Another wonderful summer week is behind us, and since nothing says downtime like some leisurely gaming, we’re happy to present this weekend’s App Store game selections.
There’s a lot of variety this time around, so have a look and see if you like them as much as we do!
Swords and Soldiers
Swords and Soldiers
Action strategy with a sense of humour is a great combination on paper, and Swords and Soldiers finally makes it a reality on the iPhone. This little thing packs a mean punch, with three full campaigns, challenges and an endlessly customizable skirmish mode to keep you coming back.
The game unfolds very smoothly, with a quickly paced introduction and a fair set of challenges to help you get used to the game mechanics. The art style is bubbly and bright but not overly cartoony, and there’s a good variety of units across the 3 campaigns, with plenty of interesting skills to turn the tide of battle in your favour.
Taken together, all of Swords and Soldiers’ attributes come together to create a game with replay value, polish and personality — an ideal combination.
Price: $2.99
Developer: Two Tribes
Download: App Store
Elusive Ninja: The Shadowy Thief
Elusive Ninja: The Shadowy Thief
There are several reasons that Elusive Ninja makes the list, and the biggest of them has nothing whatsoever to do with the addictive gameplay.
In one of the most generous and fascinating displays of user respect, the developer posted a daily dev blog on the game’s website discussing everything from production to design to philosophy and giving a truly amazing in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes for a basic iPhone game. It’s well worth examining even if you’re not particularly interested in game design.
The game itself actually manages to be a lot of fun too. The concept is simple: dodge attacks and see how long you can survive up on the rooftop. The controls are dead simple and nothing gets in your way, so your focus can stay on lasting as long as possible against the increasingly frantic onslaught. Read the blog, play the game, be a ninja.
Price: $1.99
Developer: Bulletproof Outlaws
Download: App Store
Magnetic Baby
Magnetic Baby
Gravity is an important mechanic in the landscape of the App Store, and one of the games that uses it best is the brand new Magnetic Baby. It’s something like the the art of Tiny Wings crossed with a minuscule model of the solar system where you bounce from object to object, each one generating its own gravity.
There are three different control modes to help you find your most intuitive method for navigating the unusual movement system (I like the drag one myself), and the goal of each level is to make use of the physics to propel yourself around the stage collecting bonuses before rescuing your girlfriend. Everything works very smoothly and will challenge your finger skills as you get to tougher levels where blades, lasers, and other impediments stand in your way.
No matter how you look at it, this is an extremely stylish game that balances innovation and accessibility very successfully.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Bravery Plus
Download: App Store
Eternity Warriors
Eternity Warriors
Glu Games is back at it with the newest in their series of two-person button-mash brawlers. If you liked Gun Bros. and Men vs. Machines, then you’ll feel right at home in Eternity Warriors.
A flimsy plot does just enough to set you up as a pair of warriors tasked with ridding the world of a demon scourge. We’ve all been here before, but the familiarity does nothing to dull the fun as this is a hugely entertaining game that fits its niche very snugly. If you ever find yourself in need of something that can fill up some idle time in brief gaming sessions, then Eternity Warriors is the perfect solution.
This is great mindless entertainment built on the freemium payment model, though you won’t need to spend anything to enjoy it.
Price: Free
Developer: Glu Games, Inc.
Download: App Store
Torture Bunny
Torture Bunny
And now for something completely different. Torture Bunny basically explains itself right in the title. You may be repulsed or intrigued by the mention of its name, and the game itself is unlikely to change your mind since it really is exactly what it says on the tin.
Torture Bunny is a sandbox hurt simulator giving you several arenas and a large arsenal of ridiculous traps with which to bring some misery into the life of the titular rabbit. It’s a very nicely presented game despite its dark nature, and while it may seem quite gruesome, the impression is not really one of visceral torture so much as the mindless stress relief that you used to get from those screensavers that let you shoot at your desktop. The fact that it’s a bunny just ensures that you cheer up faster.
There’s actually some structure to the game, with dungeons that you must beat to unlock new environments and even boss stages where you have to first punch through the bunny’s armour. Give your dark side some attention with Torture Bunny.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Kaxan Media
Download: App Store
What Have You Been Playing?
There you have it, five more excellent games to help you unwind this weekend. Enjoy them and drop us a comment if you find any other great ones we should have a look at!