Top 5 apps in the app store this week

With hundreds of apps out there it can be hard to sort the good from the bad. This list gives some help to apps which have recently been released which stand higher than the rest, if not in the charts but in quality. All apps on this list are free and are based around the Android app store but all exist in the iOS store also.

There’s something here for everyone! So play, start and select some of these for all your app needs.

 

1. Family Guy: The quest for stuff

 

 

 

 

Price: Free

This game is cleverly co-written by the creators of Family Guy and is the perfect app for any fan of the show. The game’s mechanics are very similar to Simpsons Tapped Out. Players create a town and fill it with characters and building through completing tasks.

Unlike Simpsons tapped out the humour is much better, characters and players level up and they have managed to add to the formula of Tapped Out and improved where the Simpsons failed .

Score 8/10

 

2. Moshi Monsters Village

 

 

 

 

Price: Free

Rising high in the Play Store this week this is a great little app for kids. Players help moshi monsters and moshlings by building houses, farming, playing little mini-games and taking care of moshlings. The gameplay is similar to Farmville or other ville games. The mini-games make it more fun and less of a drag having to wait for tasks to be completed. Just like the online game players choose their monster and start collecting and playing with moshlings.

This game is like an app version of the online game but with less interaction between live players and a much simpler version of the game. The app loses nothing in terms of story and look. Its still a happy, bright, and exciting place for kids to go. Players expand their moshling collection by rescuing moshlings in danger. Full review coming up!

7/10

 

3. Cut the Rope 2

Price: Free

This great little app is smaller than all the others on the list but no less fun. It takes the original formula of Cut the Rope and adds fun cartoons, new characters and new ways to play. For a full breakdown see my review here

Score 9/10

 

4. The Walking Dead Season 1

Price: Free

If you haven’t played this game yet or seen reviews of it online from people like PewDiePie then you need to know this is a great game. The app has fantastic graphics and is not diminished in quality by going to mobile, even on a phone the game looks good. This game packs a punch with story.Games from TellTaleGames always have a strong story.

This game has it’s scary moments so it isn’t for kids or the faint hearted. Players must survive as Lee through the zombie apocalypse, by meeting new people and learning who to trust, how to defend yourself and who to save.

Score 9/10

 

5. Tiny Death Star

Price: Free

Although this came out a few months ago it still stands as a good app and has lost none of its charm over time. Players must create a death star but through unconventional means. You must help Vader and the Emperor to fund building more levels by renting homes, building eateries, building shops. It sounds a bit girly but it’s a great app for any star wars fans with familiar characters, story elements, and humour. It’s easy to get hooked and want to build more and more levels to unlock your favourite characters and create a bigger and better Death Star

Score 8/10

 

Let me know what your app of the week is in the comment section below.

App Review: Cut the Rope 2

With this sequel it seems as though Zeptolab behind Cut the Rope are trying to create a fuller brand full of new
characters, depth of storyline and a better game than the original. Obviously there are other sub games to the franchise like Cut the Rope: Experiments but this is the first to return to the original game and add upon it significantly.

The first Cut the Rope game saw great success and it allowed the game to expand into new levels and make the game a noticeable brand in the app store. Cut the Rope 2 expands this further and gives a game which has more personality and fun than the original.

Downloading and first time play – Downloading the game was fast and generally this app is very quick due to its small size. Loading screens only take a few seconds compared to larger apps like Injustice and Tiny Death Star.

The game is introduced with a mini cartoon which shows Om nom the green happy faced character looking discernibly sad as his candy hoard is stolen away from him and the pieces are scattered around different areas. This game is a physics puzzler with great simplicity which gradually increases.

This makes acquisition and activation very short and allows the player of any age to pick up new skills and techniques to get the candy to Om noms mouth.

Gameplay – The gameplay is very simple, so simple it could be played with one hand and simple swipes or taps on the screen are all that is needed for control. Gameplay is relaxed so you won’t find yourself rushing or furiously tapping your smartphone or tablet.

How is it different from the last one? – There are several additions which make this game markedly different from the last game. Notable additions are:

• New characters which help reunite Om nom with his candy pieces
• Cartoon mini episodes called Om nom stories – they operate as a method of introducing new characters

• Purchasable power ups which allow players to complete the levels in any way they choose
• Each level has 3 challenges – 1 to collect all stars, 1 to collect fruit, and 1 unique challenge to the level

 

Look and feel – The graphics in a cartoon style are very smooth and the bright colours give a nice look. Bright colours help discern different characters and game elements.

Progression and levels – Levels are displayed in a map format like app games like Candy Crush, giving the game a nice sense of progressions. On the level map are several barriers. But don’t worry payment or social connection isn’t required simply completing enough levels is all that is needed.

Monetisation – Micro-transactions are present but it is far from necessary. The game is generous is its gifting of coins for level completion. These allow players to purchase hints or power ups to help players complete levels. Players can watch Cut the Rope mini cartoons to earn coins or watch ads to earn coins as well. All of which are unlocked as the player progresses through the map.

There is also an ‘energy’ system like with other game like Candy Crush or Angry Birds GO which prevents players playing for long periods or trying a level too many times. This restricts gameplay which can be irritating and is of course an attempt to get the player to buy more energy. But this is the only down side to the game.

 

Social – There is a simple optional Facebook connection button to allow you to compare yourself to your friends.

Verdict

This app is tons of fun, it’s gameplay is simplistic and the gradual difficulty curve allows anyone to pick up and play in seconds. The Om Nom Stories add a great fun new element to the app and make earning extra coins a joy and not an expense. Obviously there are micro-transactions but all are far from necessary to continue gameplay. This app is sure to keep many adults and children pressing play, start and select on this game for a long time.

But what do you think?