Today’s roundup of new releases features an eclectic bunch. Games that separately feature foxes, rabbits and surfers prove once again the appeal of action and strategy games showcasing quirky and cute characters, while a certain cartoon named Mike will make you nostalgic for the now-retro games of your 16-bit childhood. Take a look after the jump.
Party Wave
In this action game, the idea is to drag surfers toward breaks in the ocean without them crashing into one another. You can repeat the dragging motion, which will make a surfer accelerate; use that buildup of speed as part of your strategy when trying to keep multiple surfers from colliding.
Whenever a “Party Wave” hits, tap a surfer so that he or she can catch the wave, then tap again to catch some air and collect points. Beware though, if the character reaches the bottom of the wave without a tap, your surfer loses their board.You’ll also want to keep an eye out for wildlife, like sea turtles, dolphins, jellyfish and coral.
The only aspect that’s a little confusing is the alien that sporadically shows up to bestow stars upon your surfers. On the other hand, you can’t have a great party without aliens.
Price: $1.99
Developer: Mistwalker Corporation
Download: iTunes
Sly Fox
A fox comes across a plane and sees the propeller, and a light goes off. Now, newly equipped with his flying apparatus, he’s able to steal as many chickens as he can in the allotted time!
“Fly” through each level, plucking the chickens from the ground and then soaring away. Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds and you’ll have to use some strategy (for example, you’ll have to pick up and drop stones on the glass coops in order to get to the chickens!)
What I like about this game is that not only is it challenging, but it makes me want to play a level over and over again, even after I’ve achieved the objective, in order to get a faster time.
Follow the Rabbit
This charming game has you mobilizing a square with eyes to follow a rabbit through a door in every level. You have to collect coins as you go, and sometimes a little cleverness is involved — use stones, balloons and other items in each level to collect as many coins as possible in the shortest time.
There are more than five different environments and more than 100 levels to tease your brain. You’ll find the game deceptively simple, which is ultimately what makes it so addictive. Moves have to be made in the correct order, and you’re rewarded for making as few moves as possible, so use your resources efficiently.
The addition of a main character makes things ultra-interesting, meaning you have to move two squares at the same time and they mirror each other’s movements. Put on your thinking cap.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Armor Games Inc.
Download: iTunes
9 Innings: Pro Baseball 2013
This game is officially licensed with the MLBPA and uses 1,400 real players, photos, data and the league schedule. You can also enjoy constant roster updates, in-game inbox, and the ability to trade cares between players through the network exchange market.
The option to choose between autoplay and semi-autoplay is a nice feature, and the game features the same smooth motion and special modes fans of the previous versions have already come to appreciate.
Check out the free version before deciding whether or not you want to spend more for the PLUS version, but know that the only difference is ads versus no ads.
MANOS – The Hands of Fate
The storyline goes like this: Lost on their vacation, Mike and his family wander the desert trying to find a place to stay, but wind up in the haunted Valley Lodge which is maintained by the strange Torgo.
Of course, the big draw here is the retro gameplay with the perfect amount of plot. The hotel, naturally, is crawling with odd creatures (dun dun duh), and when Mike’s family goes missing, he has to take on each creepy crawly in order to find them again.
With your revolver, wander the haunted halls, head out into the desert, and battle the dark forces to stay alive and find the fam!
What Are You Playing?
Which games are you hooked on right now? Let your fellow gamers and iPad enthusiasts know in the comments section below!
