For years now, gamers have associated summer with a lack of quality titles to enjoy on their beloved console, handheld or PC. Occasionally, we might be lucky enough to receive a gem like Batman: Arkham Asylum in August, or a surprise hit like Infamous in June, but for the most part there is a serious drought of triple-A titles to keep us amused.

Since the release of Apple's widely successful iPhone, and the subsequent growth of the App Store, gamers both hardcore and casual have often looked to cheap downloads to keep them entertained when their PS3 and 360 cannot. Fantastic games are released on iOS almost every week, and there's a massive back catalogue of high-quality titles that are addictive, cheap and - most importantly - fun.

To help you through this all-too-familiar summer gaming drought, here are (in no particular order) my Top 10 iPhone Games to get you through the summer.

Editor's note: The prices, publishers and App Store ratings contained in this article are those from the U.K. App Store. Prices, publishers and ratings may vary in other territories, and in some territories some apps may be unavailable to download. Half-stars on the App Store are rounded up to the nearest whole star here, so 4.5 stars equates to five here.

Plants vs Zombies

Without wanting to sound lazy, there's very little I can say about Plants vs Zombies that I didn't say in my full review last year. What I will say is that Popcap's supremely popular PC tower-defence title is even better on iPhone, with the touchscreen controls lending themselves brilliantly to planting seeds and taking down the zombie hordes. The game looks and sounds just as good as it does on the PC, and the recent update - that offers native support for the iPhone 4's stunning Retina display - means that the crispness of the visuals are now pretty much on-par with the HD visuals of the Xbox Live Arcade port. With such addicting gameplay, great presentation and plenty of levels to keep you occupied, Plants vs Zombies is one game that should be on every iPhone owner's home screen.

Price: £1.99
Developer/Publisher: PopCap
Awards: Over 20 Game of the Year awards
App Store Rating: ★★★★★

Cut The Rope

As far as concepts for games go, there's no denying that the level of creativity on offer from App Store developers far surpasses the creativity of developers of console games. I mean, when would anybody else think to base a game around feeding sweets to a little monster?

Cut The Rope is all about - well - cutting ropes. On the end of the ropes are pieces of confectionery, and your job is to cut ropes, pop bubbles, blow balloons, pull back elastics and generally utilise physics and your brain to feed your little green friend. Much like Angry Birds, the excellent physics are what provide most of the fun in this puzzle game, but the way in which new mechanics are constantly introduced keeps it feeling fresh throughout the entire experience. There's a good amount of challenge and an abundance of levels to keep you occupied, and the game is full of charm and cutesiness that make it very hard to resist. Perhaps more than any other game on this list (Angry Birds aside), it has absolute universal appeal.

Price: £0.69 (or free 'Lite' version)
Developer/Publisher: Chillingo Ltd/ZeptoLab UK Ltd
Awards: Best Handheld, BAFTA 2011; Most Innovative, Best Casual/Puzzle, Pocket Gamer Awards 2011; Best Handheld, GDC Awards 2011; Apple Design Award Winner, WWDC 2011
App Store Rating: ★★★★★

ZombieSmash

I'd be lying if I told you the App Store wasn't full to the brim with games featuring zombies, and I'd also be lying if I said that there weren't already hundreds of tower-defence-esque titles available too. But, even though ZombieSmash unashamedly combines these two rather contrived ideals, it does it so well that it's rather impossible to ignore. The biggest weapon at your disposal in ZombieSmash is your fingers, as you grab your attackers and fling them around at will, in an attempt to defend your home. As you progress, weapons become available as well, and - just as in all tower-defence games - the more goodies that you unlock, the more fun there is to be had. You earn stars as you play, and you use these to unlock more weapons, ammo slots, barricades and the like. It's all very much what you'd expect, but the way in which you can just fling the zombies around if you so wish does give it a unique edge. The game also looks fantastic, with its cute art style juxtaposed against blood and gore, to great effect. The wonderfully squishy sound effects as zombies are killed, coupled with a surprisingly brilliant music score, mean that this game goes above and beyond most App Store production values as well. ZombieSmash definitely gives the brilliant Plants vs Zombies a run for its money, so buying it is an absolute no-brainer.

