Adam’s Favourite iPad Games – Revisited

(Note: This article originally featured on my first attempt at a WordPress blog, and I’m restoring it here! Also, there are five new entries that I recently discovered, they’re gonna be at the end of the article!)

I got an iPad around a year ago, and it’s quickly become my most used and beloved console yet. Although I assume I’ll continue to be a fan of Nintendo for whatever reasons, using the iPad has opened up a whole new world for me, and it feels as wonderful as a magic carpet ride. From the 69p Angry Birds games to the premium Square games, I’ve found tons of games to get busy with, and I know I’ve barely scratched the surface for what the platform has to offer. Therefore, indulge me for a moment, as I list the many different iOS games that I’ve loved, with a key factor being how they offer something unique to the platform.

So here’s the list! There’s no order, because the list of games I played is a big one, way over 30 games, I think! Hope you enjoy!

Knightmare Tower

‘Just one more go’ is a dangerous quote to say to yourself, especially when it comes to iPad games. The thought always enters the back of your mind when you least expect it, and Knightmare Tower became that one game I couldn’t stop playing. The simple yet brilliant gameplay was something that gave me the power to feel like I was getting better and stronger, while also ramping up the difficulty. The visual aesthetic is also something I was attracted to, where the overly cartoony  designs were always lovely to look at. Here’s a game that I really enjoyed, and will probably work my way through again in the near future.

GTA: Vice City

There’s nothing better for me than to just relax on a beach and listen to some Judas Priest. Or Hall and Oates. Or Toto. Or Gary Numan. Basically, GTA: Vice City is my fave GTA game in part because of the 80s aesthetic, where everything is either hot pink or neon purple, and the radio stations are blasting Iron Maiden. Of course, Vice City also has the best cast of characters, the most fun missions (except for those ones where fly a remote controlled thing), and the most creative writing and voice acting. Tommy Vercetti is a brilliant creation, and represents nearly everything I want in a GTA character. The iOS port isn’t without it’s problems, with the controls being the biggest issue, but everything you want from a GTA game is there, and it’s just as good as it ever was.

Terraria/The Blockheads

As much as I adore Minecraft, the Pocket Edition on iPad just doesn’t do it for me right now. Maybe it needs more updates, some controller support, maybe even some technically upgrades. However, right now I just can’t get into it, at least until some serious updates happen. Despite this, I feel as if there’s plenty of options available for iPad people who wanna punch trees, and those games are the iOS centric ‘The Blockheads’, and the PC port ‘Terraria’. Both games are here because they both made serious alterations to the Minecraft formula so that each game is great fun, and not hampered by terrible controls, or a lack of things to do. Each game focuses on different parts of the formula, with Blockheads having a Sims-like hunger/warmth/etc meter for each individual block person, while Terraria places more of a focus on fighting and RPG-style progression, which is assisted by the transition to 2D sprites.

Angry Birds: Star Wars

I love Angry Birds. There, I said it. It’s a franchise that’s everywhere right now, but I see that exposure as a testament to the success of adorable mascots, as well as new ideas in games. Sure, there may have been a case of saturation with the characters, seeing as they appear on everything from T-Shirts, Lunchboxes, Coffee Mugs, Theme Park Rides, whatever. Yes, the gameplay is as simple as you can get, and was probably done better through different Online Flash games. However, this is a game franchise that excelled at offering people a fun little game with cute and cuddly characters, which happened to capture the public’s imagination. As long as I enjoy myself when playing the games, whether it’s the vehicle building sim that is ‘Bad Piggies’, or even the gravity focused ‘Angry Birds Space’, there’s nothing more satisfying than flinging a little bird at a load of wooden planks and screaming pigs. I picked out the Star Wars game because no matter what, it still boggles my mind, and I love looking at each Stormtrooper having little snouts and pig ears.

Zen Pinball

I enjoy several pinball games, but the pinball series I fell in love with was Zen Pinball. First time I got it was through Playstation Plus, and I loved how close each table got to using a real pinball table. Not only that, but each table was interesting and varied, meaning I’d get Zen Pinball on numerous other devices, such as 3DS and even iPad. With the iPad version, I got to see the game at it’s very best, with constant updates and DLC to keep me busy, So far, my fave table is the Star Wars V: Empire Strikes Back one, with it’s constant action and flashy visuals. However, each table clearly had a lot of effort and detail put into it, and it’s something that makes the game as fun and enjoyable as possible. Here, we can see how DLC can enhance the experience, as apposed to take away parts to be sold later, and I’m more than happy to trust Zen Studios in the future to deliver quality Pinball tables through DLC. My personal favourite Tables include the Marvel Avengers one, the Arsenal Football one, and the one that has Nikola Tesla on it.

