iOS Gaming Watch List: Bastion, McPixel, and Blast-A-Way

By Russ Frushtick @RussFrushtick
on August 28, 2012 at 8:00p

Major releases tend to hit on Thursdays, so we'll be coming at you every Wednesday with the games to look out for, as well as some of the bigger content updates on the way. While this won't be a comprehensive list of games releasing for a given week, it does offer a quick selection of games and upates that show promise or look interesting for one reason or another. Worth noting that we have not played many of these games, so you shouldn't take these as short reviews. Think of this more like a helpful guide of games to investigate as they launch on Thursday.

Bastion

Hard to imagine anyone has made it this long without playing Bastion, last year's action role-playing game from Supergiant Games. But if you're one of those unlucky few, consider Bastion's arrival on iOS a happy blessing. Take note, though: the game requires at least an iPad 2 or Retina iPad, so if you're still on gen one, you will be left out of the party.(iPad, $4.99)

McPixel

Do you like old school adventure games but lack the time to play them? McPixel has you covered. The game has an obvious fondness for the Maniac Mansion era, but instead of a lengthy, complex adventure, MxPixel tosses you one hundred "situations" that you only have 20 seconds to solve. Or else. McPixel is goofy and extremely original. Plus it beat the Thursday rush and is already live! (Universal, $1.99)

Blast-A-Way

Illusion Labs was one of the first high-end iOS game developers, so it's worth checking out each of their releases. The latest is Blast-A-Way, a 3D puzzler that has you incinerating the environment around you to make it to the exit. Seems relatively simple, but the trailer gives a good indication as to just how insane this game gets. (Universal, $4.99)

Splice: Tree of Life

Aural nuts are no doubt aware of this developer's previous game, Auditorium. The same qualities that made that game so groovy seem to have transitioned to its latest release: Splice. Dig spacial reasoning and molecular biology, but are annoyed that there aren't any games bringing those fabulous things together? Grumble no more! (iPad, $3.99)