Just like that, we find ourselves in 2012. I’m going to side-step the expected talk of apocalypse and instead focus on resolutions. Those promises people make to themselves in an attempt to break nasty habits or set major changes in motion. We all make ‘em and we all tend to break ‘em. Sometimes. Okay, most of the time. What can I say? Healthy food usually tastes like cardboard. Although I have to admit I’ve finally managed to develop a taste for yogurt after roughly 28 years of trying. Anyway, before the inevitable failures start to set in I’ve got a small list of games that will keep the “spend less money” hopefuls on-track. At least for a little while.

Battle Legend Infinity – I’m fairly certain that this is a new thing. Combining old-school turn-based RPG battles with endless wave survival, I mean. At least, I think it is. Whether or not that’s true, it’s a neat idea. The classic video game character “knock-offs” are a nice touch, too.

$0.99

Battle Legend Infinity

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-01-05 :: Category: Games

Legendary Heroes – Two teams. Three heroes. Four unique abilities apiece. Legendary Heroes isn’t just another castle defense iOS game. It’s the same basic idea, but this time the emphasis is on managing hero units and building complimentary teams of three instead of strategically churning out cannon fodder.

FREE!

Legendary Heroes

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-01-03 :: Category: Games

Turtle Isles – Guiding wayward turtles around a beach a-la ChuChu Rocket. By tapping starfish. Heck of a concept. Sure it’s missing the bizarre space mice but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth checking out. So, who’s going to help these slowpokes pair up?

FREE!

Turtle Isles

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-01-04 :: Category: Games

Scramble With Friends Free – Remember Boggle? Of course. I mean, who doesn’t, right? Well now we can play a facsimile, complete with special power-ups (freeze time, etc…) on-the-go. Anytime, anywhere. Methinks a certain other multiplayer word game is going to find itself facing some unexpected competition.

FREE!

Scramble With Friends Free

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-01-04 :: Category: Games

Fluff Friends Rescue – I have to give The Humane Society credit, I never would have expected them to find a way to incorporate their usual dealings into a genuinely interesting game. But that’s exactly what’s been done with Fluff Friends Rescue. Think “town-building freemium” game, only instead of constructing stores and homes players will be setting up their own animal shelter. Also, it’s super-adorable.

FREE!

Fluff Friends Rescue ™

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-01-01 :: Category: Games

It’s been a somewhat lean week for new releases to the App Store thanks to the remnants of Christmas and New Year. I know my brain’s still fuzzy from such merriment. Despite such eventful times, we’ve managed to round up five of the best apps and games to be released over the past 7 days.

Legendary Heroes
Previously mentioned last month, Legendary Heroes is a compelling mix of castle defense gaming alongside hero class strategizing similar to the likes of League of Legends. All the better, it’s free to play with the promise of quick and intense matches being ideal for the handheld nature of the iOS platform. Players control 3 heroes in the same match, each with their own unique special abilities and a levelling system to boot.

FREE!

Legendary Heroes

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-01-03 :: Category: Games

Battleland: Honor of Arena
Tower Defense Strategy games aren’t uncommon on the App Store but that’s no reason not to give Battleland: Honor of Arena a try. Offering over 100 levels divided into 12 different stages, Battleland: Honor of Arena offers plenty of value for money at the mere price of $0.99. There’s even an online multiplayer mode in there that’s sure to keep people keen.

FREE!

Battleland: Honor of Arena

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-01-05 :: Category: Games

AppSketcher
Anyone who’s used apps regularly has that sneaky feeling that they could design a better user interface. AppSketcher gives the user that chance with the ability to create mockups of what makes a great looking app. While it won’t do the coding behind such attractive imagery, it does mean that AppSketcher is ideal for those working alongside others as part of a dev team. Numerous sharing options helps things move forward.

FREE!

AppSketcher

iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad
Released: 2012-01-02 :: Category: Productivity

Pocket League Story
Terrifying news for anyone’s productivity levels but fantastic news for the management gamer, Kairosoft has released another title! Pocket League Story mixes soccer management with the typical gameplay we’ve all come to expect and love from the Japanese developers. Does anything else really need to be said? Of course not, it’s bound to be a fantastic way of wasting countless man hours throughout the next few weeks.

$3.99

Pocket League Story

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-01-04 :: Category: Games

InstaFlow
Mentioned here twice in one week because that’s just how cool it is, InstaFlow is an intuitive and attractive way of exploring Instagram photos, easily and effectively. The Instagram community holds countless fascinating sights, snapped by people from around the world. Being able to search by tags and keywords just makes the experience all the more satisfying.

FREE!

InstaFlow

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-01-02 :: Category: Photography

I’m obviously excited about Legendary Heroes. It’s got me all in a tizzy, so to speak. But why is it so noteworthy? Read on for a better explanation than “it’s looking freaking awesome!”

First of all, it does indeed look awesome. It’s another iOS strategy game, which tend to fit the platform quite well. It features some pretty impressive-looking graphics. It takes the typical 2D castle defense genre and adds a third dimension, so there will be multiple paths to take in order to reach the enemy’s tower. Lots of power-ups can be used to bolster the team’s stats. And then there are the heroes.

Eight different heroes, each with their own abilities. Smaller units are still around, but it’s the direct control of the hero unit that really sets Legendary Heroes apart. Plus it sort of fits with the name. Anyway, it’s looking like an iOS mash-up of castle defense strategies, the fodder-pounding available in games like Dynasty Warriors and the inclusion of unique player-controlled hero classes that has been all the rage lately thanks to League of Legends.

Really now, how could someone not get excited about that combination? Oh but don’t just take my word for it. There’s a cleverly placed trailer sitting down there that should close the deal. Legendary Heroes will be out sometime in early 2012 and will be free-to-play.