Got a new iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 3 for Christmas? Here’s our list of best games for iPad, that take full advantage of the large screen, the advanced GPU and more.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley is one of the best games to have come out this year for iOS. The game features Ida, a small girl, who has to make her way through a maze set in a 3D world, and you have to guide her through it. The way you do that is the most fascinating part of the game — you manipulate 3D structures/buildings to create optical illusions that help you overcome roadblocks. The game won an Apple Design Award earlier this year, and costs $3.99 on the App Store.
Game Of Thrones
If you’re a Game Of Thrones TV series fan, then you should get Telltale’s official iOS game for the TV series. The game tells the story of House Forrester, a noble family from the north of Westeros, loyal to the Starks of Winterfell. You assume the role of different family members and play the game.
Faster Than Light
Faster Than Light is a spaceship simulation game, that was originally made for the PC, and is now ported to the iPad. You are tasked with saving the galaxy, by flying your spaceship, and tackling obstacles like heavy missiles.
Papers, Please
Papers, Please is another iPad port of a desktop puzzle game, where you play as an immigration inspector, and you have to find smugglers, spies, and terrorists based on clues in the form of documents.
Real Racing 3
Real Racing 3 is the third edition of EA’s successful gaming title, which features 45 cars from makers like Porsche, Lamborghini, Dodge, Bugatti, and Audi, real tracks from locations all around the world and a time-shifted multiplayer experience where two players can battle it out asynchronously.
Plants Vs. Zombies 2
Plants vs Zombies 2, PopCap’s sequel to the wildly popular iOS gaming title, involves the same tower-defense gameplay, where you use plants to kill zombies. The game has been a huge success since its August release, clocking over 25 million downloads.
Dots and TwoDots
Dots and TwoDots are very simple, yet highly addictive puzzle games from the folks at BetaWorks. You have a grid of dots on the screen in various colors, and you have to join them to make them disappear. The more dots you join, the more your score.
Elevate
While playing games is a lot of fun, Elevate also adds a learning aspect to it, so that you don’t feel guilty about spending a lot of your time playing games. Elevate teaches you focus, speaking abilities, processing speed, memory, math skills, and more in a gamified approach. The game was in Apple’s best of 2014 list.
Badland
Badland is a side scrolling game set in a forest with trees, flowers and inhabitants. It has a physics-based gameplay, that has received a lot of appreciation, even from Apple, in the form of an Apple Design Award. Badland even has a local multiplayer, with support for up to 4 players.
Infinity Blade 3
One of the most popular iPad gaming titles, into its third edition. You play a warrior who has to fight your way through the game with your sword. It is known for its excellent graphics, and using the latest technologies on the iPad to improve gameplay.
Tiny Wings
Tiny Wings is a great, fun game for iOS, where you have to help a bird fly through mountains, taking advantage of the slope to gain elevation. It’s highly addictive, and supports Game Center, so you can compare your score with your friends’ scores.
Limbo
Limbo is a cross-platform 2D sidescroller game, where you guide a through dangerous environments to help find her sister. To progress through the game’s puzzles, you have to use a “trial and death” strategy, that is fail multiple times before discovering a solution.
Clumsy Ninja
Clumsy Ninja is a brilliant, game, and its premise is similar to the virtual pet category of games — you have an adorable, clumsy ninja, who you have to train with various skills to turn him into a super ninja. It has stunning visuals, and was originally demoed on stage, at an Apple event.
Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition
An iPad port of the classic role-playing game Baldur’s Gate, with improvements to gameplay and additional content. If you’re a retro gaming fan, then this is a must play.
Bastion
A role playing game where you play a kid who is trying to find a safe haven in a world that is about to end.
Threes
Threes is a puzzle game that’s highly addictive. You have a grid with numbers on it, and you have to keep combining them to sum them up, and get the highest score. (2048 is a similar game, that is equally popular)
Walking Dead: The Game
The Walking Dead is a series of games based on Robert Kirkman’s award-winning comic books, where you play Lee Everett, a man who has got a second chance at life, and has to save an orphaned girl named Clementine.
Vainglory
Vainglory is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that was featured at Apple’s iPhone 6 event. You fight in the game with the on-screen controls in 3v3 multiplayer battles.
Let us know your favorite games in the comments below.