Super Hexagon

One thing I love about iPad games are the simpleness of most of the stand out games, as well as the hidden complexities. Of all the games to showcase this concept of ‘simple, but difficult’, it’s Super Hexagon, one of the most infuriating yet fun games to come out. Made by the creator of VVVVVV, you can see similar ideas of simple controls matched with an immense difficulty, where the challenge is never unfair, but the game is still as hard as possible. When you get a Game Over, you can instantly try again, meaning that it’s easy to just keep trying and trying until you can clearly see yourself getting better, meaning that you get an instant feeling of progression and advancement. This system has allowed the game to gain widespread acclaim, and the portability of the iPad means I can stick to the game for as long as I need, which may be several hours at a time. 

The Room

A box on a table in the middle of the room that needs opening. Such a simple concept, and I’ve dedicated so much time to unraveling this mystery. A great example of getting your money’s worth from an iPad game, it may not take long to complete, but the Room offers an intriguing and memorable puzzle to solve. It uses the same puzzle-solving mechanics that other games in its genre have, where the puzzles are all intricately designed and presented to make sure that the game is challenging, but never impossible to finish. The little moments where you solve a bit of a puzzle all build up towards the final goal of opening the box, and it was something I couldn’t stop playing until the end. Not only that, but ‘The Room Two’ only expands on the gameplay even further, with even better looking visuals and numerous other additions.

Super Crate Box

I hate it I love it I hate it I love it I hate love hate love hate love. These are just some of the thoughts going through my head when playing Super Crate Box, a wonderfully designed arcade game from Vlambeer. You shoot the monsters while grabbing the crates, which each have different weapons to use. This is such a simple game, but it adds to the number of iPad games that are simple to play but hard to master, which is something I’m enjoying seeing more from games. The art-style is wonderful, the music is catchy, and the gameplay is never unfair, even if you spend a good chunk of your time swearing at the game. A wonderful game, made by wonderful people who seem to want me to do nothing but shout at my iPad.

 Fruit Ninja

Everyone seems to ‘get’ Fruit Ninja. You see the fruit, you slice it. Such a simple concept, and yet its something I always find myself playing every now and then. This easy ‘pick up and play’ concept means that the game is always satisfying, and showing it to a new player is never difficult or complicated, what with the game being best explained through it’s title. However, it’s a game that I’ve always enjoyed, and couldn’t imagine not having on my iPad at all times, whether it’s to pass the time or to really get invested in. Basically, it’ a game where you slice fruit like a ninja. What’s not to love?

Ridiculous Fishing

Vlambeer have proven to be masters of the concept ‘Simple to play, hard to master’. Games like the previously mentioned Super Crate Box, Luftrausers and Nuclear Throne have amassed plenty of fans, and Ridiculous Fishing shows what happens when one of the most ingenious indie developers in the industry makes full use of tablets.The interesting artstyle is just one of the innovations, with the gameplay being the right level of challenging and fun to always feel like a game of skill. The gratification you get from shooting a large ton of fish into oblivion is always a laugh as well, wand it helps serve as a companion piece to the more calm and structured hook-diving stages. The game itself is also loaded with charm, from the ‘Byrdr’ Twitter parody, to the different upgrades that can assist and impress you.

Boson X

Remember when I gushed about Super Hexagon? What about all the other auto-runners I adored? Boson X feels like a combination that works in the best possible way. The idea is to keep running and jumping forward, dodging the incoming walls and obstacles, in order to get to 100% completion. Like other games of it’s genre, it’s a fun exercise in frustration  and enjoyment, where the challenge is in how you can beat your previous high score, while the game never punishes you for failing. The vector-esque style is also great to look at, and the distinct use of colours are what make it stand out.

