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The free iPhone game Trawler Report: Terminator Salvation, iBomber and Perfect Balance: Inferno explode into action

8th June

The free iPhone game Trawler Report: Terminator Salvation, iBomber and Perfect Balance: Inferno explode into action
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We’re in the thick of the summer blockbuster season, so you can expect film-related debris keep on falling down onto the App Store like nuclear fallout for at least the next month or so. Some of it, we’re a tad dubious about, like Escape from Pelham 123, but others are absolute must-tries.

We’ve got one of them for you in this week’s catch, Terminator Salvation. It may not last all that long, but it sure is glossy. Gloss looks even better when it’s free.

Elsewhere in this week’s report, we’ve got trial bikes, a zen-infused game gone bad and a spot of classic arcade action. Above all though, remember to stay away from Christmas cards for at least the next few months. We’ll see you next week.

The best free iPhone games on the App Store

terminator salvationTerminator Salvation Free
By Gameloft
What is it? It’s the official game of the movie
Type Demo

Although we enjoyed Terminator Salvation at review, we couldn’t get over quite how short it was. Now, Gameloft has offered up a free version so you can see if its brand of 3D blasting tickles your fancy for laying down any cold, hard electronic cash. It’s an ambitious action title that lets you move and aim freely around its environments.

You get to play a section of a level in this free version. As you might imagine, since the full game’s pretty short, this gratis version doesn’t last all that long, but it’s well worth a go if you want to find out what your iPhone’s capable of in the visuals department.

ibomberiBomber
By Cobra Mobile
What is it? It’s an aerial bomber
Type Demo

Bombs away! iBomber lets you take on the role of a World War II-style bomber, dropping great big payloads of highly explosive material onto boats, tanks and other enemy units just as keen to do you in as you are to drop TNT on their heads. Earning a Bronze Award when we reviewed it, iBomber gets a thumbs-up from us.

The free version includes a single level from the full game, which is enough for you to get a taste of the accelerometer controls and the unusual gameplay. We called it a "big, explosive burst of fun," and if that’s not enough to get you to download a trial of it, you need a bomb dropping on you.

2xl supercross2XL Supercross Lite
By 2XL Games
What is it? It’s a great looking stunt bike racer
Type Demo

When we reviewed 2XL Supercross, we criticised it for its lack of focus. Of course, being a demo, there are no such issues with this demo. You can just lie back and enjoy its lovely visuals and muddy fun without worrying here, since it’s just a free taster.

You do still get to try out a whole race in this lite version, making 2XL Supercross Lite worth a download if you want to check out one of the snazziest racing games on the App Store. You do have to use the accelerometer though, so it might not be all that suitable for playing discreetly on the bus… or at church.

brick breaker revolutionBrick Breaker Revolution Free
By Digital Chocolate
What is it? It’s Digi Choc’s own take on Arkanoid
Type Demo

Although there’s been a lot of brick or block busting games released over the past few years, it’s rare for one of them to actually add to the classic formula of simply controlling a paddle and blasting away bricks til they’re all gone. Although the core gameplay is still there, Brick Breaker Revolution actually manages to shake things up a bit. Rather than having distinct levels, the main game mode features screens of blocks that you can move between once you’ve hit a specific block in the screen.

This is actually a 2D version of Brick Breaker Revolution 3D, already released on the App Store. Although a bit less flashy, purists may even prefer this version. With plenty of visual effects popped in for good measure, it’s certainly not an ugly game either.

Pick of the Week

perfect balancePerfect Balance: Inferno Lite
By ttursas
What is it? It’s a zen balancing game, without the zen
Type Demo

Physics games are rife on the iPhone, but using physics and doing something interesting with physics are two different things. Perfect Balance: Inferno manages to do both, asking you to balance a set of objects within a screen peppered with obstacles. Some of these will be stationary, and can be used to prop your objects up on, but others will move, threatening to throw your placed objects into the abyss.

The sequel to Perfect Balance: Harmony, Inferno is a bit more intense than its sibling, but they make a great pair. The Lite version features ten puzzles from the full 120 and, with levels that generally take just a minute or too, it’s a great companion for a daily commute.

Crapps Apps Box of Shame Award

santa cardsSanta Cards Lite Edition
By Lindman Design
What is it? It’s Christmas cards… no, really.
Type Demo

Oh come on, it’s June. There should be no place for Christmas cards on anyone’s iPhone in June. It should have been blocked by Apple’s approvals team for being offensive to the senses. If Santa Cards Lite had a front door, we’d stand in front of it with placards daubed with ‘No Santa this Summer’ slogans, grumbling loudly into coffee thermoses.

Okay, we wouldn’t actually do that. But no matter how desperate retailers may be for a festive cash injection we really shouldn’t be encouraging them to bring their pre-Christmas sales ahead by four months by downloading apps like this. Boo hiss, indeed.