Hidden Gems … Part 1!

While sitting here on my lunch break I’m looking at the crazy amount of apps I have yet to play and review. Yes I download them because, well, I can! I’ll get through them eventually and I will review most of the standouts for better or worse. But what about the smaller budget gems, the ones that keep me coming back for sheer crazy gameplay, the dollar apps that don’t have big marketing budgets. It’s hard for us as iPhone gamers to highlight these gems as most of the sites stick to reviewing the big budget games. The only way we can find these hidden gems is by following every developer possible on Twitter or rummaging through hundreds of pages of the App Store.

These are the unsung heroes I have yet to delete from my iPhone. The majority have online achievements to keep me coming back, or addictive and quick gameplay for that wait, or in my case, writers block moment. This is in no order whatsoever and I would like to extend my gratitude to the genius dev teams involved for making the most of my precious minutes enjoyable! I applaud you all!

Why not support these developers and check their games out too. Hopefully, you will find a wealth of great games in the App Store you never even knew about!

1. Rummage [App Store]

More of a strategy game hidden in a word tile puzzle game. Each puzzle has a list of 11 to 20 words to spell out with each new word being as frustrating as the last. It will draw you in and punish you at the same time. A simple game for the casual gamer and those who want a brain drain. More achievements than you can poke a stick at and I’m sure of more to come. It succedes in the aim of where smaller developers create a game that is easy to play but hard to beat and will have you coming back time and time again.

2. Quitit! [App Store]

Set as a gameshow with a virtual pet and you’re the star. Lumpy! Tease me or please me. I stumbled upon this game a while back and its latest episode: Episode 2 update is a blast and new episodes are due with regular updates in the style of Pocket God. Plenty of upgraded pokers to smack out Lumpy with, a plethora of minigames, gifts and accessories to pimp him out with. Stats and unhosted achievements included.

3. Gas Tycoon 2 [App Store]

I only pounced on this game a couple of days ago. If you enjoy the likes of the classic Pipe Dream or Pipe Mania then this is the game for you. If you have no clue what the games I just mentioned are, then try the lite version first. Gas Tycoon 2 lays down the pipelines once again in the puzzle genre and it’s addictive like the smell of petrol in the morning. Connect up the grid, restore the natural gas supply for the residents. Simple, right? Not likely! Openfeint achievements here we come!

4. Mr. Bounce [App Store]

What was old, is now new. What was creative then, is creative now. Old school principles with a very trance-like musical score. Plenty of neon colours to set the mood and great ball physics. Think you’ve mastered the bouncing ball? It will challenge your senses and your coordination with walls, wind, blockers and bouncers. Simply a wonderful and engaging experience. Online hall of fame with more bounce for your ounce!

5. Boom Brigade [App Store]

If a tower defence game and a line drawing game had a baby, it’d be this nutter! Even if you’re a fan like me of top down shooters, its worth a sneak peek. So much charm in animation, so much fun packed into a hoorah of iPhone entertainment. You control up to 4 troopers and defend your base against the endless alien horde. Heaps of upgrades to your arsenal to help the never ending battle. Can you survive? New updates are on the way so get a move on soldier!

One of the key features that lure avid gamers like me to purchase smaller games on the iPhone, is the appearence of achievements, with the likes of OpenFeint, AGON, Gameloft Live, Plus+ and the soon to be released Chillingo Crystal there is no reason not to go and find a gem! As soon as I finish playing these games i’ll be back with another article on the new games you should own!