Dots is addictive, intoxicating, and perhaps one of the weirdest gaming experiences I've personally had during 2013. Earlier in the year the game "Dots" was released on iOS from Nerdy Octopus and Betaworks. It's still horribly addictive. And now it's (kind of) here on Windows Phone.
Right then, you've all heard of IMDB, the definitive movie database for all platforms, with facts, links, quotes, trivia, the works? What room is there in the market for another movie-centric application for Windows Phone? The answer is to turn to the graphical nature of films and concentrate on the visual side of things more than facts and figures (though you get a few of those too). Film Closet is not only sumptuous, it's also perfectly optimised for Windows Phone and it's also free.
The Role Playing Game genre (RPG) doesn't have a huge number of titles on Windows Phone, so when a new one comes along, it not only has the expectations of the gamers on the platform to satisfy, but RPG's have a long history and any new title will be measured against it. I get the feeling that Doom & Destiny is counting on that.
This looks rather familiar... A bundle of balls, stuck to the top of the gameplay area in a hex grid slowly moving to the bottom, and the player throwing balls up to match colours and make them disappear? Yes, it's another Puzzle Bobble / Bust-a-move clone, but hold on a minute. That might be the starting point for Magnet Balls, but there's a new twist on an old classic that works.
Buses Due has a limited user base - you need to be in London, and you need to be looking to catch a bus. If you fit into that group, then this free application from Lama Apps is for you.
There are three laps of the Montpelier circuit facing you. You've got a fully charged smartphone battery, half a pack of chewing gum, the lights are out, and are wearing an ironic Family Guy t-shirt. It's time to hit Real Racing 2 on Windows Phone!
I'm torn really - Tiger Woods 12 brings the maturity of EA's golf engine and its general expertise to Windows Phone (or at least, the higher specified Nokias), and I'm very glad to see it on my smartphone, fully paid up and always available. The depth of gameplay is all here, the skill required is high and I feel churlish in complaining. Yet somehow there's not quite the same satisfaction here as there should be, with the graphics distinctly closer to 'workmanlike' than 'stunning'. Don't be too put off though, there's a lot of golf here for a pocket money price and Tiger Woods 12 still gets a hearty 'recommended' from us.
Okay this is quite scary. Open up SixPack ("6Pack" in fact, but the Store presumably doesn't like apps starting with a number) and you get a gruff digitised voice welcoming you to the application. That's about as nice as it gets, because this app has one goal. To 'help you strengthen your abdominal muscles and improve their sculpture.' Yes it's a trainer in your pocket. A relentless trainer who'll do his best to get your abs into shape.
Here's a nice bit of 'single screen tactical action' for the weekend. Tiny Space puts you in control of one of three space stations, all with the goal of eliminating the other two. At your disposal is a constantly (but slowly) replenishing fleet of space fighters to attack the other stations. But if you attack too hard, you'll leave your station undefended.
Catch a falling ball and put it in your pocket, never let it - well, never let it touch a different colour. That's Spin Out for you, an arcade collection game from Random Salad Games that has a lot of promise.
