Trism is a tile-puzzle game similar in nature to the ever-popular Bejeweled. However, unlike Bejeweled, Trism offers far more complex and challenging gameplay, as well as three different Mode options. Add to that the ability to move tiles based on the direction you move your iPhone or iPod Touch, and you have a truly fun and complex tile game!

Though Trisms’s graphics are fairly low-key, the real value of this game is in the challenging gameplay. Players must move rows of triangular, multi-colored tiles to form trisms made of three same-colored tiles that touch. Bonus points are given for chains, which are trisms that have one or more additional tiles added to them. In the Infinism (un-timed play) and Terminism (timed play) modes, players also battle challenges like bolted in place tiles that lock a row in place, and detonated bombs placed on tiles that will explode if a trism is not formed using that tile.

Trism offers an excellent Tutorial mode that takes you step-by-step through how to play the game. Players have the ability to move rows of tiles both by sliding a finger across the screen, and then once the row has been moved, by tilting your Apple device in different directions causing the rows to “fall” into place in different ways. A compass resides in the lower corner to assist you with the shifting of the rows, and there is also a black set of arrows that appear on the screen as you move the device to let you know which direction the tiles will fall. This added feature is what puts this game ahead of others in its tile-game genre.

The Syllogism mode is a great way to learn and practice how to move your device to make the tiles fall where you need them to fall. This is a key component to the overall gameplay for any of the modes, so it’s an important skill to try to master. This ability to have rows shift at the end of your turn forces the player to think ahead to upcoming moves. In this way Trism may remind some players of its distant gaming cousin Tetris.

Players are able to set-up an account that records your top Infinism score, top Terminism score, all-time total trisms cleared, all-time total points, and best combo move. There are also 22 achievements that players can earn through Infinism play. Trism offers a color-blind mode, the ability to turn on or off sound effects, as well as clear all of the data from the account.

As mentioned earlier, the graphics are not overly spectacular. Tiles are colored red, purple, blue, green or yellow, and there are some interesting bonus tiles (for instance a rainbow tile that will match any color of tile), but even with those the graphic design is fairly simple. Additionally the sound effects are pretty basic - a chime announces a trism formed, and a pool-ball racking click sounds when rows slide into place. But what the game lacks in audio and visual “Wow!” is completely made-up for by the fun and challenge of the game.

Trism’s low-cost is definitely an incentive to buy this game. Because you have the ability to try your hand at both timed and un-timed games, it’s a nice “pass the time” game to add to your iPhone or iPod Touch collection. Though the graphics are fairly low-key, the gameplay is a true challenge and offers many hours of playing time.

Pros:

• Challenging tile-puzzle gameplay
• Excellent tutorials
• Multi-mode options
• Well-priced

Cons:

• Sound effects and graphics fairly basic

Score: 8/10

Price: $2.99

Trism on iTunes

If you think the name of this game sounds crazy, wait until you play it. By far one of the most creative, entertaining and amusing games available, Plants vs. Zombies the app (adapted from PopCap Games original PC version) delivers hours and hours of zombie killing fun. When Plants vs. Zombies was originally released in its Apple App form in February 2010, it had a record breaking introductory sales period. And it’s no wonder why. This game is packed with level after level of addictive gameplay, and the graphics and sound offer cartoon-like humor and zaniness that is sure to be a hit with tower-defense game fans.

The ingenuity used to develop Plants vs. Zombies is phenomenal. The attention to detail in the graphics, and sense of humor behind each zombie character makes this game experience laugh out loud fun. There are pole-vaulting zombies, football player zombies - even a tribute to Michael Jackson and his Thriller gang of zombies! Players must protect their homes by using botanical wonders to slow-down or destroy advancing zombie mobs, and some levels even have players employing carnival skills - like Whack-a-Zombie - to take down the living dead enemy.

