Touch Arcade

Oceanhorn might be a flawed, blatant rip-off of Zelda, but it’s worth playing — especially for the originality it does introduce. And it might not deliver finely tuned mechanics quite the way Zelda does, but it’s still fun for all the same reasons. Clone or not, we need more high-quality, distraction-free experiences on mobile. No ads, no IAP, and even with a few blemishes Oceanhorn is a must-have for any iOS gamer.

Simply put, Anomaly 2 is everything Anomaly fans could have ever wanted in a true sequel. The gameplay additions, impressive graphics and competitive multiplayer improve on nearly every facet of the original (and psuedo-sequel Korea, for that matter). Anomaly Warzone Earth was a game of the year candidate when it came out in 2011, and Anomaly 2 should be on that short list for this year as well.

Overall, there’s a lot to like with GT Racing 2 but the upgrade timers and forced linearity of the campaign mode really bring down an otherwise fun experience. Obviously racing aficionados will want to check it out, but I think GT Racing 2 is also approachable enough that novices can get into the mix. Sure, the freemium elements are an annoyance, but the lack of any true paywalls means everyone can (eventually) enjoy all that it has to offer.

It's bigger, looks better, offers more value for your money all around, and turns up the challenge in a very thoughtful way. The original game was one of those great experiences where I finished it and was still very hungry for more, and here it is. Unless you despise auto-runners, occasional in-game ads, or fun, this fiesta is not to be missed.

If you've had more than enough of the LEGO games by now, this game isn't going to change your mind. Rather than being an attempt at shaking up the status quo like its console big brother, this version is more than content to throw another burger on the grill, this time with Middle-Earth seasoning.

Everyday Spelunker is best enjoyed by retro enthusiasts who either never caught the game in a previous incarnation, or those who want to relive their fondest memories of the franchise on the go. The game is decidedly dated for numerous reasons, and although the game was a trailblazer for its time, the touch screen controls don't really lend themselves very well to a precision platformer.

Control issues aside, Ittle Dew is a pretty great little puzzle adventure. The pacing is great, the puzzles are challenging without going too far off the deep end, and every little bit of it is oozing with quirky charm. It's a shame it doesn't do service to the action side of Zelda as well as it does to the puzzle side, but the emphasis on puzzles in the design shows the developers are aware of where the game's strengths lie. It may not be quite up to the lofty standards of its inspiration, but for fans of adventure games... read the name of the game.

At the end of the day, while Dead Trigger 2 is a nice improvement, it’s still overly repetitive. The new variety of enemies and different mission options are nice, however, the basic structure is still the same, and if you found yourself getting bored quickly with the first one, you probably will with this one.

As I’ve mentioned several times, Oil Rush is a gorgeous game. Combine this with established gameplay elements and there should have been a lot of love. However, it just felt like the various aspects of Oil Rush just didn’t mesh well together. The quick and simple controls don’t mesh with the slow gameplay while visuals don’t do enough to provide adequate feedback. It’s an awkward position to be in for a game and makes for a title that I wouldn’t necessarily recommend in its current form.

With a ton of gameplay, a distinct visual style, and a price tag of zero dollars, Deadly Bullet is an easy recommendation. It's a great way to spend an afternoon, and you'll get lost in the endless quest to unlock more content and top your high score.