The free iPhone game Trawler Report: ngmoco returns yet again with pet sim Touch Pets Dogs, but is knocked off the top spot by puzzler Ka-Glom iPhone

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The free iPhone game Trawler Report: ngmoco returns yet again with pet sim Touch Pets Dogs, but is knocked off the top spot by puzzler Ka-Glom

16th November 2009

Product: Free iPhone Games

by Paul Marchant

Things are really hotting-up on the App Store. It's a time of change. In-app payments are starting to take off, and could potentially change the way many developers make their games.

As ever, ngmoco is near the front, leading the charge with Eliminate Pro, but this week's ngmoco pick actually works along much more familiar lines. We've always avoided stat-based online games like iMafia on the Trawler Report - partly because there are so many of them, mostly because they're all pretty much the same.

We've broken the trend for ngmoco's latest though, so read on for more on pet sim Touch Pet Dogs. Other than that, we've also got a bumper selection of full puzzling freebies and a great demo of one of our favourite action role-playing games.

Not all of the full freebies will be free forever, though, so get those virtual skates on.

The best free iPhone games on the App Store

Dungeon Hunter Free
By Gameloft
Type Demo

While it's often the looks of Gameloft games that get us gawping, rather than their original gameplay, sometimes a spot of derivative gaming p^®té can be truly delicious. No matter how much you may say it borrows from Dungeon Siege or Diablo, it's hard to deny than Dungeon Hunter is good fun.

It's a 3D isometric fantasy hack 'n' slash game that lets you pick from three character classes - each with upgradeable stats, as is only proper for a beardy role-playing game. However, Dungeon Hunter is all about the action, really. You don't need acne or NHS-style glasses to play it.

This free version lets you try out the initial dungeon. Get those swords sharpened, pocket gamers. Check out our review for more on Dungeon Hunter.

Touch Pets Dogs
By ngmoco
Type Full

ngmoco is always one of the first companies to adopt new gaming strategies. They've embraced in-app payments with Eliminate, and their Plus+ online network has the potential to become the iPhone's version of Xbox Live.

Touch Pets Dogs uses a financial model adopted by lots of stat-based online games, like iMafia and its dozens of similar cousins, in that the base game is free but you can get a step ahead of your online rivals by buying bonuses.

The bonus in question here is food, because Touch Pets Dogs is a virtual pet simulator. You can get your dog all sorts of new toys to play with and ridiculous clothes to wear. If you've always wanted a pet, but keep on getting shot down by your parents/the council/the police, give Touch Pets Dogs a look.

Aqualution - The Beginning
By CDs
Type Full

While casual games may often be trickier than some of their supposedly hardcore counterparts, they normally don't try to genuinely confound your brain. Aqualution does.

Puzzle pieces fall from the top of the screen, and you have to re-arrange a circle riddled with holes relating to these puzzle shapes so that the pieces fit.

Sure, that may not sound all that complicated, but add in the fact that this circle has two different tiers of holes, split into swappable groups of three and your eyes might just start to point the wrong way.

Give it a bit of time, though, and the pieces start to fall into place - in both senses. The full version of this challenging puzzler is only going to be free for a few days, so seek it out now.

Mika's Gem Run
By Alexandru Brie
Type Full

Before all you pop pickers start getting excited, Mika's Gem Run has nothing to do with Beirut-born singer Mika. Relax, take it easy - Grace Kelly will not be making an appearance.

Instead, Mika's Gem Run is just a very simple freebie game that relies on a couple of inoffensive ads to make a few pennies for its author Alexandru. You control Mika with the accelerometer as he rushes from one end of the screen to the other, collecting gems while avoiding falling stars.

Some gems change your size, too, making Mika smaller or larger. Get hit by a falling star and Mika's number is up. As you avoid stars, the pattern of falling stars gets trickier. Online high scores, decent controls and the fact it's free add up to a great little five-minute wonder.

Pick of the Week

Ka-Glom
By Magmic
Type Full

Ka-Glom is not all that much more than a colourful take on Tetris with a few extra gameplay bits plugged into it, but it's been ages since we've had a good old slice of classic puzzling on the Trawler.

Using the touchscreen, you control falling blocks and have to match up similarly coloured ones. However, some are solid blocks that won't connect with others - they'll only explode if matches of the same colour happen around them.

Aside from the handful of standard single-player modes that should keep you busy for hours, there are also 150 puzzle levels that demand a bit more thought. All in, Ka-Glom is a charming package - give it a download before Magmic comes to its senses and starts charging for it again.

Crap Apps Box of Shame Award

The Little Application That Does Nothing
By Iyedah
Type Empty

Why are we sometimes so drawn to things that tell us how rubbish they are? We couldn't resist checking out The Little Application That Does Nothing.

Unsurprisingly, our low expectations weren't confounded. It's essentially a one-way conversation with the app's developer as he berates you for wasting your time before then seemingly opening up a host of web links that, we guess, gain lyedah a few shillings.

Shamefully though, we were amused enough by the end to not regret the download - in spite of having fallen hook, line and sinker into this crap app's trap.

Time for a cold shower.