Machinarium (Google Play) $4.99 (free Demo)
Available on iTunes
Developed by Amanita Design
Enter a hand-drawn post-apocalyptic world, where you guide a disassembled robot named Joseph, through the city of Machinarium, to save his girlfriend, Bertha, from the Blackcap Brotherhood. This award-winning-cross-platform game, from the makers of Samorost and Botanicula won IGF's Excellence in Visual Art Award. (2009) Each level has a series of challenging but rewarding puzzles to complete, with only one hint per level, Machinarium is able to make you feel tender inside. Although this game shows up compatible with your phone, it's not at all. Trying to solve Machinarium's puzzles (or pick up its often ridiculously-tiny objects) on a phone screen will certainly rise frustration levels, even with something the size of a Galaxy Note, it would be almost impossible beyond the first few, simple tasks. I would recommend a 10.1" tablet at the least for this one. (Or the computer version) Other than that, it is one of the most visually stunning hand-drawn games – meticulously detailed, it keeps you wondering.
XCOM®: Enemy Unknown (Google Play) $9.99
Available on iTunes
developed by 2K Games, Inc.
Managing your resources smartly against alien enemies is the key of the game. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a cross-platform-world-strategy game that surprisingly works great on mobile devices. Form a secret paramilitary operation to counter attack a terrifying alien invasion. Featuring fluid motion controls and updates that make it a whole lot smoother than I thought (Of course, the bigger your screen the better.) Something to note: Pinching and zooming is enabled, so you can delve right into the battlefield or tap to position your troops where most needed. It's a reinvention of the classic X-COM from 1993 (now on Steam); developed by award-winning creators of the Civilization series and the Borderland series. The fate of the human race is in your hands. Build and manage a fully operational base, researching alien technologies, planning combat missions and controlling soldier movement in battle. The downside is that it only operates in campaign mode. The mobile version may not let you play online with friends, but, hey, at least you can say you played one of the best strategy games ever on your smartphone.
Leo's Fortune $4.99
developed by 1337 & Senri LLC.
The protagonist is a fluff ball with a fancy mustache that should rope you right in. Leo was a wealthy roly-poly with a thick Eastern European accent when suddenly, bam, all his gold was stolen and no one knows who did it. Help Leo figure out who stole his cheddar, guiding him through a visually luscious 20 levels brimming with danger. Released on April 23, 2014, it won the Apple Design Award 2014. The only drawback, tends to be easy for experienced players. But the graphics are quite mesmerizing, from a mossy forest to a pirate city to everything in between. Consider getting a copy of this insanely fun and beautiful video game; after all, the gold coins are not going to get picked up by themselves.
