While the App Store hosts a ton of free apps for iOS devices, it is also a treasure trove of paid apps that are either full-fledged mobile gaming experiences or quick and satisfactory gaming fixes. So as 2016 comes to a close, here are 10 apps that managed to snatch a spot in the App Store charts.
Heads Up!
Those familiar with Ellen DeGeneres's guessing games with celebrities should know that the show actually uses an app called Heads Up!, an App Store title that has already received the high regard of respectable publications such as the New York Times and Cosmopolitan, among others. It's a game meant to be played by a minimum of two people, and it could be a wacky or frustrating experience, but in both scenarios always frantic.
The mechanics are dead simple: guess whatever card the app is showing with the help of a partner and cinch as many correct guesses as possible under a time limit. Heads Up! is simple, fun, addictive, and cheap, too.
Heads Up! is available on the App Store for $0.99.
Assassin's Creed Identity
The Ubisoft-made Assassin's Creed Identity puts players right in the Italian Renaissance through the eyes of an assassin, replete with dozens of compelling missions that coax players to exceedingly unravel the mystery of The Crows. It is the second mobile Assassin's Creed title after Assassin's Creed Pirates, though it's the first to incorporate the third-person traversal style gameplay found on the console counterparts. The game is visually stunning, multi-layered, and a worthy entry in the famed series.
Assassin's Creed Identity is available on the App Store for $0.99, which is 80 percent less than its original price to celebrate the release of the series' movie adaptation.
Minecraft: Pocket Edition
Should people still be introduced to Minecraft in this day and age? Surely the Mojang-developed and now Microsoft-owned title has soared high enough in terms of popularity that trying to describe it would just be idle talk. In any case, Minecraft is an ultra popular 3D sandbox video game that has no specific goals set for the player; therefore, the focus is on how creative users can get in choosing how to play the game.
Microsoft recently released a free Ender Update for Minecraft, which includes an iconic boss battle alongside the Ender Dragon, which should add a bit more content to the game.
Minecraft: Pocket Edition is available on the App Store for $6.99.
NBA 2K17
One of the most authentic sports titles is arguably the NBA 2K franchise, and NBA 2K17, the latest entry, comes with revamped gameplay controls and an added support for those who want to play with an external controller.
NBA 2K17comes with several game modes, one of which is MyCareer, which combines a narrative with basketball gameplay. Users create their own customizable MyPlayer and guide it through the story, much like in an RPG.
NBA 2K17 is available on the App Store for $2.99.
Alto's Adventure
Alto's Adventure is a game that stands as another irrefutable evidence that video games can also be artistic as they are interactive. It's set in a snowy mountain village that's "brimming with the promise of adventure." To tell any more than that would seriously spoil the game's excellence.
Alto's Adventure is available on the App Store for $0.99, which is 75 percent less than its original price as part of Apple's holiday promotion.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch
According to Young Horses, Inc., the developer of Octodad: Deadliest Catch, the game is about "destruction, deception, and fatherhood," which is an apt description for a bloody action-RPG, not a game that involves a cutesy octopus. The game is about a dapper octopus masking as a tuxedo-donning human, exploring his existence.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch is available on the App Store for $0.99, which is 80 percent less than its original price as part of Apple's holiday promotion.
Moji Maker
With Moji Maker, users can create unlimited custom emoji, with thousands available to browse for inspiration. The app syncs directly with the keyboard and other apps, so users can create their custom emoji and use them where it's supported.
Moji Maker is available on the App Store for $0.99, which is 50 percent less than its original price as part of Apple's holiday promotion.
Geometry Dash
Geometry Dash is the paid version of Geometry Dash World, and employs the same rhythm-based side-scrolling action to keep players always on their toes. Flip, jump, and fly through hazardous obstacles littered inside the game's world.
Geometry Dash is available on the App Store for $1.99.
Bloons TD 5
Those looking for a well-put-together tower defense strategy should look no further than Bloons TD 5, a Kaiparasoft title with depth and tireless replayability. It features 21 powerful towers, 10 special agents, and more than 50 tracks, beefing up the game with countless hours of fun challenges.
Bloons TD 5 is available on the App Store for $2.99.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic combines the two best features culled from classic RollerCoaster Tycoon titles, resulting in an incredibly enjoyable gaming experience replete with outrageous rides, a gameplay with depth, and a unique art style. Spiritual flecks from the original series are peppered within the game through and through, making the game a worthy amalgamation of the PC original into a fun, and realized iPhone port.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic is available on the App Store for $5.99.