Plants Vs. Zombies

The Zombies are coming, so you place the plants to attack the zombies. Of all the PopCap games to capture people’s imaginations, it’s easy to see why the wonderful looking zombies and plants have gotten as big as they have. This is a simple strategy game that allows all players to instantly understand it’s rules, and instantly start having fun with the brilliant looking designs, the quickness of each round, and the freedom in which players can complete the game. Here, each victory feels earned, as a testament to the player’s quick thinking, with the game offering new ideas in the form of new weapons as a reward. Overall, a great game that’s been remembered as a key part of its genre.

Sonic The Hedgehog

Most of the ports I buy are usually good despite the iPad, as apposed to these games being improved by the iPad. This usually means a voice in the back of my mind is going on about how the touch screen controls don’t really work, or the limitations of the device mean I can’t play it properly, even if the game is great. However, the port of Sonic the Hedgehog onto iOS is such a masterclass in how to convert a game to iPad, any complaints about controls and such quickly get ignored. The game plays just as well on the iPad as it did when the original was released on the Mega Drive, and it looks and sounds even better as well. Not only this, but there are substantial upgrades to the game, with the control mechanics from Sonic 2 being used, and the ability to play as Tails and Knuckles despite neither character existing before this game. It stands as one of the greatest ports ever seen, and it’s something I’d recommend to everyone.

Game Dev Story

I’ve been playing Game Dev Tycoon recently, which I’ve been having fun with. However, there’s always a nagging voice at the back of my head saying that Game Dev Story was a lot more fun and charming, and I think it’s a certain kind of magic Kairosoft specialise in. It may be the cute pixel graphics, it may be the simplistic approach to organising a game company, or even the sweet references to gaming history. However, what kept me playing Game Dev Story for ages was it’s brilliant sense of progression, where learning what combinations were best became something I’d look forward to with each play-through. There’s nothing more satisfying than choosing the right genre and style, picking the right people for the right job, deciding on the right platform and audience, then releasing your latest masterpiece for the world to enjoy.

Organ Trail: Director’s Cut

Do people still like Zombies? It feels like they’ve been around forever, and people have run out of ways to make them interesting. However, I can always appreciate any new ideas shown, such as this fusing of the Oregon Trail and the classic Zombie concept. The game shows how an old game can be enhanced not only with suitable subject matter, but also with a decent sense of humour about itself. All aspects of both Oregon Trail and the Zombie genre are poked fun at, and the game itself is consistently entertaining.

Rayman Jungle Run

One of my favourite platformers from the previous generation was Rayman Origins, which re-introduced the character in a brilliantly drawn and animated 2D side-scroller with more imagination and challenge than most of it’s competitors. When it comes to the iPad spinoff, the magic is still there, except the auto-runner genre is the perfect companion to an art-style that is both beautiful and imaginative. The complexities of the levels mean that the game can be both fun and challenging, with the charm that was evident in Rayman Origins being successfully translated into this new iOS interpretation.

Death Rally

Top Down Racing games seem to work really well on large tablets, with games such as Reckless Racing offering an experience that transcends the genre. However, I remember Death Rally from way back, so the remake was right up my alley. The controls are responsive and well implemented into the iPad screen, and the visuals always look great. The steady progression of your car is always noticeable, and the different variations you could have mean there are plenty of ways to find your own way of playing the game. The game was made by Remedy, the developers of Alan Wake and the upcoming Quantum Break, showing how even developers used to making large detailed games can benefit from testing what sort of games iPad can do.

McPixel

This game became a particular favourite for people making Let’s Plays, and it’s easy to see why. The brilliant use of pixel graphics as an art-style, the basic gameplay, and the subversive humour. It feels like an anti-Point and Click game, where there’s no rhyme or reason to anything, and experimentation is the key to success. Such a game works wonderfully on the iPad, where I just found myself clicking on anything not just to see if I could complete the puzzle, but also just to see what crazy reaction I could get, as the unpredictable nature of the game showed a great example of how comedy can be done right in a videogame. 

Chu Chu Rocket

I remember this being the first Dreamcast game I played, as a young lad whose only previous console was the Nintendo 64. As a puzzle game, it was a sweet, challenging way of using your brain, with clear goals and paths. Thankfully, the iPad has proven to be a brilliant place to put puzzle games, with touch controls offering an all new way of interacting with the game, and Chu Chu Rocket shows how this can be done especially well. The touch based controls just seem to fit perfectly with the slow and steady pace of the game, where moves don’t need rapid reactions, but instead benefit from a calculated, thought out response. It was fun when it was on the Dreamcast, and I believe the game is even better on the iPad.

