Touch Arcade

Unfortunately, there’s just too much variability in terms of match quality to unequivocally recommend N.O.V.A. 3 based on its multiplayer. The annoying glitches and matchmaking system don’t help and the lag is an issue that needs to be addressed. It’s a shame because the underlying advancement and build systems are solid with a large potential for customizability.

In between all of this, crammed between the good and the bad, nestled between the occasional guilty crystal expenditure, that's where the magic happens.

Regardless, with a great selection of music, simple but well-executed gameplay, and a good, clean overall presentation, Cytus is well worth a recommendation for anyone interested in rhythm games.

Overall, however, Kingdom Rush is a fantastic package. It's a game that made me take notice, that made a well-trod genre seem a bit fresher and more interesting than it's been in a while. Its presentation is top notch, too.

So, yeah, Bejeweled Blitz is what it says it is, and it's smart about the whole "blitz" part, integrating some new elements while allowing the same core play to shine. While I'd love to see some official iOS Game Center love, the Facebook stuff is sharp enough to support the entire structure. Convince some friends to jump in and I think you'll have a good time.

Regardless, I understand that most folks aren't playing these games for the voice acting or even for the story. The most important question is whether Gangstar Rio is actually fun to play. The answer to that is definitely a 'yes.' Rio's improvements to the core gameplay system, combined with better visuals and good music make this game the best yet in the series. However, much like the previous iterations, there are a few issues that prevent the game from living up to its full potential.

But if you're willing to take it for what it is and want nothing more than the ability to engineer pixelated utopias while you're on the go, Minecraft: Pocket Edition isn't exactly a lost cause. The developers appear to have a number of updates lined up. Minecraft: Pocket Edition could potentially be an awesome thing someday. Until that day comes, though, it is best purchased by the curious, the affluent and the hardcore fan.

The App Store is clotted with tons and tons of tower defense games and Jelly Division doesn’t have a mechanical spark that differentiates it from most others. It is however a decent-enough tower defense game with an utterly fantastic look and vibe. Its art alone is worth the price of admission, but the game part holds up alright despite the orthodox approach.

If you for some reason need some additional convincing before mashing that download button in iTunes, swing by our forums where you'll see similar praise for this incredible game.

The graphics are gorgeous, and despite the retro inspiration Super QuickHook is visually impressive even by today’s standards. It offers so much content and such high production values, it’s as near-perfect as any iPhone game I’ve played thus far, and is bound to be an even greater cult-classic than even Hook Champ was. It’s a shining example of how a sequel should be done, and will live a long happy life on my device forever.