The free iPhone game Trawler Report: Dungeon Defense, Star Defense Prelude and The Wars prove that we still haven’t had enough of tower defence

Since we’re forced to play mobile games all day, shackled to our iPhones and N95s, we tend to start complaining as soon as a game genre becomes too populous. We can’t help it - you would too if you had to play all of them.

This week’s Trawler crop proves that although tower defence games are some of the most common on iPhone, we just can’t get enough. We’ve got three of the darn things this week.

They’re a boon for freebie fans, too, since they’re such a wonderful time-drain that you’ll probably be able to happily while away an hour or so without paying a thing. For those of you who really have had enough of Fieldrunners fanciers, we’ve got a Worms-a-like and a puzzle deathmatch. Game on.

The best free iPhone games on the App Store

The Wars
By Clickgamer
What is it? It’s a prehistoric castle clash
Type Demo

Castle defence games are somewhat like the more prevalent tower defence sort, in that you’re still protecting some form of outpost from invading hordes of enemies, but you view them from the side instead of up above.

The Wars is more ambitious than it may at first appear. You start off with cavemen bashing each other with clubs, but as you progress you can actually move through the ages, building castles and cannons instead of having your troops emerge out of a cave.

Think of it as Civilization minus its degree and you’re most of the way there. The Lite version doesn’t let you progress that far, as you can’t actually progress to the next age, but it’s a heartily addictive challenge nevertheless.

Dungeon Defense Lite
By InMotion Software
What is it? It’s a dungeon crawling tower defence game
Type Demo

There are few more gamey environments than a good old chain-clanking dungeon. You get to become the proprietor of one in Dungeon Defense.

You’re trying to defend a mysterious crystal ball set at the centre of one of your ostentatiously grim halls, but you only have a certain number of guard posts to fill.

You can enlist trusty skeletons to fill these posts and equip them either with a sword, an axe or bow. Each different type costs a certain amount of ill-earned coin to buy, though, so you’re not just limited by the number of defensive points.

The Lite version gives you just the one level to play, but with loads of enemies sent your way during it Dungeon Defense Lite will keep you hooked for a while.

Puzzlegeddon FREE
By HandyGames
What is it? It’s a nifty match’em up
Type Demo

Puzzlegeddon may not look like much just from the screenshots, with the play board taking up only about half the screen and being - at first appearances - a bog-standard puzzler.

However, it's not. You’re up against opponents that fire rockets in your direction. You can send your own rockets, and indeed anti-rocket rockets, by making enough matches of a certain colour.

The free version lets you discover five of the full twelve attacks you can do, and it should keep you going longer than your average freebie. We recommend heading straight into the Career mode as the Quick mode is, well, a bit dull unless you’re addicted to online scoreboards.

Lets be honest, though - many of us are.

Super Water Bomber
By Digital Chocolate
What is it? It’s Worms with water bombs
Type Demo

In real life, throwing water bombs is the preserve of the very young and very annoying. In Super Water Bomber, though, it’s open season all year round. You have to plan the trajectory and power of your throws carefully to take out nearby bullies.

It’s a turn-based war of water, so think Worms or Star Hogs and you’re most of the way there. Granted, it’s not got the cred of the former or the gaming chops of the latter, but it’s not too shabby.

The Lite version gives you five levels from the huge roster of 125 offered in the full version. If Worms just isn’t quite cartoony enough for your tastes, Super Water Bomber could be right up your street.

Pick of the Week

Star Defense Prelude
By ngmoco
What is it? It’s a free version of our favourite TD titles
Type Full

If you haven’t yet bought the Gold Award-winning Star Defense for your iDevice, you really should. Not only is it dirt cheap at the moment, but it’s one of the best tower defense games available for any platform.

You’re defending the solar system against the alien S’Rath invaders by making defensive towers on the surface.

Although it may look like your common Lite version, Star Defense is actually a separate game. Sure, it’s meant to get you buying the paid-for Star Defense, but it’s also a prologue of sorts, letting you play through the moments when the S’Rath first appeared. It feels just like the standard Star Defense game, which is a very good thing.

Crap Apps Box of Shame award

I Am Awesome
By ImageChief
What is it? It’s an ego lolly for the truly needy
Type Full

Are you awesome? Do you feel the need to re-iterate that fact to both your friends and yourself daily? If so, I Am Awesome is the app for you.

It lets you plaster your name on some classically ego-related places, like a Hollywood star or a racing car. Make the image your wallpaper and you can be sure that, for miles around, people will think you’re a swell guy (or gal).

Okay, so I Am Awesome can come up with some moderately amusing results, and having your name embossed onto a love heart sweet is always going to hold some attraction to older folk like us, but really - please don’t go showing it off to your friends all night. It’s not that funny.