Now that the new iPhone 4S is out on the street, it’s no surprise that many acclaimed iOS developers are releasing updates and new titles to make sure we’ve got great games to show off with.
We’ve gathered a few of these titles for you, so hop in and have a look!
Scribblenauts Remix
Creative gamers everywhere should rejoice at the presence of Scribblenauts on their iOS devices. This innovative title broke out of the mold of using set in-game objects to accomplish goals by encouraging you to draw your own solutions to the game’s puzzles — and use your drawings as they came to life to succeed. This is the same principle, but the iOS version has you typing in your solutions instead using the built-in keyboard.
The mechanic was incredibly fresh and the game’s critical acclaim made it just a matter of time before it showed up here. The touch screen offers an even more direct way to interact with the game, and the iOS-only levels bring something new to veterans of the series as well. The Playground mode exists to let you experiment outside of the main puzzles, and as more levels get added, it will be interesting to see how the existing Game Center integration evolves.
In the meantime, the game feels a bit on the short side, if only because you’ll be so inexorably glued to your phone until you finish the 40 or so levels. If you haven’t spent time with the protagonist, Maxwell, yet then this may well be the ideal introduction to the series.
Price: $4.99
Developer: Warner Bros.
Download: App Store
Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots
So … there’s a new Fruit Ninja game! I’ll just wait while you go buy it.
Alright then, now that we’re on the same page, let’s see what Halfbrick’s geniuses have brought to the table with this latest franchise-friendly installment.
The gameplay is familiar and just as addictive as always, but this time around there are several special minigames built into one of the game’s modes: Bandito Mode. Essentially a series of challenges leading up through four stages, this mode is a terrific extension of the main fruit slicing mechanic that introduces a number of tricky new scenarios for slicing fruit — usually within a tight time limit to keep the pace up.
You’ll also find the usual extras to unlock, achievements to strive for, and an amusing sense of humour (especially with Puss’ commentary on your playing), but what’s missing is an equivalent to the mighty Arcade Mode. I guess they need something for future updates though, so expect it soon. In the meantime, have fun slashing fruit, and don’t forget to deal some extra damage to the tomato.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Halfbrick Studios
Download: App Store
Siegecraft
Siegecraft is a deep and beautiful tower defense game with multiplayer support, 3D graphics, three races, a ridiculous assortment of catapult ammunition, and an immersive system of earning rewards to spend on upgrades.
Though it really shines on the latest hardware, Siegecraft is a gorgeous game all around and should become a new favourite for strategy gaming fans on the go. The upgrades that allow you to develop your weaponry are, of course, priced just high enough that you’ll want to make an in-app purchase to get them faster, but the good news is that it’s not mandatory to enjoying the game, and there’s so much personality in the gameplay and visuals that patient gamers won’t mind spending time earning their progress.
Some of the controls could be tightened up, especially the aiming, which becomes difficult as you reach more challenging encounters. That aside, Siegecraft is a strong and well developed strategy game with lots of continuing expansion potential and a good level of challenge.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Crescent Moon Games
Download: App Store
MetalStorm: Wingman
In the blossoming flight genre, MetalStorm: Wingman has recently entered the fray with an update that brings a single-player campaign, improved 3D graphics, more customization options, a higher level cap and an unbeatable price.
The game is a tilt-based flight sim, with responsive controls and a good differentiation between aircraft. Bombers and fighters handle differently, so you need to keep sharp to fly both without dying. Although primarily a multiplayer experience, MetalStorm: Wingman introduces a single-player campaign mode to help you polish your skills, and a Survival mode that will test even the best pilots.
Perks like an in-game chat system and the ability to use your TV as an AirPlay mirror are icing on the cake, and even though there are optional in-game purchases that get you more money to spend on upgrades and things, you’re still getting an amazing value for free here — definitely worth playing.
Price: Free
Developer: Z2Live, Inc.
Download: App Store
Squids
Last up this week is one of the most extraordinary titles we’ve seen in a while. Squids is an oddball hybrid between a fling-creatures-at-baddies game and a standard turn-based RPG structure.
While it sounds strange, the gameplay is rewarding and easy to pick up, so you’ll be assembling your squid army and launching them about in no time. The environments and character art are truly marvellous and the attention to detail that’s evident throughout the game’s design is remarkable. The amount of variety in the gameplay helps set Squids even further apart: impressive boss battles and environments that you can use to your advantage in a fight help bring the game to life.
Now go forth and raise an army of squid — the underwater kingdoms are in need of saving!
Price: $0.99
Developer: The Game Bakers
Download: App Store
What Have You Been Playing?
There are hours of entertainment in that list, so we hope you’ll be enjoying the next week with them. If you have a new 4S and have been showing it off to your friends with other titles, make sure you drop us a comment and mention which — we have friends to impress too!