Apps of the Week: Monument Valley, Fantastical 2 for iPad, and more

So, last weekend, I took a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. I and my companions each had a different “line” app that was supposed to tell us how long the wait times were for each ride. What I learned that day is that none of them are accurate and all of them make you want to just sit down and eat a churro because you know about how long the line is before you even get to the ride.

If you are looking for something to entertain you while waiting in ridiculously long lines, we have a list of apps and games that should keep you from losing your cool…

Monument Valley

This interesting spatial puzzle game just about knocked everyone off their seats when it launched earlier this week. The skillfully rendered Escher-style architecture adds a complex element to what I would call a cute looking game. Players step on buttons to alter paths in an effort to help the lost princess find her way. The puzzles are interesting and multifaceted. The geometric designs add a logical element to what is otherwise abstract imagery. Players use gesture based controls to move and shape the world around them. Every puzzle is like a piece of art you can hang on your wall. This game is available for $3.99.

Fantastical 2 for iPad

We all know just how dang awesome Fantastical 2 is. It made it to our list of best iPhone calendar apps. What you may not know is how much more awesome it is on the iPad. I’m not kidding. The interface is incredible. It looks great, has a clean design, and the app makes great use of the larger landscape. Everything you could do with the iPhone version, you can do on the iPad, but you don’t have to change views to see the important stuff. This is no port of the smaller app. It is a fantastically (excuse the pun) redesigned app that works great on tablets. My new favorite iPad calendar app. This app is on sale for $9.99.

Cavesweeper

Do you remember when one of the few games you could play on a PC was Minesweeper. At first, you hated it because it seemed so complicated. But then, it all started to make sense and you got really good at it. This game is like a mix between Minesweeper, Diablo, and NetHack. You must use your puzzle solving skills to move you around in the dungeon, but use your winnings to upgrade your armor for battles against monsters. Go adventuring and meet others who will help you on your quests. This game is available for $0.99.

Shapematic

If you’ve always wanted to see 3-D objects in a 2-D environment, this fun little app will help make your dream a reality. It turns your iPhone into a 3-D scanner (sort of). Take pictures of an object from different points of view. Then, let the app do its reconstruction work. It will stitch together the images you took of the object and make it look like it is in 3-D. You’ll be able to swipe across the picture to see the front, back, and sides of the object you photographed. You can even order a physical 3-D print of your object from within the app. The technology may not be perfect, but it is a lot of fun. This app is available for $0.99.

Incredible Numbers by Professor Ian Stewart

Anytime a math-related app pops up, I’m all over it. Thanks to my close connection with a couple of math nerds (and I really mean math nerds. They tell Euclidean jokes), I find myself interested in that category. This app teaches you the visualization of numbers with interactive demonstrations, articles written by the bestselling author Ian Stewart. See how sunflower patterns are designed, express math through music, and try out 15 specially created mathematical puzzles. Find out more about Pi, the Fibonacci sequence, polygons, factorials, and more. This app is available for $4.99.

Skyline Skaters

You don’t even know what “extreme” is until you’ve skated across the rooftops of skyscrapers. This endless runner title will show everyone just how cool you are. Players must avoid running into trash and getting caught by the cops while jumping from one rooftop to another. Collect coins to upgrade your skateboard. Choose from four different characters, each with his or her own special ability. Skate during the day or night thanks to the in-game cycles based on what time it is in your current location. This game is available for free.

IFTTT

I know this app is older than dirt, but it is like a shiny new toy to me. This week saw a big update that brought iPad compatibility to the trigger-and-action app. I love having IFTTT to connect my Internet activities. I get an email whenever a new post is added to a particular thread in Reddit. I get a text every Monday for a reminder. Now that they added iOS notification, I get an alert whenever Disney Parks adds an article. The iPad update adds a great new collection feature that gives users ideas for recipes based on things they enjoy like photography, for example. This app is available for free.