Best games for iPad

[Carpet_pissr]

I originally just wanted to sing the praises of a game I am currently hooked on called W.E.L.D.E.R which is a match 4+ word game which is rocking my world right now. Absolutely fantastic and addictive, hard and fun. Great production values also.

But since I didn't see a similar thread, and I am always on the lookout for good iPad games, thought I would put my faves into a list, and get some feedback from others.

If you don't already, I also highly recommend using an app price tracker like AppShopper which will not only alert you when wishlist apps go on sale, but will also let you see the price history so you can determine whether or not you should just go ahead and plunk down $5 for "Catan" since it hardly ever goes on sale, or wait for its quarterly, day only .99 sale.

Here's my list of favorite iPad games:

Freebies (some or all of which have optional paid in app purchases)
(free) Army of Darkness Defense
(free) Pinball HD
(free) Jetpack Joyride (short, and needs progressive levels, and gear that actually does something, but an awesome game to spend an hour or two on
(free) Contract Killer: Zombies (this game blew my mind...so fun, so satisfying, and great graphics!)
(free) Blood and Glory: Infinity Blade but much more violent and set in a gladiator arena setting (I have played this on both iPhone and pad and love it on both)

Dungeon Hunter 2 (Diablo style game that immediately drew me in...first iPad game that made my jaw drop considering how close to a PC experience it is)
Dead Space HD
Infinity Blade
Real Racing 2 HD. Holy Shite...amazing graphics. Amazing controls. Really shows off the iPad's capabilities.
Anomaly Warzone Earth HD (actually prefer the iOS version over my PC version!)
FIFA 12 HD
Reckless Getaway HD (3rd person racing/destruction/escape game)
W.E.L.D.E.R: Bejeweled using words instead of match 4 shapes. Freaking awesome.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vanguard: Again, a complete redesign which highlights the iPad's strengths (gyroscope use in a FPS? YEP - and it works organically!)
Space Miner HD: Asteroids with an Anime storyline

All of the above I would highly recommend to anyone.

Oddly enough, given I have three kids, I have found some of the most amazing innovation for the mobile medium to be in kids' apps, but that's a separate thread. I have so many, I should probably start some iOS kid app review blog!

EDITED to add: I still am in search of a great tower defense game. I have tried so many...but the recommended ones I played are BORING...or have way too many waves. If anyone can make a recommendation, much appreciated.

[PLW]

I'll post the two I put in the Vita thread. I've really enjoyed

Plants vs. Zombies
and
Crimson: Steam Pirates

Of course, there are a million awesome games for kids.

[YellowKing]

EDITED to add: I still am in search of a great tower defense game. I have tried so many...but the recommended ones I played are BORING...or have way too many waves. If anyone can make a recommendation, much appreciated.

Kingdom Rush is one of the best tower defense games I've ever played and it just came out on iPad (after being a favorite in the Flash world for a long time). At $2.99 it's a steal.

[Carpet_pissr]

I saw your previous post on Crimson:SP, PLW, and already had it on my wish list in AppShopper.

Thanks for the suggestion, YK, I will check it out.

I actually paid for one that is supposedly highly reviewed, and hated it. Literally 60+ waves per level? That gets so freaking boring. Yes, the graphics are great, but so what if it's no fun...somebody needs to do a conversion of Defense Grid for iOS.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

I've lately spent most of my time playing the free Family Feud game .

[YellowKing]

Kingdom Rush is a very simple, very basic tower defense game, but what makes it fun is the high level of polish and the RPG element which allows you to make global improvements to a skill tree using stars you earn with each level. The result is a nice gradual difficulty curve that keeps you hooked. I found it challenging without being overly frustrating like a lot of TD games.

[Cylus Maxii]

Do any of you have feedback on Infinity Blade II yet?

[Carpet_pissr]

Do any of you have feedback on Infinity Blade II yet?

Haven't finished the first one yet, and considering how big the install sizes are, can't really put both on my device at the same time.

I have read several reviews, though, and all were extremely positive. One stood out to me that said they weren't huge fans of the first one, but the second one is awesome, truly an iOS showpiece, and better in every regard from the original.

Dual wielding looks great on the video I saw.

[YellowKing]

I stopped playing the first Infinity Blade after reading an article that talked about how you could pretty much just dodge every single attack. Once I figured that out, the game was just too ridiculously easy (and boring).

