Our content features three distinct types of app reviews each week. Twice weekly, we unveil our free apps of the week list, showcasing premium titles, and games that are temporarily available at no cost. Meanwhile, our Top 5 Apps of the Week includes a broader spectrum, assessing both free and paid options to determine their overall value for your app library.
In essence, we make it a point to download and personally test these applications prior to making any recommendations. After all, without genuine experience, our insights would be little more than empty words. So, without further delay, let’s explore the finest apps to consider this week!
Birds Camp (Android & iOS)
When you just want to wind down with something casual, why not try out Birds Camp? I found this title to be easy enough to learn, being a card-based tower defense game that is slightly different from the usual tower defense modus operandi. You take charge of the situation as the commander of Boulder Island, where charming, high-tech avian defenders will hold out against waves of adversaries.
I love how the extensive deck-building system comes into play with tons of room to modify and switch things up, sporting more than 60 unique cards. With the ability to customize my strategies by selecting from seven distinct bird squads, I am able to play around with eight different units that boast exclusive abilities each. Such diversity encourages the creation of synergistic combinations to tackle the game’s challenges.
The developers also mix things up by offering a variety of terrains to explore, such as Bluesea, Sandscape, Snowfield, and Bogland. Each of them will be different with their fair share of unique challenges and aesthetic appeal. Sporting over 50 levels spread across three battle modes, there is a whole lot to enjoy.
- Price: Free / Advertising: Yes/ In-app purchases: Yes ($0.99-$9.99) / Account required: No
The visuals are great enough to keep me glued to my seat with its delightful cartoon art style, while the overall user interface remains intuitive that makes it accessible to both newcomers and seasoned players alike.
TRIBE NINE (Android & iOS)
Do you love action RPGs? Well, TRIBE NINE offers something different, where I am thrown right into the middle of Neo Tokyo, a city that is so quirky, some might say mad, and teenagers resist an unjust world not through non-violent protests but life-or-death battles.
It boasts a dynamic combat system that does take some time to learn, but once you get the hang of things, it is a snap to play around. I control a 3-person party, where I get to enjoy cooperative and melee battles against some formidable enemies. With the inclusion of the “Tension System”, there is a strategic depth to the game since filling the Tension Gauge activates unique effects, which can help give you that much-needed edge.
There are 23 distinct cities to explore, which means the game will not get old anytime soon. With more than 10 playable characters at launch, I took my time to decide on which player suited my playstyle best since all of them possess unique skills and actions.
- Price: Free / Advertising: None / In-app purchases: Yes ($0.99-$69.99) / Account required: No
The visuals and audio are top-notch, sporting high-quality visuals rendered in vivid artistic styles, complemented by meticulously crafted music that enhances immersion into its dystopian world. The storytelling bit alone is good enough to carry the game for most people. Give this a go if you want something different!
NovelMaster (Android & iOS)
I remember how growing up, I was on a diet of Enid Blyton books in my early years before progressing to more solid reading material later in high school. Tolkien’s works continue to resonate with me today, but there are others who prefer a more relaxing read from the world of Mills & Boon. If you love casual romance stories, perhaps NovelMaster is right up your alley.
It offers an extensive collection of short stories, Collection of Short Stories: Novel Master boasts a wide array of short stories, but do not expect any of these virtual page turners to win a Booker Prize anytime soon.
The user interface is clean and intuitive which enhances the reading experience. I like how I can customize my fonts, backgrounds, and brightness settings based on my preferences for a more comfortable reading session. Purchases will then be added to the virtual bookshelf for easy retrieval, while resuming where I stopped is a snap with the bookmark feature.
- Price: Free / Advertising: None / In-app purchases: Yes ($4.99-$49.99) / Account required: Yes
Overall, I would say this app offers a comprehensive platform for short story enthusiasts, where it boasts a vast collection of tales and user-friendly features that have been carefully designed to enhance the reading experience. The major bummer is how this is primarily a subscription-based access app, which means there aren’t free stories to read, even. However, if romance stories are your cup of tea, you might want to give it a go.
Grand Mountain Adventure 2 (Android & iOS)
My first exposure to a skiing game was Ski or Die, sporting CGA graphics while requiring me to swap my 5.25-inch floppy mid-game on an IBM XT PC. How far times have come, with Grand Mountain Adventure 2 being an open-world skiing and snowboarding game that improves upon its predecessor by offering a more immersive and expansive experience for winter sports enthusiasts.
There are numerous meticulously crafted mountains to check out where each present unique terrains and challenges. I love the game’s open-world design that encourages exploration, allowing me to stumble upon hidden paths, secret areas, and diverse environments.
Thankfully, games like this require precise controls, which it delivers. The controls are responsive enough to make it accessible to both newcomers and seasoned players, although having a physical controller might help more. Apart from exploring freely, I can also engage in various challenges such as slalom courses, trick parks, and time trials that will let me showcase my skills and compete for high scores. The inclusion of a multiplayer mode also greatly increases replayability.
- Price: Free / Advertising: None / In-app purchases: Yes ($1.99-$6..99) / Account required: No
Overall, I like how this game successfully built upon the foundation of its predecessor by delivering a captivating open-world winter sports experience. The combination of intuitive controls, diverse challenges, and breathtaking visuals makes it a standout title for mobile gamers who want to get their adrenaline pumping while offering a strangely relaxed experience.
Pumped Workout Tracker Gym Log (Android & iOS)
New year, new you? Well, the first quarter of the year is about to come to an end, and for those who made fitness resolutions at the turn of the new year, how has the journey been? Perhaps you might find this app, Pumped Workout Tracker Gym Log, to come in handy as it helps users to plan, track, and optimize their workout routines.
It offers a comprehensive workout tracking experience, letting you log sets, reps, weights, and exercises across various training disciplines. These include bodybuilding, strength training, powerlifting, and HIIT sessions. The inclusion of detailed analytics and charts help you to monitor muscle gains and fat loss so that it is easier to track your fitness journey effectively.
The app will also ask you for your health priorities and fitness level to provide a customized training plan so that you can achieve your specific goal faster and in the best way possible. The user interface is clean enough to look at, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned athletes.
- Price: Free / Advertising: None / In-app purchases: Yes ($4.99-$49.99) / Account required: No
All in all, this app serves as a valuable tool for those who want to enhance their fitness routines. I like the extensive tracking features, personalized plans, and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use. Having such accountability goes a long way in supporting users to achieve their workout goals, build muscle, and stay motivated.
In the blink of an eye, the week is over as we arrive at the end of this Top 5 apps of the week edition. Is there any app or game you think others should know about? Do let us know in the comments!
