Apple's latest iPhone is hitting stores tomorrow, and in recognition of this I thought I'd offer a list of 10 great games for those of you picking one up. Please note, these games will work on an iPod Touch or iPad, as well, so anyone with an iDevice can get in on the fun.
Now, before we start, I'm sure you've read lists like these elsewhere, so I will forewarn you by saying you're not going to see Angry Birds or Ruzzle, here. I want to broaden everyone's horizons a bit with different types of games that will still appeal to someone who might not consider themselves a "gamer" but still enjoy a go with videogames nonetheless. Without further ado...
10) Party Wave | Developed by Mistwalker | Action Surfing
Party Wave starts our list, a game developed by the father of the Final Fantasy series, Hironobu Sakaguchi. It's description in the App Store doesn't do the title enough justice. Yes, you're surfing, and yes, there's action, but the game is more about rhythm and timing. Your goal is to use your finger to guide surfers to catch waves and surf on them all while avoiding a variety of obstacles (and each other!). Each level is broken down into two stages, with the first half dedicated to guiding the surfers to a way point where they'll sit and await the approaching wave. Once the wave hits, the second half begins, which requires you to tap the surfers as they come rushing back down from the peak of the wave before they hit bottom. The surfers will begin glowing when you're able to propel them back upwards, leaving you to quickly observe and judge which surfer to watch and prod in the correct order so that no one wipes out. It's simple, addictive fun that becomes more challenging as you progress through the levels and more surfers appear onscreen.
9) An Alien With a Magnet | Developed by Rejected Games | Platformer/Puzzle
This is a newer addition to the App Store, but it has quickly cemented itself as one of the more creative and fun offerings available to players. You are, quite literally, an alien with a magnet, who uses said magnet to latch onto planetoids and encircle them. Press the screen to engage your magnet and begin circling, then remove your finger to release and shoot off in whatever direction the front of your ship is facing. The goal is to navigate the planetoids to the exit, all while avoiding hazards and collecting various items and powerups throughout each stage. The game has that perfect mixture of simplicity and challenge that makes Angry Birds so compelling. Factor in it's gorgeous art style and Alien is a real winner.
8) Ninja Nights-Nimble Jump Adventure | Developed by Tapps Tecnologia | Endless Runner
If you're a fan of games like Temple Run but want something a bit different, Ninja Nights should be on your radar. If you're unfamiliar with the term "endless runner", it essentially refers to a game where your character is compelled forward without your input; they just run, nonstop, endlessly, until they hit an obstacle or fly off a ledge. The goal is avoid hazards for as long as you can to see how far you can get. Unfortunately, this is a genre that has become completely over saturated in the App Store and it can be hard to find quality titles as a result. That's where Ninja Nights comes in, which tackles the genre from a 2D perspective, allowing players to jump, slide, and wall run their way across the screen. The visual style is warm and the controls are tight, which is a must for this sort of game; be wary of the plethora of similar games on the App Store, as some of them have dodgy controls and worse graphics. Ninja Nights is among the best.
7) Groove Coaster | Developed by TAITO Corporation | Music/Rhythm
If you're the kind of person that taps their fingers or feet to the beat of the music you're listening to, this game will be like home to you. Original tracks play in the background as you tap the screen in time to the rhythm. Staccato touches mixed with sustained presses challenge you to not only listen to the music, but press the screen according to the prompts flashing before your eyes. The graphics are vivid and colorful, and the music is catchy. Definitely different from your average music game, Groove Coaster is full of energy and fun that'll keep you entered all the way from BART to home and beyond.
6) The Room | Developed by Fireproof Games | Puzzle/Mystery
The Room is an intriguing mixture of narrative and puzzle gameplay. I'm loath to put this ahead of all the other things this game does right, but the graphics alone are almost worth the price of entry. Besides gawking at how great everything looks, you'll also be drawn into the mystery behind the room and what you're trying to discover. The puzzle aspect of the game consists of logic tests and item manipulation, with the player being tasked to manipulate a variety of objects in order to open boxes and discover clues. The subtly sinister tone of the game will draw you in and your natural curiosity will keep you plugging away until the very end.
