Super Crate Box - iOS

Vlambeer, along with Halfbot, have just released Super Crate Box on iOS and it's a bit of a cracker. Fusing platforming antics with shooting is hardly new, but few games are as frantic as Super Crate Box straight out of the gate.

As the player dashes around the levels snaffling crates containing a fabulous array of weapons, foes rampage across the screen to stop you in your tracks.

Points are awarded for collecting crates rather than how many kills you rack up - a neat twist - but as every wooden crate contains a different weapon, you never know quite what to expect.

Personal stats are kept in neat displays while a running total of crates collected across the world is constantly updated on the main menu. At the time of writing, the figure stands at an impressive 6,718,831.

With delightful chiptunes and retro style visuals, Super Crate Box is fast-paced fun and works splendidly on iPad. For only 69p, it is well worth picking up.

DenGo Yamanote Line - iOS

Regular readers of this blog will be aware of my love for the Densha de Go! series. I can't get enough of speeding through Tokyo and surrounding areas, trying to reach the next station on time with a carriage full of happy passengers.

Well there's a new addition to the series - this time on iPhone and iPad - called DenGo! Yamanote Line. Yes, once again Taito have based their neat little game on Japan's most famous rail line - but unfortunately, this is a half-baked version which fails to match the fun of previous titles.

Initially, DenGo! Yamanote Line looks to have everything in place - both inner and outer loops of the Yamanote line are here - complete with 29 stations - and all the familiar sounds from the series are present, including the announcements which are read out in Japanese and English.

The touch screen controls work extremely well, with vertical swipes used to control the train and the framerate is smooth, with no sign of the graphical pop-up which has blighted the series in the past.

The Arcade mode breaks the line into small chunks, challenging the player to reach a series of stations on time, while the Free Run feature lets players pick and choose their starting points. Even the menu's pop-rock track fits the bill perfectly but unfortunately, it doesn't take long for things to derail.

Part of the joy of previous games in the series was travelling at different times of the day and night in varying weather conditions. Sadly, you only ever seem to travel in the morning under blue skies - a real shame as the subtle lighting effects gave the game some much-needed cosmetic flair, while rainy conditions affected stopping distances and speeds.

Another problem is the lack of action on the tracks. All the games so far have featured other trains going about their business, something which helped liven things up a bit. But here, the tracks are always empty - especially strange as you are driving on Japan's busiest line.

The workmen from Densha de Go! Final are also sadly absent. A quick blast of the horn when approaching these white-suited gents rewarded the player with bonus points, but as they are now nowhere to be found, the inclusion of a horn seems largely redundant.

External views have also been scrapped, leaving the player with the default bumper camera. Again, this is another cosmetic change, but it's unfortunate that Taito saw fit to scrap this extra feature.

Densha De Go! Final - and the PSP series of games - featured the chain point scoring system, which rewarded the player for hitting target speeds along the route. Sadly, since then, this system has been scrapped and Railfan (PS3), Densha de Go! Showa Yamanote Line (DS) and now this version all suffer because of its absence.

DenGo! Yamanote Line costs 800yen (£6.45) and it's possible to buy extra trains via in-app purchases. There are also 30 Game Center achievements to grab but the whole experience simply feels rushed.

Trundling between stations is fun in short bursts but those looking for portable Densha de Go! fun would be much better off hunting down any of the PSP games or taking the plunge with last year's fab DS title.

Family Games for iPhone/iPad

Ticket To Ride - iPad - £4.99
Since this adaptation of the classic board game was released several months ago, it's been a daily ritual for me to delve into the wonderful world of trains, dealing with diverted routes and delayed services, while squabbling with other national rail companies.

The sprawling board game is by Days of Wonder and is considered to be a classic. It has won numerous awards for its rich and strategic gameplay and anyone who has taken the time to set the game up with family and friends will tell you Ticket To Ride is quite a journey.

The digital version had previously been available on the Xbox 360's Live Arcade but this version is far superior and at just £4.99 is a must-have game for your iPad.

The basic rules are simple: Players take turns to draw cards and plan and place train routes between cities across the US. Points are then dished out depending on the length of your routes and for connecting towns and cities.