Price: £0.69
Developer/Publisher: gamedoctors UG
Awards: N/A
App Store Rating: ★★★★★

Angry Birds

What else is there to say about Angry Birds? It's the king of the App Store; the game that everyone goes to download first when they purchase a new iOS device. And all this success, for a game that sees you flinging chickens at pigs who are bunkered down in a series of increasingly well-defended structures? It seems utterly absurd that something so ridiculous could be so successful, but brilliantly fun physics and its wide array and variety of levels means that people just keep coming back for more. There isn't much strategy involved, and luck can also play a large part in how you do, but there's something incredibly satisfying about killing pigs with poultry.

Price: £0.69 (or free 'Angry Birds Lite' version)
Developer/Publisher: Clickgamer.com/Rovio Mobile Ltd.
Awards: N/A
App Store Rating: ★★★★★

Chop Chop Runner

As another simple concept with the 'just one more go' appeal, it's easy to see why Chop Chop Runner has become one of the most successful games on the App Store to date. You play as a ninja, and all that ninja wants to do is run from left to right. And he will stop at nothing.

You tap the screen to hop, hold the screen to leap and double tap the screen to attack enemies, as you make your way along the right of the screen. That's all there is to it. The landscapes and enemy placements are totally random, though, as it's all randomly generated each time you play, ensuring an unpredictable and reasonably fresh experience each time you boot it up to have a go. Like many popular games on the App Store, the game has a cute art style, with colourful backgrounds and detailed, hand-drawn characters. It's a charming little package, and has kept me occupied many a time on trains, buses and planes.

Price: £1.49
Developer/Publisher: Gamerizon
Awards: N/A
App Store Rating: ★★★★

Infinity Blade

Possibly the most high-profile game on the App Store amongst those in the hardcore gaming community, Infinity Blade is brought to us by Epic Games and Chair Entertainment, the developer behind the utterly brilliant Xbox Live Arcade title Shadow Complex, back in 2009. There is a sort of story to Infinity Blade's proceedings, but in all honesty, it's basically typical fantasy fare; there's a big bad guy with a powerful sword, and you have to kill him.

The headline feature (if you can call it that) of Infinity Blade is no doubt the visual prowess. On an iPhone 4 using the Retina display, this game looks absolutely phenomenal. Without wanting to anger the Nintendo fanboys of the world, I really do think that, on a technical level, this is better than the very best Wii titles. The sound effects, graphics and music wouldn't be out of place on a home console, so to see it on a phone is an incredible testament to just how far these devices have come, in such a short space of time.

In terms of its gameplay, though, Infinity Blade doesn't even try and act like a console game. There are no onscreen buttons, or the sort of awkward joysticks that Gameloft seem intent on using in every single one of their console-wannabe iPhone games. In fact, everything outside the combat is scripted. The combat is great, though, and also very satisfying as it can get bloody difficult as the game wears on, or if you attempt multiple playthroughs. Swiping at enemies to attack and defend works very well, and unlike other mobile games with this level of production value, you don't have to be ambidextrous to play. The game also has a levelling system and loot to collect to keep you going, and overall this is probably the most impressive game on the entire App Store. It might not have the addictive mobile characteristics of other games on this list, but you owe it to yourself to check it out if you have an iPhone.

Price: £1.99
Developer/Publisher: Chair Entertainment Group
Awards: Apple Design Award Winner, WWDC 2011; more than 20 'Game of the Year' and 'Top App' awards
App Store Rating: ★★★★★

Mega Jump

The concept of Mega Jump is one that has been well established on the App Store since its inception. The aim of the game is simply to soar as high as you can, by tilting the device to direct your little sprite, as he collects coins and power-ups to surge him through the sky and into the stars. What makes Mega Jump stand out amongst a plethora of similar titles, though, is its attention to detail; with bright, vibrant backgrounds and overall fantastic presentation, it's a game that's very easy to fall in love with. Leaderboards and achievements give you reason to keep coming back, as do the constant updates provided by the developers. Oh, and did I mention that it's free?

Price: FREE
Developer/Publisher: Get Set Games Inc.
Awards: N/A
App Store Rating: ★★★★

Flick Kick Football

The concept of Flick Kick Football could not be more simple; you're presented with a shot at goal, which - as you progress - will become more difficult to score, thanks to the presence of defenders and a moving goalkeeper. You just take shots at goal, over and over again. And how do you do this? You flick.