There really can’t be enough said about the comedic value of this game. Take, for instance, an example from the player’s almanac, which is earned after one of the early levels of the game. The almanac contains information about the various plant and zombie species currently available in the game. The plant entries include basic gameplay information, such as level and range of damage each is able to inflict, as well as some background information about the particular plant; for example, Threepeater is a three-headed pea plant shooter that “likes reading, backgammon and long periods of immobility in the park.” There are so many examples of the silliness that you find in this game, and part of the fun is finding each new and crazier treat throughout your zombie destroying adventures.

Playing the game requires some tactical planning, as each level presents new challenges in physical landscape (the addition of a swimming pool means aquatic plants are added to your collection of zombie-killing greens and seeds), night fighting (limits the amount of sunshine available to grow your seeds, but planting sunflowers helps that problem), and the capabilities of each type of zombie. You are able to choose six seed and plant types to use in your war against the zombie mob, but deciding which to choose is complicated by factors such as the amount of sunshine each needs (sunshine is collected along with coins during play at each level). When you have earned enough money, you are also able to purchase additional seed pods.

Plants vs. Zombie’s is pretty much a learn-as-you-go game (as yet another example of the game’s sense of humor, the Help section is written by the zombies and suggests that when the zombies show up you don’t need to do anything but sit there). But learning the game is relatively easy, and the instructions offered with each new type of plant earned are helpful. You are able to repeat failed levels, and the game saves your progress at each close.

A really great feature of the game is that once you best all of the initial Adventure levels, you gain access to the Quick Play menu with even more zombie fun. And if you do decide to go back and re-try your hand at the Adventure play, your local zombie expert and guide Crazy Dave mixes up the play for you at each level. This game is truly an endless amount of fun!

It’s easy to understand why so many fans of Plants vs Zombie’s from its PC days were anxiously awaiting the Apple App version of this super fun and crazy game. PopCap Games has once again produced an addictively popular game at an affordable price. For anyone who is not used to this type of adventure style game, learning the strategy behind the use of the various plants may be a slight challenge, but it’s easy to catch-on and completely entertaining. Plants vs. Zombies is a definite must-add app!

Pros:

• Very amusing storyline, humor throughout
• Excellent graphics
• Great gameplay
• Great hidden treasure to unlock along the way
• Well-worth the minimal investment

Cons:

• A little confusing to learn at first

Score: 10/10

Price: $2.99

Plants vs. Zombies on iTunes

According to the Fruit Ninja sensei, “All ninjas hate fruit!”  In this addictive game, you get to slice and dice your way through fruit frenzies of watermelons, limes, oranges, pineapples and more, all while getting your inner ninja on.  Even better, the most recent update offers great bonuses to the last one-mode version – Combo Attacks and a 90-second Zen Mode. Though simple in concept, this game is full of fun!

Fruit Ninja is played by sliding your finger across the screen in an effort to slice fruit as it is tossed into the air.  In Classic Mode, the occasional bomb tossed along with the fruit complicates your slicing.  Be careful!  Hitting the bomb creates an explosion that ends that round of play.  The bomb is a great addition, because otherwise the difficulty level would be pretty low. Players work to rack up points without missing any fruit or hitting any bombs.  Missed fruit results in a red “X” counted against you.  Three red “X’s” and your round is finished.

In the new Zen Mode, players are given 90-seconds – and no bombs – to try to slice as many fruit as you possibly can.  This newest feature makes the game even more appealing, and is perfect for those moments when you have a few minutes to kill between meetings or waiting in line somewhere.  There is also the promise of a coming addition on the mode select screen, so be sure to stay tuned for another update coming soon.  According to reports, Halfback does a great job of implementing player feedback into its updates, so perhaps scrolling through discussion boards may offer a clue about what’s to come?

The graphics and sound effects in Fruit Ninja are truly outstanding.  The detail of each piece of fruit both before and after it is sliced is very realistic, as is the sound each piece of fruit makes as it is sliced. The best sound of all, though, is the sword slash effect with every swipe of your finger.  It truly sounds as if you are attacking the fruit with a keen edged ninja blade.  It’s amazing the sense of satisfaction one feels with every slash, squish and splat!