It's a simple premise but the challenge and strategy comes in trying to thwart your opponents. By studying the board, you can guess where your rivals are heading. You can then either try and scupper their plans by sabotaging their routes, or simply focus on completing your own objectives.

Pass-and-play mode was added after launch, allowing up to five players to take part around the iPad. However, even when playing solo, you can pit your wits against up to four computer controlled opponents.

But the icing on the cake is full online play, especially as the multiplayer lobby is always full and the experience is smooth and lag free.

The Europe, Switzerland and 1910 expansions can also be downloaded while in the game, making this digital version of Ticket To Ride the best version yet.

School 26: Summer of Secrets - iPhone £1.99, iPad £2.99
Aimed squarely at pre-teen and teenage girls, School 26 obviously isn't the type of game I would normally play. But underneath the cutesy visuals is a title that has some interesting ideas.

Taking control of Kate, who has just started at her 26th new school, the aim is to forge relationships with other pupils by helping them with their problems. You achieve this by listening to what they have to say and reacting to their issues by choosing between various expressions.

Stories and scenarios play out, friendships are formed and issues resolved in a bright and breezy environment.

It's quite a clever little game, sporting crisp visuals and decent sound effects. Not for everyone, sure, but well worth recommending to someone who has kids around the game's target age.

Horrid Henry's Horrid App - iPhone/iPad - £1.99
Another game aimed at the younger end of the market, this app is based on the recent Horrid Henry film, which itself is based on the children's books written by Francesca Simon and illustrated by Tony Ross.

The app features two games - Go Giddiantus! and Flick the Bogey - with an added bonus in Dress Up mode. There's also an Extras option which takes you online where you can view stills from the film.

Go Giddiantus! is a Canabalt-style game, with Henry constantly running and jumping through levels, picking up collectables and generally causing mayhem.

In Flick the Bogey, the player has to aim water balloons at Moody Margaret and soak her to rack up the points. Both games in the package are decent enough fun for younger kids, although the levels are a little drawn out and tend to become repetitive.

Still, the Dress Up mode will keep the kids entertained as they scramble around looking for new ways to dress up Henry.

Mos Speedrun: Half price!

Apple's App Store is crammed full of brilliant titles, but few are as much fun as Mos Speedrun.

The retro-flavoured platformer has been out for a while, but for this weekend only, you can pick it up for just 69p.

Developer Physmo have halved the price to celebrate Edinburgh Interactive 2011 and if you haven't bought it already, I would urge you to try this wonderful and charming slice of platform action.

The game has also just had an update to include an excellent video mode, so you can now record your fastest runs through the devious levels.

I took a look at the game back in May and you can check out my review HERE

While you're browsing through the App Store, you might also want to check out Physmo's SeaGlass. It's a Tetris Attack/Puzzle League spin-off, where the aim is to swipe and match coloured blocks to create huge point-scoring chains. It plays beautifully and for just 69p is another must-have title from the App Store.

To find out more about Physmo's games, visit their website

Groove Coaster - iPad

The iPad is home to some wonderful experiences but Groove Coaster may be the best game I've played on Apple's tablet this side of Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP.

For just 69p - the price will rise over the coming days - you get a beautiful and spellbinding rhythm action game which busts to life thanks to its fizzing neon visuals and generous offering of music tracks.

Your changeable avatar - which ranges from a simple cross hair to an army of space invaders - travels along a twisting line through colourful wire-frame environments.

The line is punctuated by a series of circles and as you pass over them, a tap on the screen keeps the beat going. The difficulty soon ramps up and the player has to hold notes, side-swipe prompts and repeatedly tap the line to keep the flow going.

All 17 tracks have three difficulty levels, while new avatars, items and background bursts can be unlocked as you play. Two extra tracks also appear as in-game purchases, making Groove Coaster incredible value for money.

It's by Taito - the same team who brought us the magnificent Space Invaders: Infinity Gene - and anyone who holds classics such as Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, PaRappa the Rapper or Gitaroo Man close to their heart will lap this up.

Buy in now before the price rise and experience something truly special.

