Apps of the week: Mazecraft, Trackd, Focus, and more

With the new update to iOS 8 and iTunes 12, it doesn’t seem like there could possibly be any time to play around with new content from the App Store. I mean, you can finally add songs to new playlists and actually use iCloud Music Library.

However, I will always find time for new content from the App Store. That’s my job. If you are looking for a new game to try out, or wish you could write songs remotely with friends, we’ve got a list of apps and games you should check out this weekend.

Mazecraft

In Minecraft, players get to build the world around them. What if you could create a maze that others can play? What if your mazes included dangerous obstacles like a rolling boulder or spiked traps, not to mention monsters and thieves? What if you made your friends play it and they got mad at you because it was too hard? That’s what this game is all about. Plus, you can play your friends’ mazes and make fun of them for how easy they were to beat. You can build a custom maze with lots of different features, like riddles and confusing signs. Then, share them with others so they can try to get through them. This game is available for free.

Wildcard: Know the Day in News

The kids these days just don’t read the news the way their parents did. Maybe that’s a good thing. This app brings you all of the most important news and entertainment that is happening around the world. Information is curated by real people that sift through the huge influx of articles and bring you the essentials. The app is designed to make it convenient to just skim the headlines. If you want to delve deeper into an article, you can read more for the full story. You can also save stories to read later, even if you are offline. This app is available for free.

Sentinel Command

The war in outer space is ongoing. Because the universe is infinitely vast, there is always a conflict somewhere. Or, at least, that is how this game imagines the skies above. Players embark on a sci-fi adventure to protect and defend the peoples’ mining operations. You will command a fleet of starships and defend against the incoming invasion. Collect and send needed materials to your allies to upgrade your ships with better weapons and specs. The game plays out in turn-based real time, so you must plan and strategize for your next move or deal with the consequences of your actions. This game is available on the iPad for $6.99.

Trackd – Record, Collaborate, Share 8-Track Songs

Any musician can tell you how common it is for friends to talk about great song ideas. However, putting those ideas into a practical format is not quite as common. Some of the best songs in the world have never been written because an idea was forgotten. This app lets you record individual tracks and share them with others to create an 8-track song. You can mix and pan your tracks, play, scrub, and delete recordings, and create as many new projects as you want for no additional charge. This is a social app, too. Sign up to discover and connect with other musicians around the world. Share your tunes on your profile page to generate fans. This app is available for $0.99.

Battlestation: Harbinger

Let the sci-fi adventures continue. If you are looking for even more real-time strategy gaming, this battle station is operational. Players command a supped up ship while following a number of important missions. You will be able to explore a vast galaxy of unknown worlds and experience dangerous enemies, discover new technologies, and build your weapons to become the strongest ship around. Keep on your toes. Successful missions are crucial to your survival. This game is available for $3.99.

Focus [+]

Sometimes, the simplicity of a quick point-and-shoot style camera, like the native iOS one, is perfect for taking great pictures on the fly. However, sometimes, you just want a little more control over the features of your digital camera. This app adds some of the things photographers love the most. You can manually control zoom speed, focus and exposure with minute detailed adjustments that make you feel like your iPhone is more than just a disposable camera inside a smartphone. This app is available for free.

HALOS: React and Match Arcade Game

Matching games have just been given a shot of candy colored adrenaline. In this game, players try to match colored circles (or halos, in this case) with rings on either side of the screen before they fall to the bottom and shatter. Swipe to the left or right to make the match. There are plenty of unique levels with harder challenges for a fast-paced reaction game. Or, you can slow things down for a zen like experience. This game is available for free.