Games

Cut the Rope 2 goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ December 10, 2015

Apple on Thursday named ZeptoLab's Cut the Rope 2 its App of the Week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you'll be able to pick up the popular physics-based puzzler for free for both iPhone and iPad—a small but notable savings of a buck.

For those who aren't familiar with Cut the Rope, it's a cross-platform gaming franchise that revolves around feeding candy to a little green creature named Om Nom. Version 2 features new locations to explore, new characters, and fresh gameplay elements.

Circle Spike will break you

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

A young man recently contacted us, explaining that he is just 17 years old and created a game for iOS. I decided to check it out, expecting it to be a fairly mundane game that is a good start, but nothing special.

After 20 minutes of playing Circle Spike, my high score is nine and my blood pressure is boiling. That's the kind of game this is. While my pathetic score of nine is laughable, I should point out that the 25th highest scorer only has 11 points, so I'm not doing that bad.

Oceanhorn gets iCloud save compatibility with Apple TV, flashier graphics on iPad Pro and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 3, 2015

Oceanhorn, the beautifully crafted fantasy adventure game from FDG Mobile Games GbR, has received an essential update in the App Store today. Bumped to version 2.7, this edition fixes the problem with iCloud save files created on the iPhone and iPad not being recognized on the Apple TV.

Those lucky iPad Pro owners will enjoy this update's ultra quality graphics on their tablet, with an improved world map and environment decoration.

Lastly, Oceanhorn 2.7 sports a better sound engine and fixes various bugs.

Temple Run 2 launches new world: Frozen Shadows

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 3, 2015

The popular endless runner Temple Run is celebrating its first anniversary today. Thus far, the game has amassed an incredible one billion downloads across platforms, thanks to its appealing concept, easy mechanics and regular updates.

Starting today, a brand new world is available in Temple Run 2, called Frozen Shadows. Marking developer Imangi Studio's biggest expansion ever, Frozen Shadows—an update to the freemium Temple Run 2—brings a whole new icy world to slip and slide away from Demon Monkeys.

Monument Valley is now available for free

Jeff Benjamin ∙ December 1, 2015

For the first time in its history, well-respected iOS game Monument Valley is available as a free download on the App Store. The beautifully designed puzzle/platformer has been the recipient of many awards and accolades since its debut, including a prestigious Apple Design Award.

As such, the popular title, downloaded over a million times already thus far, has generally commanded a more than fair price of $3.99.

There's currently no indication as to how long the game will remain on sale. With that in mind, we highly advise you to scurry on over to the App Store and claim this game.

Review: SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

If you want to do serious gaming on the Apple TV, then using a wireless Bluetooth controller isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. Yes, Apple controversially made it a requirement for all games on its platform to support the Siri Remote, but that’s not going to cut it for any game with an even mildly complex control scheme.

Games like Alto’s Adventure and Mr. Jump play perfectly fine, and are even suited for the Siri Remote, but in most cases, you’re definitely going to want a controller as an option.

Unfortunately, there is no Apple-branded controller to speak of, but Apple did co-design a controller with the help of SteelSeries. The result of that partnership is the SteelSeries Nimbus, and Apple is promoting this controller as the de facto standard alternative input device for the Apple TV.

All of that considered, while there are other 3rd-party Bluetooth controllers that work with the Apple TV, the most obvious choice is the SteelSeries Nimbus.

I purchased a Nimbus on day one, and have been playing with it for weeks. Is the $49.99 controller worth your time and hard-earned money? Is it really the best way to control games on the Apple TV?

Ticket to Ride gets major update, new maps, better multiplayer, and more

Lory Gil ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Board game fans already know about Days of Wonder's decade-old train ride adventure game. They probably already know that the company published a digital version of it in the App Store a few years ago.

Ticket to Ride recently received an update that brings with it new content for the first time in years. Additionally, the game is now cross-platform compatible with asynchronous multiplayer mode, so you can play multiple games at the same time.

Puzzle platformer To-Fu Fury is Apple’s new Free App of the Week

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 28, 2015

To-Fu Fury from Amazon Game Studios, regularly $1.99, is available at no charge until next Thursday as Apple's new Free App of the Week via the App Store's weekly promotion.

Released in July 2015, this puzzle platformer challenges you to save the Fortune Kitty playing as To-Fu, a stretchy, sticky, flingy and combative cube of bean-curd. Expect a lot of puzzle solving and physics-based action in this game.

Lara Croft GO gets its first expansion

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 26, 2015

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Square Enix's Lara Croft GO for iOS has received its first expansion pack following the game's August 2015 debut in the App Store. Titled “The Shard of Life” and available at no charge to those who have purchased the game, the update packs in more than two-dozen additional levels and a bunch of new monsters to defeat, costumes to unlock and gemstones and artifacts to discover.

Gorgeous platformer Leo’s Fortune hits the Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 25, 2015

Leo's Fortune, a gorgeous action platformer with beautiful artwork that debuted on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad in April of 2014, is now available on the Mac.

A $6.99 download from the Mac App Store, this premium title is free of advertisements and In-App Purchases. Leo's Fortune has won numerous awards and is one of the best platform games available on any platform.

Our own Lory Gill called it arguably the most gorgeous iOS platformer she has played in a while, writing in her review that fans of platform games should pick up Leo's Fortune in a heartbeat.

Review: collect resources, terraform new worlds and survive in space in Last Horizon

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

As an avid stargazer who's been dreaming about space travel for ages and a sucker for minimalist games, Last Horizon immediately piqued my interest.

In fact, Last Horizon was an instant purchase for me and I never regretted dropping $2.99 on this space survival and exploration title from Pixeljam. Last Horizon puts you in the shoes of a pilot of a lone spacecraft.

Your oxygen and fuel supplies are limited and your goal is a simple one: you must travel the space and seek out new worlds to inhabit. You're going to encounter a range of varied planets along the way and harvest their resources.

Some planets hold terraforming resources you need to create a beautiful, harmonious new planet for yourself. Others only provide oxygen and ore to repair your ship.

Holiday shutdown: don’t expect new apps or updates between December 22-29

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Apple on Friday announced to developers that it will be performing its annual iTunes Connect shutdown for the holidays next month. The company posted the bulletin on its developer portal this afternoon, saying that it will not be accepting new app or update submissions beginning on December 22 through the 29th.