Lili

I have an iPad 4, and although it’s not the most stellar graphical powerhouse anymore, it still can impress me with some outstanding visuals and technology. This is shown through games like XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which I still believe was ported through witchcraft, or even Pac-Man, which I reckon looks fantastic in all its pixely glory on the large iPad screen. However, Lili serves as a great representation for what the console is capable of, with the Wind Waker meets Studio Ghibli art-style being enhanced with the technical capabilities of the iPad showing one of the most visually pleasant games I’ve played recently. The gameplay is also fun, with the relaxed pace being matched with the fun action bits, where you chase giant wood beings to get flowers from them. As I said, the Studio Ghibli feel is definitely there.

Machinarium

Point and Click Adventure Games are important to me, and I’ve amassed a good collection of them on the iPad. From Broken Sword to Monkey Island, I’ve been able to enjoy a variety of both classic games and new releases, with Telltale showing a great level of support for the iPad. However, I always enjoy bringing up Machinarium in Best Of Lists, so here it is! The atmosphere, the designs, the puzzles, the creativity, it’s all made better by the iPad’s touch-based control system, which is comparable to even playing the game on the PC. If you haven’t experienced this yet, now’s as good a time as any to get going.

Mikey Shorts

As lovely as I think platformers can be on the iPad, the lack of any proper buttons is something I have to deal with. Hopefully, an affordable iOS7 controller will come out soon for iPad, but until then, virtual joysticks and buttons aren’t going to be that great a replacement. However, there are some games that transcend the control limitations, and Mikey Shorts is a fantastic example. A fast paced, well presented and easily digested game, it makes quick reactions and other forms of platforming to become a great example of how to make the genre work on a buttonless console. Plus, going through all the different costumes, hats and other additions can be a great laugh, especially when watching them in action.

Peggle

The beautiful thing about Peggle is that it seems to be perfect on every console I’ve played it on. I’ve gone through it on PC, I’ve loved it on iPod Touch, and now my favourite version of the game is on the iPad. The visuals look fantastic on the iPad’s retina screen, the feeling of accomplishment and exaltation is something that is unique to this game, and the experience is made all the better on the iPad. The crisp retina display, the ease in which you can pick up and play the game bits at a time, the touch controls, it all adds to an experience that has to be played. Not only that, but the inclusion of ‘Peggle Nights’ means you could probably spend your entire life with Peggle. Forever and ever, indeed.

Raiden: Legacy

Another classic genre to be enhanced by the addition of touch controls is the famous ‘Schmup’ genre, which developers such as CAVE and DotEmu have been keeping alive. The touch controls that tablets offer seem to be well suited to the shooting genre, where the player’s finger can direct the ship, which is autoshooting. This can be seen in the example I’m giving here, a collection of several games from the Raiden series. Here, the challenge is always matched by the fun in each game, and the controls and presentation of the iPad show how the genre can benefit from tablets. Although games like Deathsmiles and the DonPachi series show a similar level of expertise and creativity, the value and accessibility of Raiden Legacy are what make it stand out for me. Extra shout outs go to other great ports of R-Type and Blazing Star.

Happy Street

Ah, freemium. A word that sends a chill down my spine every time I see those monotonous city building games that rely on gems, coins, timers, patience, or cold hard cash (Lest we forget, the horror that was Rollercoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile. *Shudder*). Keeping this in mind, it was wonderful to find an example of the genre that didn’t seem like a cynical cash-grab, and instead played more like a 2D Animal Crossing game, with a focus on the city building aspect.  The sense of humour, the colourful and inventive artstyle, and the brilliant use of game theory to enhance the game, not abuse the trust of the player, mean that the game stands as great example of how to make a game for iOS. I almost wish it could be put on other consoles, but it feels like the kind of game that could only work on phones and tablets, where players have instant access to it. 

Infinity Blade

This game was the big thing that people either saw as proof that ‘hardcore’ games were possible on iOS, or the proof that ‘hardcore’ games could never work on iOS. For me, it was a fun little game that reminded me of Punch Out!! in ways, with an interesting story and decent gameplay mechanics. The whole live system is also what got be interested in the franchise, where the death of your character leads a son to take your place decades later. It also manages to integrate this lives mechanic into the progression of each character, where lessons learnt and experience gained reveal this framing device to be surprisingly welcome.