Mos Speedrun - iPhone/iPad

Super Meat Boy's old school platform action impressed everyone who played it last year. Fast-paced and rock hard, it was a breath of fresh air in a marketplace crammed with mindless shooters.

The development team at Glasgow-based developer Physmo were clearly inspired by the title, as Mos Speedrun tips its cap to Team Meat's creation, although it is certainly more forgiving than Meat Boy's perilous quest.

Mos Speedrun takes place over 20 levels, each with four goals to accomplish: Getting to the end of the level in one piece, doing it within a time limit, collecting all the golden coins and finding a secret hidden skull.

Controlling insect girl Mos - who can be kitted out in a range of adorable outfits - is straightforward, with just left, right and jump used. But don't be deceived by this simplicity - Mos Speedrun is a devilish game, where one mistake will scupper your chances of success.

Every time Mos tragically impales herself on spikes, drowns, burns in molten lava or meets her maker at the hands of shuffling zombies, a replay ghost materialises and leaps away showing you where Mos met her untimely death.

Struggle with a level, and ghosts fill the scrolling landscape, reminding the player of their past mistakes. It's a lovely inclusion and it's an amusing little feature which only adds to Mos Speedrun's delightful charm.

Controls on both iPhone and iPad are almost perfect - something which can't be said of many platform games using touch screen controls - and they have to be, as rampaging through the levels in a bid to post the fastest time is what the game is all about.

Visuals have a delightful retro flavour, with each level lovingly detailed with old school appeal, while the glorious chip tune soundtrack by Je mappelle is pitch perfect.

The only real downside to the game is the lack of levels but as Physmo say more will be released, that small problem will be rectified soon. For just £1.19, Mos Speedrun is a must-have title and one of the freshest experiences currently on Apple devices.

Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP - iPad

The point and click genre has enjoyed a resurgence over the last few years, with many great adventures popping up on a variety of platforms.

From the hilarious grog-swilling nonsense of the Monkey Island reboot to the mad-cap episodic antics of Sam & Max, it's been great to see the genre make a stylish comeback.

At its core, Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP is one such title. But because it's tailor made for the iPad - with an iPhone version due in April - full use is made of the platform's crystal clear display and touchscreen functionality.

After the briefest of introductions by a mysterious sharp-suited man known as The Archetype, the player finds themselves in full control of the sword-wielding protagonist - The Scythian.

Control is straightforward and plays to the platform's strengths - a swift double tap moves The Scythian to the desired location, while selecting an object or sign brings up an information box.

The quest initially involves seeking out and procuring the Megatome - an ancient text which contains arcane knowledge - and awakening woodland sprites by singing and manipulating the environment.

There's more to it than that, of course, but explaining further would only dilute your enjoyment of this magical title.

The adventure plays out at a sedate pace, with the game gently nudging the player in the right direction by using visual and audio cues - a move which allows the player to take things at their own pace.

Occasionally, the tranquility is shattered by one-on-one battles but these encounters are thankfully kept to a minimum, with Sword & Sworcery EP's focus very much on exploration and interaction.

In fact the game actively encourages the player to have a good old nose around, with points of interest and secret grottos dotted about the heavily wooded world.

But while many gameplay ideas have been regurgitated from a range of previous videogames, it's the fascinating visuals and captivating audio work which sets Sword & Sworcery EP apart.

The graphical style is immediately striking, with artist Craig Adams utilising chunky pixels and a muted colour palette to create a quite mesmerising world to explore.

Complimenting the striking visuals is Jim Guthrie's stunning musical score. The soundtrack is an astonishing achievement, with layered synths, elastic bass lines and gentle guitar strums rising and falling as the action plays out.

On top of this, the environmental audio effects are just as beautiful, with crackling fires, peals of thunder, water splashes, dog barks and chirping crickets all adding to the game's wonderful atmosphere.

Sword & Sworcery's relaxed pace, ambient atmosphere and focus on exploration and experimentation won't be to everyone's tastes. However, it is a quite incredible experience which leaves the player desperate for more once the adventure has been completed.

The art style is sublime, the music and sound effects are magical and at only £2.99 from the App Store, it's the most uplifting and unforgettable experience you'll have all year.