Trying to figure out which app to review next, I looked towards my iPad Air for help. As with many iOS users, there is always that one folder jam-packed with a plethora of games. In this folder, games both whimsical and strategical, but one thing remains the same. We are always looking for that new game to binge on during boring office meetings. So, without further ado, here are my top 5 iOS games.
#5- Giant Boulder of Death by AdultSwim:
How couldn’t you like this game? It combines all of the most important elements of gaming. Fast-paced adventure, a goal system, and upgrades. Not to mention boulders, death, and yodeling. This game is the kind that you play while on the bus or in the backseat of your car. You control the boulder and a high score is your goal. Points are earned by flattening cows, Scandinavians, or even the occasional house. Like most free games, there are in-app purchases for more gems, which you always end up needing to stay alive. Overall, a fun, quick, FREE! game that can keep you entertained for twenty-something minutes.
#4-Hill Climb Racing by FingerSoft
This game has single-handedly ruined my sleep habits. Your only goal is to advance farther and farther in the terrain-filled level. While this seems pretty simple, it is executed beautifully with that addicting effect desired by game developers. Getting started takes a bit, but soon you’re advancing relatively quickly. FingerSoft has been pretty adamant about adding tracks and vehicles to keep me engaged. Definitely something that deserves to be in your game library. My advice? Use that Monster Truck!
#3-The Walking Dead by Telltale Games
Another series that has ravaged my sleep is AMC’s Walking Dead. I was ecstatic when they brought the game to consoles and put hours into playing it. The story line was just perfect and immediately made you sympathize for each character. When they brought this game to iOS, I was awestruck. I saw the first episode was free, immediately downloaded and bought the rest of the episodes. Remember how it didn’t quite seem to fit the console? How the action bubbles and button pressing seemed like it wasn’t quite right? On the iPad, this will not come to mind. The Walking Dead feels optimized for the iPad, like it was meant to be ran on this device all along. In any sense, its free, so you might as well give it a try. Be sure to check out the comics, too!
#2-Candy Crush Saga-King.com
This is one we have all heard, seen or been addicted to. I put this as #2 not only because it is a well developed game, but because I’ve seen people literally spend all of their waking hours playing this game. It could be without a doubt one of the most widespread and addicting games out there. Remember the good old days when Facebook notifications were something to be excited about? With this game, you can throw that right out the window. I wish there a way to count the absolute multitude of invites to this game I’ve gotten. Either way, King got something right with this one. Every 15 or so levels, there is a roadblock that can only be cleared with three Facebook friends or 99¢. Rounding up three friends to open up your invites is usually a lot more painful then just paying the money, something I’ve done much more than I’d like to admit. If matching fruit could be this addictive, imagine what King could produce next!
#1-Bloon Tower Defense 5-Ninja Kiwi
I. Love. This. Game. Always have, always will. The original Bloons was a well executed game as it was. When tower defense came out, I became addicted. Now, in the fifth installment, there are no flaws whatsoever. The goal is simple, protect the exit from the balloons parading down the track with various types of towers. Simple as it seems, this is one of the hardest strategy games I’ve played. Ninja Kiwi takes pride in adding new tracks, towers, and features relatively regularly. They really did add it all though. Numerous tower types, tons of upgrades, a level system, super powers, super towers, a daily prize box, and tons of extras are cleanly laid out for you. One thing that is a bit annoying, however, comes around round 120. At this point, even my iPad Air gets a bit overwhelmed, but with good reason. At that point in the game, the are so many objects on the screen that really all there is to be done is watch. Without a doubt, this is my all time favorite game. At $4.99, it is more than well worth the money!
Thanks for reading,
Jared