put it is that Mad Skills Motocross is pure fun.

They've taken all of the great elements of the first game, refined them, and added a ton more content on top. If you were a fan of the original game, then you should no doubt enjoy this one even more.

Denki Blocks! has enough content to keep your puzzle needs satisfied for a very long time.

The game is set in a nicely animated koi pond environment with some very nice touches.

Each of the controls can be customized further by dragging and dropping them on the screen to the desired location.

2360: Battle for Cydonia does a great job in keeping its Mech combat fresh, be it through a huge range of interesting weapons and items to unlock, or its engaging mission objectives, and will undoubtedly be a staple on our devices for a while to come.

The lack of multiplayer might be berated by some, but since only one character can attack at once as according to the intentional design of the game, I don't think of it as a missing feature.

Alive 4-Ever RETURNS is easily recommended for dual-stick shooter fans, and a must-have for fans of the original game.

Arachnadoodle is definitely a hidden gem on the App Store, combining many tried and true gameplay elements in to a very fun iPhone game that I highly recommend downloading.

Its destruction serves as the overall objective to achieve victory in Armada.

Ok, it's basically the plot from the 1986 film The Fly mashed up with elements of Spiderman, but it works pretty well in setting up the story for Banzai Rabbit.

The amount of carnage on screen as you hurl rockets at a swarm of brightly colored bears can hardly be described, and the action in Battle Bears -1 is intense.

There are a bunch of castle vs castle strategy games on the App Store, but few can come close to rivaling the look and feel of Battle of Puppets.

Even if it doesn't have the same brain-stimulating effect on other people that it had on me, the game is a game worth playing for everyone, not just those who are already fans of music games like Guitar Hero. Beat It! is a delight to play, and a true brain-teasing, unique experience.

While the PC version game has been available for free over the years, the iPhone version is a worthy conversion for fans and newcomers to the series.

A highly enjoyable, action-packed shooter that offers some of the most intense battle sequences you'll find on the iPhone, making this latest from Gameloft a gaming experience that's rather hard to pass up.

I've been having a great time with Catan, although I was disappointed with the lack of anything other than hot seat multiplayer.

There are endless defense, side scrolling, and survival game modes which can be unlocked which add replay value to the game, and the campaign mode itself is pretty massive.

The fantastic scoring system and randomly generated levels give the game a ton of replay value.

Overall, the game plays great and is a good improvement over EA's first FIFA game, they have learned from their mistakes to provide a better soccer game for the iPhone. With the top-notch graphics, a well-balanced AI, and an enjoyable soccer experience, it's hard to pass this game up if you are a soccer fan waiting for the World Cup to start.

The fishing works as expected, and is decidedly more fun and interactive than other available titles.

There is potentially more gameplay to experience here than in your entire game library, particularly if you're trying to promote a lowly League club to Premiership level.

With a tremendous amount of gameplay in the main game and a free play mode for those who master what the challenge mode has to offer, Freaking Inkies is more than just a unique and fun experience – it's a great value too.

It's simple, fun and best of all challenging.

An excellent arcade shooter.

Achievement hunters and competitive types will also be glad to know that Giana Sisters comes packaged with OpenFeint support for both achievements and leaderboards.

Glyder 2 delivers a fanciful, aerial questing experience to your iPhone or iPod touch. It, like its forerunner, is a highly enjoyable game that's challenging, and at the same time, relaxing.

GT Racer is probably one of the best racers on the App Store. In particular, racing fans looking for a realistic racer that offers nicely varied racing action wrapped up in a very pretty package should enjoy Gameloft's latest offering.

Sketch Nation Shooter is easily recommended simply because it does something no other app can do– it allows you to design competent games and share them with your friends.

Fallen could potentially become a great franchise as more episodes are delivered, but a few things, especially the jumpy camera angle changes and poorly translated dialogue, could stand to be improved.

It's hard not to recommend The Hero simply due to its terrific style and over the top humor.

If you're a fan of catapult games, there isn't much to not like about The Horrible Vikings. Yes, the core gameplay element has been done to death on the App Store, but few of them can even begin to rival the amount of refinement seen in The Horrible Vikings.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs boasts an outstanding all-round presentation; the graphics gorgeously rendered and animated, with some of the larger, more recognizable dinosaurs from the movies providing some additional visual treats.