An added bonus to the game is the wise Fruit Ninja sensei who accompanies you on your fruit-slashing journey.  He offers up fruit wisdom, such as “Limes were fed to British sailors to prevent scurvy,” and “Two thirds of the fiber in apples is found in the skin.” It’s fun to learn new fruit facts while working to make fruit puree.

Learning the game is very simple, mastering the game is a real challenge, as bombs are frequently tossed along with four or more fruit at once, making a haphazard swashbuckling effort certain death.  Points are earned for each fruit sliced, and bonus points are earned for critical hits and combo attacks.  Occasionally complicating matters is the confusion between falling fruit pieces and un-sliced companions, especially when you are working to avoid accompanying bombs. For those interested in making their game play a social event, there is also an OpenFeint connection.

Overall, the graphics, sound and simplicity of play are major pros for Fruit Ninja. Add to that its low cost and self-motivating personal best premise and you’ve got an app that is well worth the investment. Fruit Ninja is a great little game for anyone who has some time to pass and is looking for something easy but fun.  Though there may not be a lot of bells and whistles with this game, sometimes simpler is better.  The ease of the game coupled with the fun design and concept make this app well worth its minimal cost.

Pros:

• Easy to learn, hard to master gameplay
• Incredible graphics and sound
• Excellent price

Cons:

• Simplicity of the game might eventually lead to lack of interest

Score: 8/10

Price:  .99¢

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fruit-ninja/id362949845?mt=8

As announced by Clickgamer.com: “Angry Birds is the #1 paid app in 49 countries” – and for good reason. This deceptively innocent looking game is by far one of the best app purchases anyone can make. Not only is it wildly addictive, but also developer Rovio Mobile has gone above and beyond with an amusing cinematic storyline, incredible graphics, and gameplay that is both easy to learn and a true challenge to master. It’s difficult to produce a game that both the expert and novice gamer can appreciate, but Angry Birds accomplishes just that.

The basic premise of the game is the destruction of some deranged looking little green pigs by some kamikaze style “angry birds.” Why are the birds angry? As explained by the in-game trailer, it seems that while the birds were distracted by the destruction of a mosquito, the king of the green swine and his crew stole the birds’ eggs to fulfill little piggy fantasies of fried and poached eggs.

This backstory helps your conscience as you proceed to slingshot one angry bird after another into the stone, wood and glass-bricked fortresses the pigs have built to protect themselves. Through skill, some basic understanding of physics, and a touch of luck, you are able to destroy the piggy palaces, smashing the pigs in the process. The birds lose feathers and life in an effort to wreak vengeance for their lost eggs. You fail if all swine cannot be eliminated. In other words, no bacon, no level up.

The graphics and sound are both quirky and a little crazy, creating a fun gaming atmosphere. Certain extra touches – like black eyes for battered not broken pigs, bird squeals of “whoopee!” as each bird is shot cannonball like into the air, and little piggy smiles from those pigs left unharmed after all the birds have been sacrificed – all combine to make a truly entertaining experience.

Angry Birds does an excellent job of blending entertainment with gameplay challenge. As players advance through the various levels, additional angry birds are unlocked, each with its own unique abilities: blue birds explode from one bird to three with a tap on the screen, yellow birds take on super speed, black birds explode on landing, and white birds drop egg bombs. At each level you are given a certain number of birds and bird types, presumably the best birds to get the job done.

The pig fortresses become more complex, but Angry Birds is wise to mix challenging levels with easier ones so that the player’s frustration is kept in check. If you fail to bring down the pig house, you can replay that level indefinitely, but if you succeed, you advance to the next level (the newest version boasts 120 levels to complete).

Players can repeat levels to try to improve scores, or simply work to advance through each level. Points are earned for killing pigs and the destruction of their fortresses, and bonus points are earned for any leftover angry birds not used during that level.

