Just about every imaginable genre of video game has appeared on the iTunes App Store, from first person shooters to hidden object games and beyond. The kind of game I feel performs best on the system, though, are simple puzzle games, the kind you can pick up, play for a few minutes, then try it again later in the day. Want examples? I hereby order you to scroll down a bit!
Memovator - Have a tough time remembering your friend's phone number? Memovator may not be the game for you. Then again, maybe it is, as this is probably the best-looking and most entertaining way to flex your memory I've seen in years. People hop on an elevator as it climbs up and down the building. As they step on, a bubble appears over their head showing which floor they need to get off. Simply tap the screen when you arrive on that floor. But wait! Every time the elevator stops, at least one new passenger arrives, each with his or her own destination. As if that weren't enough, the different modes of play provide a near-impossible challenge with Roman numerals, Chinese numerals, animals, Japanese heraldic symbols, and units of time replacing Arabic numbers. A simple but well-executed game that's got great art direction to match its engaging gameplay.
Copy Cat: A Painter's Puzzle - It's time to throw some paint around! With the intention of perfectly replicating sometimes complex images, of course. This brand new puzzle game challenges you to duplicate colorful abstract paintings using a series of stencils and globs of colored paint. To copy an image, place stencils over the areas you do not want to color, then wash the canvas with paint. You might have to move the shapes around, paint more than one time, and even mix colors to produce more complex shades. The closer your copy is to the original, the more awesome you are.
Alphabetic - A seek-and-find game that's more like Where's Waldo than Mystery Case Files. Go through the alphabet, finding each letter in order. The problem is those colorful little guys like to spin, scroll, bounce, roll, layer and skirt the edges of the screen. It's almost like they don't want to be found. Preposterous! An excellent game of searching with a good handful of modes and challenges to test your skills. If you ever played the "Where's Luigi?" game on Super Mario 64 DS, you know just what to expect. A free Alphabetic Lite is also available.
Green Fingers - Got a green thumb? Hope the rest of your digits are green, too. Green Fingers is a swapping-style puzzle game where various gardening-related icons float from the top of the screen. Your job is to move the pots below so the correct icon falls into the pot. If a water droplet floats down, for example, you'll want to slide the pot with a water droplet on the front. If you fail, you lose and have to start all over again, which is a harsh punishment for an otherwise excellent casual puzzle game.
NOTE: Games listed may not be available outside of North America. Prices are subject to change and are therefore unlisted. Please see the individual game pages for purchasing info.
Memovator is nice, the first two level (even if the difficulty ramps up a little bit too quickly - but maybe it's just my bad memory); but the third is just plain impossible. How am I supposed to memorize 20 chinese ideograms and their sequence?? Pah.
A little thing, this morning (italian time) it was free, now it's 0.79€. Jayisgames effect? ;-)
I purchased alphabetic. It's amazing how sometimes what you're looking for stands out, and other times you scan the screen over and over and swear it doesn't exist. I did enjoy playing it. I'm not sure about the replay value, I have yet to earn the "play 10 times" medal. I'll see what the ultimate judges have to say about it. (my kids. *grin*)
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