Casual gamers who are unfamiliar with games of this sort will most likely be turned off by the complexity of the game's inner workings, but those who know what they're getting into and enjoy similar games will probably agree with me when I say that Inotia 2 is one of the best action-RPG's on the App Store.

While each of the individual gameplay elements isn't particularly groundbreaking, Avatar's major achievement is the sense of immersion and scale that Gameloft has managed to create in an iPhone game.

Military Madness: Neo Nectaris isn't much of a departure from the now 20-plus-year-old original game, but it holds up extremely well, especially with the new touch controls.

It is a well-rounded package that can be breezed through in a couple of hours, but offers you replayability as you unlock and learn to master the many different planes composing your sizable squadron.

An easy recommendation. The campaign comprises 10 levels spanning a few screens each, and an unlockable Hard and Survival mode, as well as a number of 'secret' cheat modes that are unlocked on accumulating 5, 10 and 15 master ranks; will ensure that even the most die-hard ninjas will have both their blades and appetites whet by OMG Pirates!.

The game is so much fun you'll want to go through it multiple times, which gives you a chance to expand your character in different ways each time.

Overall, SuperFall is a great combination of casual ragdoll gaming with an extensive achievement/upgrade system that may lure in both casual gamers and hardcore completionists.

An amazingly creative game, and thanks to the multiple difficulty levels should be approachable enough for kids and challenging enough for adults.

TipTop: The Last March has a fun core gameplay mechanic, and is oozing with style between the excellent art and sound design. If you've been looking for a good Lemmings-like game on the iPhone, look no further.

Definitely one of the best virtual pet games I've played, largely in part due to how much it utilizes Plus+ for building relationships between dogs. It adds a completely unexpected level of depth and complexity to the game that will likely keep me playing it for quite some time.

iPhone gamers on the go will find Train Conductor to be a game particularly well-suited to quick, pick-up play sessions. It's right into the action and in moments you're in the heat of the connecting track shuffle.

As a strategy game, Transformers G1 Awakening offers up enough twists to help it stand out in a sea of similar games.

I can't think of the last time I've had this much fun playing a game I've never heard of.

Warpgate HD is currently my favorite iPad game, and if you've ever enjoyed a space conquest game in the past, this is a game you need to download.

Clearly a "must have" for nostalgia value.

The art style is cute, the gameplay is fun and well-suited to the iPhone, and the two modes are neatly packaged and make the game easy to look at and play. Parachute Ninja is an easy purchase.

The current version of PewPew 2 is one of the best dual-stick shooters available, and is well deserving of its modest price tag.

Even though the camera is kind of weird, The Pinball HD seems to be the best pinball collection available for the iPad right now.

The art style is cute, the music couldn't be better, and the game is built on a funny (yet entirely cliche) premise.

Its combination of play mechanics from various genres is beautifully executed, its challenge is immense, and it's got just a whole lot of personality.

If I had to come up with one negative about Cows vs Aliens, it would be that it's really just a one-trick pony.

Infinight is not a fast-paced game - so much so that likely some gamers will find frustration - but it is evocative and challenging. Puzzle fans who like a slice of atmosphere to go with their quest for the goal should enjoy what Infinight has to offer.

If you're any sort of JellyCar fan at all though, JellyCar 3 is easily the best one yet and is highly recommended.

I had a ton of fun with Sacred Odyssey: Rise of Ayden, and highly recommend any Zelda fan give it a try. You'll have a great idea of whether or not you want to continue by the time you hit the pay wall, and hopefully you're somewhere with connectivity so you can proceed past it.

My initial impressions of the game are positive so far, but like most games designed for physical controls then ported to the iPhone, I have found myself fat fingering some jumps and generally just making play mistakes because of the inherent inaccuracies of virtual controls.

Qbism is all about perspective, and forces you to think in three dimensions.

With an estimated 6-8 hours of gameplay, and side quests to keep you busy long after that, I can't help but recommend Ravensword.

Fans of turn-based strategies from Military Madness to Mecho Wars owe it to themselves a treat like this. At $4.99, with the amount of game you're getting Rogue Planet is a no-brainer.

100 Rogues is as much about exploration as it is about move-by-move action and employing a careful strategy.

If you've enjoyed these types of games before, Castle Frenzy is worth serious consideration.