Angry Birds is a great lesson in physics, as players must find the weak spots in the pigs’ construction, using angles and such to properly aim their winged warriors to certain destruction. Each bird leaves a smoke trail which helps the player determine the next bird’s angle of release, a thoughtful assistance for the player. Because of the creative and logical demands of each level, replay is not only an option, but many players will feel compelled to try to repeat success.

There are really only pros to report for Clickgamer.com’s star arcade game. The price is well worth the endless hours of fun – one of the best deals out there – and the addictive nature of the game means money well spent. This game is perfect for any age or experience level player, and definitely one that will gain popularity through word of mouth advertising. Angry Birds is truly one of the best games available, and with the promise of new versions offering more levels, the life of this gaming trend seems to be indefinite.

Pros:

• Easy to learn, hard to master gameplay
• Excellent graphics
• Well worth the minimal investment

Cons:

• No hints for challenging levels

Score: 10/10

Price: 99c

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/angry-birds/id343200656?mt=8

Sonic the Hedgehog was something of a revolution for the games industry when he first hit the scene, taking the traditional platformer model and turning it into a furious, breakneck ride to the goal. It also kicked off the start of Sega’s new philosophy to fight rival Nintendo in the 16 bit console wars, by catering to slightly older gamers. Sonic after all was a character with some attitude and spunk, a complete contrast to the kid friendly persona Nintendo exemplified.

Years later, Sonic is still a major franchise with multiple entries each year, though nowhere near the system selling franchise it once was. While there are multiple Sonic games that could’ve made the transition to the iPhone (I personally would’ve loved to see Sonic CD get this treatment), Sega decided to go back to the beginning with the original adventure. Sega showed with Super Monkey Ball that they can effectively make use of the iPhone platform which boded well for this release. Unfortunately it didn’t quite turn out as well as one could’ve hoped for.

Sonic is a 2D platformer, and a game quite unique on the iPhone, despite its growing and diversifying library. Sonic blazes through the 20+ levels while collecting coins, negotiating numerous loops and jumps, and spinning into enemies. There are also plenty of bonus levels for him to speed through, and secrets to find.

While I’m not a big fan of the accelerometer, I thought this would be a perfect game to make use of it in some way, yet Sega ignored both the accelerometer and the touch screen in favour of a virtual d-pad. You control Sonic’s movement and spin attack with the up, left, down, and right arrows, while jumping with the A button off to the right. I have no problem with this control method, except in this instance the controls feel somewhat clunky and slow to react. Whether this is actually the fault of the controls or the often lagging framerate is debatable, but whatever the case, things are not nearly as tight or as enjoyable as they should be for such a classic game.

Yes, Sonic suffers from some Sonic-sized slowdown, which is a shame and somewhat puzzling given the wealth of more graphically intensive games we’ve seen on the platform. Yes Sonic moves quickly which puts strain on the hardware, but I have a hard time believing that the iPhone couldn’t have perfectly handled this 18 year old game with some extra tweaking by Sega.

Despite its age Sonic still looks good for a 2D game, with bright and pleasing visuals, and excellent animation. The music also makes the transition well. I was always a fan of Sonic’s music, and it’s just as enjoyable here, save for the occasions when the music noticeably slows down alongside the gameplay.

For those who missed Sonic oh-so-many years ago, or those looking to relive his first adventure, Sonic’s iPhone adventure is a decent pickup, though not without issues. The core gameplay though is as enjoyable as ever, and something wholly unique from anything else on the system. With some refinement this could’ve been a real winner. Let’s hope Sega gets it right with their next Sonic iPhone adventure, if indeed there is another.

Pros:

• Graphics still stand up well to other 2D games
• Excellent soundtrack
• Full featured game with plenty of levels and bonuses

Cons:

• Some severe slowdown
• Awkward controls
• No save feature

Score: 6.5/10

Price: $5.99

Sonic The Hedgehog on iTunes