I was at the bookstore earlier this evening picking up a copy of Runners World (yeah, I run, check out my fledgling running blog at kakilari.com) when I stopped to look at the video games magazine section. It got me thinking how long has it been since I last bought a video games mag…it was probably 5 months ago and it was either an issue of EDGE or Retro Gamer. Both are UK publications, and in the case of the latter, an expensive UK publication.

On the other hand, the App Store is actually home to a number of cheaper video game reads that you can read off your iPad or iPhone. Take for instance GameStar. The February 2012 issue is out now and is available as a USD 3.99 in-app purchase with 12-issue subscription going for USD 39.99. This issue covers exclusive previews on Prototype 2, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, and Spec Ops: The Line.

Reviews include that of Syndicate (! OMG I want to see how this matches up with Deus Ex), Darkness II, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, Resident Evil Revelations, I Am Alive, Final Fantasy XIII-2, SoulCalibur V, Uncharted: Golden Abyss and more. Check out the app over here: http://itunes.apple.com/hu/app/gamestar/id493006640?mt=8

I saw a friend of mine playing this really cool game on the Nokia N8, it’s one of those 2D platformers where you’ll need to keep on running. Called Dalton – The Awesome!, it has this really cool-looking stickman-with-colour pencils art style that caught my eye in the first place.

The game is available both for Android and the iPhone as well. Having seen the game on a Samsung Galaxy SII (demo-ed by the same friend), Android users are advised that the game may run like it’s on steroids, in other words, crazy fast. LOL. I haven’t checked out the game on the iPhone yet, have you?

If you have played the game, sound off on the comments section of the blog on whether it’s a keeper or not. The game is on the iTunes App Store for 99 cents (here), free (I think so) for Android phones and free on the Nokia Store (here).

I think I figured out what’s wrong with my version of MotoSikeO, Spin Island’s latest game, that I have on my iPhone. It seems that the menu screens are ones that are meant for a Retina Display screen. In any case, it doesn’t seem to affect the actual gameplay, which is a shame though, as it could be perceived as a little boring to some people.

MotoSikeO challenges players to wrack up as many points as possible weaving in-and-out of traffic from Point A to Point B. The controls are really simple, tilt the iPhone to move either left or right or tap on the screen to make your 3D motorcyclist do wheelies for extra points.

The amount of traffic varies as you make your way to the finish line, with trucks, station wagons, and cars which can sometimes cut into other lanes as well. One surefire way to gain points would be to ride between vehicles while performing a wheelie at the same time.

It’s a crazy ride with MotoSikeO, but like I said earlier, it might be an acquired taste for some. Nine Over Ten 9/10 rates the game at a 4 out of 5. The game is available on the iTunes App Store for just USD 0.99, check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/my/app/motosikeo/id494233400?mt=8

A promo code was provided to Nine Over Ten 9/10 for the purpose of this review.

Big Pixel Studios are probably the masters of cute for iOS. The indie developer’s first break-out title, Land-a-Panda brought about a crazy amount of cuteness to the puzzle-platformer genre. Their latest title, Off The Leash, is no different, bringing cute to a category of games that has made the iPhone their home: the type that involves a lot of running .

In Off The Leash, Rover, or rather, Steve the Golden Retriever is on a mission to rescue other dogs and outrun the police. Each stage is littered with obstacles, food, coins and mission objectives, and using the simple tilt-base controls, you’ll need to guide Steve and other rescued dogs to the finish line before the time runs out.

Hehe, I had a lot of fun guiding a whole bunch of dogs through the levels, and eating more actually makes them go faster. There are a number of power-ups available as well, look out for the additional time power-up and the red chili which gives Steve and pals an even greater (albeit temporary) speed boost.

Off The Leash is available for free on the iTunes App Store, and that just makes an awesome game even awesomer (I’m not sure whether that’s a word, probably picked it up from the Scott Pilgrim books or something). Nine Over Ten 9/10 rates Off The Leash at a 4.5 out of 5. Leaderboard junkies can look forward to both Game Center and OpenFeint support in the game.

Check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/off-the-leash/id480125356?mt=8

Check this out, it’s the new teaser trailer for Spacetime Studios’ upcoming MMORPG, Dark Legends. It looks really, well, dark and has vampires in it! The game is scheduled to be released for iOS, Android and Chrome in the first quarter of 2012:

I gotten a belated Valentine’s gift from my wife and it’s a pretty cool Paul Frank t-shirt. So I guess there’s no harm in putting up this piece on Breakout Boost’s (iOS) Valentine’s Day-related update. Atari’s popular Breakout®: Boost, which has achieved 2.5 million downloads on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, today received a sweet update: a Valentine’s Day level pack, available now through a $0.99 in-app purchase.

The pack celebrates Valentine’s Day with 50 new, romantic levels and brick layouts displaying candy heart sayings and cute pictures. Also included is a Cupid’s Arrow power up which helps break those romantic bricks to pieces more quickly. Lastly, players can show their love for the new levels by competing for leaderboard placement and earning new achievements for completion.  Players can purchase the new content for $0.99 by updating their App and selecting the Valentine’s Day Pack under “New Game”

Download the original, free Breakout: Boost, with 5 original levels and over 250 more available through in-app purchases, including the new Valentine’s Day levels: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/breakout-boost/id476059948?mt=8.

Download Breakout: Boost+ for $0.99, with 100 original levels and 50 Valentine’s Day levels available through in-app purchase: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/breakout-boost/id494136657?mt=8.

The online games publisher and developer Infernum announced today that shortly after the first announcement over 100,000 players have already registered for Brick-Force, the cross-platform sandbox shooter. Those who wish to experience Brick-Force before its official release in the spring can register for the beta which starts on the 28th February, over at www.brick-force.com. The free-to-play online game will be released for the PC, iOS, Android and playable via browser.

Infernum founder and CEO Andreas Weidenhaupt is pleased by the rush of players: “Although we announced the start of the closed beta just two weeks ago, we’ve seen an enormous and rapid growth of the Brick-Force community. Before the beta has even launched we have a surprisingly large fan base that will give us valuable feedback during the next phase of testing. We are really looking forward to presenting Brick-Force to all players.”

Those who have registered in time for the closed beta will be granted access gradually in several waves, where they will descend upon a playful world that combines creativity and action. The shooter mode will be playable exclusively on PC systems, while for imaginative minds, the sandbox mode will be functional on the mobile platforms iOS and Android. The first Brick-Force mobile version for smartphones and tablets will be published after release of the open beta.

Check out the site right over here: http://www.brick-force.com/

Here’s a special Valentine’s Day gift to all fans of Disney’s Where’s My Water Free for the iPhone, from the lovable mascot himself, Swampy the Alligator. In the newest update, titled “Hearts and Crafts” to hit the game, players get the opportunity to unlock a new level everyday for 10 days starting February 14th!

If you haven’t gotten the game, grab it here right now for free: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wheres-my-water-free/id467810884?mt=8

Check this out, 16 year old developer John H. Meyer has come up with an “interactive encyclopedia” of ocean life for the iPad, titled Real Aquarium HD. Users can either place the iPad down and admire the stunning HD footage of beautiful underwater animals or delve right into the app to broaden their knowledge on sea life. The app even includes a super cool feature that allows wireless streaming of the HD aquarium to your Apple TV.

The app is available on the iTunes App Store for USD 0.99 with unlockables going for USD 0.99 each via in-app purchase. Check it out over here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/real-aquarium-hd-pro/id480087765?mt=8

John is also the founder of DevFund, a new way for app developers to give back to charity. You can learn more at www.devfund.com.