iPhone / iPad Star Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicīioWare's game was originally released in 2003 and still one of the best Star Wars games ever. The basic action across 180 missions was really fun, but there's some extra strategy in upgrading your pilots with new skills as you go. This second dogfighting game from industry veteran Sid Meier saw you patrolling the Pacific, re-enacting famous World War II battles. iPhone / iPad Sid Meier's Ace Patrol: Pacific Skies Ridiculous Fishing IS ridiculous: you lower your bait down as far as possible while avoiding a variety of creatures, then haul it back up again catching as many as possible along the way, hurl them into the air, and blast them to bits with a shotgun.
Calling it the Metal Gear Solid of iOS sounds like hyperbole, but the comparison wasn’t ridiculous. Out in time for Christmas, Republique justified its pre-launch hype: a stealth-action adventure with startling graphics, properly challenging puzzles, and a storyline that draws you in. This was the latest one: a colourful platformer with more than 75 levels to scoot through, and bags of charm. Rayman often gets underrated in the history of great game characters, but his mobile games have been top-notch in recent times. You swiped your party of heroes to guide them through levels of increasing difficulty. Having made its name with Tiny Tower and Pocket Planes, developer Nimblebit turned to the action genre, blending Snake gameplay with RPG-style characters and upgrades. With stylish monochrome graphics and frequently fiendish puzzles, it's a rewarding and original adventure.
Platformer Limbo was one of the creepiest, most atmospheric games currently available on any platform this year, let alone mobile. There was also the usual levelling up, and “massively social" clashmob challenges to co-operate with players around the world. IOS’ epic trilogy reached its conclusion this year, with more eye-popping scenery, more characters (two) and many more enormous monsters to stick a sword through. Impossible Road was another example: a stylish ball-rolling racer that encourages you to bend the rules. But it’s often the minimalist visuals that pack the greatest punch. Yes, modern smartphones and tablets can deliver graphical bells and whistles by the ton. It plays well with Bluetooth controllers too. It's nostalgia, yes, but the game still packs a mighty punch with its sandbox gameplay. Just in time for Christmas came this iOS version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, originally released in 2004 for consoles. iPhone / iPad Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Which may sound strange, but it plays marvellously. You skim colourful fish across the ocean, get rated by crabs, and unlock gems to build power-ups. This game from Halfbrick Studios – the developer behind Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride – was an addictive treat this year. Leaping, sliding and dodging obstacles while earning or buying costumes and power-ups proved hugely popular among children and adults alike. This was publisher Gameloft's official game for the Despicable Me movies, putting you in the shoes of a scampering minion for this Temple Rush-style endless runner. It was worth the wait though: it sees you taking ownership of a ninja and training him up with a series of activities: a virtual pet game, almost, but with startlingly-good character animation. iPhone / iPad Clumsy NinjaĬlumsy Ninja was first shown off at Apple's iPhone 5 launch in 2012, but took a while to reach the App Store. Some elements were familiar – ie all the shooting – but new twists included the ability to swap between first-person action and a more tactical third-person view to plot your squad's tactics. iPhone / iPad Call of Duty Strike TeamĪctivision's latest Call of Duty game was made for mobile devices from the ground up. There was real imagination at work here, and iOS gamers responded. Justifiably recognised by Apple in its Best of 2013 awards, Badland is the perfect game to get stuck into over Christmas: a platform-adventure set in an eerie forest, with beautiful visuals, slick physics and plenty of exploration. This time round, you could play as both sides, and there's a range of Telepods toys that interact with the game too, Skylanders-style. This was the second Angry Birds game to be set in the Star Wars universe, with characters turned into birds and pigs, and 120 levels to fling them through. Photograph: PR ACTION Angry Birds Star Wars II