Best apps of the week: Subterfuge, Live GIF, Focus, and more

What a great week for iMac news. If you are thinking about upgrading to the new 5K model, now is the time. We’re also excited about Apple’s new Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Trackpad 2. In the meantime, more amazing content gets added to the App Store every day.

If you are looking for some new apps and games to keep you connected all weekend long, we’ve got a list you might want to check out.

Subterfuge

If you are tired of the bite sized mobile games, maybe it is time to invest your time in something that takes a week to get through. This tactile multiplayer strategy game plays out in real time over seven days. The goal is to dominate a galaxy by diplomatically extinguishing the rest of the players from the board, while maintaining convenient relationships with your neighbors. You aren’t just building alliances in the game. You must also decide whether your real-life buddies can be trusted. And, believe me, they can’t be. Chat in game with other players to determine the best course of action to taking down your friends and then betray those who helped you to win the game. This game is available for free.

Live GIF

If you have one of Apple’s newest handsets, you’ve probably already tested out the Live Photos feature to see what all of the fuss is about. Well, if you like that, you are going to love what else you can do with Live Photos. You can turn them into GIFs thanks to this fun new app. The app automatically recognizes Live Photos on your iPhone 6s or 6s Plus. Tap a Live Photo you wish to turn into a GIF and it will convert into a sharable file that you can post on all of your social networking feeds. This app is available for $1.99.

Cloud Chasers

In this fantasy world, you discover the adventure and hardships of immigration. Players control Francisco and his family as they travel across five desert landscapes filled with dangerous obstacles. In addition to trekking across dry, hot deserts, you must use your glider to “chase clouds” collecting water. Other cloud chasers fill the sky, trying to stop you from getting what they want. Desert landscapes are randomly generated and character encounters change with each decision you make. This game is available for $3.99.

Box Capture

If you work in a group setting with people that regularly share photos and videos with each other, you might be looking for a streamlined way to share content without having to fill up your iPhone with media. This app automatically stores images in a cloud service and not your device (although, there is that option). Once uploaded, you can invite others to check out your pictures, comment, and tag specific members so they receive a notification. You can also set up the app to hold off on uploading to the cloud until you are on Wi-Fi to save cellular data. This app is available for free.

Downwell

In this reverse vertical platformer, players are tasked with trying to survive the treacherous fall down a well. Injuries don’t come from bashing into platforms, but from poison spewing frogs and spike-covered snails. Luckily, you’ve got a pair of shoes that blast anything below you. So, as you are falling to the bottom (if there is a bottom), you can clear the path ahead by shooting obstacles out of your way. You can collect power ups on your way down, including munitions enhancements for your foot weapon. You can also collect gems that are used to add health and additional shots for your shoes. This game is available for $2.99.

Focus – Productivity Timer

Task management is only one part of staying productive. Keeping track of time, and making sure you don’t take too long on one project, is also important. This app covers both areas. You can keep track of your projects, and get an analysis of your day’s work using the statistics feature. The app utilizes the Pomodoro Technique to help you stay focused all day, while ensuring you take much-needed breaks in between. This app has been around for a while, but was recently updated to include 3D Touch Quick Action for iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, support for Split Screen on iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro, Slide Over functionality on iPad and more. This app is available for $6.99.

Lumo’s Cat

Maybe, you’ve never had an acid trip before, but have always kind of wondered what it would be like. Well, Lumo’s Cat is like playing a video game while on acid. It is so bizarre that it is difficult to describe. At its core, it is a tower defense game. But the weird world you exist in is enough to confuse the situation entirely. The lazy kitty sits at the center of the field, while you run around stopping incoming waves of attacks by blinged out evil mice. Enlist allies that look like they belong in Peewee’s Playhouse to help you protect your sleeping cat from hordes of menacing mice. This game is available for free.