Happy holidays, everyone! This time of year brings us a huge number of seasonal updates to our favourite games, so make sure to check out the latest updates in the App Store for classics like the Angry Birds series, Cut the Rope, Junk Jack, Jetpack Joyride, etc.)
There is more to this week than updates though, as some developers have been releasing amazing new games just in time for the festivities. Click through as we show you our favourites …
Grand Theft Auto 3
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Rockstar’s breakout title, they’ve released Grand Theft Auto 3 for iOS, allowing everyone to journey into Liberty City on the go.
The transition from console to phone is surprisingly smooth, with the content largely intact and an extra layer of polish applied to the graphics to bring them up to today’s HD standards. The controls have been adapted for touchscreen play and are fairly typical of other third-person games you may have played, so you’ll have no trouble picking this up and playing immediately. The game itself remains as complex and compelling as ever, and the added nostalgia of playing through it again makes for an all around winning proposition.
Beware of some lingering stability issues on older devices, but don’t hesitate to grab this masterpiece and enjoy reliving an incredibly influential title in gaming history (You can also check out our full review of the game here).
Price: $4.99
Developer: Rockstar Games
Download: App Store
LostWinds
Speaking of ports, here’s a slightly more obscure one for you. Although it was very highly acclaimed as a WiiWare title, LostWinds didn’t really take off until it was announced that it would be coming to the iPhone. Now that it has finally made it, a huge audience will be able to enjoy this tremendously unique and attractive platformer.
LostWinds tells the story of Toku, a young boy from the world of Mistralis who’s destiny it is to cleanse the world of the evil Balasar. You actually play as Enril, the wind spirit, who guides and protects Toku through the adventure. The environments are some of the most rich and interactive of any iPhone game, and it’s a joy to simply navigate through them and explore their nooks and crannies as you make your way toward the final showdown.
With puzzles, engaging platforming, amazing graphics, and the usual array of GameCenter achievements, you’ll find it hard to resist this one.
Price: $3.99
Developer: Frontier Developments Ltd.
Download: App Store
Zenonia 4
One of the definitive iOS titles is back with another sequel. Zenonia 4 presents a new threat to the realm and challenges you to gather your party and go forth to defeat the new evil.
You’ll immediately notice the Retina-ready graphics because they’re absolutely breathtaking, with vibrant colours and lively sprites for monsters and characters alike. Different difficulty levels make it easy for anyone to jump in even if they haven’t played a previous game in the series, and the expanded gameplay options (including more robust PvP) offer something for everyone.
Zenonia remains a classic example of iOS RPG gaming done right. Fans will find a familiar but noticeably improved experience, and newcomers can delve into a new world and enjoy its riches, all for free unless you want to accelerate your levelling with some gold or zen purchased from within the app.
Price: Free
Developer: GAMEVIL Inc.
Download: App Store
The Adventures of Tintin — The Game
Normally, movie tie-in games are pretty weak and forgettable. Normally they fail to capture the spirit of the story and have gameplay that feels hollow and formulaic. Normally this is the case. With The Adventures of Tintin, you will be pleasantly surprised to find a wonderful and authentic gaming experience that expands upon the film and mythology of the series admirably.
Variety is what sets this game apart; there is an incredible diversity of gameplay situations you’ll find yourself in, and the fact that you’ll play as several different characters as the plot unfolds adds an extra layer of challenge. Besides serving as a good cross-section of the characters and environments from the film, you’ll also be treated to a visual presentation that remains faithful to the art direction, with slick 3-D models and detailed stages.
This was a pleasant surprise on many levels and is easy to recommend, especially for fans of the Tintin legacy.
Tiny Places
Napoleon the Chameleon is a funny fellow who spends his life escaping from tight spaces by catapulting himself around with his tongue.
In Tiny Places, you get to control Napoleon and help him make his way out of the many colourful stages. The gameplay is very simple, but you’ll find that the puzzles get more and more challenging, involving levers, conveyors and more to spice things up. Nab flies out of the air as you bounce around to rack up some extra points, and earn badges for nimble acrobatics, which you can later show off on the Wall of Wonders.
Tiny Places is hopelessly cute and simple enough that anyone can pick it up and play it. A great stocking stuffer for passing some time over the holidays.
What Have You Been Playing?
From all of us to all of you, we wish you a very merry holiday season and are eager to bring you more App Store games next week. In the meantime though, go deck some halls and drink some eggnog!