Rocking an excellent tone and a visual flair reminiscent of a new age 8-bit game. It's highly stylized and fitting, especially when you factor in the retro-infused music that plays over the action. It's good stuff.

For an initial release though, Death Rally still contains a good amount of content, and it's a ton of fun to play through.

Just like the classic games that inspired it, the gameplay in Monkey Labour is incredibly simple on the outside but contains subtle complexity and depth which is hard to master.

A big improvement over the original iOS version, but it doesn't feel a whole lot different gameplay-wise. The swipe mechanic for swinging works beautifully, just as it did before.

A big improvement over the original iOS version, but it doesn't feel a whole lot different gameplay-wise. The swipe mechanic for swinging works beautifully, just as it did before.

If you're prepared to deal with some of the old-school RPG trappings contained in Final Fantasy III, then you'll likely find it one of the best role-playing experiences in the App Store. But if you're mostly used to newer RPGs and the advancements that have come with them over the years, then Final Fantasy III may be too retro for your taste.

I'll fully admit that I'm a total sucker for anything that vaguely follows the Metroidvania formula. Something deep inside of my genetic code just loves navigating a maze-like mixture of corridors and platforms with more areas becoming unlocked as I collect new skills, weapons, and abilities. Robot Wants Kitty plays in to this perfectly, even integrating my love for cats.

While all of Gameprom's pinball games are very good, War Pinball is definitely the cream of the crop. If you're already of fan of their previous work, this latest game is an easy purchase decision as it contains 3 fun new tables that make great use of their movie licenses.

While all of Gameprom's pinball games are very good, War Pinball is definitely the cream of the crop. If you're already of fan of their previous work, this latest game is an easy purchase decision as it contains 3 fun new tables that make great use of their movie licenses.

A fantastic little game that not only looks great, but also is a lot of fun.

Tapper World Tour contains a ton of content, with more than 40 levels in Story mode and an additional 50+ expert levels when Story is completed.

Tapper World Tour contains a ton of content, with more than 40 levels in Story mode and an additional 50+ expert levels when Story is completed.

If you remember any of the barrel blasting sequences from the Donkey Kong Country series, Land-a Panda is like an extreme homage to these.

If you remember any of the barrel blasting sequences from the Donkey Kong Country series, Land-a Panda is like an extreme homage to these.

If the developer can sort out the Game Center and control overlay problems, I really wouldn't have anything to complain about with Double Dragon.

Despite any criticisms though, Elemental Rage is one of the best experiences you can have if you enjoy a good action-platforming game. The iPad version looks great on the larger screen, but it feels a bit more natural to play on the easier to handle iPhone or iPod touch.

Like I said, fans should dig this one; detractors won't. "Get Tannen" does nothing super special other than add to the fiction, which I imagine would be fine for everyone who enjoyed the first installment of the game series and are looking for more.

I'm not usually a big fan of tilt-only games, but Air Penguin definitely does it right. The tilting is extremely accurate, so it makes completing acrobatic leaps of faith a joy rather than frustrating.

The 20 included episodes are far less than the console versions, and due to their linear nature there's not really much reason to replay them multiple times, but the developer seems keen on adding additional episodes and features in updates.

The levels are interesting, the controls are spot on, and the game uses adorable pixel art graphics and an awesome chiptune soundtrack.

It's hard to shake the feeling the game is missing something - it's a well-executed genre game, but it lacks character. It's not going to fundamentally change what we expect from the genre, it's not going to shift mountains or alter the collective consciousness, but it will give tower defense nuts a deep and nicely packaged experience– And really, what more can you ask for?

It's hard to shake the feeling the game is missing something - it's a well-executed genre game, but it lacks character. It's not going to fundamentally change what we expect from the genre, it's not going to shift mountains or alter the collective consciousness, but it will give tower defense nuts a deep and nicely packaged experience– And really, what more can you ask for?

The touch screen controls really do work remarkably well and To-Fu: The Trials of Chi does a great job of working with the touch screen, not against it. The depth of challenges here works well, but it would be nice to have some type of meta-game or leaderboards so you could track your progress against others.

A well-visualized game that's a ton of fun with a skill curve that will keep you playing for ages.

But by and large, everything plays quite well. The game also looks good, with a nicely designed vault-cracking theme for each puzzle - although I'm not quite sure how the zen garden stylings of the Sudoko-like puzzles relate to cracking vaults.

All that's missing is a good story.