That's it.

As so many of the best iOS games are, this is incredibly simple, but just so addicting and oddly engaging that you could spend hours at a time playing it. Perhaps more than any other game on this list, it has that 'just one more go' appeal that makes it very difficult to stop playing. There isn't much variation between game modes, although turn-based online multiplayer is a nice touch that gives proceedings a competitive edge. The presentation is decidedly old school, with menus and loading screens that look like they've been pulled out of a 1970s football magazine. At only 69 of your English pennies, you really can't go wrong, regardless of whether or not you even like football.

Price: £0.69
Developer/Publisher: Prodigy Design Limited
Awards: N/A
App Store Rating: ★★★★★

Stick Cricket

For years now, Stick Cricket has been one of the most popular internet Flash games in the world, and so it seemed like only a matter of time before it made the jump to the App Store. The free version of the iOS game is rather limited in terms of modes, but for the relatively low cost of £1.79 you can enjoy pretty much all the trimmings that you enjoy on the flash version, including wireless multiplayer. The concept of Stick Cricket has always been simple, and so translates perfectly well to the iPhone; you simply tap left or right on the screen to swing your bat in that direction, and try to score as many runs as possible. I know many people (myself included) who have sunk hours and hours into the web version of this game, so being able to take it wherever you go is only going to increase the number of hours of your day in which your productivity levels remain at zero.

Unless, of course, you consider winning the Ashes in virtual stick form productive. In which case, carry on.

Price: FREE
Developer/Publisher: Stick Sports Ltd
Awards: N/A
App Store Rating: ★★★★★

Call of Mini: Zombies

There's no prizes for guessing which popular franchise the developers of Call of Mini: Zombies are ripping off with their little game, but there's no denying that this cutesy third-person shooter succeeds in being both addicting and fun. The variety is certainly there too, as although there are only two maps, there are thirteen unique weapons and twelve different types of zombie to shoot at. Whilst the weapons are fairly standard, and many of the enemy types seem to have been pulled straight out of Left 4 Dead, the game performs well overall, despite the use of touchscreen joysticks which have so often failed in the past. Here, they work well; the gameplay experience is smooth and enjoyable, although the lack of co-op does seem like somewhat of a missed opportunity. Like many of the games on this list, however, Call of Mini: Zombies is chock-full of charm and - much like Zombie Smash - the mix of cutesy characters, moody environments and horrific gore all come together to create a very pleasing aesthetic. Call of Mini: Zombies certainly won't win any awards for originality, but the concept has been executed tremendously well overall and for its nominal cost, you really can't go wrong.

Price: £0.69 (or FREE version)
Developer/Publisher: Triniti Interactive Limited
Awards: N/A
App Store Rating: ★★★★★

Labels: 2011, Feature, iOS, iPhone, Mobile, summer drought, Tom Acres, Top 10

After a reasonably active June for game launches, the summer drought is finally in full-effect, with nary a major triple-A title in sight. Fortunately, 2011 has seen the rise of several quality downloadable titles for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and even WiiWare, providing options for even the most play-starved of gamers.

To celebrate the recent release of Ms. ‘Splosion Man (which seems to have garnered a decent critical reception), Gamer’s Guide to Life.com has a list of ten must-have downloadable titles guaranteed to carry you through these game-depleted months.

Editor's Note: The prices contained in this article refer to the cost of the games in the North America region. Prices worldwide may vary.

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile

The sequel to James Silva’s previous indie darling, The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai, Vampire Smile ups the ante on the previous title’s stylish, bloody action with more weapons, new enemies and a second playable character. Players can also team up to tackle Vampire Smile’s brand new co-op mode, controlling the eponymous Dishwasher and his step-sister Yuki. Unchanged are Vampire Smile’s tight, responsive combat controls, oft-times punishing difficulty level, and unique, Johnny-The-Homicidal-Maniac-meets-Kill-Bill art direction. Fans of Devil May Cry and God of War’s furious, combo-driven action, and old-school beat ‘em ups like Golden Axe or Streets of Rage, should schedule The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile for a double shift.

