For as long as games have existed, we’ve been using them to test our reflexes. Pretty much every game tests how fast the player reacts, whether it be mentally or physically. In the case of Finger Splatter, it tests the player’s ability to avoid a finger squashing hammer.

A free app, Finger Splatter is very simple but compelling nonetheless. 40 levels of increasing speed consistently test the player as they attempt to avoid the mighty hammer destroying their hand. At first it’s no great challenge but it’s not long before it’s a mad race for survival.

Finger Splatter is the kind of game that’s ideal for those short breaks throughout the day, especially when stress relief is needed! Game Center support offers 10 achievements while score sharing can be done via Twitter, Facebook and e-mail keeping the competitive spirit alive and well amongst friends.

Finger Splatter is out now and it’s free to download.

FREE!

Finger Splatter ~ how smash your fingers with a hammer

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-01-06 :: Category: Games

We got a chance to go hands on with a few new titles from Ubisoft. Let’s take a look at the most casual title, Monster Burner.

Monster Burner is a casual puzzle shooter where you send fireballs up the screen to burn the advancing monsters. Part Puzzle Bobble, part Space Invaders, Monster Burner has 40 levels, power-ups (spells), and enough interesting social features to keep you interested for a while.

In our short look at the app, due out next week on November 3rd, we were pretty impressed. The game offers an interesting take and we’re looking forward to the release.

One of the most exciting things about the app store is how its relative ease to get published means that so many new and aspirational developers can get noticed. This is clearly the case when it comes to Aww, Eggplant!? a game that comes from three students at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center.

Offering addictive physics based skill gaming, Aww, Eggplant!? is all about skewing as many vegetables as possible within the time limit. The name comes from the fact that players must not skewer any eggplants otherwise it’s game over! I’m a fan of eggplant but I’ll forgive this game that one thing as it does look like an entertaining way of passing the time.

Four different mini-games pop up in order to mix up the action and an entertaining soundtrack keeps the humor flowing. Plus there’s the ever welcome Game Center support making competing with friends and their high scores that bit easier.

Check out the gameplay video below. Aww, Eggplant!? is out now priced at $0.99 with a free lite version also available. I’ve got a feeling this one deserves to be a future hit.

$0.99

Aww, Eggplant!?

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-07-14 :: Category: Games

FREE!

Aww, Eggplant!? Free

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-08-24 :: Category: Games

Recently released on the App Store for iOS devices is Castle Clout. At a special introductory price it offers the chance to travel back in time to a medieval battlefield with gameplay being focused on smashing through 150 levels.

Users control a catapult as they must topple their enemies and destroy the strongholds with a variety of weapons such as the traditional boulder, bombs and even the plague.

Two control methods are possible with typical tap based controls or precision based directional aiming on offer. Getting just the right angle is vital in order to maximise the damage unleashed. Besides the 150 levels, a level creator is included ensuring that players can have fun creating their own stages using different wall materials and characters. Plus it means a plentiful supply of user created levels to tackle.

Think of it as a medieval Angry Birds but without the pesky birds getting in the way with their cuteness.

It’s out now priced at $0.99 for the iPhone version or $1.99 for the iPad equivalent.

$0.99

Castle Clout

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-09-08 :: Category: Games

$1.99

Castle Clout HD

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-09-08 :: Category: Games

Way back when, we reviewed FaceFighter and rather enjoyed its fighting mechanics mixed with being able to ‘beat up’ whatever can be photographed. A year later in celebration of over 3 million downloads, Appy Entertainment released FaceFighter Gold offering all the previous expansions for free as well as some new features.

We’ve gone past Gold with the arrival of Universal app FaceFighter Ultimate as of now. FaceFighter Ultimate promises lots and considering the previous success rate will undoubtedly deliver too. The Career mode offers new AI enabling players to fight even more challenging opponents. Playing regularly ensures the reward of free gold coins that can be used to buy more Fighters, Weapons, Weapon Upgrades and Arenas. On that note, there are 8 new arenas to choose from and weapons can now all be upgraded. Finishing moves encompass the likes of frying pans, rubber chickens, lightning strikes and giant ape paws keeping everything suitably light. Even an UFO abduction is possible!

