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Today's Best Apps: Junk Jack X, LetterGlow, Trappped And More

Today's Best Apps: Junk Jack X, LetterGlow, Trappped And More

August 30, 2013
The App Store takes delivery of hundreds of new apps per day. The overwhelming scene makes it possible to easily overlook an exciting game, valuable productivity suite, etc. However, we have a solution. Today’s Best Apps tackles this problem by providing you with a handpicked and tested list of apps that are truly worth your consideration each and everyday. Remember: Even though in-app purchases typically require your iTunes Store password for processing, you can further prevent them and other unauthorized actions by enabling local restrictions using the passcode locked iOS parental controls

iPhone:

LetterGlow - Stylish text & overlays for your photos by The Lens Lab Pty Ltd ($0.99, 11.5 MB): This camera and image editing app allows you to quickly and easily add some simplistically artistic flare to your photos. Rather than filter effects, the two key features here are text and accent overlays. As one should expect, it's the specific collection which makes this tool stand out. Along with 42 wonderful fonts, you can apply 38 shapes as well as 33 beautifully vector graphic clipart-style stamps to border or accompany text. Speaking of lettering, if you need some inspiration, the app author has also included 38 common phrases. Better yet, every element can be painted with one of 35 vibrant colors, plus further altered through contrast, opacity, alignment and orientation controls. Once complete, the enhanced image may be sent via email, uploaded to your Wordpress-powered blog or Dropbox, saved as a template, and shared through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Flickr.

Drinking GameZ: Beer Pong by Appatheia LLC (Free, 37.9 MB): Now you can play the popular turn-based drinking game without a follow-up hangover. Enjoyably deceptive in ease, the competition involves bouncing a Ping Pong ball into a Billiards-style racked setup of plastic cups filled with beer. When you make a shot, the opponent must down that cup of beer, eventually becoming uncoordinated. To simulate that tipsiness, the screen begins to blur and shake alongside deviated targeting. Obviously, the symptoms escalate the more alcohol consumed, i.e., the closer you get to losing, causing a further disadvantage. However, you may regain control or even create a winning edge by purchasing power-ups, such as drunk level reducers, using the in-game currency you will hopefully earn. The game features 3-D graphics, humorous soundtrack, realistic physics, solo mode as well as online multiplayer versus a friend or stranger, three AI skill levels, nine power-ups, two stage single finger control, and Game Center leaderboards. Disabling the pop-up and banner ads requires a $1.99 in-app purchase.

Universal:

Junk Jack X by Pixbits SRL ($4.99, 55.8 MB): Rejoin Jack and continue the free roaming adventure in this sequel to the hit iOS sandbox game. Again, you must dig, chop, throw, kill, harvest, build, and get constructively crafty to survive an unknown land of treasures and dangers. In fact, the next leg contains hundreds of additional items to collect, utilize, manufacturer, upgrade, fight, and be grateful for with an even prettier view. As a kind gesture, you're also being provided the choice of two crafting methods, the simple tool for beginners and a complex workshop for veterans, plus the ability to invite current and future friends. Those up to three companions can explore your land on their own or everyone may team up and have a greater success. Overall, the game features Retina display quality 2-D pixelated graphics, randomly generated side-scrolling environments, chiptunes, solo mode as well as local and online synchronous multiplayer via Game Center, 750 crafts, 1,600 treasures, 350 placeable items, 100 creatures, and single finger control.

Joining Hands 2 by 10tons Ltd ($0.99, 44.9 MB): The Peablins once again need your help facing danger in this follow-up puzzler. After surviving the Bogeyman attack, the adorable creatures are now afraid of whatever the mysterious meteorite-like event over the Whispering Woods has caused or brought with it. Nevertheless, the plan is the same. Unite the Peablins to give them strength by putting a palm in every hand. Because of the extra Peablins in residence and their additional appendages, the task will likely involve greater creativity. However, if you or perhaps a young playmate get stumped, 10tons has been kind enough to provide an unlimited hints system, but we recommend exercising those neurons and solve things on your own as much as possible. The game features 2.5-D graphics, charming soundtrack and sounds, 140 levels, eight types of characters, single finger control, and Game Center achievements.

Pure Chess by Ripstone Ltd (Free, 241.0 MB): This wonderfully crafted Chess simulator allows you to play the classic strategy game any time and anywhere in relaxing style. The experience is very realistic with three full visual environments, animations, and the proper point of view. As an extra benefit, your ears are serenaded by a calm instrumental soundtrack. Getting down to the actual play, you have the choice of competing against a six skill level AI in standard and bonus challenge games, a friend or stranger head-to-head via tabletop mode, or anyone across the globe. In addition, the game features three piece set types, eight further piece set styles, optional timer, and Game Center achievements. Some options must be unlocked via in-app purchases and online play requires registration of a free Pure Chess account.

iPad:

Trappped by Hyperbolic Magnetism ($2.99, 9.8 MB): In this mysterious puzzler, you must recreate the patterns to set the unknown entity within the game free. The solution to each configuration lies in successfully directing hollow containment squares to their identically colored destination tiles. Doing so requires drawing paths, which may require overlapping, and that's where the difficulty arises. Like parallel and intersecting roadways as well as the traffic traveling them, routes and restrictions are critical. Sometimes you'll need to cause delays to prevent collisions, other times the scenario will benefit from the assistance of teaming squares. In addition, solving at greater efficiency will provide a bigger reward of points. The game features 2.5-D graphics, humorous dialog, over 60 levels with inline training for the more than 10 control aspects, single finger control, and a Game Center leaderboard.

Mentioned apps

Free
Drinking GameZ: Beer Pong
Drinking GameZ: Beer Pong
Appatheia LLC
$0.99
LetterGlow - Stylish text & overlays for your photos
LetterGlow - Stylish text & overlays for your photos
The Lens Lab Pty Ltd
Free
Pure Chess
Pure Chess
Ripstone Ltd
$0.99
Joining Hands 2
Joining Hands 2
10tons Ltd
$4.99
Junk Jack X
Junk Jack X
Pixbits SRL
$2.99
Trappped
Trappped
Hyperbolic Magnetism
$2.99
Junk Jack
Junk Jack
Pixbits SRL
$1.99
Joining Hands
Joining Hands
10tons Ltd

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