Xbox Live Arcade: 800 Microsoft Points (MSP)

Magic: The Gathering – Duel of the Planeswalkers 2012

With the release of the Magic: The Gathering’s new 2012 core set comes Magic: The Gathering – Duel of the Planeswalkers 2012, a refinement of Stainless Games’ 2009 adaptation of the popular card game from Wizards of the Coast. Duel of the Planeswalkers 2012 retains the previous iteration’s pitch-perfect Magic: The Gathering play mechanics whilst adding new decks; a new, smoother interface; and several new campaigns and modes. Gamers wary of Magic: The Gathering’s prohibitively expensive play costs would do well to give Duel of the Planeswalkers 2012 a look.

PlayStation Network: $10
Xbox Live Arcade: 800MSP
Steam: $10

Gatling Gears

Ever since Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved first graced the Xbox Live Arcade in 2005, the twin-stick shooter has seen a renaissance in the downloadable space. Gatling Gears adds to the roster, placing players in a steampunk, bipedal mech and asking them to blow up anything that moves. What separates Gatling Gears from a host of contemporaries - other than the obvious appeal of piloting a steampunk, bipedal mech - is its drop-in, drop-out co-op play, complete with scaling difficulty. Of course, the usual mainstays of the bullet-hell shooter genre are along for the ride, including massive bosses, continually-upgrading weapons and more firepower onscreen than can reasonably be kept track of.

PlayStation Network: $10
Xbox Live Arcade: 800MSP

Fluidity

A rare entry for the shortlist of quality WiiWare titles, Fluidity is a quirky blend of 2D sidescrolling and puzzling. In Fluidity, players control a sentient mass of water, and attempt to cleanse the land of the ooey-gooey Influence by collecting various Rainbow Drops. Control in Fluidity is handled by using the Wii Remote to tilt the environment, similar to games like Super Monkey Ball or Marble Madness. Additionally, players can change states to solve puzzles, by freezing to become a block of ice or evaporating into a cloud of steam. Tasks range from transporting gears in water form, to activating switches in ice form, to blowing balloons around as a steam cloud, and many challenges require juggling between the three forms. Inventive and enjoyable, Wii owners will be all wet if they miss this creative downloadable title.

WiiWare: 1200 Wii Points

Stacking

A product of Tim Schafer’s Double Fine studio, Stacking is a cross between point-and-click adventure games of yore (Secret of Monkey Island, Maniac Mansion, etc.) and modern gaming sensibilities. As Charlie Blackmore, a Russian stacking doll, you must rescue your family from the clutches of the evil Baron. Charlie is able to stack inside other dolls, gaining their powers and using them to solve the many puzzles posed by the game. Each puzzle has multiple ways to solve it, letting impatient players cruise through the game with a single solution whilst still giving meticulous gamers a chance to search for every possible answer. Coupled with the charming 19th century setting and silent movie cutscenes, Stacking offers gamers one of the more unique, amusing experiences of 2011.

PlayStation Network: $15
Xbox Live Arcade: 1200MSP

Outland

Making its second appearance on a GGTL list, fans of 2009’s Shadow Complex take note: if you can buy only one game from XBLA or PSN this year, make sure it’s Outland. In true Metroidvania fashion, players are tasked with platforming through an expansive, interconnected environment, earning new abilities and discovering new areas with them. Outland adds a new component to the mix, implementing the light/dark shifting mechanics from Treasure’s Ikaruga. Players are able to switch between light and dark polarities, absorbing projectiles of a similar colour, whilst only able to damage enemies of the opposite colour. The polarity mechanics even extend to the platforming, only allowing players to land on same-coloured platforms, and creating opportunities for mid-jump polarity shifts. The game’s colourful, nearly-tribal art style is positively breathtaking to behold, and the controls are smooth and responsive. Those pining for an HD Super Metroid- or Castlevania: Symphony of the Night-esque experience should waste no time in booking a ticket to Outland.

