There is an ongoing debate in the world of gaming over whether or not the medium can be considered art. Those who think it should be point to games like Braid, Flower, and even Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP as proof of gaming’s artistic merit. However, based on the look of Woolly Robot’s new experimental game Flight of the Fireflies, it might be time to add a new game to that list.

The game describes itself as “an interactive artwork” or “an interactive musical poem” so naturally its more about the experience than the gameplay. Players use touch to move a group of fireflies across the night sky and through various environments while each firefly produces its own unique tone. Throughout their journey, players can discover more fireflies and add them to the musical collective.

This symphony of the night is only available for iPad owners. Flight of the Fireflies is available now on the App Store.

$3.99

Flight of the Fireflies

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-01-31 :: Category: Games

Whether it’s in real life or in a video game, navigating a maze can be pretty challenging. However, the satisfaction of making it to the end can make the whole experience worth it. Elements+ Maze is the “world’s first multi-floor maze game” and it’s hoping that it’s extra challenge leads to extra satisfaction.

Each maze has a fire level and an ice level. To reach the end of the labyrinth, players will have to guide their character in between them both, adding depth and height to the typically flat maze genre. Friends can compete to see who can finish a maze faster and mazes are randomly generated meaning the content is theoretically limitless. Playing on harder difficulties earns more coins for one to spend on things like character customization. Players can also elect to just buy more coins with real money.

Fortunately, with there being so many in-app purchase options, the initial download is free. Elements+ Maze is available now on the App Store.

FREE!

Elements+ Maze

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-12-22 :: Category: Games

Yes, it’s another game about birds on the App Store. Try to stay calm everyone. However, there’s no anger, block towers, or green pigs to be found in Dino Bird. Instead, it’s the story of a mother risking everything to save her children.

Dino Bird is the debut app of Wayman Harris. In it, players take control of a prehistoric mother bird attempting to feed her chicks. Tapping on mama releases a delicious worm for them to eat. Players must do this while also seeking out and destroying the ugly birds. These ugly birds, with different abilities like rock and fire powers, are out to harm the chicks. Luckily, with a simple tap, mama can send their attacks right back at them.

Dino Bird is available now for free on the App Store so there’s no excuse to not at least give it a look. It won’t even use up that nest egg.

FREE!

Dino Bird

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2011-12-20 :: Category: Games

Tower defense games on the App Store are nothing new and neither are games featuring modern military equipment. However, has there ever been a game that combines these two elements? Probably, but no one should let that stop them from at least giving Battleground Defense from Evelyn Software Labs a look.

Staying true to its promise of combining “classic tower defense gameplay” with “the intense action of modern warfare,” Battleground Defense’s collection of 18 towers includes missile launchers, heavy canons and flame throwers. These are the kinds of weapons one needs to take on tanks, jets, armored cars and the rest of the game’s 15 different enemy types. Among the nine maps are some where the enemy path is pre-determined and others where players must use strategic tower placement to redirect foes themselves like in Fieldrunners.

Available now for $2.99, iPhone and iPad owners alike can experience this tower defense game for the 21st century.

$2.99

Battleground Defense

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-11-30 :: Category: Games

Those oh-so popular Angry Birds would have players believe that they are crusaders for justice, trying to reclaim their precious eggs from those nasty, hungry pigs. However, we now have proof that the whole story is more complicated than that. Every tale has two sides and with the release of Misunderstood Pigs for iPhones and iPads the porcine perspective on this avian affair has been uncovered for all to see.

A group of harmless pigs and their families are suffering from constant projectile bird attacks. The player’s job is to build structures around the pigs to protect them. Players must set up boxes, planks, pieces of glass and whatever else it takes to repel the invaders and get bigger scores. The game also includes a level editor so players can construct pig saving scenarios of their own.

Given how important it is for everyone to realize the truth, Misunderstood Pigs should be able to be played by as many people as possible. Luckily, it is a universal app and is available now for free.

FREE!

Misunderstood Pigs

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-12-21 :: Category: Games

This week at 148Apps.com, writer Carter Dotson reviewed one of the most anticipated iOS games in recent memory – Infinity Blade II. Dotson writes, “Most of what is new here is a modified and extended progression structure. Instead of one path leading to a final boss, where failure means starting over, there are now several of them, with more branching paths to explore. There are 3 different weapon types now: the traditional swords, slow and heavy axes that deal more damage, and speedy dual swords that deal less base damage, but can do double damage once combos are started. The story is more fleshed out, with actual speaking dialogue from characters besides the God King.”

Read the full review at 148Apps.com.

$6.99

Infinity Blade II

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Our Rating: :: MORE INFINITE
Read Our Full Review >>

Released: 2011-12-01 :: Category: Games

Meanwhile, our attention was turned to more artistic matters at GiggleApps, as Amy Solomon reviewed Auryn – Van Gogh and the Sunflowers. Solomon says, “The look of this app is terrific, with illustrations evoking the style that Van Gogh is known for, complete with bold color choices and noticeable use of brush strokes, but maintains a childlike quality that fits well within this storybook. The jazzy music used is also wonderful, relaxing as well as engaging and very enjoyable to listen to even for long periods of time. The narration used here is also quite good. Parents will also like that each spoken word is highlighted red to aid the young children new to the world of reading.”

Read more about our take on Auryn – Van Gogh and the Sunflowers at GiggleApps.

$0.99

Auryn – Van Gogh and the Sunflowers

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2011-10-21 :: Category: Books

Finally, 148Apps.biz site editor Rob Lefebvre reported on tablet users and their media consumption. LeFebvre writes, “In a study put out by comScore and reported by Fierce Mobile Content and the appside, interested parties can see that the number one use of tablet devices is games, with 67% of surveyed tablet users saying they’ve played a game at least once in the past month, as compared to 49% of smartphone users surveyed. 23% of those surveyed said they’d played a game on their tablet EVERY DAY. That’s a good number.”

Dig deeper into this study and read the full report on 148Apps.biz.

That’s our wrap-up for this week. While you’re out getting all of your holiday shopping done, don’t forget to check us out on our Facebook and Twitter feeds to find out the latest and greatest news, reviews and contests. Feliz Navidad!

Fans of games like Diner Dash and Parking Dash are familiar with the work of PlayFirst. With Cooking Dash they are looking to break out even further into the mainstream with the help of two powerful partners: celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and HSN. Those with the iPhone game can now access a free update with the new “HSN Cooks with Emeril” mode.

Cooking Dash has players controlling Flo as she takes on the hectic responsibilities of running a restaurant. As players progress they gain access to new, more challenging venues. One of the key features of this update is that it allows players, with Emeril’s help, to try running a restaurant featuring food from Mr. Lagasse himself. Also, all the equipment players will encounter is official Emerilware cooking supplies. By working with HSN, the game then allows players to purchase those very same supplies through PlayFirst’s new DashMart virtual store.

The update is currently live and in celebration, PlayFirst is offering Cooking Dash for $0.99 instead of its usual price of $2.99. Anyone who liked Cooking Dash but thought it needed more catchphrases like “bam” and whatnot might give “HSN Cooks with Emeril” a shot.

$2.99

Cooking Dash Deluxe

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-08-06 :: Category: Games