Mid-week iOS releases: The Last Express, Amazing Runner, God of Blades, and more
Newbies
Welcome back to Pocket Gamer's weekly round-up of the latest iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad games.
Here's how it works. Because New Zealand is the first country to zip through the international date line, Kiwis get all the new apps first.
That's handy for us, as we get to see exactly what games will be available in the UK and US from around midnight this evening.
So, here's what will be out when the clock strikes 12 this evening. (If you're looking for Bad Piggies, stop - Rovio doesn't play by anyone's rules, and doesn't release its games in New Zealand early. So, you'll have to wait until tomorrow for that one.)
Dead StopBy Techland - buy on iPhone and iPad
Dead Stop is a zombie tower defence in which your defensive weapons are built by an eccentric scientist. So, you'll plop down madcap contraptions like a laser made out of an old oven, and an electric-powered machine gun.
Levels are set in campsites, abandoned towns, and spooky graveyards. Each location has zombie maze games as well as survival modes. Also, it's made by Techland, who did that Dead Island thingy on big boy consoles.
The Last ExpressBy DotEmu - buy on iPhone and iPad
The Last Express, from Prince of Persia pioneer Jordan Mechner, is an odd beast. It's an adventure game set on the Orient Express in 1914, where the train's passengers play out conversations and interactions in real time.
As American doctor Robert Cath, you'll need to be in the right places at the right time to find all the clues and solve the game's mystery. It's a cult classic on PC, and it's now on iOS - with hints and achievements thrown in for good measure.
Watch the file size, though - with 20 hours of gameplay, conversations in five languages, and massive cinematics, it's a whopping 1.25GB download.
Electric TentacleBy unit9 - buy on iPhone and iPad
Electric Tentacle stars pandas, lions, and other cuddly zoo animals, who have been shrunk down so small they can be measured in nanometres.
It's all about making bolts of electricity with a tap of your finger to tie your fuzzy friends together and drag them through the obstacles. London-based production company unit9 is behind this one.
God of BladesBy White Whale Games - buy on iPhone and iPad
Kickstarter success story God of Blades is all rather wonderful. It's an auto-runner with visceral physics-led combat, all wrapped up in a gorgeous otherworldly environment inspired by classic fantasy fiction and prog rock album covers. Groovy, right?
That's not all. There's a Foursquare-powered feature (in which you unlock bonus weapons by visiting real-world libraries), an album-length soundtrack of moody synth-heavy beats, and a monster campaign with an epic story. Read our preview, and then get this game.
Pilot's PathBy Happymagenta - buy on iPhone and iPad
In the presser for this game, developer Happymagenta described it as "if Desert Strike and an old school resource gatherer had a baby". Now, that's one way to grab an editor's attention.
You command an chopper as it flies about massive randomly generated world maps on the hunt for items to sell and missions to complete. It's all about souping up your helicopter with a bigger fuel tank, a more spacious cargo hold, a more dependable hull, and more speed.
It's also got remote control tech, so you can play on an iPad with an iPhone, or use Apple TV to play on your telly.
Amazing RunnerBy Freyr Games - buy on iPhone and iPad
Hello, Amazing Runner, are you our daily dose of Temple Run-style 3D auto-runner? This one's definitely got the goods in the visuals department - it reminds me of F-Zero and Ratchet and Clank.
It's quite different, too: you run up the walls and do mad loop-the-loops. If you're not sick of these games yet, it might be worth checking this one out tomorrow.
Zenforms: ProtectorsBy Calis Projects - buy on iPhone
Calling Zenforms: Protectors a Pokemon rip-off isn't really fair. Sure, it's an RPG with collectible creatures that get into scraps and evolve into new critters. But, this one looks to be far more ambitious than your typical Pokeclone.
You can customise your character, and ensure that your baby Zenforms evolve into a great branching family tree based on their battle and defensive stats. Sounds good - though take note that version 1.0 is "not that long", and that the rest will be delivered in free updates down the line.
NFL Pro 2013By Gameloft - download free on iPhone and iPad
Gameloft's latest gridiron sim is packed to the rafters with real-world players and teams. In fact, you can choose your favourite team from any of the 32 franchises. I hope that means something to you.
There's also a whole management element to it, where you can hire players, upgrade your stadium, edit your plays, and run practice games to optimise your team's performance. It's freemium, so expect some in-app purchases here and there.
JumpsterBy G5 Entertainment - download free on iPhone and iPad
G5 normally spends its time clogging up our Inbox with new hidden object games and other adventures where you scour a scene for a flashlight, three eggs, and a coffee percolator.
Physics-based platformer Jumpster is something new from the firm, then, in every way.
You get around the game's alien world by firing Jumpster like a slingshot, and you'll want to propel the inky black extraterrestrial through traps and teleports while he searches for UFO fuel. You'll have to top-up his spaceship's gas in 80-odd levels. It's free, too.
