Looking forward to a new iPhone is always exciting, but it can also be difficult to be patient while your new toy ships. Luckily, there are still plenty of amazing things you can do with your old one, including playing the spectacular games we’ve lined up for you this week!
HighFlyer DeathDefyer
Many of us are suckers for comics, so it’s not surprising that a game fashioned after a comic book aesthetic caught our attention. You’ll need an iPhone 4 to play it, but HighFlyer DeathDefyer is one of the coolest and most visually impressive free-falling games you’ll ever pick up.
As you plummet through the game’s incredibly beautiful levels, you’ll have to use the tilt (or joystick) controls to avoid obstacles, collect treasure and discover floating islands. It’s an extremely exciting game, and you’ll find yourself up against giant monsters and breathtaking architecture as you speed through the fully 3D, cel-shaded world.
Plenty of achievements, two playable characters and a 100+ page comic story is just icing on the cake. Do not miss this one.
Price: $4.99
Developer: Game Mechanic Studios
Download: App Store
Roll in the Hole
Pandas, ice cream, gorillas, cuteness … sounds like a winning formula to me! Roll in the Hole is the newest showcase title published by Chillingo, and it is every bit as amazing as Cut the Rope and other winning games.
You play as the chubby panda, PoPo, chasing after Uggi the gorilla who has stolen your ice cream. You can never trust apes with ice cream. Gameplay consists of you rolling through the levels chasing Uggi to the hole at the end. The challenge is in finding the optimal route that allows you to collect all of your stolen ice cream along the way.
What sets it apart from others, besides the usual level of gameplay polish we expect from a Chillingo publication, is the amazing visuals, which have a colourful and glowy look that’s irresistible. Oh, and did we mention there’s an alien involved too? Check this game out, you won’t regret it.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Eccentricity Games
Download: App Store
Helium Boy
There aren’t that many 3D platformers out there on the App Store, so Helium Boy brings something fairly unique to the table with its gameplay. The closest comparison one could make would be with a pseudo-3D Mario platformer, as both the visuals and the gameplay are in the same spirit.
Playing as Helium Boy, you’ll navigate the world collecting stars and using your balloons to soar through the levels. As you go, you’ll be keeping an eye out for birds, spiky obstacles and even ninjas who try to get in your way. The controls could use some tightening, but it’s really just a matter of getting used to the unfamiliar 3D aspect of the platforming.
Helium Boy puts a fresh spin on the genre and offers a good deal of charm too.
Price: $1.99
Developer: Bertil Horberg
Download: App Store
Dark Meadow
Dark Meadow is one of the more notable releases in the past few weeks as it enters the fray as one of the Unreal Engine powered games on the App Store. Unlike many of its competitors, however, Dark Meadow is not strictly a shooter — it’s more of a mystery horror game in the vein of Amnesia: Dark Descent.
There is still combat of course, and it’s quite satisfying with its cool implementation of a virtual crossbow, but the focus is on the story. While you could call it a fairy tale, Dark Meadow’s story is a complicated and moody affair that encourages exploration. You’ll want to uncover more of this unnerving world, and you’ll be suitably creeped out along the way.
It’s a very large game — and the price reflects it — but it will actually work on an iPhone 3GS along with newer devices, so you have no excuse not to try it out. Fans of horror games, or just fans of good storytelling will find much to love in Dark Meadow. Just keep the lights on.
Price: $5.99
Developer: Phosphor Games Studio, LLC
Download: App Store
Rocket Claw
Last up is an arcade style title from Fugazo called Rocket Claw.
You play as C.L.A.W.D. (Clamping Long Arm Winch Device) who floats through space and accomplishes various tasks that range from rescuing astronauts to battling aliens. As you destroy hazards that approach your position, you’ll also have to collect material from space crystals so you can buy upgrades that come in handy when the enemies become more furious. The controls are very simple so you can worry about dealing with incoming asteroids and aliens instead of figuring out how to manoeuvre.
There are multiple game modes, including a survival mode that ensures replay value is as high as you want it to be, and competing for achievements and leaderboard rankings via Game Center means you can be social about your galactic defence efforts!
Price: $0.99
Developer: Fugazo, Inc.
Download: App Store
What Have You Been Playing?
That’s all for this week — what have you folks been playing? Drop us a comment and let us know!