Welcome to 2013, the year that shall go down in history as the one that started with every being in my household violently expelling substances out of every orifice imaginable. That's my fancy way of saying the this one's going to be a short one.
My wife, two 18-month-old boys and I were given the gift of a nasty stomach bug for Christmas, and while the children and their mother succumbed early on, come last weekend we were all in the same boat. I didn't want to play any gaming apps. I didn't want to stare at colorful things. I just wanted to curl up in a bathtub and hide.
I've done some catching up since I got back into fighting form on Wednesday, and while I only managed to play an additional five more games on top of a shortened Gaming App of the Day rotation, one of the makes me feel pretty so it all balances out in the end. Happy New Year, everybody!
iOS
The distilled essence of every 8-bit action role-playing game ever. Love it.
A physics puzzler with a cute and quirky style, challenging and polished.
LEGO Legends of Chima: Speedorz
I dig LEGO's new line of furry warrior playsets. Not all that fond of the racing game for the iPad and iPhone, but the price was right (free).
Android
Don't you judge me. I am a pretty princess.
Farming Simulator 2012 (also on iOS)
A mini version of the greatest PC game of 2012, without all the annoying multiplayer. I've learned a lot.
Gaming App of the Day — December 31 - January 4, 2013
The Sequel To The Best Reverse-Tower-Defense Game Is Superb, If Barely a Sequel
Not that you can trust user reviews on iTunes, but one player of Anomaly: Korea recently praised the reverse-tower-defense game as being "one of a kind." That's false. More »
So Far, Hundreds Is the 2013 Game of the Year
I think I know what you're thinking: Game of the Year 2013? Already? That's crazy talk. More »
Almost the Wipeout-Style Futuristic Hovercar Racer the iPhone Has Been Waiting For
I want to go fast - faster than modern day street vehicles are capable of travelling. I've felt the need for ground-based speed since I was a small-ish boy, so games like F-Zero, Wipeout and Extreme-G (remember Extreme-G?) have always been a passion. Plenty of mobile developers have attempted to capture the power and energy of the futuristic racer. Not many have come close. Pixelbite's Repulze is nearly there. More »