Some weeks there are so many fun games coming out that it seems like there aren’t enough lunch breaks and commutes to enjoy them in. Lucky for you, we’re on the job to collect the finest of the recent releases and help you prioritize your weekly dose of app entertainment!
This week is no different, and as always we encourage you to get in touch if you’d like your game featured!
The Incident
The Incident
A leftover from last week’s collection of 8-bit revival titles, The Incident is a clever platforming game of sorts that paints the apocalypse in a different light than its Super Mega Worm competitor.
You play as an ordinary gentleman whose stroll through the city is interrupted by sudden rifts in the sky that begin dropping…well, everything! Hundreds of unique and detailed objects — from furniture and vehicles to instruments and more — come tumbling down, and your goal is to jump, dodge, and climb on top of the growing stack as you try to survive the deluge of stuff.
Great production values, achievements, and collectables earn this unique game an easy recommendation.
Price: $1.99
Developer: Big Bucket Software
Download: App Store
Solomon’s Boneyard
Solomon’s Boneyard
Splintering off from Raptisoft’s Solomon’s Keep, Solomon’s Boneyard is almost like a survival-horror mini-game offshoot that’s been polished into its own independent title. Rather than a fully-fledged dungeon crawling RPG, Solomon’s Boneyard focuses on pitting you — as one of seven selectable magic users — against an endless horde of undead in a graveyard.
As you’d expect, the waves get progressively more menacing, and your character gains new skills, spells, and “perks” as you go along. In many ways, it takes the successful gameplay of its predecessor and streamlines it for short gaming sessions, providing a more linear competition to earn the highest score. And in that it succeeds almost flawlessly, with enough variety and difficulty to keep the grind from becoming tiresome.
If you’re after a sophisticated sequel then you’re out of luck, but if you want a quick fix of solid gameplay then you’ll find it in Solomon’s Boneyard.
Splode
Splode
Following the dark theme into cuter territory, Splode recently emerged as a charismatic and addictive game for your iPhone. The Splodes, we are told, are adorable little spheroids that float along invisibly until you poke them. Then they explode and night turns into day.
More specifically, your touch causes them to lose their drab grey fuzz in favour of a brightly coloured coat right before swelling up and popping brightly. If they pop near enough to their brethren, they pass the effect along, and so your poke eventually causes a chain reaction that brightens up the whole screen. The best part is that each colourful burst is accompanied by sweet and beautiful music, which makes the whole spectacle feel all the more satisfying to participate in.
There is a challenge mode as well as an endless survival mode, and both are very difficult to pull yourself away from once you’ve started playing. If you’ve always wanted to bring some light into the world then this may be a good one to grab.
Price: Currently Free (Usually $1.99)
Developer: Escalation Studios, LLC.
Download: App Store
Aerox
Aerox
Aerox is one of the most beautiful physics platformers on the iPhone, and its support of the more powerful graphics capabilities of the 3GS and iPhone 4 mean that you can enjoy realtime reflections, shadows, and lighting effects in the palm of your hand. Despite its advanced visuals, Aerox runs smoothly, which makes it all the more impressive to look at as you play.
Gameplay is fairly basic and consists of controlling a ball through each level by tilting and turning to get it from the start to the ending platform. Along the way, you’ll encounter many different kinds of puzzles and traps including blocks to push and precisely timed actions. Imagine Super Monkey Ball only without the monkey and with a cooler colour scheme.
If you think you have a steady hand and want to appreciate the beautiful visuals, then Aerox deserves a spot on your wishlist.
Price: $1.99
Developer: Synoptical Studios Ltd.
Download: App Store
Mr. Bill
Mr. Bill
From a big name developer like Capcom, it comes as no real surprise that Mr. Bill is a stellar game. But what sets it apart from the rest of the lineup is its utterly unique premise and sense of humour. Mr. Bill is a deceptively cutesy looking title, but don’t be fooled — it will challenge you.
As Mr. Bill, you have just been hired as a human cannonball for the circus, and the job turns out to be…stressful. Surviving each level means tapping the screen to flap your arms and maintain height, all while seeking floating bits of food to replenish your energy. As if that wasn’t harrowing enough, you also have to worry about all kinds of other circus performers who will either help or hinder you as you pass over them.
It’s difficult not to smile at Mr. Bill. Besides being fun and addictive with its endless mode, it also looks spectacular with polished graphics and smooth animations. It’s one of Capcom Interactive’s finest and the last of our recommendations for this week!
Price: $0.99
Developer: Capcom Interactive, Inc.
Download: App Store
What Have You Been Playing?
While you’re taking a look at those, why not let us know what games you’ve been spending your week with in the comments? Tell us if we’ve missed any winners, we welcome your feedback!