PlayStation Network: $10
Xbox Live Arcade 800MSP

Section 8: Prejudice

Gamers with a penchant for online FPS' have several months before the release of either Battlefield 3 or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, but clanners and campers alike may find a bit of respite for their itchy trigger fingers in Section 8: Prejudice. The original Section 8 was a promising concept mired by poor execution, but developer TimeGate Studios have made several mechanical improvements that turn Section 8: Prejudice into a playable and surprisingly fun experience. Players still airdrop onto the battlefield, à la Starship Troopers, vying for control points and buying high-tech weaponry with points accrued during gameplay. Since its launch, Section 8: Prejudice has seen the release of a new game mode, as well as a smattering of new maps. If this level of post-launch support is upheld, players could potentially be playing Section 8: Prejudice well into the shooter-heavy holiday season.

Xbox Live Arcade: 1200MSP

Torchlight

One of the many success stories of the Steam platform, Torchlight - Runic Games’ little dungeon crawler that could - has made its way onto the Xbox Live Marketplace. Torchlight is a loving homage to the Diablo school of action RPGs, with players infiltrating old, forbidden tombs in order to gather sweet loot, strengthening the player and enabling them to progress further into the dungeon for even sweeter loot. Lather, rinse, repeat. The game’s light, cartoony art style helps it stand apart from many standard 'dark' fantasy titles of today, and there’s something primordially appealing about grinding through waves of giant spiders in the hopes of netting epic gear.

Xbox Live Arcade: 1200MSP

Hard Corps: Uprising

Speaking of homages, Hard Corps: Uprising is an homage to Contra’s brand of 2D, sidescrolling shooters. Actually, it basically is Contra in everything but the name. Frantic co-op play? Check. Arsenal of powerful weapons, including the almighty Spreader? Check. Borderline-masochistic level of difficulty? Ohhhhh check. For players less inclined to brutal levels of challenge, Hard Cops: Uprising offers Rising mode, which allows players to use points earned during play to buy new weapons, health power-ups, and extra lives, making the game slightly more manageable. Arc System Works, developers of the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series of fighting games, give Hard Cops: Uprising a beautifully-animated look, perfectly capturing the animé feel of the game’s story. Gamers who can recite the Konami Code by heart should look no further than Hard Corps: Uprising for their 2D shootin’ needs.

PlayStation Network: $15
Xbox Live Arcade: 1200MSP

Beyond Good and Evil HD

Beyond Good and Evil HD is fairly self-explanatory: an up-res port of Michel Ancel’s cult classic from 2003, giving players who missed it another opportunity to experience one of the more imaginative titles from the PS2 days. Beyond Good and Evil casts players as Jade, a photojournalist bent on uncovering a conspiracy from the local, tyrannical government. Gameplay is an odd, appealing mixture of The Legend of Zelda dungeon-crawling and Pokémon Snap picture taking, with smatterings of open-world free-roaming. One of Beyond Good and Evil’s major charms is its characters, specifically Jade, a strong-willed, well-characterised female protagonist - the likes of which are often unseen in gaming - and Pey’j, an anthropomorphic pig who refers to himself as Jade’s "uncle": it makes sense when you play it. The quirky, fully-realised world is also incredibly charming. The game is hardly less unique now than it was when released almost eight years ago, and still holds up quite well, making it worth players' time to experience this hidden gem from last generation.

PlayStation Network: $10
Xbox Live Arcade: 800MSP


Are there any favourite downloadable titles from the past calendar year that I've missed here? Sound off in the comments, or tell us on Twitter, via @ggtl.

Labels: 2011, Andrew Testerman, DLC, Feature, PlayStation Network, PSN, Steam, summer drought, WiiWare, XBLA, Xbox Live Arcade

Andrew Testerman makes a valiant atttempt to save gamers from the summer drought with this look at some of the games releasing in July 2011. All dates are North American releases, unless otherwise stated.

June has ended and July is upon us, dear readers, which means only one thing: the summer game drought is finally come. Yes, even though June was a trove of reasonably big releases, July is rather more picked over. Let’s try to make the best of it, shall we, and see what’s coming down the pipe this month.

5th July

July’s first big release is the sequel to Sandlot’s 2007 cult classic, Earth Defense Force 2017. Developed this time by Vicious Cycle, Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon brings a fresh round of invading oversized insects for players to squash. Vicious Cycle is making several new additions as well, including the ability to build turrets, over three-hundred unique weapons, and a Horde-style survival mode. Co-op makes a return, both as split-screen and as a new online mode, along with the first game’s fast, arcade-inspired shooting mechanics and fully-destructible environments. Whether or not it will be able to capture 2017’s cheap, low-budget monster-movie feel remains to be seen. Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon is expected to launch in Europe on 22nd July.

