Kicking off this week’s must-have games roundup is Uplink, a title you may remember from 2001, when it made its debut on PC. This computer hacking simulator has now been remastered for the iPad’s touchscreen, and despite being 11 years old, it’s still an awesome game.
Accompanying Uplink is a hugely enjoyable platformer, a unique take on golf, a first-person catapulting game, and more.
Uplink — iPad ($4.99)
Uplink is a relatively old game, which was first released back in 2001. And if you played it back then, you’ll already be familiar with just how great it is. Now remastered for the iPad, Uplink allows you to take on the role of a computer hacker — just like those in the movies — who is hired by major corportations to break into classified computer systems.
Once inside, you’ll steal research data, sabotage software, change records, and even frame innocent people for crimes they did not commit. But you’ll have to cover your tracks along the way or risk getting caught. This classic PC game can now be played anywhere at any time, and it’s even better on a touchscreen. See how cool that trailer is?
Project 83113 — Universal ($0.99)
Project 83113 is an action-packed platform game that features intuitive touch controls and really great visuals. You take control of “mankind’s last hope,” Belle, a special unit agent who has been created for one purpose: to “bring an end to the reign of the machine.”
Make your way through four intense worlds, tapping on enemies to take them down with deadly attacks. Be sure to collect the crystals you come across along the way, which you’ll need to upgrade your weapons. I’ve always been a huge fan of platform games, and I’ve been enjoying Project 83113 a great deal since its release.
Golf KingDoms — iPhone ($1.99) / iPad ($1.99)
If you’re as terrible at golf as I am, then I believe the best way to enjoy it is in the form of a good video game. Golf KingDoms is definitely that. This unique take on golf isn’t another Tiger Woods PGA Tour clone, but rather a 2D side-scrolling puzzle game unlike any other golf game I’ve played.
Use your finger to adjust the direction and the power of each shot and try to make your way to the green. You’ll have to avoid obstacles like nasty crevices, sheets of ice, and molten lava. It’s often incredibly frustrating, yet hugely enjoyable and addictive.
There are two game modes to choose from: Practice Tee, where you can perfect your game; or Tournament, which needs little explanation. And there are 3 kingdoms, with 27 holes. For me, the only bad thing about Golf KingDoms is that it’s not a universal app, so you’ll need to pay $1.99 to play on your iPhone, and another $1.99 to play on your iPad.
Euro Soccer — Universal ($1.99)
Euro 2012 is finally underway, and while they may not mean much to those of you in the U.S., us Brits can’t get enough of it. Which is why one of my must-have games this week had to be a soccer sim. Euro Soccer comes from First Touch, the developers behind Score! Classic Goals, and it promises to be the “soccer app you can’t afford to miss!”
It features an intuitive defensive and attacking player AI — which aims to provide a challenging and addictive experience — coupled with powerful touch controls and impressive visuals. Pick your 23-man squad from a database of over 4,000 players, then lead them to European victory, unlocking as many achievements as you can along the way.
Catapult King — Universal ($0.99)
Catapult King, as its name suggests, is a first-person catapulting game in which you must destroy forts, castles, and fire-breathing dragons in an effort to rescue a helpless princess, who has been kidnapped by dragons and nasty knights. It’s a little like Angry Birds, but from a first-person perspective.
There are 64 challenging levels for you to enjoy, all of which take place in gorgeous 3D worlds. Every level you complete brings you magic, which you can use to upgrade your catapult.
What’s Your Favorite?
So that concludes our list of this week’s must-have iOS games. If you’ve picked up something that you think we should have included, be sure to let us know about it in the comments.