Canabalt

Ah, the auto-runner genre. If there’s something iOS is happy to show off, it’s this. The easy controls, the freedom for creative art-styles, and the genius innovations that it could be integrated into the gameplay, it’s no wonder why this genre is the most popular amongst iOS developers. For me, nothing can beat what may be one of the first auto-runners to gain widespread popularity, and that has everything to do with how simple it seems. It plays almost like an arcade game, except with a distinctive art-style and a pounding soundtrack by DannyB. A classic game in the history of indie games, it plays wonderfully on the iPad, where the single action means that the player can instantly react to whatever is in the way.

Gunman Clive

Sometimes, the presentation of a game can do wonders for it, and make me play games I never would have thought of playing. Gunman Clive’s hand-drawn, comic book style was something that attracted me to it, and I loved playing the game ever since. It plays like Mega Man, it looks like a Lucky Luke comic, and it’s great fun. The ease in which you can play the game gives the player every chance to instantly understand what obstacles do what, how enemies react and attack, as well as what levels operate by which rules. This is a game that takes the lessons in Game Design that Mega Man introduced, and utilises them to make a lovely old-school homage.

Worms 3

Ever since I was a young lad, I remember having Worms installed on my PC in some form or another. It’s the ultimate party game, and is a regular staple in any video-game night. The latest version of the classic franchise on tablets is Worms 3, which utilises the class system from Worms Revolution, as well as other new innovations. However, it’s been perfect for my iPad, as the pass-and-play mechanics that have always worked so well with Worms are matched by the large iPad screen. Once again, Worms is a multiplayer tour-de-force, and serves as a welcome addition to the number of local multiplayer games that excel on the iPad.

New Star Soccer

For a while, this was the time-waster of choice. A decision to just play one game would turn into an entire half-season, without me quite understanding where the transition happened. I guess there’s something I love about this simplified version of Football, where the only skill needed is the ability to kick a ball every now and then. This allowed me to just focus on the clear instructions given, and not have to worry about any intricate rules to football, such as what the hell the offside rule is. Same goes for the rest of the life-management stuff, where you have to maintain training as well as your lifestyle and other needs. Overall, it’s a fun game, one that could last people a good long while.

Calculords

Maths and Plants Vs. Zombies style stratergy combine in this great example of how to create an all new take on a well known genre! From the mind of internet writer Seanbaby, this has some great gameplay mechanics based around using calculator to deploy troops. The sense of humour is also great, and the sprite artwork is reminiscent of Mega Man, with bits of Tron and Flash Gordon thrown in for good measure. It’s a great time-killer, with kickass music and an intricate card-based system, it even shows that freemium games can be done brilliantly if given the chance.

FTL: Faster Than Light

A famous indie success story on PC, the Rouge-like in Space seems to be a perfect match for the iPad. Whizzing around through space is always fun, especially when it’s as frantic and intricate as this. The game’s filled to the brim with content, including the recent expansion, and I could see myself spending ages on it, discovering new planets, destroying pirates and rebels, and being the Captain Picard wannabe I’ve always wanted to be.

Transport Tycoon

Remember when I was going on about how terrible Rollercoaster Tycoon 4 was? Here’s an example of a city management done absolutely right. Set up entire train lines, get coal moving from one end of the map to the other, and make sure the buses run on time, in an almost perfect replication of the original PC game. The touch screen controls are a great way to get into the game, and seem like a natural fit.

Threes

I’ve heard of a game called 2048 joining the likes of Flappy Bird and Angry Birds as a flash-in-the-pan success, although people really should learn about the real experience. Threes was designed to be played over the course of months, even years, and I could imagine myself doing so for that long. Getting bigger and bigger numbers is a quest I’ve assigned myself to, and I usually end up playing entire two hour sessions despite originally promising myself ‘just five more minutes’.

rymdkapsel

Another sim-management game, although with an all new presentation and some other gameplay quirks. Rymdkapsel requires absolute planning, but also for the player to be patient, and be willing to accept that they’re not going to beat this game instantly. It’s the very definition of ‘easy to play, difficult to master’, where any initial joy at learning how to make a load of farms could instantly turn to despair once you realise that things are moving a lot quicker than you’d like.