I've heard they fixed that in Infinity Blade II, however, and you will need to make use of all your combat skills - parry, blocks, and dodges - to be successful. In short - I haven't heard any real negatives, and it's showing up on all the best of 2011 lists. So I'll have to give it a shot even though I didn't really care for the first.

[Jag]

IB II improves on I but it really is more of the same thing. It is an awesome showpiece for the platform, but lacks any real diversity or storytelling.

[Skinypupy]

Do any of you have feedback on Infinity Blade II yet?

I played it for close to 6 hours, and the last patch they released completely wiped my save game. This is apparently a fairly common bug, at least according to the number of people over in the TouchArcade forums that it happened to. i was so pissed that I uninstalled it and haven't given it a second glance since.

Other than that, it was a quite fun version of medieval Punch-Out

[Buatha]

Ascendency, a 4X game, is on sale today for .99. It seems to have solid reviews.

[Carpet_pissr]

For .99, I am definitely in on that. Thanks

[Buatha]

Can anyone comment on the iPad versions of Avadon: The Black Fortress or Anomaly?

[hentzau]

Can anyone comment on the iPad versions of Avadon: The Black Fortress or Anomaly?

I have Avadon, it's a really fun old school RPG/Dungeon crawl. Controls are great, it's really easy to pick up, and a lot of fun.

I didn't get very far in it, though, not through boredom or dislike or anything, I just got distracted by the next shiny thing that came out for the iPad. I will still pick it up on the odd lunch break and continue the crawl.

[Octavious]

Avadon is pretty darn cool but there seems to be a nasty memory leak in it. I haven't played it in a while so maybe they fixed that...

[Buatha]

Caylus has just hit the iPad. I found the physical game kind of bland, but I've only played it once, so my first impression could be worng.

[Buatha]

FYI, Avadon is 50% off this weekend.

[Austin]

I noticed Soul Calibre released, but for $12.00. I will wait for the $5.00 mark.

[Carpet_pissr]

I picked up Mirror's Edge during that massive EA .99 sale. Pretty fun! Not much like the PC version though, I think. This is more like Lode Runner.

[KiloOhm]

Ascension: Chronical of the Godslayer

I'm shocked I didn't see it mentioned yet!!!! and add "lordpolish" to your GC friends list if you want to play a game.

[Carpet_pissr]

Ascension: Chronical of the Godslayer

I'm shocked I didn't see it mentioned yet!!!! and add "lordpolish" to your GC friends list if you want to play a game.

Ooh, looks great (and references to Carcassone, interestingly, in some reviews doesn't hurt)!

Added to my wishlist for a sale....which has yet to happen since its inception.

Hmmm, might have to pay full price on that one. I have no card games right now, and have had an itch for a good one.

[Exodor]

Today I discovered the unofficial (and, for the moment, free) adaptation of the Dominion card game for iOS.

It's great - and a real time eater.

Search for "Dominion by Donald X. Vaccarino" on iTunes.

[Carpet_pissr]

Kingdom Rush is a very simple, very basic tower defense game, but what makes it fun is the high level of polish and the RPG element which allows you to make global improvements to a skill tree using stars you earn with each level. The result is a nice gradual difficulty curve that keeps you hooked. I found it challenging without being overly frustrating like a lot of TD games.

Price drop on this one today (from $3 to $1)...thanks to your recommendation I checked out the flash version on Kongregate, and decided I wanted it on my iPad (but couldn't stop playing the damn thing on the PC, so I guess I will be replaying a lot of levels on the iPad, unless they made it with different maps for iOS?).

[YellowKing]

Same maps as the PC version but I know they just added a new map with the latest update. So it looks like there will be additional ongoing content for the iOS version.

I'd like to give a shout out to Run, Roo, Run (from the creator of Scribblenauts). I'm not much of an "endless runner" fan, but this one is nice in that each level is only one screen wide. Your goal is to guide a kangaroo from one side of the screen to the other. The catch is you have only one control - the ability to jump (running is automatic).

Of course, the level is filled with obstacles. What makes the game so darn addictive is that each set of levels introduces a new hurdle, such as floating platforms, double jumps, gravity-flipping switches, etc. The basic levels in each section are fairly easy, but you also have 6 "extreme" levels per section that will drive you to madness. These require extremely precise jumping and you will fail repeatedly until you finally master them.

