This is a pretty solid week for releases, bringing us everything from unique skating games to old iOS revivals, creative platformers, and even a silly new jumping game from Sega. Topping our list is True Skate, from True Axis, a very well done skating game that seems more like a virtual Tech Deck. We’ve also got a Stupid Zombies sequel, an Alice in Wonderland platformer, a music game from Square Enix, and that silliness from Sega. Here are this week’s top iPhone games.
True Skate ($1.99)
This is the latest game from True Axis, the developers of Jet Car Stunts and other titles. It is a flat out brilliant skateboarding game, similar to Touchgrind in that it eliminates the need for a virtual person to ride the board. Here, your fingers become that person, and the gameplay is designed in such a way that you actually feel like you’re developing physical skill as you play. Much like Topia: World Builder of last week’s list, this game is more like a toy than a game right now. But before long, several modes and options will be added. I haven’t been into skating games for years, but this one has me hooked.
Stupid Zombies 2 ($0.99)
The first Stupid Zombies was an insanely popular destruction physics puzzler, similar to Fragger and all the various games it inspired. It doesn’t quite hold up as well today, and I’m not sure what the big deal was in the first place, but we finally get a sequel to it. You can enjoy 300 new levels with all-new violent puzzle elements, plus the art and other production values are far better now, evident by the game’s icon alone. I’m not sure it’ll quite stand up to the likes of Hambo or Monster Island, with all their polish, but it’s probably worth a look.
A Wonderland Story ($0.99)
This is a new puzzle platformer from Josh Presseisen, who also brought us JAM: Jets Aliens Missiles. It has an out-of-this-world art style and unique, clever mechanics the likes of which you’d only find after going down the rabbit hole. You play as the white rabbit trying to get back to the queen while avoiding Alice. The environment is made up several columns of blocks, and It’s up to you to slide them as the white rabbit approaches, making pathways and defeating enemies. You can also enjoy a randomized endless mode. This game is very original, and definitely worth checking out.
Symphonica (Free)
This is the latest from Square Enix, and apparently, it’s an “entirely new breed of music game.” That seems to be the case though, as you conduct a symphony and probably eventually save the world somehow. Instead of focusing on rhythm and tapping, the game gives you some more freedom in how you conduct, allowing for a bit of creativity. Kind of like Wii Music, only with more direction and not as entirely pointless. Unfortunately, like their last few games, the pricing is episodic, with a free-to-try, but ludicrously expensive to buy system. It’s also very buggy, which doesn’t help. Still, fairly unique and novel.
Sonic Jump ($1.99)
Well, this is just ridiculous. Sega, a couple years after the whole endless jumping craze has died down, releases a Sonic the Hedgehog-based jumping game instead of a runner (which are very popular right now). Also, Sonic tends to run fast. But anyway, the shocking thing is that it’s actually shockingly well executed, with solid design, and that isn’t just nostalgia talking. You can play in various modes that take us through legendary worlds like Green Hill Zone, fight bosses, and unlock various members of Sonic’s critter friend characters to play as. The art is pretty slick, and all in all, it’s a solid jumper worth playing.
