Challenge Yourself With These 10 Top Game Apps
Thousands of iPhone and iPod Touch games clog Apple’s App Store, making it increasingly difficult to spot the gems among the junk. PC World to the rescue! We spent hours ferreting out the best brain-twister games, shoot-everything-that-moves games, and adventure games so you won’t get stuck with a stinker.
Playing games on your iPhone does take a toll on battery life, however. To keep your phone in game condition, have a look at this cure for iPhone battery woes.
Note that iPhone app sellers and developers may sell applications for a reduced price from time to time. Though all of the prices in this list are correct as of this article’s posting date, they may change at any time.
Want to take a break from work? Other iPhone apps can keep you challenged, entertained, on top of your business day, and dreaming of summer vacation. For more, see the slide shows below. And to read descriptions and reviews of thousands of iPhone apps, be sure to visit PC World’s brand-new App Guide.
• Top 10 Must-Have iPhone Apps for Multimedia Junkies
Real Soccer 2009
Publisher: Gameloft S.A.
Price: $1.99 (full version)/Free (lite version)
Age rating: 4+
Real Soccer 2009 delivers superb graphics and gameplay; it’s a must-have for soccer fans, whether hardcore gamers or casual fans of the genre. The game provides on-screen controls that you can use to execute various tricks with the players during the 15-minute-long matches. Local Wi-Fi multiplayer mode puts Real Soccer 2009 in the Premier League. If you like to try before you buy, check out the free lite version of the game.
If you prefer clubbing little balls to kicking big ones, these two titles are well worth teeing up:
• Let’s Golf ($1.99)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour ($4.99)
Strategery
Publisher: Affogato LLC
Price: $1.99 (full version)/ Free (lite version)
Age rating: 4+
Though it looks pretty basic, Strategery is a challenging game of offensive and defensive strategy. You can play it at any of four difficulty levels, for a couple of minutes or for hours (warning: it’s sneakily addictive), alone or with up to five friends in pass-and-play mode. Strategery automatically saves your game and keeps tabs on your win/loss record. A free lite version of Strategery lets you take the game for a no-risk test drive.
If this game is to your liking, you’ll also love these two:
• SimCity ($4.99)
• 7 Cities ($2.99)
Zen Bound
Publisher: Secret Exit Ltd
Price: $4.99 (full version)/Free (lite version)
Age rating: 4+
If the idea of wrapping rope around a wooden sculpture for fun strikes you as borderline crazy, prepare to be astonished. Zen Bound manages to make a seemingly boring task an intriguing challenge. Great for casual gamers, Zen Bound is highly tactile and features 3D graphics that won an award from the International Mobile Gaming Awards plus a soothing ambient soundtrack by Ghost Monkey that won an an award from the Independent Game Festival Mobile. Test your rope-wrapping talent with the free lite version of Zen Bound Lite, grasshopper, and then step up to the $4.99 master edition when you are ready to achieve oneness with the twisted fiber.
If you like this game, we recommend that you try two others:
• I Love Katamari ($7.99 full version) or I Love Katamari Lite (free lite version)
• Spore Origins ($0.99 full version) or Spore Lite (free lite version)
iDracula–Undead Awakening
Publisher: Chillingo Ltd
Price: $2.99 (full version)/Free (lite version)
Age rating: 4+
For some people, shooting at anything that moves is the perfect leisure-time activity. If you are among that tribe, you’ll probably discover a natural (or supernatural) affinity for iDracula–Undead Awakening. With intuitive controls, polished graphics, and an engaging soundtrack, iDracula will have you up and slaying monsters within seconds. The longer you survive, the more demons attack you and the better everyone’s weapons get. No wonder both Macworld and MacApper tabbed iDracula as one of the most enjoyable iPhone games around. For a little taste of the game, pick up the free lite version of iDracula; or fly straight to the full-blooded $2.99 version.
Can’t get enough of nonstop shoot-’em-ups with an undead/killer machine motif? Then try these two run-and-gun extravaganzas:
• Zombieville USA ($1.99 full version) or Zombieville USA Lite (free lite version),
• Metal Gear Solid Touch ($7.99, United States only)
Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid
Publisher: Ngmoco Inc.
Price: $5.99 (full version)/Free (lite version)
Age rating: 4+
Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid is the much-anticipated sequel of the hit game Rolando. The sequel is a delight. Players use the iPhone’s accelerator and its multitouch capabilities to control the action over the course of 45 levels. The game’s incredible visuals were created by pop-culture illustrator Mikko Walamies, and its music comes via Mr. Scruff. To get prepped for Rolando 2, why not take the free lite version of the original Rolando out for a spin?.
