Top 10 best iPhone and iPad games of September 2012
Fall's gold
Every month, we like to look back at all the iPhone and iPad games that have come out in the past four weeks and pick out the very best of the bunch.
September 2012 has proven to be a stellar month when it comes to new iOS games. Between murder mysteries, puzzle box games, physics-puzzlers, and twitchy addictions, it was tough to pick just ten titles to recommend.
But, after much umming and ahhing, looking at Pocket Gamer's review scores, and comparing iOS titles on the Quality Index, we've come up with this list.
Think we've missed something? Give a shout-out to your favourites in the comments below.
Wimp: Who Stole My Panties?
By Flexile Studio - buy on iPhone and iPad (HD edition)
Cute little Wimp doesn't look like your typical platformer hero. But, when he's encased in his sticky, bouncy blob of green goo, he's got the moves he needs to win back his Y-fronts.
Like, sticking to a box to tug it onto a big button, or gluing himself to a platform to ride safely over spikes. The puzzles in Wimp are wonderfully clever, and the mushy controls feel great.
Bad PiggiesBy Rovio Entertainment - buy on iPhone or buy on iPad
Rovio isn't going to slingshot the goose that laid a golden egg any time soon, so the studio's latest - Bad Piggies - is still set in that familiar Angry Birds universe.
Thankfully, it's all new. It's not about destruction - it's about building madcap vehicles for the pigs so they can ride over bumpy terrain. Seeing your designs come to life is a real thrill, and meeting some of the harder goals is a creative challenge.
FIFA 13By Electronic Arts - buy on iPhone and iPad
We'll admit it: FIFA 13 isn't all that different from last year's iteration. It's still a smooth, dependable footy sim with a Manager mode and real-world player names. But, this new season isn't just about roster updates.
There's now online play over Origin, a second stick for skilful manoeuvres, and facial animations on the pitch. The Beautiful Game just got even more beautiful, then. And better.
Splice: Tree of LifeBy Cipher Prime Studios - buy on iPad
Cipher Prime's genetic puzzler Splice missed our August round-up by virtue of it coming out at the very end of the month. Still, that's no reason to deny this beautiful Platinum Award-winning game a best-of-the-month spot.
It's elegant and tactile, and its maker clearly prefers to let you play and experiment rather than lay out the rules in a stuffy tutorial. Combine puzzler smarts with artful visuals and a soothing soundtrack, and you've got one outstanding app.
Rayman Jungle RunBy Ubisoft - buy on iPhone and iPad
This might be the perfect lesson in how to translate a console game to mobile. It's an auto-run platformer, but with distinct stages instead of infinite pathways. Getting to the end is easy, but collecting all 100 Lums in one run is fun and fiendishly addictive.
So, while it contains the gorgeous artwork of Vita platformer Rayman Origins, Jungle Run is a complete overhaul: touch friendly, Tube journey appropriate, and sweetly social.
The RoomBy Fireproof Games - buy on iPad
There's something very clever about The Room, which turns a quaint little puzzle game into something dark, foreboding, and impossibly engrossing. Maybe it's the chimes of an unseen grandfather clock, or the secrets hidden away in each box.
Each chapter is finely crafted, with enormous care put into the details. The puzzles are super-smart, too - you'll feel like Sherlock when you crack them, and the optional hints don't ruin the fun.
Super HexagonBy Terry Cavanagh - buy on iPhone and iPad
If the chatter on my Twitter feed is anything to go by, Terry Cavanagh's Super Hexagon has got to every games journalist and developer in Britain. That's no surprise - this twitchy arcade hit is a compulsive, impulsive triumph.
The setup is simple: dash left and right to avoid falling blocks. But, the trippy camera, noisy chiptune music, and unrelenting difficulty make every second you survive feel like an achievement.
Apocalypse Max: Better Dead Than UndeadBy Wandake - buy on iPhone and iPad
Apocalypse Max is a gory, frantically paced zombie run 'n' gun. Only, like in Resident Evil, a constant lack of bullets means you'll need to be careful about every shot, and spend your funds wisely.
It looks good, it's packed with content, and it will appeal to anyone who dropped a few 50ps into a Metal Slug arcade cabinet many summers ago. An easy recommendation for you twitchy-thumbed hardcore gamers.
God of BladesBy White Whale Games - buy on iPhone and iPad
God of Blades answers that never-before-asked question, "What would happen if you threw Infinity Blade, several fantasy novels from the '70s, and a few prog-rock vinyls into a blender?" Well, at least we know now.
It's a feisty, physical brawler with tells and parries, set among gorgeous fantasy vistas. Plus, you can unlock weapons if you literally play the game in a library, which is obviously the best video game feature this year.
The Last ExpressBy DotEmu - buy on iPhone and iPad
Unless you were one of the six or so people to buy this commercial dud when it hit PC, it's safe to say that you've never played a game like The Last Express before.
It's a murder mystery adventure that plays out in real time, so it's all about waiting for the perfect moment, and making sure you're in the right place. This ambitious game will force you to return over and over to see what you missed last time.
The 10 best iPhone and iPad games: August 2012
The 10 best iPhone and iPad games: July 2012
The 10 best iPhone and iPad games: June 2012
The 10 best iPhone and iPad games: May 2012
The 10 best iPhone and iPad games: April 2012
The 10 best iPhone and iPad games: March 2012