12th July

Whether or not you’re a fan of college football, the NCAA Football franchise generally merits attention for being a taste of what’s to come from this year’s Madden NFL game (unless you’re not a fan of American football, in which case you can safely give this week a pass). Aside from more polished college football action, NCAA has a few new tricks up its sleeve this year, including a revamped Road to Glory mode and numerous changes to the defensive game.


For gamers who would prefer the Quaffle to the football, EA has you covered with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II. Like its forbearer, Deathly Hallows: Part II is a cover-based shooter (spell-caster?) based on the movie of the same name. EA has promised an overhaul of the spell system from the first game, which is good, because the critical consensus on the initial title was rubbish. Deathly Hallows: Part II also sports eight different playable characters throughout the single player portion of the game, as well as PlayStation Move support (no Kinect, though).

19th July

In what is surely the most counter-intuitive release decision this month, Sega is choosing to launch Next Level Games' Captain America: Super Soldier in Europe on the 15th, before it makes its way to the States on the 19th. Hey, how are we meant to know the way publishers think? At any rate, Captain America: Super Soldier is a brawler/platformer based on the upcoming film from Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures. Super Soldier’s fighting mechanics look reasonably competent so far, and its platforming aspects add some needed variety to the game. Could Captain America: Super Soldier join Transformers: Dark of the Moon in the upper echelon of licensed summer movie games, or will it descend to the bottom of the pile with Thor? Only time will tell.


Arguably one of the biggest releases of this month is Call of Juarez: The Cartel, the newest installment in Ubisoft's western FPS franchise. This time, developer Tech Land is giving Juarez a modern day setting, casting players as three law enforcement officials aiming to take down a Mexican drug cartel. Players can expect Juarez’s familiar western flavour despite its modern setting, as well as the franchise’s open environments and vistas. The shooting mechanics look a little loose thus far, but the promise of three-player, drop-in, drop-out co-op could help gamers everywhere hear the Call.


Also releasing on the 19th is Otomedius Excellent, a 2D shoot-em-up that can best be described as Gradius with animé babes. I'm not sure what brought it on either, but shmup fans can expect Konami’s brand of tight shooting action to be complemented by three-player online play and local co-op. Otomedius Excellent sports nine playable characters, as well as a gallery of unlockable character stills. The game doesn’t have a European release date yet, so gamers on the Eastern side of the Atlantic will have to make do with import impressions for now.

Oh yeah, there's also Smurfs Dance Party. Que sera sera.

26th July

Speaking of quirky Japanese titles, July closes with one of the most bizarre titles to come from Atlus yet, Atlus Persona Team's Catherine. Labelled an 'erotic horror puzzle-platforming adventure title', Catherine is more of an experience than a game, as players will spend an equal amount of time watching the story play out in animated cutscenes as they will working through Catherine’s tower-climbing box puzzles. Added to the mix is a morality system, brought about by answering questions posed by non-playable characters throughout the world. Similar to Atlus’ Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series, Catherine needs to be seen to be believed, and will offer a unique experience to gamers willing to sweat out some truly non-traditional game design.


On a more hack-y-slash-y note comes Ignition Entertainment’s El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron. Whilst the title sounds like a sequel to both Call of Juarez and Zone of the Enders, it’s actually a stylish action title in the vein of Devil May Cry and God of War. And what style! El Shaddai’s art direction is rife with beautiful backdrops, weird colour filters, and an angel with God on his cellphone speed dial. Combat is simple, with just one button controlling attacks, but is given depth through the player's ability to steal weapons from enemies. El Shaddai features the sort of quasi-biblical, semi-religious story that the Japanese media is so into these days (the main character, Enoch, is tasked with hunting down seven fallen angels in order to prevent God from causing the Great Flood), adding to the faux-epic scale the game is shooting for. European gamers will have to wait until September, but look for continued coverage of El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron on Gamer’s Guide to Life.com.

Labels: 2011, Andrew Testerman, Feature, summer drought, The Month Ahead