Each level is really short - some you can beat in under 3 seconds, but there is a decent amount of content. Around 15 levels per section with something like 15 or 20 sections, then 6 extreme levels per section. They are also offering free bonus levels every week. I sunk a lot of hours into the game trying to get gold on every level, then going back and trying to beat my times. It's definitely one of the most enjoyable little timewasters I've purchased in the past year.

[Buatha]

A Call of Cthulhu TBS game set during WW I has appeared this week. I will be watching this one which is called Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Lands

[hepcat]

Kingdom Rush is one of the best tower defense games I've ever played and it just came out on iPad (after being a favorite in the Flash world for a long time). At $2.99 it's a steal.

Well, there goes any hope of doing anything else while on my couch. Sheesh this is an addictive game.

[Carpet_pissr]

Kingdom Rush is one of the best tower defense games I've ever played and it just came out on iPad (after being a favorite in the Flash world for a long time). At $2.99 it's a steal.

Well, there goes any hope of doing anything else while on my couch. Sheesh this is an addictive game.

I know...and I am playing it on two platforms, at one time! Insanity.

Still have not beaten the final level, but I love the taunts!

[Austin]

Yeah the final level. . . I can get to the point where the main bad guy

Spoiler:

transforms into a big beast

But by then he is too far along and I cannot smite him - and I have carpal tunnel from tapping.

Also - on the level with the big ape, I understand that you are supposed to be able to unlock some sort of sun power beam. I have never been able to figure it out - or can it be unlocked on ipad?

[Enigma]

Galaxy on Fire 2 HD universal is on sale for $4.99 right now. It's supposed to be a great game. I got it and downloaded but haven't tried it yet.

[PLW]

Yeah the final level. . . I can get to the point where the main bad guy

Spoiler:

transforms into a big beast

But by then he is too far along and I cannot smite him - and I have carpal tunnel from tapping.

Also - on the level with the big ape, I understand that you are supposed to be able to unlock some sort of sun power beam. I have never been able to figure it out - or can it be unlocked on ipad?

More bombs!

[Carpet_pissr]

Yeah the final level. . . I can get to the point where the main bad guy

Spoiler:

transforms into a big beast

But by then he is too far along and I cannot smite him - and I have carpal tunnel from tapping.

Also - on the level with the big ape, I understand that you are supposed to be able to unlock some sort of sun power beam. I have never been able to figure it out - or can it be unlocked on ipad?

Finally beat it (the campaign at least, I hear the challenges are BRUTAL).

Tips for beating final boss:

Spoiler:

Reset your bonus points max out arrows and magic. Then I would put points into meteors next, and if anything left, the artillery (dwarven cannons). Don't waste points on barracks or reinforcements at all for this level)

On setup, don't even worry about using barracks as the boss just crushes them mercilessly, so they are a complete waste on this level. I used an alternating arrow tower/mage tower setup, with one or two I think dwarf cannons in the middle (for the late game dragon missiles which can hit anything on the board, and do decent damage to the boss)

Re: power beam, you have to load up the temple/shrine with at least one priest to be able to use the beam, which has a cooldown time based on how many priests you have "bought". Should be the same on iPad as desktop version.

[Austin]

Thanks for the end-game tips. How do you load up the shrine? I tap it and it does nothing.


(And I was so close on the last guy today with your advice. I need to figure out when to upgrade towers and when to add new towers. I was running with (for archers) Marksmen with headshots and Purple wizards... Maybe an Orange wizard early on to reduce armor?)

Edit again - just tried again and victory! I used archers instead and as the boss passed by I sold the mages/archers and quickly built rockets.

[Carpet_pissr]

Thanks for the end-game tips. How do you load up the shrine? I tap it and it does nothing.


(And I was so close on the last guy today with your advice. I need to figure out when to upgrade towers and when to add new towers. I was running with (for archers) Marksmen with headshots and Purple wizards... Maybe an Orange wizard early on to reduce armor?)

Edit again - just tried again and victory! I used archers instead and as the boss passed by I sold the mages/archers and quickly built rockets.

Spoiler:

Argh...yeah, I forgot that last tip.. if the mage is not casting any more summoning spells (I think he only stops when he transforms), it's a good idea to sell the top most towers for money, unless all your lower towers are already maxed out of course.

[Carpet_pissr]

FYI, Aralon: Sword and Shadow is on sale today...and based on the hyperbole in the reviews, it could also possibly forgive all our sins and signal the end times.

