Did you already get all of your holiday shopping done? Probably not. I know I haven’t, and I’m a fairly well organized person. What I should be doing this weekend is finishing up all of my holiday chores. What I will likely be doing is playing games on my iPad.
If you are waiting in line for your gift purchases, trimming the tree, or baking holiday cookies this weekend, we have a list of apps and games that you might find worth picking up…
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Rockstar’s wildly popular Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is now available in the App Store. The game, which first launched on the PlayStation 2 all the way back in 2004, is now available on both the iPhone and iPad. Rockstar says that this is their biggest mobile port ever. The game features over 70-hours of gameplay, enhanced visuals, and—for the first time ever—support for Apple’s new Made-for-iOS controller technology in iOS 7. Download it for $6.99.
The Room Two
I was so excited when I found out that this game was finally available in the App Store that I promptly forgot to stop working for an hour. It was worth it. Just like its predecessor, this game features a plethora of multi-level intricate puzzles that unlock secrets and help you discover the mysteries within. Using realistic 3-D graphics, players are transported to a dark room with puzzle boxes on the table. To open the box and collect the mysteries inside, players must find items, manipulate objects, read cryptic messages, and use a magical spy glass to see things no one else can see. When you finally unlock one box, it sends you to another. This game is available for $4.99.
Osfoora 2
For Twitter users who want something different than the official iOS app, Osfoora 2 offers a beautiful looking alternative with plenty of features that will make you happy you switched. Save links from Twitter to Pocket, Instapaper, and Safari Reading List. Access multiple accounts at once. Upload photos and videos through a variety of Twitter uploading services. Perform a number of tasks using gesture-based swipes. Keep up to date on your timeline with background refresh and local notifications. Create multiple tweet drafts just like you would in the Twitter app. Send links through SMS via Osfoora. Mute users and hashtags. This app is available for $2.99.
Chordy
If you are tired of looking at skeuomorphic music creation apps, take a look at the colorful display that Chordy offers. You can play full keyboard notes on the digital piano, which is compatible with Audiobus. If you use a MIDI instrument, connect it to your iPad and control your synthesizers through the Chordy interface. You don’t even have to know how to play an instrument to make music with this app. It features a full selection of chords with four different scales in Major, Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor. Switch between Parallel or Relative scales when playing a major or minor chord. This app is available for $4.99.
Star Trek Trexels
Trekies will be happy to know that there is another sci-fi title in the App Store featuring your favorite Starfleet Federation. This time, you are in charge of making sure that the crew of your starship gets home safely. Explore the galaxy across a gigantic galactic map. Build your ship from dozens of different rooms and modifications. Pick key officers to help you run the ship efficiently. Train your crew to the best of their abilities and even send them on away missions. This is more than just a wanna-be Star Trek game. The iconic George Takei narrates the epic story and official music from the original series accompanies you on your travels. This game is available for $2.99.
Stephen Hawking’s Snapshot of the Universe
To follow the outer space theme that we seem to have come upon, Stephen Hawking has his own app in the App Store. Well, sort of. The information in this educational app is based on the work and writing of Stephen Hawking. The science genius takes you on an explorative adventure through the heavens and Earth. Learn about planets, black holes, relative time, speed, motion and gravity. Plus, experiment with a variety of Hawking’s theories. Spin planets in your solar system. Experiment with gravity. Search for black holes. The science is unlimited. Each experiment includes an interaction portion, plus a more in-depth summary of information in more detail. Some experiments also include videos with visual explanation. This app is available for $4.99.
Wisely
Around this time of the year, it is more important than ever to keep track of your spending habits. While you are out on your shopping adventures, let Wisely help you find an inexpensive place to eat. If you need help being a money-saving shopper, this app will help you find shops nearby that fit within your price range. Using a data filter, you can search for restaurants and retail stores based on their popularity, quality, or average bill amount. Track your spending at a particular store and keep track of your holiday shopping habits. This app is available for free.
AntiSquad
Take turn-based strategy gaming to the streets as you lead a group of self-proclaimed justice makers called The Squad. Players send their team to the Wild West prairies to take down drug cartels. Then, it’s off to the secret underground bunkers in East Asia to cleanse the Earth of the evildoers. Plan your attack with turn-based military tactics. Upgrade your weapons along the way for more power. Fight to the death with your team of renegade militia or save the world from being destroyed by tyrants. This game is available for $2.99.
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