Free Game Of The Day, “BioDefense Zombie Outbreak”

Tower Defense (for mobile devices) is the closest genre to the PC-based RTS games I’m so fond of.

Add in a few zombies and a couple of hounds from hell combined with rocket artillery, and you’ve got my attention.

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Enter, “BioDefense Zombie Outbreak” – the full version is currently free in the App Store (was .99), this one is quite addictive!

The graphics are solid enough, although the interface is a bit crowded (more a limitation of the size of the iPhone rather than the game itself). Game play is smooth, with the touchscreen working just fine.

If you’re looking for a fun, and FREE, tower defense game – check out BioDefense.

StarPagga – Decent Space Shooter

Figures, just when I think I’ve got my “favorite games” list all set, Freeappalert comes along and lets me know of yet ANOTHER freebie for the iPhone.

StarPagga is a slick space-based flying/shooter with decent 3D graphics.

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Basically, you’re the pilot in the Azure Squadron with access of up to 8 configurable spaceships. Between training missions, 14 solo missions, online multiplayer (yes, you read that right!), and local area bluetooth play, this game will keep you happy for some time, and all for the “too good to pass by” price of FREE!

So far, I’ve only been doing the solo missions but it’s been a blast! Shhhhhhhh, don’t share this with the developer, but I would have happily paid for this app (and I’m guessing they WILL charge for it shortly so get it now!)

As for game play, intuitive controls and your choice of an on-screen joystick or the iPhone’s accelerometer to tilt and lean your way to victory…Oh, and did I mention you can import your iTunes playlists for in-flight/combat music? Yeah, it’s got that too.

Get it in the app store, for free, here

My Most Played iPhone Games

Yes, I’m a gamer. No, I’ll never win any competition or earn my living on gaming professionally, but put an Xbox, Wii, PS3, or any mobile variant and I’ll sit for hours twiddling away at the controls…

So, it should come as no surprise that when I replaced my Blackberry Curve with an iPhone 3GS, one of the first things I did was to cruise over to the App Store and check out what was available for games I could play on the run.

My tendency – while playing on a console -  is to gravitate toward first-person, squad-based shooters or other similar tactical/strategy style games. Typically though, I’ve got time (hours) to kill when sitting in front of a console so the large scale, strategy-based games work well for me. That, and I get to blow stuff up and talk trash with my friends…

I’ve found however that when I’m jonesin’ for a fix on the run, I tend to prefer games which start fast, end fast, and can easily be walked away from whenever life, work, or parental responsibilities take priority.

To that end, here are the 3 most often played (in no particular order) games on my iPhone, and all 3 were free:

1. Max Injury Lite – The name alone screams PLAY ME! This simple, albeit addictive, game consists of one very basic concept. You must toss (or flick) your crash test dummy down concrete stairs and steps, through obstacles, and over anything that gets in your way intentionally hitting as much as possible on the ride down. it’s mindless, it’s hilarious, and it’s free in the App Store here: Download Max Injury Lite

   
   

2. Words With Friends – A co-worker of mine turned me onto this game, and wow, is it ever fun! I mean, it’s no visual stunner, but if you’re looking for a social, word-based game that you can play with anyone who has an iPhone, this is it. It’s basically Scrabble for the iPhone.

   

   You can set up games with friends, or with random iPhone gamers. Turns are asynchronously made, although it is possible to “watch” the board live when it’s your opponents turn. Download Words With Friends

3. Runway – This game is as cool, as it is frustrating. It puts you in the seat of an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) at your choice of 8 airports (more in the paid version), from NYC to Sydney. The concept is simple enough, using your finger to swipe the iPhone screen, land commuter, jumbo, and cargo jets without crashing any of them into each other.And that’s where it gets interesting…See, depending on the airport chosen, your incoming jets will have different needs. Some will simply need to taxi to a gate to unload passengers, while others (denoted by the color bar at the tail of the jet) will need to refuel, repair, offload cargo, or resupply for in-flight meals.

   
   
   Bear in mind, all of this is occurring while an ever-increasing number of planes are circling above waiting to land before their fuel runs out. The first 2 or 3 level of this game are cute, fun, but not very challenging. That all changes by about level 4. If nothing else, you’ll find yourself with a new found respect for REAL ATC’s. Get it for free: Download Runway