Square Enix has been no stranger to the iPhone, with quite a few releases for the device including Vanguard Storm, Crystal Defenders, and Song Summoner. These releases have been for the most part on the light side, and many fans have been waiting for the publishing giant to bring more significant titles to the platform. While Square Enix has an enormous library of classics to choose from, it has appeared extremely protective of its treasure trove of content. Larger more significant titles have been reserved for larger platforms that allowed for a higher asking price.

The iPhone releases feature upgraded visuals

With the release of Final Fantasy 1 and 2 in the app store, it looks like we may finally see a new direction from Square Enix. Within days of their initial release the two titles began to quickly climb the charts and they can both now be found in the app stores top 50 list. In fact Final Fantasy 1 has quickly jumped into the app stores top 25. The fast success of the titles in the app store is sure to catch the attention of Square Enix. While the price tag of $8.99 per title may seem steep when compared to the swarms of $0.99 apps available, fans have made it clear they have no problem shelling out a few extra bucks for quality. Square Enix and other large gaming publishers are sure to be taking notice of the two titles run away success as the iPhone user-base continues to climb.

UniWar is on of the top online turn based strategy games on the iPhone. Similar to games like Advance Wars, UniWar is a grid based online strategy game. The title is all about online multiplayer, featuring multiple races, more than 50 maps, team matches, and even a 21 mission campaign mode to help you get your feet wet.

Uniwar will be available for free for the remainder of the day, turn based strategy fans should make sure to grab this gem.

Tilt to Live is the debut iPhone release from One Man Left Studios. The title is an avoidance game that closely resembles the bullet hell action in many of the great old school 2D shooters. The visuals appear to be bright and colorful and the framerate looks to run smooth. Stay tuned for a hands on look at Tilt to Live, and check out the video after the jump.

Tilt to Live is available on the app store for $1.99

Like to try before you buy? We have some hot new lite versions for you to check out before you spend those hard earned dollars. Below you will find details on lite versions for some of our favorite titles. Enjoy!

Plushed Lite iTunes Link

Plushed is a beautiful and clever 2D platformer that has you following a cute plush bunnie on a quest to save his girl who, in a series of unfortunate events turned into the fairytale queen of a cursed land. The art style in Plushed is absolutely fantastic, and the controls are well done. This is a title we have recommended a few times, so if you have been holding off now is your chance to try it out before you buy the full version. The full version of Plushed is available for $1.99.

Funkyball Worlds Lite iTunes Link

Funkyball Worlds is an excellent 2D physics platofrmer that has you guiding a funky little ball through over 70 increasingly challenging levels. The difficuly curve is paced out well, and the overall level design is very well done. The full version of Funkyball Worlds is available for $2.99.

Doodle Bomb Lite iTunes Link

Doodle Bomb is a clever physics puzzler that has you aiding a doodle mans escape out of all sorts of odd places with the help of carfully thrown bombs. The puzzles in Doodle Bomb are very well done, and the game comes loaded with a healthy dose of humor. Fans of physics puzzlers should not miss this one, and can now check it out for free! The full version of Doodle Bomb is available for $1.99.

The iPhone just got a new time sink, and it is called Space Miner: Space Ore Bust. Space Miner is a zero gravity space shooter with a wacky story line and extensive RPG elements.

By itself, Space Miner is a great shooter, but add in a fun story line, massive ship customization, highly polished 3D art, and tons of exploration, and you get one of the best games available for the iPhone to date. It is very rare that a gem like this comes along, and should not be missed.

Expect to see a more extensive review in the future. Space Miner: Space Ore Bust from the Venan Arcade development team is currently available on the iTunes store for $4.99.

iTunes Link

Hell Kid is a fast paced reaction game that has you jumping and swinging your way through hell, collecting human souls along the way. Think of Canabalt mixed with the swinging mechanic in Hook Champ and you will start to get an idea of what to expect from Hell Kid. Click here to continue…

Funkyball Worlds is a simple yet brilliant 2D side-scrolling platformer. Like a delicate food, Funkyball World’s may not bring anything substationally different to the genre you can never get enough of its delicious simplicity. Intrigued?

What first caught my eye on the game is the beautifully stylized graphics, and let me say the eye candy is definitely catchy. Vibrant colors and animations (such as falling leaves) flash before your eyes as your rolling your ball across the screen. To add to the fun, the game consists of three worlds to traverse through: forest, desert, and water for a total of 72 levels! Each level is unlocked by completing the previous one, and you can play over levels to improve your time and gain more gold stamps of approval. One thing’s for sure; if you’re a completionist like me you definitely won’t be putting this down in one playthrough.

There are two ways to control your ball; accelerometer and onscreen buttons. As you roll you can press and hold your finger anywhere on the screen to jump (quite handy might I say). The longer you hold, the farther you jump.

The game seems to take in account how fast you’re rolling the ball. If you speed up too much and don’t take into account the balls awkward way of movement your sure to tumble off the screen to your death A LOT. Luckily there is no penalty or limit to your deaths and even the later levels aren’t super challenging but this could all have been easily avoided if the ball controlled the way you think it should. In addition to this problem if you ever get stuck on a level or get sick of falling to your death at a particular spot there’s no way to skip the level and try your luck on a new one. Allowing the player to access up to five levels at a time or even introduce a ‘wildcard’ system akin to Torki Tori could help relieve any headaches a player is experiencing.

Though I usually use the onscreen buttons as my go to control setup I seemed to perform a little better and have more control of where the ball was going with the accelerometer. After I got past the unnatural feel of the ball, by the time I finished the game I felt exhilarated and relieved; wishing for more! If you enjoy games like these, look no further for your next purchase; Funkyball Worlds will satisfy you. Check it out.

Editors Note:This title really came completely off my radar, and the physics based platforming just works sp well with the iPhone interface, it is a game that is truly hard to put down. If you are into physics games, or platformers, make sure you check this one out. – Robert

Overview:

- Lack of fluid control movement of the ball which leads to unnecessary deaths.

+ Vibrant graphics.

+ Tons of gameplay value for your buck.

+ Ipod music compatibility and controls in the app (always handy).

Rating****~ (4/5)

Review: Funkyball Worlds – M.J.

Developer: Handmark Inc.

Current price: 0.99

iTunes Link

Radiant from Hexage Games is a retro-modern arcade game that is a sort of hybrid mix between Space Invaders and Galaga. I was able to spend some time with Radiant this week and was almost instantly addicted. Click here to continue reading….

Funkyball Worlds is the latest iPhone release from Astraware. Stay tuned for a review of Funkyball Worlds from M.J. I have spent some time with Funkyball Worlds myself, and have been extremely impressed with its extremely high level of polish matched with gameplay that feels right at home on the iPhone. Click here to continue….

Cogs is a unique puzzler that has you building crazy steam punk style contraptions by sliding tiles. The title has been available for download for some time on PC, and was announced back in August to be in development for the iPhone as well. The game was developed by Lazy 8 Studios, and Chillingo has recently announced they will publish the title which is slated for a release sometime this month. Click here for more details…