Multiplayer via Game Center is also available and a whole plethora of in-app purchases too for those who want to get on with unlocking extras by buying coins. Plus there’s the ever fun element of being able to add the faces of anyone imaginable by simply taking a photo of them. One such example comes from the fight between President Obama and the Speaker of the House John Boehner.

The only limitation to this app is one’s imagination. Find Justin Bieber irritating? I know I do. Take a photo of him and stick him on top of a body in FaceFighter Ultimate. Instant stress relief! Heck you could even use a photo of your boss (note: my boss is lovely) if you’ve just had enough and need to vent.

Check out the potential of FaceFighter Ultimate with the official trailer below. The app is out now for all iOS devices.

FREE!

FaceFighter Ultimate

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2009-07-24 :: Category: Games

G5 Entertainment have been pretty consistent with their releases of casual gaming experiences like Mahjongg Artifacts, Virtual City and my personal favorite Supermarket Mania, ensuring that casual gaming doesn’t mean poor gaming. There’s a new title on the way in the form of Special Enquiry Detail: The Hand that Feeds.

Special Enquiry Detail is a hidden object game focusing on the first case of a new investigative unit of the same name. Detectives Turino and Lamonte must solve the mysterious death of a wealthy benefactor’s daughter. Gameplay consists of 12 different chapters with 25 exciting mini-games to hopefully enthral players. 30 realistic locations to explore and find objects within are also promised.

Special Enquiry Detail: The Hand that Feeds is set to be released for all iOS devices on July 14th. It’ll be a free app to try with the full version unlocked with an in-app purchase of $4.99 for the iPhone/iPod touch or $6.99 for the iPad version. Check out the video and screenshots below while you wait for its release.

iOS game developer giant Chillingo has just released some more potential hits in the form of Peter Packer and Ewe Doodle, as well a large update for Storm in a Teacup.

Peter Packer comes in separate iPhone and iPad versions. The idea is simple yet addictive. Players must fling the packages into the corresponding parcel chutes as quickly as possible. Each package is a different shape so much like the wooden block games that toddlers play, you can’t put a square peg/package in a round hole.

There’s three different modes fo play to Peter Packer with Time Trial, Classic and the intriguingly titled Quest mode to entertain. Peter Packer looks set to be a great casual time waster.

It’s priced at $0.99 for the iPhone variety or $1.99 for the iPad edition.

Check out the trailer below.

$0.99

Peter Packer

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-06-16 :: Category: Games

$1.99

Peter Packer HD

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-06-16 :: Category: Games

Ewe Doodle offers a cutesy title that belies a quite dark yet fun game. Players must keep the sheep from becoming mutton by dragging or pointing the sheep to safety. A series of power ups and different enemy types keep things feeling fresh throughout. Predictably with a name like that, Ewe Doodle looks a lot like other doodle games and it’s a charm that works well.

Ewe Doodle is also priced at $0.99 and there’s a charming trailer to check out below.

$0.99

Ewe Doodle - Keep the Sheep Alive

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-06-16 :: Category: Games

For fans of Storm in a Teacup (Jason enjoyed it), there’s also been a large update. Besides the new icon for the app store (yes, really!), there’s also the addition of ten new bonus levels that unlock after level 20 and offer new features such as Gravity Flip. There’s also a new Super Tough Challenge mode that offers players the chance to play the original levels with no checkpoints and tougher enemies. Players can also now customize Storm with new outfits, hairstyles and colored trails.

The update is available now for existing owners and the app is priced at $0.99 for an universal version.

$2.99

Storm in a Teacup

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Our Rating: :: VERY CUTE
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-05-19 :: Category: Games