Here's a trailer:

http://toucharcade.com/2011/05/13/aralo ... d-updated/

[YellowKing]

A new pinball game was just released that I can't recommend highly enough.

Pinball Arcade comes with one table for 99 cents, with 3 additional tables available for 2.99, 3.99, and 1.99. Before you dismiss that as overpriced, let me tell you what you get.

Pinball Arcade recreates in exacting detail some of the best pinball tables ever released. I have played all but one of these tables in real life, and it was utterly thrilling to see them brought back to life in a format where I could play them over and over again for just the cost of a few plays of the real thing.

Each table comes with a history of the table, as well as detailed instructions on every aspect of the table. Some of the included tables have multiple complex goals, but the in-game instructions will have you mastering them in no time.

So what do you get? Included in the base game is Tales of the Arabian Nights, an awesome genie-themed table in which your goal is to rescue a kidnapped princess. This table is a lot of fun and just challenging enough to be fun but winnable.

Available for purchase at 2.99 is Theater of Magic. This is a neat magician-themed table which features a levitating ball and the ability to "perform" multiple illusions as you rise through the magician ranks.

One of my favorite tables for nostalgia's sake is the Ripley's Believe It or Not table, which I put a lot of quarters in back in the day. This is a really complex table with tons of goals that will challenge even pinball experts. I played this one as recently as last summer so it was really fresh in my mind. Seeing it digitized to perfection was really neat. This one is the priciest at 3.99.

Lastly is an oldie from 1981 called Black Hole. This one is unique in that it features a second inverted table underneath the main table. No real goals in this one other than score, so it's my least favorite of the bunch. However, older pinball aficionados will probably get a kick out of it.

I've never considered myself a huge pinball fan, but the historic accuracy of the tables and attention to detail in explaining every lit and bumper really won me over. I spent the $10 to unlock everything and don't regret it a bit. I can't wait to see what tables they add next, and if they are of the same quality as the launch tables I'll be buying them on sight.

P.S. You can demo each table before purchasing, including accessing the full history and instructions. Demo tables allow you to play up until you hit a high score on the leaderboard, so you get the full experience.

One other note, the game currently uses Facebook for leaderboard tracking. However, they are supposed to be patching in Game Center support very soon.

[Carpet_pissr]

Gah! I thought I had already tried all the pinball games for iPad, which BTW, is the best medium for the genre since...the pinball machine.

Thanks for the heads up, off to check it out now.

There are also some other excellent freebie ones that give you a couple of tables, and if you want more, you can upgrade within game: "Pinball HD" is one of the first that comes to mind.

If you want to go old school , check out Wild West Pinball. Just one table, and no flashiness at all, just you and the wood, as it were. The physics are amazing.

[YellowKing]

To tell you how good this game is, I just spent over an hour on YouTube looking at videos of actual pinball tables as well as the actual versions of the ones available in the game. It's really made me a pinball fan almost overnight. I think winning Tales of the Arabian Nights really got me hooked - I really didn't realize the skill/strategy involved in beating some of these tables until I read through all the nuances of the game and then achieved them myself. Now I'm checking out classic tables like The Addams Family, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Funhouse, etc. and thinking OMG please get these in this game!!!

I was reading a thread about the game over on TouchArcade and the pinball enthusiasts are really going nuts over this one. Apparently the developer has license agreements with all of the major pinball manufacturers and plan to support the title with recreated tables for years to come. The game is also coming out on multiple platforms - Andorid, consoles, PC, etc. so it sounds like they're really trying to make it THE pinball sim.

[Carpet_pissr]

YK: do you have a console by chance?

There is a Pinball Hall of Fame "Williams Collection" game that does exactly the same as this title...includes an arcade setting where you can play all their classic tables...very, very well done. I see they also have a "Gottlieb Collection" which I don't have, and I presume more to come.

http://www.amazon.com/Pinball-Hall-Fame ... 580&sr=1-1

This looks great...downloading on iphone now since it's universal. Woo!

[Carpet_pissr]

I can't believe I missed putting this on my faves list: Army of Darkness Defense.

It's by far one of the most enjoyable game experiences I have had on iPad, or iPhone for that matter, as I played and finished it on both.

Just to be clear about how awesome this is...I NEVER replay games!

Production quality is amazing - graphics and sound are out of this world...but be warned...it's extremely addictive. Balance is absolutely perfect, and they have scaled the money/gold in such a way that beating the final level will not drone on and on forever if you are stuck.

10/10 easy.