Canabalt
Developer: Semi Secret Software
Price: $3
Platform: iPhone

Simple games are perfect for the iPhone. That’s not to say simple is bad, the one button mechanic is perfect for the platform. The aim is to simple run and jump across the rooftops avoiding anything that get’s in your way while the world around you is under attack. This gives the game a simple premise as to why you’re running, something many games of this type don’t bother with. Obstacles includes boxes which slow you down, collapsing buildings, unknown objects and skyscraper windows. You automatically run and pressing anywhere on the screen will cause the man to jump, how far he jumps depends on how long you hold down on the screen. What it lacks in complexity it makes up for in style, everything about the game looks fantastic, even the attention to detail in the background looks great. It’s also supported by a solid soundtrack. I say soundtrack, it’s really just one song, but that song fits the mood and atmosphere perfectly. (more…)

Dark Void Zero
Developer: Other Ocean Interactive
Price: $5.00
Platform: DSI Ware, iPhone, PC

According to Capcom Dark Void Zero had been in development in the 80′s for the PlayChoice 10, which was a dual-screen arcade machine, but was quickly canceled. Years later Capcom finds Dark Void Zero buried deep within their vault and decide to create a remake called Dark Void for the PS3 and 360, but they simply couldn’t leave Dark Void Zero to rot in the vault (more…)

Plants vs Zombies
Developer: Popcap Games
Price: $3 Dollars
Platform: iPhone
Genre: Tower Defense

There is something delightful about the charming simplicity of Popcap’s titles, and Plants vs Zombies continues this legacy. Much like Peggle and any of its past franchises, Plants vs Zombies takes a single round to comprehend all of its basic rules. Though it never becomes difficult to progress, there is always a continued sense of mystery due to the constant experimentation that it asks of the user. It differentiates itself from most tower defense games, by relying on the constant variation of enemy (ie Zombies) and weapon (ie Plants) types. The player is rewarded with a new armament after each round but the structure of the game never forces the player to adapt to a certain play style. Include this with an attractive art style and practical iphone controls, making the 3 dollar price tag much too easy to swallow. (more…)

Plants vs. Zombies reintroduces the tower defense genre by incorporating a hordes of zombies against the defense of plants. However does it succeed in its attempt to make a niche genre accessible for everyone? (more…)