Microsoft's weekly app discounting initiative, Red Stripe Deals, is now in its seventh week. This weeks offerings include Xbox Live title Puzzle Quest 2 (fantasy themed puzzle games of various types), Synthpling (versatile musical instrument), and Drift Championship 2 (car facing game with the emphasis on drfiting around corners). 

Of these titles we'd suggest taking a closer look at both Synthpling and Drift Championship 2. The former is probably the best synth app on Windows Phone, while the latter was one of the first games on Windows Phone to utilise the Unity 3D engine and has some impressive graphics. Puzzle Quest 2 is a reasonable game too, but doesn't quite measure are to the usual standard of the Xbox live titles.

Puzzle Quest 2

Escape to a puzzle game fantasy world filled with amazing creatures, powerful weapons, and addictive role playing in this sequel to the award-winning Puzzle Quest.

Synthpling

Synthpling! is a versatile musical instrument that puts expressivity at your fingertips. It is both a synthesizer and a sampler.

Choose a voice from the built-in selection or create your own by recording audio samples. Now you can really unleash your musical genius!

 

Drift Championship 2

Drift Mania Championship, from Ratrod Studio, is a technique heavy car racing game, with a near-console level gaming experience. It's noteworthy as being one of the first Windows Phone games to be powered by the Unity graphics engine. The graphics certainly stand out and there's no doubt they make even the best Windows Phone 7 games look rather anemic, underlining Windows Phone 8's much improved gaming potential.

As you would expect from the name, the driving part of the game places heavy emphasis on drifting. Indeed, unlike most racing games, timing is less important than executing a proper technique. Perhaps as a result the car can feel a little difficult to control at first, but perseverance will be rewarded, although excellence takes a lot of practise.