5) Rayman Jungle Run | Developed by Ubisoft | Platformer
Rayman Jungle Run brilliantly combines the mechanics of an endless runner with a 2D platformer, resulting in a true match made in heaven. Ubisoft's lovable mascot has been around for years, but his past two games on home consoles have featured some of the most beautiful illustrator-like graphics of this generation. Amazingly, Ubisoft was able to transition this style to iOS without breaking a stride, treating mobile gamers to some of the best graphics they'll have seen yet. Like an endless runner, Rayman runs forward without ceasing, but gameplay is broken into stages and levels as opposed to being endless. Rayman will jump, fly, and punch his way through dozens of levels, trying to collect every "lum" (think coins) in his path. Completionists will get a thrill out of replaying levels to create the perfect "run" in order to snag everything and unlock secrets. Ambitious, with high production values, Rayman is a breath of fresh air in the ironically-endless landscape of endless runners.
4) Run Roo Run! | Developed by 5TH Cell | Platformer/Puzzle
Run Roo Run! is the story of a momma kangaroo in Australia on a quest to rescue her kidnapped son. Run Roo is a traditional 2D platformer with a catch; each stage is barely a few seconds long. While that might seem detrimental, Run Roo's brevity is half of its appeal. First of all, though brief, there are over 20 levels featuring 15 stages and 6 extreme stages. Along with the free bonus stages that come out weekly, there's a heck of a lot of game to play here. The small stages present you with increasingly challenging obstacle courses for the kangaroo to navigate through. Your method of input is limited to tapping the screen to either make the kangaroo jump or interact with an object, often requiring pinpoint precision to proceed. Each level introduces a new gameplay mechanic, like slipping across oil, grabbing hooks, or rolling in a barrel, all of which are fun and make the stages more layered and engrossing. Easily the best platformer on Apple, with bright, cartoony graphics that will charm you to the core. I guarantee if nothing else, you'll be retrying stages to shave milliseconds off of your time.
3) Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective | Developed by Capcom | Puzzle/Mystery
Point and click adventures have been a staple of PC gaming for years, but with the advent of touch devices it was only a matter of time before they made their way to handhelds. Case in point, the incredible Ghost Trick. Formerly a Nintendo DS exclusive, the game tasks you with solving the mystery of who killed Sissel, the lead character of the game who spends the entire adventure, well, dead. As a disembodied spirit, Sissel has the power to possess inanimate objects and make them do "tricks" in order to interact with the land of the living. Ghost Trick has some of the best animation I've ever seen in a game along with some solid, clever writing. It's the possession mechanic that really separates the game from others of its ilk, as it lends itself well to environmental puzzles that come across like giant Rube Goldberg machines. An excellent experience that you won't regret trying.
2) Layton Brothers Mystery Room | Developed by Level 5 | Puzzle/Mystery
Layton Brothers is an offshoot of the Profesor Layton series on the Nintendo DS/3DS. While it borrows from the core series, Layton Brothers quickly establishes its own identity from the beginning and never disappoints. Players are cast as a young police officer who works with the titular Layton to solve crimes. Using an elaborate crime scene replication device, players can manipulate the crime scene with a swipe of a finger, analyzing clues and determining culprits. Along with the cases, there's an underlying mystery that carries across chapters that will further draw you in to the game's world. It's particularly fun engaging in a war of words and logic with potential culprits, as you can watch them progressively break down with each exchange until they finally break. Level 5's great writing and visual style are on full display here, making Layton Brothers one of the most engaging titles on iOS.
1) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy HD | Developed by Capcom | Logic Puzzle/Mystery
Not only do you get one Phoenix Wright game in this package, but all three of the original trilogy of Ace Attorney titles. Follow the exploits of rookie defense attorney Phoenix Wright as he defends clients both in trial and through investigating crime scenes. Similar to the previous two point and click adventures I've listed, Phoenix Wright is in a class of its own. Cases are multifaceted, requiring the player to really stretch the limits of their minds to piece together events and find holes in people's stories and claims. Gather evidence, analyze it, and present it during trials or interrogations and conversations in order to prove your client innocent. Phoenix Wright is simultaneously deep and humorous, with over the top characters that you won't soon forget. If you can appreciate the strong Japanese cultural influences that lend to the games' quirkiness, you will have a lot of fun playing Phoenix Wright. Top notch in every way, this game will keep you hooked for hours and leave you wanting more.
