10 iPad Games Worth Paying For

1. Civilization Revolution

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If you’ve played any version of Sid Meier’s award-winning Civilization franchise, you’ll be instantly familiar with the iPad app. It compares very favorably with the versions of Civilization Revolution that brought the original PC strategy series to consoles, and will have a very small learning curve for anyone who has played the title on other platforms.
If you’re not already familiar with the franchise, it may be easier to think of Civilization as a modern-day version of Risk, in which you choose a historical figure to lead your civilization in a turn-based scaled progression of time. As you turn your tiny village into a thriving metropolis, animated advisers help guide you through the finer points of diplomacy with your adversaries and scientific advancement through research. Unlike Risk, however, there is more than one path to victory — in addition to world domination, you can also win a match by technological advancement, cultural growth, or economic achievement.
Several difficulty levels allow you to scale up as you master the various aspects of the game. If you’re already a fan of Civilization or the strategy and management genre in general, our only caveat is the many hours you may lose to this $12.99 title.
Get it: Civilization Revolution for $12.99

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2. N.O.V.A. HD

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Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance (N.O.V.A) HD reminds us of a certain other four-letter space FPS franchise and that’s not at all a bad thing. If you’re looking for a Halo-esque sci-fi shooter for your iPad, it’s definitely worth giving N.O.V.A. a try.
The game controls are simple and intuitive, with a virtual pad supplying character movement, finger-swiped camera controls, aim-assist and other shooter essentials like weapon selection, a reloading mechanism, and grenades. The iPad’s touchscreen is used to great effect here, making N.O.V.A. HD feel arguably more at home here than on its iPhone version cousin. Visuals and production values are high, and voice acting adds depth to the experience as well.
Although the title is undoubtedly derivative of Halo, and the storyline cribs a number of sci-fi action cliches, N.O.V.A. is still loads of fun to fire up and shoot some baddies. You may even find yourself marveling that this type of experience is happening on a portable device.
Get it: N.O.V.A. HD for $6.99

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3. Plants vs. Zombies HD

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If you’ve ever played PopCap’s Plants vs. Zombies in any of its various versions for iPhone, Mac, PC or Web, you’ll be right at home with the iPad version. It’s essentially the same zombie-slaying action strategy goodness in larger, eye-popping resolution.
If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing “PvZ” yet, it’s well worth a first try in this format. The premise is to prevent your home from being invading by incessantly spawning zombies of varying abilities. You’ll need to use an arsenal of different plant types with different skills along with various obstacles to slow down and destroy the oncoming hordes over multiple levels. With four different game modes to choose from and lots of replayability factor, this creative and humorous title is one to consider picking up.
Get it: Plants vs. Zombies HD for $9.99

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4. Labyrinth 2 HD

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Fans of the original Labyrinth for the iPhone will enjoy this new version of the popular maze game, and even moreso thanks to the increased screen real estate on the iPad. As one of the titles making exceptional use of the accelerometer function, this reasonably-priced puzzle game emulates the original analog wooden puzzles in which you navigate a steel ball through a maze, avoiding obstacles along the way to get to the end.
With oodles of challenging levels featuring obstacles galore, there’s no shortage of fun gameplay in this app. Multiplayer mode adds a whole additional dimension to the game, and yet another really cool feature is the level editor which allows you to create your own obstacle courses, share them with your friends, and download custom maps created by other players.
Get it: Labyrinth 2 HD for $7.99

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5. Real Racing HD

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Firemint’s Real Racing HD is a good option for fans of racing titles, with your choice of five different control schemes that make varying use of the iPad’s accelerometer. In addition to a number of different track challenges available in several modes including career, quick race and time trial, you also get the ability to extensively personalize your vehicles with custom photos and skins.
Get it: Real Racing HD for $9.99

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6. Mirror’s Edge

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If you’ve played the console version of EA’s innovative and critically-acclaimed Mirror’s Edge, you’ll probably be delightfully surprised by this smaller, iPad version. In this side-scrolling rendition of the original first person action-adventure, you navigate through a stylishly-rendered dystopian cityscape as protagonist Faith.
In the iPad version, finger swipes send Faith leaping over, sliding under, or wall-running and more around obstacles in her path. Getting into a consistent groove helps Faith pick up speed to achieve ever more death-defying leaps across rooftops, off of buildings onto precarious scaffolding, across chasms to crane-held beams and more. Interspersed cut scenes keep you engaged in the storyline as well, and multiplayer modes provide the ability to race through the city against your friends.
At $12.99, it’s one of the more expensive titles in this list, but in our opinion the silky smooth acrobatics and compelling world creation are well worth the expense.
Get it: Mirror’s Edge for $12.99

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7. MiniGore HD

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This quirky action shoot ‘em up has you piloting a series of comical avatars through the stylishly “dark wilderness of Hardland,” fending off furry creatures and various flavors of enemy. With 14 unique playable characters and a choice between dead easy and original dual-stick shooter control options, this playful title is a perfect bit of instant fun.
Get it: MiniGore HD for $4.99

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8. Geometry Wars: Touch

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Activision’s popular Xbox Live Arcade twin-stick shooter Geometry Wars gets an iPad-flavored update in this app. The action is controlled by two virtual sticks, but their position is not fixed and you can determine your own comfortable position for holding your iPad and playing — simply drop your thumb in a new position to create a new stick location. One stick controls the motion of your iconic spaceship with the other controlling the direction you shoot.
You can unlock different gameplay modes by mastering earlier levels, and gameplay is enhanced with an appropriately frenetic soundtrack and sound effects.
Get it: Geometry Wars: Touch for $4.99

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9. Diner Dash: Grilling Green

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Diner Dash as a restaurant-themed time-management strategy game is already well known. Diner Dash: Grilling Green for iPad has been built as a completely new title for the platform. You play as Flo, a former stockbroker, who has left the life of high finance to own and operate her own diner. You’ll need to seat customers, take their orders, inform the cook and deliver the food before they get too antsy.
The iPad-specific Grilling Green edition features a healthy eating theme, in which Flo embarks on a mission to serve “DinerTown” denizens greener, healthier foods. Players of previous titles will be happy to find new tricks in Flo’s arsenal to help her move patrons through the restaurant swiftly enough to avoid being overwhelmed by incoming customers.
Get it: Diner Dash: Grilling Green for $4.99

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10. Radio Flare REDUX HD

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The mechanics of this game are similar to the twin-stick shooting action of Geometry Wars, but are enhanced with an additional rhythm action component. A pulsating electronica soundtrack accompanies your flying ship on its mission to destroy bad guys by stringing together attacks as your craft moves and shoots to the beat.
Featuring a licensed soundtrack from a number of A-list techno and house producers, Radio Flare includes 33 different planetary levels to groove and blast through. Unlockable rewards provide new challenges and a Visualizer mode lets you cruise through levels without enemies to appreciate the eye-popping visuals and pumping tunes.
Get it: Radio Flare REDUX HD for $4.99