Fans of Rolando 2 are likely to enjoy these games as well:
• Airport Mania: First Flight ($0.99 full version) or Airport Mania: First Flight Lite (free lite version)
• Toy Bot Diaries 3 ($3.99 full version) or Toy Bot Diaries 3 Free (free lite version)
Wolfenstein 3D Classic
Publisher: Id Software
Price: $2.99 (full version)/Free (lite version)
Age rating: 12+
Nostalgic for the old days of carefree, nonstop gaming? Wolfenstein 3D Classic brings all of the now-archaic game’s thrills to your iPhone. You get the same pixelated characters and nonstop action that engrossed you way back when–but with an all-new control system that relies on a touch area and the iPhone’s accelerator. For the $2.99 price of admission, you’ll be blasting away for days as you soldier through all six original episodes with their 60 classic levels. Or do some free sniping with Wolfenstein 3D Classic Lite. Wo ist das Schloß von Wolfenstein?
Here are two other nostalgia classics sure to remind you of a youth well spent:
• Pac-Man ($5.99 full version) or Pac-Man Lite (free lite version)
• Bomberman Touch 2: Volcano Party ($2.99)
Need for Speed Undercover
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Price: $6.99
Age rating: 4+
This exceedingly popular console game has finally made its way onto the iPhone. Need for Speed Undercover delivers everything a hardcore racers could want, from brilliant graphics to great action to cheesy videos. Finger-swipe gestures support features like slow-motion drifting, plus you retain the much-loved Nitro Boost and Speedbreaker options. Specialist publications IGN and AppVee assert that Need for Speed Undercover may be the best racing game for the iPhone to date–and I couldn’t agree more.
If you like to go really fast, don’t miss out on these other games with a hard-driving focus:
• Asphalt 4: Elite Racing ($0.99)
• Fast & Furious The Game ($1.99 full version) or Fast & Furious The Game: Test Drive (free lite version)
Assassin’s Creed: Altaïr’s Chronicles
Publisher: Gameloft S.A.
Price: $4.99
Age rating: 12+
Adventure games never looked better on the iPhone. Assassin’s Creed: Altaïr’s Chronicles delivers stunning 3D graphics–even better than on the Nintendo DS, according to PocketGamer. Ideal for fans of action and adventure games, Assassin’s Creed: Altaïr’s Chronicles has earned praise for its visuals, sound, and game play; our colleagues over at Macworld called it “one of the most ambitious titles for the iPhone yet.” To sample of the game, pick up the free, lite version of Assassin’s Creed: Altaïr’s Chronicles.
Devotees of the adventure game genre will also enjoy these titles:
• Hero of Sparta ($1.99 full version) or Hero of Sparta Lite (free lite version)
• Myst ($5.99)
PuzzleQuest Chapter 1 and 2
Publisher: TransGaming Inc.
Price: $7.99 (full version)/Free (lite version)
Age rating: 9+
The Apple Store contains lots of variations on the gem-matching game Bejeweled, but PuzzleQuest Chapter 1 and 2 takes the concept to new heights. In the course of over 40 hours of storyline game-play, you’ll fight battles by switching seven types of game pieces to create matching rows of three or more. PuzzleQuest introduces role-play quests, with characters ascending through a series of experience levels and acquiring new spells and abilities. You can embark on a limited (but free) PuzzleQuest quest with the free, lite version of the game.
If you just want a simple but fun puzzle game, try these possibilities:
• Peggle ($4.99)
• Bejeweled 2 ($2.99)
WordPops
Publisher: Larva Labs Ltd.
Price: $1.99 (full version)/ Free (lite version)
Age rating: 4+
Everyone enjoys a good brain-training game, and WordPops comes through by combining elements of Tetris and Scrabble as you race to assemble words and remove letter bubbles on-screen. Row freezes, explosions, and special bubbles keep game play exciting, and attractive graphics and cute sound effects make for a pleasant gaming experience. If you prefer to challenge your brain for free, try the free WordPops Lite.
If you favor games like WordPops, here are two more that you should try:
• Wurdle ($1.99)
• Quordy ($2.99)
Want to take a break from work? Other iPhone apps can keep you challenged, entertained, on top of your business day, and dreaming of summer vacation. For more, see the slide shows below. And to read descriptions and reviews of thousands of iPhone apps, be sure to visit PC World’s brand-new App Guide.
• Top 10 Must-Have iPhone Apps for Multimedia Junkies