Apps of the week: Overglide, Golfinity, Endless Doves, and more

Apps of the week

This was a good week for apps and games. Not only were there some new console-quality additions to the list, but also some of our old favorites received major updates, making them even better than ever. If you are looking for something new that didn’t necessarily show up on the radar this week, we’ve got a list of apps and games that we think are still worth talking about.

Overglide

Overglide 1

I know it isn’t exactly a hardcore game or anything, but I love having the ability to play video games right from my Notification Center. This simple flying game lets you work on beating your top score right from your Lock screen on iOS 8. In the app, set the background and types of blocks. Then, go to the Today view in Notification Center to fly your paper airplane through a run of ever-changing obstacles. You can even compete globally on the leaderboards through Game Center. This app is available for $0.99.

Crystal Siege HD

Crystal Siege HD

What do you get when you combine an epic role-playing game with an action-packed tower defense game? Something pretty cool. This iPad-only game lets players control their character on the battlefield against hordes of monsters. At the same time, you can place and activate a number of towers to rain bullets down on the enemy. Explore the landscape to discover ways to thwart attacks, like busting bridges to block paths or setting off an avalanche to crush incoming waves. You’ll even get to loot the bodies after you’ve defeated your enemies. This game is available for $4.99.

SNOWidget

SNOWidget 1

While most people have built up a Grinch-like resistance to the holiday season, there are still some of us that find Christmas to be a magical time for celebrating with friends and family. This single-function widget shows you a countdown until Santa’s arrival. Watch the snow drift lazily by on the Today view of your Notification Center and keep track of when Christmas is coming. You can increase or decrease the display size, choose the font, and switch from days to hours as the big day draws near. Too bad you can’t choose what you are counting down to. This app is available for free.

Golfinity

Golfinity

I’ve never been able to understand the joy in playing golf. I know it has to be entertaining to some or it wouldn’t be so popular. I can, however, hold my own in a game of put-put golf, which is what this game is more like than traditional golf. In it, players aim their shot, adjust the speed, and swing. The courses are thin pathways with intricate obstacles. Using realistic physics, the ball will bounce off of walls, ring holes, and other frustrating, action. Although the courses are similar to the put-put golf at your local game center, the minimalist design keeps out the riffraff. This game is available for free.

Airline Director

Airline Director

Another activity you might be surprised to discover you enjoy participating in is running a corporate airline. In this simulation game, players build up an airline into a major International corporation. Similar to Transport Tycoon and other such simulation games, players must manage the daily workings of their business to make customers happy, stay on budget, and grow at the right time. There are 92 different models, dozens of flight routes to learn, and airport terminals to maintain. You can start your business in 1955 and watch as flight travel changes over the next 65 years. This game is available for $2.99.

VSCO Cam

VSCO Cam 1

This is another one of those apps that isn’t new, but because of its recent update, belongs on the list. This app is one of the favorites for iPhone Photographers because of the subtle use of filters and ability to fine-tune the adjustments. This week, the company updated VSCO Cam with iPad support, something I feel was its biggest weakness. Now, you can edit and publish your images using all the pixels of the iPad’s screen. Plus, the new Journal feature allows users to create photo essays including multiple images and texts. Thanks to the universal update, you can sync photos right within the app instead of having to save them to your camera roll. This app is available for free.

Endless Doves

Endless Doves 1

I think it was the monochrome 8-bit graphics that pulled me into this game at first. What makes me come back to it over and over again is that Flappy Bird style of one-more-try addiction. Players control a dove using up and down buttons to keep the bird in flight. You’ll be traveling through narrow pathways, avoiding pipes and trying to maneuver sharp turns. Collect birds as you travel and use them to unlock new fowl in the Aviary. The chiptune soundtrack rounds the whole game off and makes me want to pull out my Gameboy Advanced. This game is available for free.

More apps you should check out

These apps have been updated