This was another great week for apps and games. Not only have there been some pretty awesome new titles landing in the App Store over the past seven days, but the updates to some of our favorite apps are nothing to sneeze at. If you haven’t gotten your fill of stuff to cram onto your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, check out this weekend’s list of even more apps and games.
Odd Bot Out
This funny little puzzle platformer makes me smile. The square robot guy has a tough job of maneuvering through complex obstacles that no square should have to go through. Using random objects lying around players create steps and bridges to help him get around. Because of his small stature, the Odd Bot has to find ways to climb up high cliffs and cross mechanical platforms. The minimalist theme just makes the whole thing even better. This app is available for $1.99.
Clicker X
This simple utility app is perfect for people who need to keep track of how many times they’ve done something. For example, you could use it to count how many people walk through the door of an event (to count attendance). I am a knitter and this is great for keeping track of the rows I’ve completed so far. You can have multiple clicker counters at once, so you don’t have to worry about starting a new project. It also has the ability to count backward for decreasing numbers. This app is available for $0.99.
Evoland
This retro role-playing game has been on Steam for a while now. This week, it was ported to iOS. Players start out in a chromatic environment with limited graphics. As you progress, the game will evolve and you will unlock new elements, such as increasing from 8-bit to 18-bit graphics. Eventually, you’ll be playing the game with 3-D graphics. Players will also unlock things like turn-based battles and will add party members that show up during fights. Like typical RPGs, you’ll be fighting, looting, and exploring a huge map as you save the world. This game is available for $4.99.
Earth Primer
This unique title is billed as an educational app, but it really acts more like a sandbox game with Earth as they building environment. Users learn about such things as erosion, volcanoes, and other natural events. Instead of reading text and watching clips, you can interact with the environment by creating your own landscape. Add mountain ranges, forests, hot springs, and whatever you want. The world will react to whatever environment you build for it. It is a science experiment, textbook, and sandbox game, all rolled into one. This app is available for $9.99.
Dreamdays: Count Down to the Days that Matter
I think I’ve mentioned before that I’m a sucker for countdown apps. Right now, on my Mac, I’m counting down to my best friend’s wedding. On my iPhone, I’m counting down to my next vacation. On my iPad, I’m counting down to the release of Star Wars Ep. VII. I’m also a sucker for Notification Center widgets and this app has got both. You can set multiple events, and toggle between times. There are six default categories, or you can create your own. Push notification will remind you of the looming event on your countdown. It also has an attractive blur theme so it looks good, too. This app is available for $0.99.
Ammo Pigs
This action-packed platformer reminds me a lot of games I have played on my GameBoy Advance. Players control a well-equipped porker with a rifle. Using on-screen arrows for movement and A/B/Y buttons for action, players run though platform style courses, shooting everything that moves. In this game, the bad guys are machine parts used for turning pigs into bacon. When you destroy a baddie, you’ll get coins, which you can use at the vending machine to purchase healing kits, ammo, and more. This game is available for $1.99.
Midnight Star
Last week, I reviewed an interactive comic book called “Midnight Rises” about a research team headed into the danger zone. The book is a tie-in for Midnight Star. This first-person shooter features bugs, bullets, and blasters. Players move from one environment to another on missions that will help the team figure out what happened. Players shoot their way through wave after wave of alien attacks, gaining experience points and picking up new, awesome weapons. You’ll even be able to compete against other players around the world in multiplayer challenges and in-game events. This game is available for free.
App Recaps
- App Recap for February 2
- App Recap for February 3
- App Recap for February 4
- App Recap for February 5
- App Recap for February 6
More apps you should check out
- TwitShot spices up your tweets with an image
- Sons of Anarchy: The Prospect review – a new episodic game for SOA fans
- Shifts is a calendar app for people who work irregular hours
- NC brings a Twitter widget to Notification Center
- Potatoman Seeks the Troof: a retro twitch game for the highly skilled player
- Tweetbot 2 for Yosemite coming soon, will be free update
- Subdit: a random reddit browser
- Satellina review: take touch-based gameplay to the next level
- Pushbullet sends all of your iOS notifications to your computer
- Reuters TV hits App Store, a personalized TV news reportage in the palm of your hand
- Cheatsheet: a widget for all those little things you can’t remember
- ‘Angry Birds Seasons’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week
- ControlAir: control your Mac media apps with simple gestures
These apps have been updated
- Twitter rolls out instant timeline for new users, curating tweets automatically
- Slow Shutter! available for free within the Apple Store app
- Videos in Instagram for iPhone now play on loop
- Tweetbot 2 for Yosemite coming soon, will be free update
- WhatsApp gains improved image chooser, new Call button and Dynamic Type support
- Paper by FiftyThree makes all tools free in iPad app
- SwiftKey gains iPad gesture typing, 800+ predictive emojis, key click sounds and more